Page 99 of The Sweetheart
“So what you’re saying is he brought you back to me?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Kai smiled back, warmth flooding his chest.
“You guys are so cringe,” Casey said from beside them.
“Seriously, bro. Ew,” Callum confirmed. Justin and Jason chuckled from beside them.
“You guys are just haters,” Kai answered, still embarrassed but pleased.
“Are you guys with Riley Moore?” Their attention automatically swung to the nurse at the door. Kai sat up, waiting for her to speak.
“Yeah. Yeah, we’re with Riley,” Jason said hurriedly, getting to his feet.
“We’ve got her in a room, and she’s asking to see you guys now.” She led them into a small room divided in two with a hospital curtain. Riley was on the first bed, closest to the door. The twins broke away, leaping onto the bed so that they could hug their mother. Riley winced as they collapsed on top of her but did her best to hug them back. Her right arm was now in a cast, from wrist to past her elbow, and wrapped in a sling. The cuts on her face had been stitched, but most of the left side was still swollen, black and blue, her eye still closed.
“Are you okay?” Casey asked, voice trembling.
“Of course. I pushed you two out in the world. You think I can’t take a punch?” She ruffled his hair, tiredly, dragging him in to press a kiss to his head.
“I hate him,” Callum spat, glaring at his mother. “I don’t want him hitting you anymore.” They all froze, Riley’s eyes darting up to each of them, looking like a cornered animal.
“We’ll talk about it when we get home, okay?” she answered soothingly.
“No, I want to talk about it now! I hate him! I want him to go!”
Justin reached for Callum, but Jason stopped him, his eyes fixed on Riley.
“I told you we would help you figure it out,” Jason told her quietly. Her eyes flickered to Nolan, and then away, her face flushed with embarrassment even under the bruising.
“Where am I supposed to go?” she asked plaintively. Kai turned to Nolan, urgency rushing through him from his need to speak. Nolan met his gaze and read the question in his eyes, giving him a slight nod.
“Why don’t I take Casey and Callum to grab something to drink so you guys can talk? I think we passed a Tim’s on the way in. Riley, can I get you something?” Nolan asked.
Riley latched onto the suggestion like a lifeline.
“Yes, please. Just a small double-double?”
Casey and Callum hesitated, their expressions shifting between uncertain and stubborn.
“Justin, go with them,” Jason ordered, and both boys reluctantly climbed off of the bed and let themselves be led out of the room. The door barely had time to swing shut before Kai exploded.
“I have news. I have such a big fucking news.” Kai vibrated with nervous energy, desperate for both of them to see the brilliance of his plan. Both Jason and Riley stared at him in alarm. “My grandmother left me a house!”
“What? Your grandmother died ages ago.” Jason said, bewildered. Riley stared, looking equally confused, wincing when she attempted to furrow her brow.
“Yeah! My aunt and my uncle stole it, but Nolan got the will and kicked them out and now I have a fucking house!” Kai watched Jason and Riley exchange looks like he might be crazy, while Kai waited impatiently for them to clue in.
“Are you saying…?” Riley asked tentatively.
“I’m saying all of you guys are moving into my house. It’s perfect. There’s four bedrooms and a basement and a huge backyard and it’s so far from the park, nobody will even know where to find you. There’s room for all of you guys and Liam, if he wants to live there. The boys can go to my old school and it’s just up the street, so you don’t even have to worry. I’m telling you, it’s perfect!”
He looked from one to the other expectantly, but they just stared at him like he’d smacked them both over the head with a two-by-four. Kai’s shoulders fell. “You always said you wanted to leave the park. This could be a real chance to start over,” he implored, but before he could add more, Jason had him in a hug, pinning his arms to his sides. Jason whooped loudly, hauling Kai into the air and then dropping him back onto his feet.
“Are you freaking kidding me?” The two of them devolved into a tussle, Kai grinning from ear to ear, relief flooded his system, as Jason pummelled him excitedly.
“Hey! You guys need to keep it down in here!” An elderly nurse shoved open the door, her face creased with annoyance.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Jason said, trying to compose himself. She let the door swing closed and both of them looked at Riley simultaneously. She looked back, hope blooming on her face.
