Beckett
Elouise letsout a small snuffling sound, her body soft and warm against mine.
When I realized both her and Clint were fast asleep, I turned the volume down but left the tv playing. I’d been mentally preparing myself to leave, when Natasha texted thirty minutes ago to say she’d come pick up Clint so I could stay here. My cousin likes to give me a hard time, but she understands me well. Especially after the mess at my parent’s house, which my mom gladly filled her in on, Natasha has been on Team Elouise. And I like to think her stopping over here on her way home is because she wants the best for me, and not just that she wants me to fall in love so I’ll move out of her house.
Headlights flash through the front window, alerting me to Natasha’s arrival, so I carefully extract myself from Elouise and lay her gently onto the couch. Knowing Clint is impossible to wake, I just hoist him up into my arms and with some minor jostling, I get us outside and down the steps.
Natasha’s grinning by the time I reach her car - probably because she knows how heavy this damn kid is when he’s flopping around dead weight. And it only takes a little bit of maneuvering for me to deposit Clint in the backseat, stepping aside to let Natasha secure him.
Closing the door, my cousin turns to face me. And then she just stares.
“What?” I ask, feeling way too unnerved.
She waits another beat before answering, but then nods her head towards the house. “I like her.”
I narrow my eyes, sensing an agenda, “I like her, too.”
“Do you?” she tilts her head. “Or do you love her?”
I don’t fight the grin that pulls across my lips, “I love her.”
She looks surprised by my easy admission, “Oh. Good.”
It’s my turn to be surprised, “That’s it? No lecture?”
“Here’s your lecture: don’t fuck it up.”
I grin harder, “I’m doing my best.”
She rolls her eyes, “That’s comforting.” She glances back at the house, “Have you told her? That you love her?”
My face sobers, “Not yet.” Natasha gives me another look, one that says you’re a fucking dumbass. “I’ll tell her tomorrow.”
“Smart plan,” she flicks my shoulder as she starts around to the driver’s side. “With any luck, you’ll move out of my house and into this one by summer.”
Watching her drive away, I think the idea over, and decide I should make it happen sooner.