Fighting Silence (On the Ropes #1)(60)

“Shut up,” he breathed.

Quarry did what Quarry always did. He let out a curse. “No. Fucking. Way.”

Till didn’t even bother to scold him as he responded, “Way.”

“Seriously?” Flint asked, still in disbelief.

“You’re a professional boxer!” Quarry shouted, jumping up on the bed.

“Oh, God!” I cried out as my body shifted with the bounce.

Flint swiftly plucked him off the bed by the back of his shirt.

“Sorry,” Quarry said sheepishly.

Till’s hands patted over me as if he were inspecting for new wounds. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it, Q. Go back to the boxing thing,” I encouraged even as my ribs throbbed.

“Right.” Till stared at me, uneasy, but he dragged his attention back to the boys. “So things are gonna change around here. I’m gonna be busy, but my hours should at least be more predictable. Hopefully, I can swing it so I can work out while you guys are in school. Then I can help you in the afternoons. The other good news is Slate doubled what I was making before. So, Flint, I want you to keep whatever you make at the gym from now on, and, Q, I want to start giving you an allowance for helping out around the house.”

“Sweet!” Quarry pumped his fist.

“Oh, and Eliza’s moving in.”

“What?” I shouted, sitting up and immediately regretting it. “Shit!” I hissed, collapsing back against the pillows.

“See? She’s ecstatic about it.” Till slid an arm under my shoulders and gently dragged me back into his side.

“When exactly did we decide that I’m moving in?”

“Oh, good idea! She can cook for us all the time now,” Quarry announced.

“Yep. And she hates your nasty-ass ramen too, so at least I’d have reinforcements in that department,” Flint added.

“Okay, then. It’s settled. We’ll move her stuff next weekend.”

“What the hell just happened? I did not agree to move in with you. Last week, you were telling me how we couldn’t be together, and now, you want me to move in?”

“Don’t give me that look. You told me forever.” He smirked.

“Well, what if it doesn’t work out? I’ll end up homeless!” I snipped back, but waves of warmth were crashing in my chest. I’d fought so hard for so long to get him to take a chance, and there he was, jumping all in.

“What kind of * do you think I am, Eliza? I’d never let you be homeless.” He looked hurt, and I instantly felt guilty. “I’d at least let you sleep on the couch,” he teased.

“How about we just chill and let things play out for a little while. There’s no rush, Till. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then why wait? You’re the one who pointed out that we’re basically married. And after that shit last night, there is not a chance in hell you will ever sleep alone again. I’ve got the boys, so it makes more sense for you to move in with us.”

“Is this about you wanting to live together or you worrying about me? Because if this is about my safety, then I’ll pass.”

“Why can’t it be both? Yeah, I’d kinda like to know you’re safe every night. But I also love you and want to spend as much time with you as possible. Why are you even arguing about this? Word on the street is that you’re pretty obsessed with me.” His lips lifted in my favorite way.

“Obsessed? I’m not the one who has spent the last eight years climbing through windows. If there is a stalker among us, it’s most definitely you.”

“I don’t stalk. I keep tabs.” He winked.

While I didn’t get his stupid joke in the least, I still laughed with both arms holding my stomach. I looked up, and Flint and Quarry’s eyes were still asking the question they were all waiting for the answer to.

“What happens if I say no?” I asked Flint.

“It would be unfortunate. But your belongings have already been scheduled for relocation.” He cracked his knuckles. “Welcome home, Eliza.” He gave a grand gesture around the room.

“So, what do you say?” Till tilted my head back and stared deep into my eyes.

“I think it’s too soon.”

“Quarry, you’re up!” he called out, never dragging his gaze away from mine.

“Puh, puh, please, Eliza. We’re hungry,” Quarry exaggerated, full-on batting his long, black lashes.

Till bit his lip to stifle a laugh, but Flint let it fly freely.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re moving my stuff regardless of what my answer is, right?”

“Yep.”

“Absolutely.”

“Hell yeah.”

I once again rolled my eyes, but an impossibly wide smile gave me away.

“She’s in!” Till declared.

He wasn’t wrong.





FOR THOSE FIRST FEW WEEKS after Eliza moved in, I was a nervous wreck pretty much every minute of every day. I waited for her to disappear, proving my theory that she had no business in reality. But each morning as she woke up in my arms, I slowly started to believe that I could possibly have it all.

On the surface, things went right back to the way they always had been between us. Except, instead of sneaking in her bedroom window, I was sneaking into her shower. I couldn’t get enough of her. After years of fighting my constant desire to be with her, I couldn’t keep my hands off her. She must have felt the same way, because if I was within her reach, she was touching me too. Her body was healing, but she still offered it to me—and I took it every f*cking time.