me about it.”
Deke let out a large sigh. “This must be the day for all the skeletons to come out.” He groaned. “The pieces make up the three people who left me: Jaxson, Mom, and you.”
My heart lurched as he continued, “The piece is out of my body because the it is missing from me.”
“Oh, Deke.” I leaned down, kissing the tattoo. “I’m so sorry.”
Deke rolled over, circling his arms around me. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.” His lips touched mine in the sweetest kiss before he pulled away. “Get some sleep.”
“K, ‘night.”
It took me a while to come down from the revelations of the day, but hearing Deke’s breathing slow, I finally drifted off.
Waking up, I felt like I was in a warm cocoon. Deke’s entire body was draped around me, practically lying on top of me. I loved it. I loved him, not that I would tell him that.
Deke’s hips bounced, causing me to jump. “Morning.” His gruff voice was sexy as hell.
“Morning,” I whispered softly.
“How are ya this mornin’?” Deke’s hand brushed across my face, sending chills down my spine.
“I’m good. I’ve got you here, what’s not to be happy about.” Looking up, Deke’s eyes flashed to something I couldn’t read. “What?”
“I’m moving in here with you.”
“You are … huh?” I grinned.
“Your Grams’s orders. I just wanna make sure you remember that from last night.” Deke’s voice was muffled as he continued to talk into my neck.
“It’s a good thing I’m in a good mood then, huh?”
“You want me here?” Deke raised his head, his eyes latching onto mine.
“I’ll show you nice.” Deke’s mouth found mine, crushing down into a passionate kiss. All thoughts of morning breath were lost as only thoughts of him inside me swam in my head.
The day flew by. Deke needed to go pick up his things and stop by the bar, and I needed some time to get things organized. I called the security company, who ended up putting cameras up outside and some high-tech system that only Kinsley knew how to work.
I tried my damnedest to get some writing done, but that didn’t go so hot. I just couldn’t get in the groove. Most of my thoughts were on this moment right here, sitting in my dad’s driveway. After arguing with everyone that I could drive myself and didn’t need every one of them coming with me, I drove.
Pulling up to my dad’s house, I could see Deke’s headlights reflecting the area around my car. Giving him a small wave, I made my way up to the house. I couldn’t help but feel a little cheated. The house was beautiful with flowers all in front and looked happy, and damn if I hadn’t had that since before he left.
The front door flew open as Sydney ran down the small steps. All thoughts of getting the hell out of there vanished as soon as I saw her excitement. I’d always wanted a sister, I just never envisioned getting one like this.
“Savannah!” she yelled.
“Remember, I told you to call me Vann.”
“Daddy says your name is Savannah, and that is what I should call you.”
I smiled at her sweetly, wondering why the hell my dad didn’t want her calling me Vann. “I told her that because I call you Savannah. I never liked the name Vann.” Dad stepped down the steps toward me.
I stared at him. I thought that he’d gotten over his dislike for the name a long time ago. He said it reminded him of a van not his little girl. “It’s okay.”
“I’m glad you came.”
“I told you I would.”
“Come on in. I want you to meet Julie.” The chill through my body held me on the spot. “It’s okay,” Dad whispered, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the front door.
Sydney grabbed my other hand. “I can’t wait to show you my room!” She was so excited, and it helped to relieve some of the tension.
I’d hated Julie for years, and now that I was in her home, I actually feared her. What did she have that my mom didn’t? What does she look like now? I’d only seen her a few times, but never really met her. I felt my anxiety grow, but kept focused on the little girl holding my hand.
She was too excited for me to let down, and I wouldn’t, no matter how uncomfortable.
Entering the front door, a huge sign that looked vaguely familiar hung on the wall. It read: ‘God Bless this Home.’
My heart broke a bit at the realization that this was their home no matter how much I wanted to hate being here; I needed to respect it.
“Savannah!” a very feminine, high-pitched voice called from down the hallway. As the petite, long blonde haired woman came down the hall rubbing her hands with a towel, I could instantly see how Dad could fall for her. She was beautiful. Her face lit up as she got closer to me.
Arms extended, she reached for me giving me a huge hug, and rather than be rude, I limply returned it. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“You are always welcome here.”
I pulled away and looked in her eyes. What I saw was someone who was very genuine in her words. There was no anger in them whatsoever. I thought there might be some considering I was his first wife’s kid. But nothing but happiness? “Thanks.”
“Come see my room!” Sydney grabbed my arm and began to pull me.
“Sydney. Give Savannah time to say hi.”
“But Daddy, I’ve waited a really, really, really, long time to show her my room. Please!”
Dad smiled down at Sydney. “Do you mind, Savannah?”
“Not at all.” Sydney squealed and began to pull me down to her room. I couldn’t help the huge smile that spread across my face. Grams was right. I needed to meet Sydney and actually try and build something with her. She was my sister. That was still difficult, but I was becoming more accepting of it.
“Look!” Sydney led me into a pink princess paradise. Everything except the carpet was pink—walls, bedding, furniture, curtains, and pillows—and all different shades of pink. It reminded me of bubble gum bubbles. “Come look at my Barbie house!”
She led me over to this monstrosity of a house that was taller than she was with three levels and furniture galore. A little girl’s dream. “Which is your favorite?”
“Barbie and the Pop Star, of course.” Her tone suggested that I should have known that tidbit of information
