Page 39 of Don't Hurt Us
“Thanks, Maverick!You’re the best!”He rushes over to me and throws his arms around my waist, giving me a tight hug.I hug him back, loving how comfortable he is around me.I feel like we have a special connection he never had with Rob.
We had a talk earlier about how he needs to treat his mom with respect, even when he doesn’t want to.We discussed Rob and how Danny feels about everything.I told him I'm here for him whenever he wants to talk and I'm more than willing to listen.I want to be his friend, but I also made it clear I won't put up with any sort of negativity towards Sydney.
As soon as Danny releases me and starts opening drawers, I back out of the room and softly shut the door.I spin around to search for Sydney and find her standing right behind me.
“Hey, I was just coming to look for you.”
“You’re so good with him,” she whispers.“He loves you so much.”Her brows tug together and form a deep V.
“I love both of your kids.They’re great and so appreciative of everything.”I close the distance between us and loop my arms around her waist.“How’s Bree?”
“She’s doing a little better.She hasn’t thrown up since before dinner.”
“That’s good.I was worried when I picked her up from school.She looked awful.”
“She wants to tell you goodnight.”
“I’ll be right back then.Whatever the princess wants, the princess gets.”I press a quick kiss to her temple before I head down the hallway to the guest room Mom decorated in soft pinks and purples.
There are flowers galore in this room, mixed with ballerina décor.Mom used to always say since she never had a daughter, she could at least make the guest room girly.
“Hey, how are you feeling, princess?”I take a seat on the bed next to Bree and lean back until my head is on the pillow next to hers.
“I'm ok.My belly still hurts, but I don’t think I'm going to puke.”
“That’s good.I'm not sure how many more clean shirts I have,” I tease her.
“I'm sorry I puked on you.”She wrinkles up her nose in disgust.“And thank you for cuddling with me.You made me feel a lot better.”
“You’re welcome.I liked cuddling.I never have anyone to cuddle with.”
She grins at me, then scoots closer and tugs on my arm.As soon as I extend my arm, she’s cuddling into my side and laying her head on my chest.
“I wish I had a daddy like you.My dad would never take care of me when I was sick or hold me after I puked.He’d just tell me to go to my room and call for Mommy if I was going to get sick again.”
My heart breaks with her words, but I don’t know how to respond without telling her what type of man Rob is.Instead of opening that can of worms, I hold her a little tighter and kiss the top of her head.
“I love you, Maverick,” she whispers softly.
“I love you too, princess.Do you want me to lay with you for a little bit?”
“Could you stay until I fall asleep?”
“Of course.”
I lay next to Bree until her breathing evens out, then I carefully climb out of bed, making sure I don’t wake her up.I’d hate for her to stir and not be able to go back to sleep.
I press a soft kiss to her head and tip toe out of the bedroom.Shutting the door behind me, I glance up and down the hallway, trying to figure out where Sydney could be.
Deciding to try the living room first, I head that way.If she’s not there, I’ll check my bedroom after grabbing us each a glass of wine.
Sydney’s standing in front of the big bay window overlooking the front yard.She has the sleeves of her sweater pulled over her hands and she has one hand up by her mouth.She’s lost in thought and doesn’t hear me coming.
I stop behind her and slip my arms around her waist, plastering her against my chest.She lets out a soft gasp, but doesn’t turn around to look at me.
“Are you ok?”
“Yeah, just thinking.”
