Page 141 of Go Find Less

“Like you have room to talk.” I tilt my head back, looking at the ceiling, willing my voice to go a little higher. “Oh Scottie, baby, oh, right there.”

“Jesus fucking -” Carla launches across the bar, nearly clamping a hand over my mouth as I shove her arm off. She and her ex were practically loud enough for the whole complex to hear.

“Watch it,” I warn, gesturing to my face. “I literally just finished my makeup. You fuck it up, you can have that conversation with Jesus when you see him, cause I’m sure he’d be angry about wrecking this masterpiece too.” I point my finger over her in the sassiest move I can muster, and she just rolls her eyes, going back to her Reese’s Puffs.

“Everything good to go for tomorrow?” she asks through a mouth of cereal. I nod, sipping at some of my milk.

“I think so, I got everyone their shirts this week, so it should just be a quick morning and then we can head to my parent’s for Hunter’s party.”

“Penny has a death wish, trying to do both the 5K and the party in one day.” I shrug.

“She and Brett wanted Nolan there. He’s only out this weekend and then he’s back on the road for another two weeks. He’s flying in for, like, eight hours for the reunion, and then flying back to Utah.”

Alex and her mother-in-law aren’t exactly BFFs, but I have a feeling that by the end of this season, my best friend will sob when Vicki leaves.

“Does Fitz know what he signed up for?” Her voice is a little softer, and I meet her eyes over the rim of my cereal bowl.

“I mean, he knows we do it every year for Mickey. I didn’t exactly give him a play by play.” She quirks a brow. “Don’t give me that look, it’s not like the first year where they pulled my sobbing ass on stage to thank everyone.”

“Hits ‘em right in the checkbooks,” Carla says, a hand to her heart. I point my spoon at her.

“There will be no sobbing. There will be walking, and laughing, and then some Mexican food. And then a toddler party with enough superheroes to wage war against Thanos.” She snorts.

“If you say so.”

“I made it through May without a total breakdown,” I remind her. “I think I can handle this without any problems.” Carla sits back, raising her hands. “I’m good, Fitz is good. Promise.”

I don’t even believe my own words, and I know she doesn’t. But Fitz had vehemently insisted on supporting us - all of us - at the 5K, with a generous donation to our team and a promise to walk right alongside me.

I had mixed feelings at first, the idea of having him there felt like melding two worlds that I’d worked so hard to keep from bleeding into each other back when Mickey was alive. I don’t think Mickey ever heard a word about Fitz, because until recently, he just wasn’t on my mind. But now, the idea that Fitz is doing something to honor him, makes my stomach clench in a way I can’t quite decipher.

And it’s that feeling that’s still low in my stomach when my phone buzzes on my vanity a few hours later. I’m unwinding the curlers from my hair while I check it.

FITZ WESTFALL

At your front door. Finally read the sign. You’re right, shit does get awkward when Bex goes full psycho.

I laugh to myself, and at the picture he snaps of my front door, where the vinyl sign I printed is on full display.

Please do not knock or ring the bell. The dog will bark, I will scream, things will get awkward.

“Carla, can you grab the door? I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Yes, master!” she calls as she walks past my bedroom door, and then stops, turning back around. “Hot damn.”

“Shut up.” I toss a roller at her, which hits the door frame next to her face. She just raises an eyebrow at me.

“You’re staying at Fitz’s tonight, right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Thank God, I can’t listen to you two when he gets you out of that.” She gestures to me. “Are we wearing the secret special underwear?” I flush, meeting her eye in the mirror.

“Maybe.”

“Yeah, definitely don’t come back here, then. I’ve got Bex.” She doesn’t even give me a chance to reply before she turns on her heels, and I hear the door open and close. “Don’t you dare come back here tonight, Piper,” she calls from the living room, and then reappears in the doorway. “You two are going to eat each other alive.” I make a gagging noise, all the chins on display as I shake my head at her.

“Piper?” Fitz’s voice calls, and my eyes go wide.