Chapter Eleven
For the next few minutes, all they did was eat while he kept his eyes on her. When Simon got his fill, he wiped his mouth. “Did you have fun today with the girls?”
“Yes,” she said and smiled. “They are so much fun.”
“I bet they are. I also like how protective the daddies are of all of you. I don’t have to worry so much when I can’t see you.”
“But you don’t have to worry. I don’t want to take you away from your job, Simon.”
He studied her face. Something was up with her. “What’s going on, Baby?”
She took a drink of her soda, but he could tell she was agitated.
“Nothing. It’s just been a long day, and I’m tuckered out.”
He didn’t believe a word she said, and he’d find out what was going on, but he’d watch her carefully to see if she gave any clues.
“How about a movie after your shower? That way, you can go to sleep, and I’ll just carry you to bed.”
He could practically see the wheels turning in her head.
“I could just go to sleep. I know you probably have some work to do.”
His eyebrows rose, but she didn’t see it because she kept her eyes on her plate, where she moved the remaining food. This was interesting.
“I’d rather be with you if that’s okay,” he said.
“Okay. May I be excused?”
She still couldn’t look him in the eyes, and he was starting to get worried. He nodded and stood. Once everything was put away, he caught her against his chest. She stiffened for a moment and then leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist tightly.
He stood there until she was ready to step back. He grabbed her shoulders. “Go in and shower. I’ll go after you.”
She nodded, turned, and walked off.
Simon decided to shower in the other bathroom because he didn’t want to be without her for a moment. He didn’t understand why he was getting the feeling he was losing her because if that happened, he wouldn’t be able to handle it. She was his everything, and he couldn’t see life without her.
Casey looked surprised to see him in shorts already on the sofa. “Come here, Baby. Let’s pick out a movie together.”
She sat beside him and watched as he went through the channels until they found one they liked. Simon grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa, lay down, and pulled her down in front of him.
Casey stiffened. “We don’t have to lay down.”
He pulled her to her back. “Baby, would you tell me if you didn’t want to be with me?”
She looked shocked. “God, no. I would never not want to be with you.”
“But what if I’m making you unhappy? Would you tell me then?”
He didn’t like the way she hesitated.
“Yes. Would you tell me?” she asked.
His eyebrows rose. “Yes, I would, but I can’t see that ever happening.”
He thought she would have liked that he said that, but it only made her sadder.
He pressed his lips against hers but kept it short. He was always on edge with her, and he wanted to wait until she was fully healed. Simon lifted his head and stared down at her. Her lips were red and swollen, and her eyes shut.
“Let’s watch the movie and go to sleep, Baby.”
He saw the flash of grief before she blocked it. “Are you sure there is nothing wrong?”
She nodded and turned to her side, facing the TV.
He sighed and relaxed after tucking her against his body.
The movie was half over when he knew she was deeply asleep. He turned off the TV, lifted himself over her, and then picked her up. After he tucked her into bed, he lay down beside her, just needing to hold her.
When he felt like he’d fall asleep, he got up, walked into his office, sat in his chair, and called Gage.
“Hello, what’s up?” Gage said.
“Why does something have to be up?” Simon asked.
“Because it’s ten-thirty at night, and you never call this late.”
He hadn’t realized so much time had passed. “Sorry, man, I’m just concerned about something.”
“Dude, you know you can call me at any time,” Gage said.
“Thank you. So, I’m concerned about my girl. She’s acted weird the last few days, but today, when I got home, she looked sad. She won’t tell me anything, and I’m at a loss. I wondered if she talked to the girls today?”
“I’ll ask her. I wondered if something happened. Brylee wasn’t her usual cheerful self.”
Simon heard him walking, and then a door opened. From the sound of it, he was waking her up. He would have felt bad if he wasn’t so scared.
“Princess, wake up for Daddy,” Gage said.
“Hi, Daddy,” she murmured in a sleepy tone.
“Hey, did something happen today when you were with the girls?” Gage asked.
There was a pause.
“Baby, I’ve got Simon on the phone. He’s really worried about Casey.”
“He is?”
He was surprised when she sounded shocked.
“Yes, he is. Now, tell me what happened?”
“I can’t, Daddy.”
“Baby, Simon can’t fix what’s broke if he doesn’t know what it is,” Gage said.
“I can’t. I pinky-promised.”
Simon heard Gage sigh.
“We’ll talk about this more, now go back to sleep.”
Simon heard Gage close a door and then sigh again.
“I’m sorry. Something is up, but it’s next to impossible to get them to say anything. They are all extremely loyal to each other.”
“What should I do?”
“Let me keep at Brylee. If I get anything, I’ll call back.”
Simon rubbed his temple. “Anytime. I don’t care if it’s three in the morning.”
“You got it. Don’t worry, we’ll keep our eyes on them. I’ll talk to the other daddies. We always end up finding out.”
“That’s good to know. Thank you.”
Gage chuckled. “Anytime.”
Simon hung up and rested back against his chair. He had always been envious of the men that had littles, but he hadn’t realized how much she would worry him or how he couldn’t get his mind off of her.
He made his way back into the bedroom and slid into bed behind Casey. He wrapped his arms around her, and after kissing the back of her head, he fell asleep.