Page 91 of Shattered Souls
His eyes go comically wide as he darts back to flip them, and smiling to myself, I saunter over to Royce and Grayson. “What’s this?” I ask, staring in confusion at the family calendar spread out on the kitchen island. It has been filled with each of our various class times, along with Logan’s hockey schedule, Royce’s fights, and Grayson’s work meetings.
“We’re putting together a schedule,” Logan explains as if it’s obvious, joining us as he pushes a cup of freshly brewed coffee into my hand.
“A schedule? For what?”
“So we can ensure one of us is always available to watch Aurora and do the daycare drop-offs and pick-ups.” Again, there’s thatduhtone, and I’m not sure if I’m being particularly dense this morning or if these guys keep blowing through every expectation I have of them.
“She’s not in daycare,” I tell him because, apparently, that’s the best response I can come up with.
“Well, no, she doesn’t start for another two weeks. That’s the soonest I could get her booked in for, but we figured that worked well since we all agreed we weren’t happy letting her out of our sights until we decide what we’re doing with Bertram, and we’ve dealt with your mother.” He gives a flippant shrug of his shoulder. “Besides, between us, we can totally handle it for a couple of weeks.”
All I can do is blink stupidly at Logan. He’s talking gibberish, right? Please tell me I’m not the only one who didn’t understand a word of what he just said.
“I think you broke her brain,” Royce whispers.
“Logan,” I croak. “What are you talking about? Aurora isn’t enrolled in daycare. I can’t afford it.”
“Actually, she’s enrolled at Maplewood Preschool and Daycare.”
“What? When…”
“I called them this morning,” he explains, pushing a fresh mug of coffee into my hands before resting both of his on my shoulders and rubbing the tense muscles.This morning?My gaze flicks to the clock on the wall. It’s not long after seven in the morning.How the hell did he get talking to anyone on the phone this early?He bulldozes over me before I can ask. “She’s enrolled, and I’ve paid for her to attend for the rest of the year, so just say thank you and drink your coffee, okay? Let me do this for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” I step back out of his hold, flicking my gaze to Royce and Grayson before my focus returns to the schedule. “You don’t have to do any of this. I—we—are not your responsibility. You’ve already done enough.”
“Shortcake, wewantto. Aurora is all yours, but that doesn’t mean you have to do this alone. We want to help.”
“That is, if you want our help,” Royce tacks on, drawing my attention his way, and immediately I know, if I say I don’t want their help, he’ll back off, and he’ll drag Logan with him, kicking and screaming if need be.
I mean, we hadn’t blatantly discussed what would happen once we got Aurora back. They’ve all, at one point or another, told me that they want to be involved in her life—to help out, to get to know her. But it’s one thing for them to say that and another to see them planning it out as if our lives are intertwined.
As if… As if we’re a family.
There’s a lump in my throat and tears sting my eyes. My heart is full of so much love that it feels like it’s about to explode. Still, I’m nervous. What if it’s too much for them? What if looking after a kid is more work than they anticipated? What if,one day, they feel like it’s too much? Like she’s not worth it? Likewe’renot worth it?
“Whatever cynical thoughts are circling through that pretty little head of yours, stop it.” There’s an edge to Logan’s tone as he wags a finger in my face. “We’re here. Wewantto help, so let us.”
“Fucking hell, Logan, you made her cry,” Grayson snarls, smacking Logan in the arm none too gently when he sees my face.
“Shit. Fuck. I’m sorry, Shortcake. I didn’t mean to make you cry. We’ll do whatever you want. You want us to help, great, we’re here. You want us to leave you alone, fine, we’ll do that too.”
Sniffling, I swipe angrily at the tears, but they keep coming.
“I’m not crying,” I bite angrily, trying and failing to get the steady stream to stop.
“Uhh, yeah, Shortcake, you kinda—oh.Oohhh. Nooo, you’re not crying.” Logan pulls me in against his chest as Royce carefully takes the piping hot mug from my hand before I spill it. I go effortlessly into Logan’s embrace, burying my face in his t-shirt and inhaling deeply.God, how does he always smell so good?“Definitely not crying,” he continues, rubbing soothing circles on my back. “Those are allergy tears.”
“It’s only February,” I point out, the words muffled by his shirt.
He continues with his soothing circles. “Mhm. But we’re practically into March, and I hear the pollen is particularly potent this year.” Despite my overwhelming emotions, I find myself laughing into Logan’s t-shirt. I have no idea how he does that; he makes me laugh when I’m on the verge of crumbling.
“So what do you say?” Logan murmurs softly. “You gonna let us help you out, mama? They do say it takes a village. Let us be your village, Riley.”
With tears clinging to my eyelashes, my face buried in Logan’s top, I nod. “Okay, but only if you’re sure.” Pulling back, I stare up at him before turning to face Royce, then finally shifting my gaze to Grayson. “All of you—only if you’re sure.”
“We’re sure,” Royce states firmly, and Grayson nods.
“Fantastic.” Stepping back, Logan claps his hands. “Now that’s sorted, what is on the agenda for today? It’s our first day all together. I feel like we should do something special to commemorate.”
