Page 69 of We Thought We Knew It All
“I’m sorry, sis.”
“Yeah, me too.” I sighed. “But life goes on, and I have three boys to get ready for school in record time.”
“I’ll take breakfast duty.” He saluted and hurried to the kitchen. I didn’t know what I’d do without my brother.
I threw on a pair of khaki pants and a sweater before tying my hair into a bun and heading into Declan and Liam’s room to get them dressed.
Jackson already had himself ready and all three ate quick bowls of cereal while I finished getting ready.
“Jackson.” I handed him his backpack. “You have your homework?”
“Duh, Mom.”
I let that slide as he ran out to catch the bus.
“You coming toEmma’sfor breakfast?” I asked my brother.
“Why else would I come by here in the morning?”
“Because you love your nephews.”
He grinned, and I punched his arm before shepherding the younger boys out. “I’ll meet you there after dropping the boys off.”
We took off in our separate cars, and once the boys were safely ensconced in their classrooms, I went to meet him. On the drive, I couldn’t help wondering if that was going to be my life from now on. I loved my kids with everything I had, but it was hard doing it on my own. One day, Colby would have his own family and wouldn’t be able to help raise mine. I couldn’t even manage to get up on time this morning.
Parenting was full of doubts, but at least when you had a partner, those doubts wouldn’t eat you alive. I had no illusions about Dylan. He’d now been relegated to the occasional father. My boys deserved more than that.
Colby was sitting in a booth when I arrived, an omelet already in front of him. “Jasper is a gem.” He pointed his fork at me.
“He’s a brilliant cook, isn’t he?”
“I like having free food again.”
I laughed. “And unlike Ally’s, here you don’t have to work for it.”
“That is a major plus.”
“Are you working today?” I asked.
“Nope. I’m on the next four so today is free.” He looked up at me. “And Jasper is going to cover things here.”
“Why? I’m here.”
“We have plans.”
“Colby.”
He waved a bite of egg at me. “No. Don’t argue.”
“Well, of course, just because you tell me not to.” Sarcasm dripped from my words.
He cracked a smile. “Cal.”
“Ugh, fine. I’ll leave my business in the hands of my cook just weeks after opening when we’re packed to the gills. Sounds like such a good idea.”
“Glad you agree.”
“I think your sarcasm detector is broken.”
