Page 19 of Fallynn West

“Because I am, and you give off the youngest child vibe. We’re misread by many people. We’re labeled as bratty and spoiled when we’re honestly pretty chill. We are spoiled, but it’s only because the people who complain about it are the ones who are at fault.”

“You’re spot-on. I’m younger than my brother by two years, but that’s my roll dog. He’s always looked out for me.”

“I love that. It’s the same for Serenity and me. Sibling bonds are the best.”

“They are.”

The sound of Kehlani moving around caught my attention. I made my way over to the couch to find her sitting up and rubbing her eyes. Her bottom lip poked out when she didn’t seeme beside her. She looked around, and when she found me, she tried getting up to come to me.

“Lay back down, KeKe,” I instructed.

“But I want you.”

“I know. Let me get you some medicine and juice, and I’ll be right over there. I have a surprise for you.”

Usually, that would’ve perked her up. She would’ve jumped up from her seat and begged me to tell her. Instead, Kehlani simply nodded her head and lay back down. Glancing at Colony, I bobbed my head for her to go over to Kehlani. Colony tiptoed around the couch and sat near Kehlani’s head. She gently stroked her bonnet, peering down at her with a look that was all too familiar to me.

Not wanting to think too much into it, I left them alone to go get everything Kehlani needed. I checked the first bag that Colony had brought to see different soups for Kehlani along with crackers and drinks with electrolytes. The second bag housed a to-go plate and soda, so I opened it to see what appeared to be a homemade meal of stewed chicken, rice, and green beans. It was a comfort meal, something I hadn’t made in a long time but would be putting back in my rotation.

Since Kehlani hadn’t eaten all day, I warmed her up some soup while fixing her juice and medicine. I placed everything I needed on her tray and headed back to the living room to find Kehlani’s head on Colony’s lap. Colony had her arm draped over Kehlani. My heart skipped a few beats, and the thought of asking Colony to leave crossed my mind. Seeing them together almost dampened my mood, but I shook it off to focus on getting my baby girl better.

When I came around the corner, Colony gently tapped Kehlani for her to sit up.

“Let’s take your temperature, KeKe,” I said, and she nodded. “It’s one-hundred and two. I’d gotten it down to ninety-ninepoint nine earlier. I figured it had gone back up,” I spoke more to myself than anyone else.

“Poor thing. It should go back down with the medicine and some electrolytes,” Colony stated. “Do you want to eat, Kehlani?’

“No, ma’am.”

I sighed. “I figured she didn’t, but I’m going to get her to put a little something on her stomach.”

It took me about fifteen minutes to get Kehlani situated before she fell back asleep. Colony followed me to the kitchen where I looked at the pile of dishes I’d neglected since Kehlani had been sick. While I needed to knock them out, I wanted to eat as well. Colony made a good point about parents neglecting themselves when their child was sick. It made me realize that I hadn’t eaten all day either.

Somehow, Colony sensed the internal battle I had going on because she went over to my sink and started setting dishes to the side.

“What are you doing?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“Helping you. If you need to do anything else, go do that. I’ll take care of these dishes for you.”

“You don’t have to do that, Colony. That’s my mess. I’ll get it.”

I walked up behind her, but she spun around, placed her hand on my chest, and gazed up at me. Everything around us blurred as I returned her gaze. It was taking everything in me not to cup her chin and kiss her. We were too close. My heart rapidly thumped in my chest. Her hand bounced in the same rhythm, and I could’ve sworn I felt her lightly squeeze. Pushing my glasses up, I took a step back with my palms up in surrender.

“Thank you, but can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.” Colony turned back around and continued with what she was doing. “I’m listening.”

“Are you only nice to us because of our situation?”

“That recently became a reason I clung to Kehlani more than normal, but I didn’t know about anything until I met you when you picked her up late that day.”

“You didn’t know?”

She shook her head. “I suspected something since your aunt is always the one I see, but . . .”

“But what?”

Turning back around, Colony bit her bottom lip before revealing, “But when I met you, I was instantly intrigued by you. I wanted to know more of your story so I could get a better understanding of the man and father you are. From the way Kehlani talks about you, I couldn’t help but to be curious. Seeing the two of you interact only intensified it for me, so I asked my director, who just so happens to be my best friend as well. She told me about Kehlani’s mother leaving.”