Page 53 of Trust Me Always

“It’s on speaker,” I tell him.

“Hey, little man,” he breathes, and Deaton’s eyes light up as he puts his free hand over mine on the phone.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah, buddy. Cammie said you’re not feeling good. What’s the matter?”

He licks his Popsicle, tucking back into my chest, and shrugs his shoulder, not fully understanding Mason can’t see him.

“He’s enjoying his Popsicle.” I let him know so he doesn’t panic.

“Can you, I mean are you allowed to just hold him until I get there?”

I smile. “Of course, Mase. I won’t let him go.”

“I’m leaving the library right now,” he tells me.

“You gonna get in trouble for ditching study hall?”

“Nah, Coach just watched me get up and go. I’ll put in more time next week or something. I’ll be there in five.”

We hang up and, Deaton pops his head up. “Daddy coming, Calmy?”

“Yeah, baby. Your daddy’s coming.”

I rock him a little, and then I sneak him another Popsicle.

As promised, Mason is signing Deaton out not six minutes later, and I should be shocked when my best friend walks in right behind him—I’m not—her cheeks heaving like she ran here—she probably did.

“Aw,” she coos, sticking her lip out. She walks over, holding her hands out. “Come to Auntie Ari.”

Deaton holds on to Mason’s neck, the Popsicle rubbing sticky shit all over the back of his skin, but Mason doesn’t even flinch.

He smirks at his sister. “Nice try.”

Ari shrugs, then grabs the diaper bag and looks my way. “Okay, Mom gave me a list of stuff to ask.”

She rattles off her questions, and I answer, letting her know when we noticed, how he was acting, what kind of thermometer we used, and what it read.

The twins walk out, and I sink against the counter, exhaustion setting in even though I still have two hours left.

Granny Grace chuckles, shaking her head as she slides the artwork from last week into the pickup cubbies. “Busy day back there, hmm?”

“You have no idea.” I fold my arms, lowering my head to settle on them. “I need a nap.”

“Honey, I’ve been here since before you were born. I think I have a bit of an idea what a rough day feels like by now. And you know it’s only gonna get worse. The weather’s changing, which means snotty noses and no patio playtime.”

“I love kids, but so glad I get to go home without one at the end of the night.”

“I bet you are, what with the hubba-hubba hunk of man meat you take back to your bed with you.”

My head snaps up with a frown, and she swats at me, spinning to the cubbies on the opposite side. “Don’t give me that look. I saw you and your…friend, though you two don’t look strictly friendly anymore.”

I try to remember if they have met, but I’m almost positive they haven’t, at least not officially, face-to-face. She’s likely just seen us all around campus or them waiting outside a time or ten.

“He’s a…big boy, ain’t he?” She waggles her eyes.

My mouth drops open and a laugh follows. “You dirty bird.”

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