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  “We do need to get the bed set up. My back is killing me.” All that’s covering the hardwood floor beneath us is a thin piece of carpet. I’m pretty sure it’s only here for looks because my spine is begging for some padding.

  “But we’re naked.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “So what. I’ll move twice as fast with your sexy little ass in front of me.”

  “You’re terrible. Help me up.”

  I pull her up by her hands, bringing her hips flush with mine. Sophie’s eyes widen as she realizes naked moving has its perks.

  “This thing is huge, Kipton.”

  I smile with confidence. “Thanks, baby.”

  Sophie snorts as she laughs, shaking her head as she tries to get herself under control. “The mattress! Not your junk.”

  I pretend to pout, but considering she wasn’t complaining a few minutes ago, and even confused me for God a few times, I’ll let it slide. “The bed just looks big because it’s against the wall.”

  “No. It looks big because it is!”

  “I need a lot of room to love you.” Especially since we’ll only have the weekends now.

  “Good point,” she says as she lets out a frustrated grunt. She tugs on the plastic covering again, only tearing through the slightest bit. “I think we need some scissors. This shit is thick.”

  “I’ll get it.” She backs up far enough that I can slide in front of her. I stand close on purpose so our skin touches, my back to her front. While I’m ripping apart the plastic, her nails scratch up and down my back.

  “Come hold this side, Sophie, so I can lift it onto the frame.” She does as I ask, and with a little effort, I slide the box spring onto the frame. “So the same with the mattress, but we’ll have to turn it a quarter to the right.”

  “It’s heavy,” she says as she pushes it up with all her might so I can turn it.

  “I’ve got it, just don’t let go.”

  I have to let go for a second to adjust the headboard. Using my leg to keep it steady, the mattress shifts unexpectedly. The next thing I hear is Sophie’s shrill scream as she falls backwards. “Kipton. Help!” The mattress lands on top of her, pinning her to the floor.

  “Fuck!”

  Drew barrels though the bedroom door after hearing the commotion. “Are you—? Shit, I don’t even want to know,” he says as he rushes back out of the room.

  I’m standing next to half of the bed naked as the day I was born while Sophie’s foot sticks out from underneath the other half of the bed. This either looks like a freak accident, or sex gone wrong. Either way, it isn’t good considering my girl is on the floor.

  I bend down, lifting the bed off Sophie. Thankfully she’s able to slide out from under the weight of the bed on her own. Once she’s out, I prop the mattress against the wall. The same place it was when we started.

  “Come here, Sophie.”

  With her face an adorable shade of red, she crosses her arms over her chest to hide her body. “Did Drew see me naked?”

  “No, baby. I wouldn’t ever let that happen.” She visibly relaxes once she realizes she was covered. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just embarrassed. That king bed just kicked my ass.”

  Once I know she’s okay, I make her wait next to the closet, on the other side of the room, before I finish putting the bed together. When it’s where it needs to be, I pick her up, laying her in the center. But my mood shifts when I see her ribs. “Sophie, you have a big red mark.”

  She sits up far enough to inspect her side. “It doesn’t hurt.”

  I run my fingers over her ribs and watch her face for any signs that she’s not telling me the truth. When she doesn’t wince or flinch, I trust she’s okay. “I don’t like seeing marks on you.”

  “It was an accident. You’d never hurt me on purpose.” The change in her eyes as she says it reminds me that she has been hurt intentionally. And I could kill her ex for laying a hand on her. She shouldn’t know what it’s like to be hit at all let alone by a guy twice her size.

  I grab a blanket off the pile stacked up in the wash basket. Sophie scoots over so I can lay down next to her. “Rest for a few minutes.”

  “Okay. I really am fine, Kipton. I promise.”

  “I know.” I hug her a little tighter, and I’m still careful with her side despite her telling me it doesn’t hurt. I can’t get the thought of Blaine hurting her out of my head.

  If I ever see him . . .

