Page 109 of Here's to Now

“I’m incredibly nervous.”

Haley tugs on my hand to attempt to slow me down. I don’t because I can’t. I’m stuffed to the brim with anxiety, and Ineedto get inside and get this over with before I explode. Or implode. Whatever.

“Join the club.”

“Do they serve cookies?”

I whip my head back at her. “What?”

“Do they serve cookies at this club of yours?”

I grin at her silly humor. “Of course.”

“Then I’d love join. But I can only meet on Wednesdays; all my other days are filled.”

Pulling her up to me, I throw my arm around her shoulders and give a peck to her temple. “Filled? With what?”

“Sex.”

I bark out a laugh and shake my head as I continue to lead us up the short walkway.

“Seriously,” she hisses once we reach the door. “I can’t do this, Gaige. I have to back out.”

I spin toward her, trap her head between my hands, and kiss her hard. “No. You’re not backing out. Do this with me.Please.”

Her resolve crumbles at my words. Blowing out a heavy breath, she relents. “Okay. Fine. But you owe me.”

“Sex?”

“Sex.”

The front door swings open and my younger sister Gia steps into the light flooding the doorway.

“Hi,” she says shyly, flashing her eyes between me and Haley.

I step forward and wrap her in a quick hug. “Hey, sis. Haley, this is Gia. Gia, this my…”

“Haley,” my wife provides.

Widening my eyes at her, I silently ask,What the fuck?She tilts her head slightly, letting me know to drop it. I do, but not without a heavy feeling settling in my gut.

This isn’t going to end well.

“Everyone is in the dining room,” Gia tells us, stepping aside so we can move past her.

“How is she?” I ask her quietly as I pass. She shrugs in return.Awesome.

The three of us quietly make our way to the dining room, Gia leading. Haley’s head goes back and forth, looking over all the miscellaneous pictures and kooky signs hanging around my aunt’s home. She tries to pause and squint at a picture of me with my parents when I was only two, but I push her along, not wanting my past and present to collide.

I hold my breath as we enter the dining room. I haven’t been this nervous for anything since…well, it’s been a hot fucking minute. Hell, I wasn’t even this nervous on my goddamn wedding day!

“Gaige,” says my aunt as a greeting. “You brought company.”

“I told you I was going to, Mercy.”

She dips her chin. “What’s your name?”

Her question is abrupt and I feel Haley stiffen beside me, unsure how to react to Mercy’s brutish attitude.

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