Page 37 of Take My Kiss
“Yeah, they brought homemade soup from the restaurant.” I point to the bowl. “Wanna try some?”
She rubs her eyes, then looks at me as if they’ve finally adjusted to the light. “You’ve been takin’ care of them all evenin’?”
“Depends…are you gonna yell at me again for takin’ over?” I muse, grinning.
“No.” She gently shakes her head. “I was gonna thank you, but since you’re being a smart-ass again, you don’t get one.”
Chuckling, I open the bottle and shake out two pills. Her ability to continue mocking me is a good sign.
“Here, take these. Hopefully, it’ll bring your temp down.”
I place them in her palm and give her the almost-empty glass. “I’ll get you some fresh water. See if you can eat some of that soup.”
When I go to the kitchen, Mom’s digging in my pantry. “What’re you lookin’ for?”
“I’m organizin’ since it’s impossible to find anythin’ in this mess.”
“Mom,” I groan. “You don’t gotta do that.”
“No wonder you’re not married.”
“Seriously?” I fill a glass with ice water.
“I second that, but I’d like to add another reason that rhymes with schloser,” Bellamy quips, walking in with Lily on her hip.
“No one asked you.”
“Consider it free advice, then.” She glares and sticks out her tongue when Mom isn’t looking. You’d think we were still kids.
“And if I’m aloser, why’re you always at my house freeloadin’?”
“For Remy, but now, for the kids.”
“Mhm, sure.” Before going back to the bedroom, I add, “Speakin’ of, can you give Lily a bath before bed so Amelia doesn’t gotta get up?”
“As the designated favorite aunt, of course.”
“Aunt?” I furrow a brow.
“Does that make me the fave uncle?” Bodie asks, walking in with Sam on his back.
“Yes!” Sam squeals, then throws his arm up and around like a lasso. “Giddyup, horsey!”
Bodie neighs in a high-pitched squeal, then gallops through the kitchen.
There’s never been so much chaos in my house before.
And I love every minute of it.
“Colt?”
My eyes jolt open at the sound of Sam’s small voice.
“Yeah, buddy?” When I sit up too fast on the futon, the dimly lit room spins. “You have a nightmare again?”
He shakes his head. “Lily threw up on the bed.”
Oh fuck.
