10. Drew
Drew
I can almost see the wheels turning in Leila’s head as she considers my command. The second she opens her mouth to argue against it, I cover her lips with my thumb.
“Shower or bath. I don’t care which. Stand under hot water, soak in it, daydream, shave, read a book. Whatever you want.” I spin her to face the hallway and swat her butt. “Go. Now.”
She huffs as she walks away, and I swear I hear her whisper “bossy cowboy” as she closes her bedroom door.
I grin at her retreating form. She hasn’t changed a lick.
Honestly, she’s probably even more stubborn now that she has someone else to look out for.
Leila Grace has always been a force to be reckoned with.
She’s fiery, strong, and one of the goodest people I know.
Everything she went through as a teen would have ruined most. I know she still has nightmares, but she came out on top.
She’d still give the shirt off her back, step in whenever it’s needed.
But the girl needs to take care of herself.
I know she thinks she only closed her eyes for a second when she was nursing, but those gorgeous greens stayed closed for several minutes as she dozed off. It wasn’t until Kaia kicked a little foot that she snapped awake and I moved forward to kneel before her.
I wait until I hear water running in the pipes to start doing what I can to help straighten up.
It isn’t messy , but I don’t want Leila dealing with dirty dishes or swapping the laundry.
It only takes a minute to fold the clean towel load and switch the wash to the dryer, but I hesitate on starting a new load until I find the laundry detergent with a baby on the front.
Dumping the basket of tiny garments in and adding the soap, I cross my fingers nothing in there is supposed to skip the wash.
The little monitor stays glued to my hand as I move through the house, tidying anything I can. Just as I’m about to sneak into the nursery to watch Kaia sleep, the front door opens, my brother’s best friend coming home.
“Figured that was your truck out front,” Gavin says as he kicks off his sneakers and slips into his boots. “Where’re the girls?”
I lift the monitor to show him a sleeping Kaia. “Leila is in the shower, sounds like. She’s supposed to be relaxing.”
He nods. “How’d you manage that?”
“Didn’t give her a choice.”
He chuckles. “Bet she loved that.”
“She dozed off while breastfeeding. Declan said you wanted to talk to me?”
“Yeah. Moreso just checking in. I know this was unexpected.”
I shrug. “We’ll piece it all together as we go.”
“How’s your recovery going?” he asks, gesturing to my left side.
“Eh. Is what it is. Not healing like the doc wants it to and needs another round of surgery, but I said no.”
He nods again, his chin tucked, but his eyes cut up to me. “And the other thing?”
Not gonna lie. It’ll never quit hurting when the people in my life show any disappointment in me.
“Clean. Swear it. I wouldn’t come around otherwise.”
“Good, good.” He steps toward the key rack on the wall and pulls off a singular key before tossing it to me.
“I’m in and out. Going to meet your brother and shoot the shit, maybe hit the trails.
Kaia wakes up at four every morning like clockwork.
In case you’re interested.” He turns the knob to open the door again.
“That’s it?” I ask. I more than deserve at least a punch to the face from this guy, but instead he just nods.
“For now.” And with that, Gavin slips back out the door, closing it gently.
I stare at the door, convinced I imagined that encounter. But when I squeeze my fist, the house key cuts into my palm.
***
The big man upstairs must have a warped sense of humor. Not ten minutes after the strange encounter with Gavin, a door in the hallway creaks and a soft voice whispers, “Hey, Drew?”
Poking my head around, I see Leila’s head peeking around the edge of the door. “You okay?”
“Um, I may have forgotten to grab a towel.”
Of course, she did because I just folded five of them. Stepping into the laundry room, I pick the fluffiest one and take it to her, making sure to keep my eyes averted as she opens the door enough to slip the towel through before shutting it quickly.
It doesn’t matter if I don’t actually catch a glimpse, though.
Leila’s figure is engrained in my mind. From her strong, athletic calves to her thick thighs.
The ass and hips that, even filled out from bringing life to our child, are still perfection and would fill my hands even better than before.
That cute little waist of hers up to her now-full breasts.
The scars she pretends don’t exist. I memorized every inch of her body in the years we snuck around.
I accepted a long time ago that the memories are all I’ll ever have.
Before the past can drag me down, a whimper travels through the monitor.
The nursery is at the far end of the hall, and while I know they’ve only had a short while to get it put together, the room is perfect for our princess.
Three soft-pink walls meet with a single navy wall, KAIA in cream-colored lettering centered over the white crib.
A matching dresser and rocker are against the opposite wall, a flowy pink-and-white curtain completing the room.
Kaia’s little body wiggles as she tries to eat her fist, little suckling noises bringing a smile to my lips.
Gently, and with only a touch of hesitation on if I’m qualified for this, I lift her, ignoring the twinges in my shoulder.
I’m going to snuggle my daughter post-nap, damn it.
Keeping her head cradled, I shift her until she’s snuggled under my chin and happily smacking on her fingers.
“You’re the perfect baby, aren’t you, precious?
” I murmur, loving the way she feels in my arms. I gently sway, hoping to keep her from fussing for at least a little longer.
“Never knew I could fall in love at first sight twice. But what do you know? You and your mama have that in common. Two perfect girls stuck with a not-so-perfect me. But I’ll do my best for you. For both of you. I swear it.”