Page 84 of Chasing You

“Bowen put whatever he was able to salvage in his garage. We can go through it when we’re up for it. I’m not right now. If that’s okay with you,” Adele added very quietly.

Kash reached for him, kissing him softly, chastely, letting their mouths linger together as they shared breath. “All that matters is this right here.”

Adele hummed. “Can we skip the ridiculous tradition ofsleeping apart the night before the wedding? I’ve given up enough nights with you for a lifetime.”

“I’m not superstitious,” Kash told him, which was a lie. Firefighters came second to professional sports teams when it came to superstition, but he wasn’t going to give this one any weight. They’d already been torn apart and torn to pieces over the last two decades.

He wasn’t giving Adele up for a single night if he didn’t have to.

“Kiss me again,” Adele said.

Kash did. And then again. And one more time for good measure.

They finished their sad little pre-wedding meal—not that either of them had much of an appetite—then said goodbye to their soon-to-be home and headed back to Renato’s. Kash had no idea what was on the agenda for the night, but he was hoping there wasn’t about to be some impromptu bachelor party because he didn’t feel like a bachelor—and he was pretty sure Adele didn’t either. Not to mention, he was exhausted.

They rolled up to the house, and Kash vaguely recognized the car idling in the driveway. The house was almost completely dark though, which did not bode well.

“What the—is that Bronx?” Adele asked.

Just before Kash’s stomach sank to his feet, the front door opened, and Gage burst out with Lucas on his arm. They were laughing but came to a skidding halt when Gage saw Adele’s car parked. Adele opened the door in time for them both to hear Gage say, “Oh shit, it’s my dad.”

“Language,” Adele said, and echoing him in almost a perfect accent, Lucas mimicked him.

Adele burst into laughter as he and Kash both stepped out. “What are you two doing?”

“Nothing,” Gage said. “I mean, I’m having a sleepover with Lucas. Bronx said it was fine.”

“I said it was fine,” Bronx confirmed, leaning out the window with a suspicious grin.

Kash didn’t think there was a surprise party happening at this point, but there was definitely something going on. He looked at Adele and saw the same worry reflected on his face. “I’m gonna…head in,” he said.

“No!” Gage cried. He pointed Lucas toward Bronx’s car, then ran over to them. “You can’t go in without Dad. What if you fall?”

Adele’s brow furrowed deeper. “The hell is going on?”

“What? Who did what? No. Nothing!” Gage said.

Adele sighed. “If it’s slimy or messy, I will ground you until you’re thirty.” He tugged Gage close, who laughed and hugged him back.

“It’s not slimy. It’s nothing. Just relax. Love you both!”

Then he was gone, and Adele came around to offer Kash an arm as they made their way to the door.

“It’s going to be slimy, isn’t it?” Kash asked.

Adele stopped at the stoop and reached for the handle, turning it slowly until the door barely disengaged. “Let me see your cane.”

Kash handed it over, and Adele used the rubber tip to push the door open hard. It swung and revealed the dark, empty foyer. There were no strange sounds or smells. It was just…the house. “Are Renato and Frey supposed to be here?”

“No idea.” Adele handed the cane back and took a tentative step inside. Still nothing happened.

“Is it safe?”

“I’m afraid to say yes,” Adele said, but he reached back for Kash’s hand and helped him inside. The door shutbehind them, and it was only then Kash heard something off in the distance.

“Music?”

“If those little fuckers are throwing us a party,” Adele started, marching down the hallway. He came to a stop in the kitchen archway, but there was no sign of anyone. Adele let his hand go, and he walked to the counter, and only then did Kash see the note he snapped up. “It’s from Frey. They’re not staying here tonight.”

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