Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MATTHEW
“Can I do it? Please?” Kyle begs, pressing his palms together as he watches Chase, who sighs.
“Sure thing.”
I bite back a laugh at my brother’s capitulation. Although, honestly, he didn’t even try to resist it. I have a feeling there is little that Chase will deny either Rose or Kyle.
Kyle throws himself at Chase, wrapping his arms around his middle. “Thank you, Chase.”
My brother places his hand on Kyle’s back, rubbing it up and down his spine for a moment.
Our gazes meet over Kyle’s head, and I smirk at him, mouthing, “Sucker.”
He just rolls his eyes at me as Kyle pulls back, and Chase signs and speaks at the same time, “Do you remember how to use this?”
Kyle nods, pointing at the buttons and explaining what each one is for. Chase nods his agreement before handing him the electric screwdriver.
We work together. I hand them the parts as they’re supposed to be put together, and Chase and I hold them. My brother points at what to do, and Kyle listens intently, his tongue peeking out of his mouth in concentration as he works the screwdriver as we set up the frame of his new bed.
When I got home earlier, I saw the delivery truck parked in front of the house, so I jumped in to help them unload everything.
Since Kyle and Rose’s move from the cottage to the main house happened so suddenly, it took some time before the furniture for Kyle’s bedroom arrived.
But based on what he said, he didn’t really miss it since he got to “camp” inside the house.
Although, now that his new bedroom stuff is here, he’s so excited to get it all set up, so that’s how we’ve spent the afternoon.
“You’re really good at this,” I say, high-fiving Kyle when we finish anchoring the last screw.
Kyle grins widely at me. “I know. Chase taught me.”
My brows rise. “He did?”
“Yes.” His little chest puffs out proudly. “I helped him put together the kitchen.”
“Did you now?” I nod seriously. “I guess that explains it.”
Kyle blinks, his brows furrowing in confusion. “Explains what?”
“Why it’s so well done! No way Chase could have done that without you.”
The boy giggles at that, his shoulders relaxing. “I’m his best helper.”
“Sure are, dude,” Chase agrees before giving me a pointed look. “Contrary to some people.”
“Hey, I’m a good helper too!” I protest, nudging the boy to get his attention so he can read my lips. “Right, Kyle?”
Kyle was born deaf, but he can speak, read lips, and use American Sign Language. I had him show me some easy signs so I can understand at least something. He entertains me, but I think I’m butchering the language with my big hands.
Kyle’s blue eyes fix on me. “Not as good as me!”
The corner of my brother’s mouth tilts up. “Even the boy knows.”
“Seriously, dude? You couldn’t have just agreed? And here I am, helping you put together your room.”
“It’s the truth. I’m his best helper. You’re okay too.”
“Okay?” I shake my head and grumble under my breath, “That sounds a lot like passable.”
An image of Jessica pops into my head, making me wonder what she’s up to.
Yesterday’s date was more fun than I thought it would be.
And not just because Nico and Maisie put on a show with their constant bickering.
Jessica is fun to be around when she’s not scowling at me.
She’s even more fun to mess with. I swear I can still feel the way her body reacted to my touch.
I made it my mission to get her to react.
Passable my ass.
“Passable?” Chase’s brows pull together in confusion.
I just shake my head. “Nothing. I think we’re done with this.”
Thankfully, Chase doesn’t probe further, and we go back to finishing the room. With the help of Kyle, we put the bed where he wants it and then slide a brand-new mattress onto the frame. Kyle runs and jumps onto the bed, bouncing as his giggles fill the room.
Together, we move the dresser and desk into place before I start collecting empty boxes that need to be recycled while Chase and Kyle start pulling out his things from the boxes.
“Did you know this used to be Chase’s room?” Kyle asks me as he places his books on the desk.
His serious face forces me to hold back my laughter. It’s cute how he looks up to Chase. To Kyle, my brother put the moon and the stars in the sky. But knowing a little bit of their history, there is no way I’d ever laugh at that.
“I did. My room was across from his, actually.”
Kyle tilts his head. “I thought you don’t have a room here.”
“Well, not anymore, but mine was right there, across the hallway.”
“Huh… Well, I got Chase’s room, and it’s the best. Right, Dad?”
Chase’s face softens slightly.
I’ve noticed these little slipups since I came back. Sometimes he calls him Chase, other times Dad, and every time he does it, my brother looks like he’s been sucker punched. This little boy has him wrapped around his finger. He might not be Chase’s kid by blood, but he’s his in his heart.