  OUR FEW MINUTES OF REST end up turning into hours of sleep. Awake most of last night, we were both more exhausted than we realized. But when I reach for my phone on the floor next to me, the time on the clock surprises me. We slept the day away.

  “Beautiful,” I whisper against the hair covering her face. “It’s time to wake up.”

  Sophie stirs before opening her eyes. “This bed is amazing. I feel like I slept for days. What time is it?”

  “It’s late.”

  “No!” She sits up quickly and glances at the time on my phone. “I didn’t want to sleep that long. We wasted all our time together.”

  “I don’t think time with you is ever wasted. Even if we’re asleep.”

  She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I guess.”

  She lays down next to me and holds on a little tighter. It makes what I’m about to say even harder.

  “I should probably get on the road before it gets too much later.” The words are barely out of my mouth and already her body starts trembling. Hot tears roll down her cheeks, landing on my bare chest. “Baby, please don’t cry.”

  She sniffles and swipes her fingers under her eyes to brush away her falling tears. “I’m being such a girl. I’m sorry. I don’t know why this is such a big deal to me.”

  “You don’t have to apologize for missing me. It actually feels good.” You’re not supposed to be happy when you’re sad, yet it’s the only way I can describe to her how she’s affecting me.

  “How does being sad feel good to you? It really sucks for me.”

  “Not what I meant. I mean knowing how much you care about me feels good. I’d be upset if this wasn’t bothering you at all. If you were happy as can be, and didn’t care about us being apart, that would hurt.”

  “So you want me to be miserable so you can be happy.”

  I can’t help but laugh at the adorably confused expression on her face. That wasn’t what I was trying to say at all. “Do you want me to try again? Or am I just digging a bigger hole?”

  “Try again. I want to understand.”

  “I guess I’m trying to say I feel loved. Nobody’s ever cried when I left.” Sophie wipes away a few more tears, and finally, she smiles. It gives me a little reassurance that I got it right this time.

  “You are very loved, Kipton. I know I put you through hell last year and there will never be enough apologies for that, but even when I was fighting you, I still wanted you. That’s never going to change. But I got so spoiled over the summer, and now being away from you is going to suck so much ass.”

  Chuckling at her, I can’t help but agree. I’ve gotten used to living with her, too. “And as I’ve said, you are worth the fight. We’ve both changed a lot since then, but all that matters is that we’re together now. The past is in the past where it belongs.”

  “I agree.” She moves to straddle me, and I hold onto her waist, helping her get situated. “Stop worrying about it.” I get caught glancing at her ribs again, so I force myself to look away. Instead I focus on her gorgeous, turquoise eyes. Fuck, I’ll miss those eyes.

  She’s right, this is totally going to suck ass.

  “You’ll text me right?” She questions as she sits on top of me with her hands clasped in mine.

  “Of course I will.”

  “Okay. See, we’ll manage. We’re tough.”

  She flexes her arms and shows off her guns. I reach up and squeeze her muscles, impressed at how strong she is for being so damn small. Years of gymnastics training has made her one to
ugh chick. It’s also given her a sexy as hell body.

  With her palms flat on my chest, she braces herself to get up, but I don’t let her. I hold her in place so she has to stay put. “Where are you going?” I really do have to go, but I don’t want her to get up.

  “I’m not sure, but you look like you’re going to eat me. I thought I might need to run.”

  “Don’t give me any ideas, Sophie, or I’ll never leave.” This time I do move her off me, and after I do, I set her down on the bed next to me.

  “Can you toss me my clothes, Kipton?”

  “I can, but I really don’t want to,” I tell her as I root around the bedroom floor until I find all the missing pieces. Her shirt is on top of mine, and her shorts are draped over one of my shoes. It looks the same way my bedroom has looked all summer long—messy, but ours.

  She holds out her hand, and I hand her clothes over. Although reluctant, I sit down on the edge of the bed with her while we both dress in silence. “You look like I just ran over your puppy,” I tell her.

  “I’ve never had a dog—or any other pets,” She says sadly.

  Good job, asshole.

