Page 50 of Don't Hurt Us
“Because my brothers have a man crush on Peck and they know I won't get mad at them for being too loud, unlike Charlie and Wyatt.I don’t have a baby for them to wake up.”
“Oh, I didn’t think about that… That means we’d need to be quiet at Uncle Wyatt’s house too.”Bree thinks for a few moments.“Yeah, we’ll stay with you, Pecky”
“Thanks so much.Somehow, I feel like I'm the default choice because your other option sucks,” Peck grumbles under his breath.
“We love you, Uncle Pecky,” Bree singsongs, blinking up at him with big innocent eyes.
“Yeah, I love you too, princess.”He turns his attention to me and his eyes soften.“When are we moving your stuff, Syd?”
“Whenever you’re free to help.I’d like to get out of here as soon as possible though.”
“Why?”His brows pull together as he watches me carefully.I glance at the kids before turning my attention back to Pecker, making him understand I don’t want to discuss this in front of the kids.
“How about you two show me your rooms and I’ll help you pack some things.”Sophia claps her hands and points in the direction of the bedrooms.“I wonder who can pack faster!”
“Me!”Bree squeals.
“No, I can pack faster!”Danny darts down the hallway ahead of Sophia and Bree.
“What’s going on, Syd?”Peck pulls me into his arms and rests his chin on my head, just like he always does.
“Rob has a key to the house.He never left it when he moved out and I didn’t ask for it back because I didn’t want to remind him that he still had it.Now, I'm afraid he’ll come here and take my stuff or ruin things as payback.”
“Payback for what?”
“The judge ruled in Sydney’s favor.Rob won't get a penny from the bakery and he has to pay off their personal debt.The judge was going to split the house, but gave Sydney the option to keep it and pay off Rob, until Rob threw a little fit and demanded he got the house,” Maverick explains.
“Why would he want this house?He hates this house.”Pecker frowns.
“I think he believed the judge would let him have the entire thing if he complained.”I lift my shoulders in a shrug.
“So, what actually happened?”
“Rob has to pay Sydney for half the house within ninety days,” Maverick snorts with laughter.
“Seriously?This judge is awesome.”Peck chuckles.
“He’s livid.I don’t trust he won't try something,” I whisper.
“Ok.So, what all are you taking?Are we moving all the furniture?”Peck tugs a small notebook out of his back pocket.I swear the man always has one with him.
I glance at Maverick, unsure of how to respond.His house is fully furnished so we don’t really need any of it and his stuff is much nicer… But maybe he doesn’t want the kids to ruin his stuff.
“Sweetheart, we can take as much or as little of your stuff as you’d like.”Maverick takes a step towards me.
“But what if the kids ruin your furniture?It’s nicer than mine.”
“I'm not worried about it.It’s just stuff.It can be replaced.If you like my furniture better, leave yours for Rob to deal with.It will be more of a headache for him.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.How much do you think we can get packed tonight?”Maverick smirks.“I’m wondering if we can get it done today.”
“Sophia and I don’t have plans and we’re both off tomorrow, we can help as much as you’d like,” Pecker offers.“I think you’re better getting out of here as soon as possible.I don’t trust Rob one bit, especially when you just won everything he wanted today.”
“Thank you so much for your help, Soph.”I wipe my hands on my pants and hand Pecker the last box from my room.
“Oh, it’s nothing.The real work begins when we get everything to Maverick’s and we begin unpacking.”Sophia smirks.