Chase ruffles his hair just as I hear soft footsteps coming up the stairs. “Absolutely, bud. This is the best room in the house, especially now. You like how it turned out?”
“Yes! It’s amazing. And I get to stay here, right?” He nibbles at his lip, the uncertainty written on his face. “Forever?”
From the corner of my eye, I see Rose’s head peek through the crack in the door.
Whatever she planned to say is cut off when she sees Chase cup Kyle’s cheek.
Her fingers curl around the doorframe, lips pressing together as she watches them sign to each other.
I’m not sure what he says, but a small, wistful smile plays on Rose’s lips, her throat bobbing as she fights her emotions.
Her gaze meets mine, and I acknowledge the moment with a nod. She reaches for the light switch and quickly turns it on and off a couple of times, drawing their attention.
“I see you’ve been busy,” she says and signs at the same time.
Just then a little snout peeks from around her leg, so she moves, and lets the dog rush into Kyle’s room.
Teddy, the little fluff ball they recently adopted, barks excitedly as he jumps on the bed.
Shadow, Chase’s German Shepard, peeks her head into the room and gives the young dog what can only be described as a reproaching glare.
I’d know since I’ve been on the receiving end of several of them myself over the years.
“Mom!” Kyle cheers when he spots her. “We’re done. This is the best room ever!”
Rose chuckles softly at her son’s excitement. “I can see that. You guys did good.”
“And I helped a lot. Right, Dad?”
Rose bites the inside of her cheek as her gaze meets my brother’s. The exchange is short, but it’s hard not to feel the love they have for each other.
“The most. I don’t really know why we even needed Matthew.”
“Har-har-har,” I mock-laugh, poking my tongue in their direction. “Next time I’m not helping you guys with anything.”
“No, you have to help us, Matthew.” Kyle grabs my hand and tugs at it. “You can play with me too.”
“Well, playing will have to wait since dinner is almost done,” Rose announces. “So, time to wash your hands and get downstairs.”
Nobody needs to be told twice. Kyle rushes out of the room with dogs at his feet. I go after him, boxes in hand, but not before I see Chase go to Rose, kissing her forehead and murmuring something softly to her.
My brother is finally happy; not just that, he’s at peace in this family he created on his own.
I slip out of the room, deciding to give them some privacy. Descending the stairs, I go to the kitchen where I can smell something good simmering in the air, making my stomach growl and reminding me I haven’t eaten since this morning.
“We’re here!” Becky yells as she opens the back door. “And I have desserts.”
“Why are you yelling? Not only are they not here, two out of three people literally cannot hear you.”
My sister’s gaze lands on mine, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Oh, look who’s here. The town’s lover boy.”
Shit.
She knows.
Then again, this is Bluebonnet Creek.
If anything remotely interesting or unusual happens, the news will spread through the town like wildfire.
“C’mon, Red,” Miguel chides softly as he steps inside, Jackson tucked into his side, and a diaper bag tossed over his other shoulder. “Be nice.”
“You should listen to him,” I say as I walk past her to drop off the boxes on the terrace, but when I turn around, Becky is standing behind me, hands propped on her hips.
“Oh no, you should listen to me.”
I run my hand over my face, sighing. “Becky…”
“Matthew James Williams!”
Nothing like pulling out a full name card to make you realize you’re up to your knees in shit.
She points her finger at me. “I knew there was something going on between you two that first day when you got back, but you said it was nothing.”
“It was nothing. We went to school together.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. It’s not a big deal. We got a chance to talk at Jax’s birthday and later on at the gym.” I shrug, trying to play it off. “She’s fun. I asked her out.”
“She’s my friend,” Becky mutters. “A friend who’s a very nice person who’s going through a lot.”
So she knows about her ex.
And she doesn’t like him.
What the hell did the guy do? Besides not taking a hint, that is.
“I know.”
She grinds her teeth together, still giving me the stink eye.
“It was just a date between friends. Hell, Nico and Mae were with us. We went bowling, had some fun. You know that thing young people do.”
“Oh, trust me, I know all about what young people do.”
I chuckle softly. “You sure? You have a kid and a husband…”
“I’d stop while I was ahead if I were you,” she warns, poking me in the chest.
I lift my hands in the air, surrendering. “Fine, just stop this.”
Becky’s face softens slightly. “I’m worried. And not just about her. I don’t want to see some of my favorite people get hurt.”
A knot forms in my throat, making it hard to breathe.
“Nobody will get hurt, Becky. We’re just…” I shrug, trying to play it off. “Having fun.”