Page 146 of Shattered Souls
A wall of muscle is at my back as I bend down to give my daughter a hug and a final pep talk. “You’re going to have the best time and make so many friends.”
“But no boys,” Grayson interjects.
Sighing, I pray for patience. Dropping Aurora off for her first day of daycareshouldbe straightforward, but with all three of them in tow, it has turned into a full-blown operation—one that has drawn the eye of every other parent here.
“You can be friends with whoever you like,” I tell Aurora, ignoring Grayson altogether. Emotion churns in my chest as I pull her in for a tight hug. “You remember the most important thing?”
“To have fun.” Her words are muffled against my chest, and I smile as I pull her back, holding onto her arms as I give her a big, reassuring smile. “Go on,” I urge. “Go play.”
Loud sniffling behind me has me looking over my shoulder as my daughter skips away, not a second's hesitation as she makes a beeline for the play mat where a bunch of toys have been set out. His eyes glisten with unshed tears. “She’s just so... brave,” he says, his voice trembling.
“Logan, it’s daycare, not boot camp.” It’s a struggle to keep the humor from my tone. He’s as dramatic as Aurora—worse, maybe. The two of them definitely rub off on one another. I can only imagine the hysterics when Aurora hits her teenage years.
“Who’s that kid? He looks like trouble,” Grayson grumbles. Following the line of his suspicious glare, I find Aurora talking to a little boy. He holds out a red firetruck for her to play with, and when she accepts it, he sits beside her.
“He just sat down beside her!” He sounds so ridiculously outraged. I can’t decide if his brooding protector shtick is entertaining or migraine-inducing.
“He’s akid,” I remind him, because he seems to have forgotten that.
“Yeah, he’s a kid now, but one day he’s going to be all grown up with a chip on his shoulder and a cocky swagger.”
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize he wasyourkid.”
That glare of his swings my way. “Har har.”
I merely smile sweetly up at him.
“That’s my big brother!” Aurora’s sweet voice carries over to us, and while still maintaining his glare, Grayson stretches to his full height, chest puffing outward. The little boy Aurora was chatting with takes one look at him before whipping his gaze away so fast I’m surprised he doesn’t snap his neck.
Annnnd now we’re terrifying the children.
“Grayson,” I hiss, smacking him in the chest with the back of my hand.
“Finally,” Royce grouses. The next second, he’s striding away, and I whirl in time to watch him stride up to the teacher.Oh my god, I’m never bringing any of them ever again.It’ll be a miracle if Aurora isn’t kicked out before drop-off is even over.
“Ms. Evelyn,” I hear him saying. His superior height makes him tower over the poor five-foot-three woman, and his tattoos are on full display, intimidating every other parent in the room. I don’t even want to know what the teacher thinks of our crazy family. I’m on the verge of disowning three-fifths of us anyway.
“I want to know that a close eye will always be kept on Aurora. No leaving the room without an adult.” Okay, well, at least he’s just doing his due diligence. Understandable, given everything.
I miss the teacher’s response, and I groan when I next tune in to what Royce is saying. “Now, she doesn’t like the crusts ofher bread. They need to be cut off. And she prefers squares to triangles. For nap time, it?—”
I clamp a hand on Royce’s arm, giving him a tight smile as I scream at him with my eyes toshut up. “We have taken up enough of the woman’s time,” I hiss before turning to Ms. Evelyn. I really hope my smile is less crazed looking as I say, “Ms. Evelyn, thank you. I’m sure Aurora will be just fine in your care.”
With a glance between us, Ms. Evelyn smiles before walking off, and I cast a quick look in Aurora’s direction. Unfazed by the commotion we’re causing, she has moved on to exploring the room. Spotting a table with colorful blocks, she sits down and begins playing with them.
My heart swells with pride and a touch of sadness. My little girl is growing up. Still holding her little backpack, I move to the wall of coats and bags. Her name is already written on a peg, and I set her backpack on the bench beneath it.
“Time to go,” I hiss at the others when I’m done.
Grayson frowns. “I dunno…”
“Grayson.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “This is a daycare. The entire point is that we leave her here while we go to work and class.”
“The teacher assured me she’d call at lunch,” Royce reassures him, glaring fiercely around the room.
“Oh my god, please tell me you didn’t.” I throw my hands in the air before whirling to find Logan. He’s still watching Aurora. In fact, I’m certain he’s inched closer, and looking at his face, I can tell he’s two seconds from pulling out a chair and joining her at the table.
“Logan,” I bark, keeping my voice low and a smile plastered on my face for the sake of the children and other parents present. “We’re leaving.”
