Page 54 of Fractured Grief
Lyric looked taken aback by my thanks. “You don’t need to thank me. I didn’t do anything.” He rubbed at the back of his neck awkwardly. “I’ll go grab the food.” And with that, he rushed out the door.
“He’s funny,” Haze said, making both Seb and me laugh.
“You have no idea. My brother is one of a kind,” Seb said, more to Hazel than me. “So, what movie should we watch tonight, if your dad says it’s okay?”
“Oh! There are so many. Who’s your favorite princess? Or do you like The Lion King? Did you know there’s a whole series with Timone and Pumba in it? Or we could watch a people movie. Do you have Matilda?” Hazel rushed through the words as she grew increasingly excited about all the movies she wanted to show Seb.
“I have a few streaming channels, so you can pick anything you want,” Seb paused. “How about this? Who’s your favorite princess, and we can watch her movie.”
“Really? That’s Rapunzel! Do you have Tangled? Have you seen it? It’s so good. I know all the songs. Mommy and I are the Rapunzel twins, and we always sing along to all the songs.”
My heart broke a little at the idea that Hazel would never have that again, but I loved that she was sharing it with Seb. We’d watched Tangled a few times since losing Lexi, but she didn’t sing along anymore. I wondered if she might this time.
“That sounds like a beautiful memory with your mom. I haven’t seen it, but I’m looking forward to it.” The soft way Seb gazed at Hazel made my heart grow three sizes. He looked at her with such love and compassion. There was something special about seeing Hazel bond with the guy I liked that did funny things to my insides.
“How about we get the table ready for the food, and we can put it on.” He looked at me then, and I nodded, knowing that now Tangled was mentioned, there was no getting out of it.
Chapter 27
Seb
Hazel was the cutest kid ever. Her shyness with my Ma and then her excitement at my house was melting my heart. I couldn’t help but smile.
She might not be biologically Indy’s, but she was his child through and through. From the little bits of sass I’d seen, to the articulation of her speech and manners, to her big and welcoming smile, she was a chip off the old block. Maybe Indy didn’t see it, but I did. They werefamilyin the best sense of the word.
I carefully stood and moved over to the coffee table to put it back in front of the couch for all the food Lyric was sure to bring home. But of course, Indy rose to help. “You know you shouldn’t be moving furniture by yourself.”
My cheeks heated. “I know, but you need rest more than I need to be careful.” I was still worried about him. Even with color returning to his cheeks, he still looked exhausted.
“I’m feeling much better,” he said, sending me a smirk. “I’m still a physical therapist and will always be cautious even if you’re not my patient anymore.”
“I don’t doubt it.” And I knew he’d tell me off in a second, if I did something I shouldn’t.
We got the coffee table in place, and I hobbled to the linen cupboard for a tablecloth and then to the kitchen for plates, cutlery, and heat mats, as Lyric wandered back in laden down with food.
“That looks like a lot of food,” I said, taking in all the bags.
“I wanted you to have options and try a little bit of everything, and then when I told Yaya it was for Seb’s new man, she added even more goodies,” Lyric winked, and I rolled my eyes.
“Thanks for that,” I muttered. “Is there anyone you haven’t told?”
“Probably not,” Lyric chuckled and took two bags into the kitchen to place in the fridge.
I saw Indy’s questioning look and said, “Dessert.”
“Ah, cool. You didn’t have to do all this, you know,” he spoke to me, but I knew he was talking to Lyric too.
“We know,” I said, taking a measured step towards Indy. “But I like taking care of you.” I leaned down to whisper in his ear, “In all the ways, if you’ll let me.” I enjoyed the shiver that visibly racked his body as he gazed up at me, eyes shining with lust and anticipation of what was to come. I wanted to kiss him so badly, but wasn’t sure how to go about it with Hazel right there. I didn’t know what sheknew or how Indy wanted to play it. I sent him a wink as I stepped back and went to the kitchen to grab drinks.
Hazel was telling Lyric all about Tangled as we opened the food containers and added serving spoons and spatulas. Lyric shifted awkwardly, looking around before he stood. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“What. You’re leaving?” I asked. “Don’t be silly.”
“Yeah, look at all this food, you have to share it with us,” Indy added.
“Don’t you want to watch Tangled with us?” Hazel asked, her big, blue, doe eyes pleading and affecting my brother as he sat back down, heavily.
“Of course I do.” His gaze flicked to mine after he answered Hazel. “I thought you’d want timealone.”
