Page 75 of Collision of Winters
“What do you think he’ll struggle with?” Chris wondered, putting on his profiling hat. “The exams?”
“The psych evals,” Quin and I said at the same time.
I nodded. “Initially, at least,” I amended. “He’s afraid I’m going to dig up, to quote him, a diagnosis that sets him back further.” But we didn’t work that way at Hillcroft. While identifying possible markers and issues was fundamentally important, we preferred to look at a person from a wider perspective, not a set of symptoms. I had reassured him he had nothing to worry about. If I hadn’t identified him as a good addition to our logistics team, I wouldn’t have encouraged him to pursue it.
Quin folded his arms over his chest and turned to me, pensive. “Is it just me, or has he become calmer?”
“It’s not just you,” I answered. Kaydenhadbecome calmer. It was something he and I worked on together. He thrived under the right kind of leadership. With me, there was structure, chores, homework, and challenges—the latter with the sole purpose of letting him see for himself that he was creative, resourceful, and intelligent. He loved getting a “Good boy” from me, much like the next Little, but mental strength didn’t comefrom others’ approval. It came from within, and he was slowly realizing just how hard on himself he had been.
We obviously wanted him to be proud of himself—and not feel good only when we complimented him.
Quin side-eyed me. “Is this some voodoo shit you pull on him, or can I take some credit?”
I chuckled. “Take all the credit you want.”
“If nothing else, you can take credit for that right there.” Chris pointed at the entrance, and we all spotted Kayden out on the plaza, peering up at the building. Backpack on, thumbs hooked underneath the shoulder straps.
Warmth and pride surged through me.
“Fifteen minutes early—that’s my boy,” Quinlan said, standing taller.
I smiled to myself. My God, how I loved that sweetheart. And it was about damn time I told him.
I’d certainly felt it for a while, but he’d been so focused on preparing for his upcoming training.
“Did he settle on an alias yet?” Chris asked.
I inclined my head and did my best to conceal any smugness. “Blue.”
Quin huffed. “Your nickname for him.”
I threw him a glance. “You jealous?”
“Jesus fucking Christ, you two,” Chris grated out. “Can you fucking not? He’s headin’ in. Be cool. I think I’m gonna go.”
I furrowed my brow.
“Why?” Quin asked.
“Because this is startin’ to look like a full-blownThree Men and a Babysituation.” He tugged on Quin’s arm too. “Come on, Quin. You already made lunch plans with the kid. Let’s not crowd him.”
Chris had a point. Quinlan protested but let Chris drag him out of here, bitching that he didn’t even get to take a picture, to which Chris said, “Are you fucking kiddin’ me?”
I coughed to hide a chuckle.
Their voices faded until they were behind closed doors, and that was when Kayden walked through the entrance.
Deep breath.
He lit up when he saw me, but I could detect he was nervous.
“Good morning, trainee.” I grinned. “Are you ready for the first day of the rest of your life?”
He exhaled a chuckle, and I pulled him in for a quick kiss and a hug. We tried to be discreet at work, but I just needed something to tide me over until tonight.
He smirked a little and smoothed a hand down my shirt. “That day started when you hunted me down on the tundra.”
Just like that, I went from planning on telling him those three words tonight over dinner, to…right fucking now.
