Page 65 of Creed

Because I wasn’t looking for something to pass the time, I didn’t want temporary. I was in this for the long haul. The messy mornings. The quiet nights. The sideways glances across the couch. The family dinners. And even a few eye rolls from the kids.

I wanted it all.

And it was time to find out if she wanted the same.

I wasn’t much of a homemaker, but I did my best to clean the place up and even threw together some pasta for dinner. I’d even planned something special for her, something I knew would get the night started off right.

I’d just gotten out of the shower and was getting dressed when I heard her car pull up in the drive. A smile spread across my face when I thought about her walking up to the front porchand seeing the water gun and note I’d left for her:ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.

I’d done shit like this back when we were younger, and she always got a kick out of it. Maybe it was the cop in her or the fact she got to act like a kid again. Either way, there was nothing better than the squeals she’d make when I shot her, because no matter how sneaky or clever she might be, I did whatever it took to win.

I’d just pulled on my boots when I heard her call out, “Jameson?”

I didn’t answer.

I just grabbed my oversize Turbo shooter and slipped down the hall. I could see her as she walked inside the house and closed the door behind her. I knew I was in trouble when she stopped and twisted her hair up into a messy bun. She meant business, and I was ready for her.

I pulled my water gun close to my chest and pressed my back to the wall, waiting as she stepped further into the house. “Aren’t we a little old for this?”

Again, I remained silent.

There was no way I was giving up my location.

She held up the neon green water gun with a grin, then crouched down as she started making her way through the house. The hunt was on, and I couldn’t have been more ready for it. I watched as she ducked down and hid behind the kitchen counter. She waited there a minute, then called out, “Are you even here?”

“You know I am.”

“Ha!” I could hear the excitement in her voice when she said, “So, you’re close. Really close.”

I’d already given up too much, so I didn’t respond.

I just held my place and watched as she inched forward, slow and methodical. When she reached the fridge, she called out, “Are you ready for me, Mr. VP?”

“Oh, I was born ready, sweetheart.”

With my gun aimed straight ahead, I stepped out in front of her and was about to take my shot when she narrowed her eyes and warned, “Don’t you even think about it.”

Too late.

I fired first and fired multiple times, hitting her square in the stomach. She let out a squeal as water splashed across her shirt. “Jameson!”

“War’s war, baby.”

She lunged forward and fired at me, but I ducked behind the sofa, laughing as water splattered against the leather. “You can’t hide forever!”

“You sure about that?”

I raised my hand and started firing, shooting water in random waves across the living room. I heard her gasp and knew I’d gotten her again. “Oh, that’s it!”

She charged the sofa and started shooting, and she didn’t stop until she knew she’d gotten me. I held up my hands and shouted, “Okay. Okay! Truce!

“Okay, truce. But this isn’t over.”

I dropped my gun, charged her, and wrapped my arms around her. “You were early.”

“Ac-tu-ally, I was right on time.” We walked into the kitchen, and she gave me one of her looks as she added, “You said six-thirty, and it’s six-thirty.”

“Well, look at you being all punctual and shit.” I gave her a smirk. “Guess there’s a first time for everything.”