  “Do you want one?” Her eyes light up at the possibility. If a dog can make her smile like that, I’ll buy her an entire litter.

  “We can’t have pets here, but maybe I’ll get a fish. They didn’t say anything about fish on the lease. At least I don’t think so. I’ll have to check.”

  I laugh as she rambles on about her fish. I can’t imagine any landlord putting a restriction on owning a goldfish, but I’ll let her check it out anyway. “I’ll take you to get a fish next weekend.”

  Sophie looks so much younger when she claps her hands at the possibility of having something of her own to take care of. I’ve had every pet imaginable growing up, but this is another reminder of all she missed out on. There were no siblings for her to love, and no pets for her to play with. She really was all alone.

  “Come on,” I tell her as I take her by the hand, leading her into the hallway. We stop in front of Cara’s bedroom door. I want to make sure she’s okay before I leave.

  I knock twice on the door, but she doesn’t respond right away. “Cara?” I say as I knock two more times.

  “I’m coming,” she shouts.

  “Hopefully she means to answer the door,” Sophie jokes.

  “Oh hell,” I say as I roll my eyes. Would it kill these two to come up for air for a little while. I’ll have words with my sister if she starts spending all her time with Drew, and ignoring Sophie. The last thing I want is for her to start feeling like the third wheel in this arrangement.

  Finally, Cara answers her door. Her hair’s a mess, but at least all her clothes are on. “What’s up?”

  “I’m heading out.”

  “Aw, really? I’ll miss you, Kippy. Thank you for all your help today. I’ll buy you dinner next time since you two were so occupied,” she adds with a wink.

  Sophie laughs at her remark, but gestures toward Cara. “You have no room to talk considering your shirt’s on backwards.”

  Cara gives herself two chins straining her neck as she tries to get a glimpse of her shirt collar. I worry she really is that stupid until she gives up and uses her hand to pull the material away from her neck. “Well, shit. You’re right.”

  So much for saying a quick good-bye. Cara never makes anything simple these days. “I’ll be back Friday night. You good?”

  “I’m good. Drew will take good care of me. Right, baby?”

  Drew pulls a shirt over his head and stands behind Cara in the door way. “Yeah. I got her, Sophie, too.”

  “Thanks, man. I appreciate that. You guys call me if you need anything, okay? Same rules as before. I’m always a phone call away.”

  “Love you, Kip.” Cara reaches out and hugs me. “See you in a week.”

  Trying to soak up every second, Sophie slowly walks me to the front door. I turn the knob to open it, but she tugs my arm before I have a chance to go outside. “Be good, okay?”

  I know what she’s asking of me, and I don’t like it. I’d never betray her trust. “Sophie, you have nothing to worry about. I only want you. Nobody else.”

  “Okay,” she says barely above a whisper as she buries her face in the fabric of my T-shirt.

  “Look at me,” I tell her. When she raises her head, I look her straight in the eye. “Now promise me you won’t cry or be upset once I walk out of here.”

  “I’ll do my best. There’s a lot to unpack and get organized at least. That’ll keep me busy for a while.”

  “See, you have lots to do. You won’t even know I’m gone.” She’ll get into a new routine in no time. Just like I’ll do when I start my new job.

  “Bye, baby. I’ll see you on Friday.”

  “Friday,” she repeats as I turn and walk away, leaving the most important part of my life standing on her door step.

  I can’t predict the future, but the one thing I am certain of is that Sophie will always be my girl.

  I WAIT ON THE STEPS of my apartment watching as Kipton’s tail lights fade in the distance. This semester would have been ideal with him by my side, and as much as I wanted that, I’m ready to stand on my own two feet. There’s a lot I need to prove to myself—mostly that I can handle stress without it controlling me. I’m where I need to be—where I want to be, and nobody can take any of this away from me. I’ve dedicated my senior year to anyone who was ever told they’re worthless—it’s the year I take my life back.

  Cara peeks her head out the front door. “You okay?”

  I wrap my arms around my middle, and nod my head. “For the first time in a very long time, I really am.”

