“Did she take the house?” I ask Ida Sue.

The bitch is crazy, even over the phone. Still, she loves her niece and she’s helping me take care of Faith. I have to depend on her right now; I don’t have a choice. I’m kind of glad we’re only doing this over the phone, though. There’s some days my ass still hurts from all of her pinching at Aden’s wedding.

“She’s moving in this weekend. She’s expecting to pay rent, though, Tighty. She’s not going to be happy when she finds out there is no rent.”

“I’ll deal with it. And I thought I told you not to call me that anymore.” My hand flexes on the phone in irritation.

“That can be arranged if you answer my question.”

“Ida Sue—”

“Tighty-whiteys or boxers?”

“I’m not answering that shit.”

“So we’re talking commando. I like it.”

“You are a special kind of Fruit Loops, aren’t you?”

“Fine. I have another name for you. It’s better.”

“I’m dying with anticipation.” I laugh, wondering how they let this woman walk the streets alone.

“I just bet you are. When will you be making your appearance in Texas anyway?”

“I have a few more things to close up here. It will probably be next week. Not that it matters. Faith’s still not taking my calls.” I sigh.

I’ve made a fucking mess of this. I just can’t seem to stop myself. I don’t blame Faith for not taking my call. In her shoes, I wouldn’t want to talk to me right now. Still, it can’t keep going on like this. I’m hoping things go better when I get to Texas. I don’t have a lot of hope—but I have to try.

I found that house in a great neighborhood and it’s close to some of Faith’s family. Luckily, that family is not Ida Sue. I’m not sure I can take being really close to her right now. Which is another reason I’m dreading going to Texas. I get Faith moved into the house, I know I’m going to have to grovel my way back in with her and that means I’ll be staying in a motel—there’s only one in that small town—or with Ida Sue. None of those options fill me with happiness, but I’ll do what I have to. Hopefully, Faith will forgive me sooner rather than later.

“It’s the Lucas blood in her. We can be a tad hard-headed,” Ida Sue confesses. “She’s a smart cookie, though. Once she’s sees you’re serious, it will get easier.”

“I hope so,” I answer, rubbing the side of my neck. I don’t have a lot of trust in Ida Sue’s claim. Nothing with Faith has been easy so far, and I doubt that will magically change.

“It will. You’ll see, C.T.”

“C.T.?”

“That’s you new nickname. Anywho, I have a very important question for you.”

“What does C.T. mean?”

“You don’t like it?”

“It’s better than Tighty,” I grumble, closing my eyes. This damn woman could give me a headache.

“Good it’s settled then. You’ll be C.T. Now about my question…”

“What is it?” I ask, getting tired when she doesn’t talk for a bit.

“Do you know how to wire lights?”

“Wire lights?” I repeat, thoroughly confused.

“Yeah, like install a ceiling fan?”

“Well, no, though if it has instructions I can usually figure it out. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Oh, just wondering. Now, to get my part in this 007 plan down, let me recap.”

“Okay,” I tell her, glancing over at the clock. I’ve got a meeting with my team GM in an hour. I’m dreading it. Turning in the uniform seems so final, but it’s been a long time coming. The job I’ve managed to grab in Texas isn’t my dream job, but I’m kind of looking forward to it. The money is mostly shit, but there’s a pension plan, yearly bonuses and the house I’ve moved Faith into—without her knowing—was supplied in the deal. It’s not the money I once made, but then, it won’t be the same lifestyle either and I’m okay with that. I’m actually kind of excited about it.

“I get Faith in the house you bought, help her move out of my house. You move in with me for a year—”

“Only if there’s no room in the motel and—”

“There won’t be,” she says, sounding perfectly serious.

“…and I didn’t say a year. How do you know about the motel?”

“I… uh… checked today. They’re booked up solid for the next month.”

“Fuck,” I growl, feeling the dream of my own space—and protecting my ass from Ida Sue’s fingers—fading away.

“So, you will stay with me for a year and—”

“It won’t be that long. I just need to get Faith to forgive me,” I argue, praying to God it’s nowhere near a year. If Faith can’t forgive me and I can’t interest her in trying to make the two of us work as a couple, then… Then I’ll find a place to rent and I’ll be there for my child.

I just hope Faith will let me try to be there for her too.

“Back to the plan. You’ll stay with me and work on getting my niece to forgive you. Do I have all that right?”

“Pretty much.”

“Okay then, C.T., you best be getting a move on. You got a big mountain to climb and you need to be down here to climb it.”

“Okay—”

“Preferably without a shirt on,” she says and I can hear the laughter in her voice, but I also hear the eager tone too.

“Just like I said, you’re a special kind of Fruit Loop,” I tell her, shaking my head. I don’t want to like her, but I can’t seem to stop myself.

“I prefer Cocoa Puffs. They’re just the right shade of chocolate.”

“You did not just say that.”

“Later, C.T.,” she laughs and then the damn woman hangs up.

Christ. I really hope Faith lets me in with her again… and soon.