Page 17 of Light

His mouth quirks up into that arrogant, crooked grin I already hate and know I'm in trouble for loving a little bit too much.

"A little bit?" he echoes, full of smugness. "Sweetheart, that camera probably saved your pretty neck more times than you know."

I scoff. "Oh, so now you’re a security expert? What’s next? Going to suggest I put up laser beams and landmines?"

His grin stretches wider. "I mean... it would work."

I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. "Right. And you could probably rig it up with some chewing gum, duct tape, and pure male stupidity."

Light presses a hand to his chest like I wounded him. "Ouch. You wound me. And here I thought we were bonding."

"You thought wrong," I toss back, but the sharpness is gone from my voice. I can't help the small laugh that bubbles out of me. I hate it. I hate how easy he makes it, how he cracks the shell I try so hard to keep intact.

Light leans a little closer, dropping his voice. "For real though... you’re welcome."

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling again. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks... I guess."

"Don’t strain yourself admitting I saved your ass," he teases.

"Trust me," I mutter, turning away before he sees the way my face warms, "I’ll lose sleep over it."

He chuckles low and easy, the sound surprisingly soft coming from someone who looks like he bench-presses motorcycles for fun.

For a moment, there’s a lightness between us that feels almost normal. Almost easy.

Then Tyler coughs in the backyard.

Both of us stiffen at the same time, our heads whipping toward the sound.

Without a word, we’re moving, racing across the yard toward him.

I get to Tyler first and drop to my knees in front of him. Light isn't far behind. He stands back though, probably unsure of where he should be. "What's going on Ty? You need a treatment?" I ask, putting my hands on his face and lifting his head so he's looking at me.

"No, I'm okay." Tyler wheezes.

He's not okay. My poor boy probably will never be okay.

"Tyler, don't lie to me. You know what happens if we let it go for too long. Now do you need a treatment?" I ask again, wanting to keep this his decision.

Tyler pouts slightly before he slowly nods his head. My feet move on their own. Within seconds, I'm up and rushing into the house to get his medication.

"Can I do anything?" Light questions as I make my way for the back door.

"Just stay with him for a second, I'll be right out."

I make my way into the laundry room, right near the entrance of the back door and pull out Tyler's spacer and inhaler. I shake the medication in my hand close to my ear so I can check how much medication is left. It's not much but should be enough to get him through this time.

As I put my hand on the back door I can hear Light and Tyler talking, I know I shouldn't eavesdrop but I'm curious.

"Yeah, I used to like playing baseball when I was a kid too. I was shitty at it....oh crap, sorry little man. Don't tell you mom I cursed. She'll probably black my eye."

Tyler chuckles, "Yeah, she's intense like that."

I scoff and lean closer to the door, not wanting them to know I can hear what they're saying.

"She means well. She's smart." Light says in my defense.

"I know but sometimes I wish she would be like the other moms. I mean I'm big now, almost nine." Tyler complains.

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