  “Good, then get your rump back in here and have some bubbly. We’re celebrating our freedom!”

  Inside, Drew’s popping the cork on a bottle of champagne. It shoots across the kitchen, and bounces off the front of a cabinet before landing in the sink. “Nice shot, baby,” Cara says as she digs around in a box for something to drink out of. “Where are all the glasses?”

  I shrug my shoulders, “No clue.” She’s the one who packed most of the boxes. I take that back, she watched Lynn wrap everything in newspaper.

  “They’ve got to be around here somewhere. I hope we didn’t forget them.” She rummages around in another box, coming out with one wine glass, a shot glass, and mug. “Not ideal, but these will work.”

  She hops onto the island countertop, and holds out the first glass for Drew to pour the champagne into.

  “What are we toasting to?” I ask, as I take the mug from her.

  She taps her manicured nail against her lip, no doubt trying to come up with something meaningful to say. Then again it’s Cara we’re talking about, so when she giggles, holds her glass in the air and says, “May the grades be high, may the drinks be strong, and may the sex be plentiful,” we’re not surprised.

  Drew stares at her intently like she’s his queen. She stares back at him with equal attention like he hangs the moon and paints the sky with stars. I clear my throat, hoping they come back down to Earth sometime soon. “Cheers, guys.”

  They snap out of their trance long enough to clank glasses. Cara chugs her champagne out of her wine glass, Drew pounds a double shot, and I sip my mug full.

  “What should we do? It seems silly to go to bed,” Cara asks.

  “I brought a bunch of DVD’s. If we can hook up the DVD player, we can watch something.”

  “Good thinking, Sophie. I brought some, too.” She hops down from the island, and sets her glass on the counter. “Let’s check these boxes over here. Drew, you check the one by your foot.”

  “Jackpot!” Drew exclaims as he fist pumps the air. There’s no telling what he found considering it’s one of Cara’s boxes.

  Cara giggles, obviously aware of what’s inside that particular box. “You found my naughty box. I was wondering where that was.”

  I glance inside the box, and almost wish I hadn’t. The assortment of fu
n Cara purchased is most likely an entire sex shop. Some things I recognize, and others, I couldn’t even tell you what they were for or what they were supposed to do. In fact, some look a little unpleasant if I’m being honest. If she plans on using all that shit, I’m going to be spending a lot of time in the library. There’s only so much my ears can handle.

  “This whole box is for us?” Drew asks in surprise.

  “Well who else am I going to use it with? Sophie?”

  Drew’s eyes widen even farther at the suggestion. He glances back and forth between the two of us. “This year is going to rock!”

  I laugh at him because he knows there’s no way in hell I would go for something like that. Not to mention Kipton would probably have a heart attack. He’s made it very clear he doesn’t share me—ever. “Keep dreaming, Drew,” I tell him. “I take it you’re not too bummed about giving up your RA position to move in here.”

  “Hell no. Especially not now. Are we still watching a movie, or?”

  I laugh at his desperate expression. I’m positive he would do just about anything to get out of this kitchen and forgo the movie. Things are going to get very interesting living with these two. I nod my head toward the hallway. “Go, guys. I have a lot to put away, it’s fine.”

  Drew grabs Cara’s hand and drags her down the hallway without so much as a good-bye or see ya later. He’s a man on a mission.

  Normally I’d be ready for bed by now, but after sleeping half the day away with Kipton, I’m not the least bit tired. With nothing left to do other than unpack, I carry my last few boxes into my bedroom.

  I don’t have fancy things, or even much of anything worth a dime, but what I do have is special to me. The few pictures, frames, and other odds and ends I was able to toss in my bag the day I stormed out of my mom’s house are all organized on my new bookshelf. I found the shelf at a thrift shop near Montgomery. Cara had never shopped second hand before, and while she pushed me to buy new, I couldn’t pass up it up. The vintage piece already looked like it held a lot of special memories with its chipped paint, and worn edges. But it wasn’t anything I couldn’t fix up and reuse.