Page 94 of Finding Fate

Nash

Today

The floor creaks undermy weight as I pace at the bottom of the stairs, stealing a glance up with each pass. Earlier, our difference of opinions ended in a stalemate, and now here I am having no idea where we stand. Worry churns the eggs and pancakes in my stomach, making me nauseous.

Was it the revelation of my failures or the mind-blowing sex that caused the awkwardness? Either way we need to talk this shit out, get everything out on the table like Liza always says, because Pops slipping through my fingers due to me being a damn idiot isn’t an option.

Damn, I want a drink. I take a long look at the fridge, my throat turning dry, but I push the urge away and go back to pacing the room. Damn, if she doesn't hurry in getting ready, we won't have time to work this out before the FBI gets here.

Seconds later, the perimeter alarm beeps and the phone in my pocket vibrates.

Fave Sis:You'll never guess what happened last night.

Me:Mya finished the book Pops gave her?

Fave Sis:No. By tonight, I'm sure. But not that.

Fave Sis:My shit of an ex wired me the money. A LOT of money.

Fave Sis:It's like all the missed child support payments plus some kind of stupid interest amount.

Fave Sis:Crazy since we were just talking about him yesterday.

Me:That is odd.

The crunch of several cars arriving sounds through the open front door.

Me:Gotta run. Work to do.

Me:Love you.

Fave Sis:Love you too. Hey, Mya wants to come back over to see Fate. When can we make that happen? She really liked her.

Fave Sis:Prob her fabulous pink hair :)

Me:Soon.

Slapping the end of the phone against my open palm, I stare out the front door, failing to register movement on the stairs behind me.

"You look like you're thinking hard. Something happen?" Pops asks, coming to stand beside me at the door.

"Nah, just Liza." Finally looking up, my eyes widen. "Shit, Poppy."

Why in the hell did she go and do this? She was enough of a gorgeous distraction without makeup on, but now she’s stunning. The dark stuff on her eyes and lips accentuates her fair skin and makes her freckles pop. And hell if I know how, but the pink hair stands out even more. As I stare at those perfectly full lips, my dick grows, responding with its own approval.

"What?" She glances down to her Converses and shoves her fists into the pockets of her florescent blue hoodie. "I thought I'd try to look nice since it's an official thing. Do I... do I look bad?"

I’m an idiot. Nice going, dipshit.

"Hell, Pops, you look stunning." Blue eyes shoot to mine and a small smile pulls at the corner of her lips. "It's just... fuck, you're beautiful without all that stuff, but this, you right now, I don't want them to see you."

"Possessive much?" she jokes.

"With you, hell yes. Someone would be an idiot not to be. And I'm no idiot. You can check my records. I graduated top twenty of my class."

"Were there only twenty in your graduating class?"

My shoulders relax a fraction at our back-and-forth, the friction from earlier now nonexistent. "Maybe." I give her my best mischievous smirk that gets me out of, well, everything. Digging in my back pocket, I pull out a hairband and tie my hair back before stepping out to the porch. "They're here, by the way. You ready?"

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