Page 43 of The Persistence of Thornes
“It’s fine. I’ve never not shared a bathroom before.” I exhale a heavy breath. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to repay Caleb for his generosity and kindness.
He moves in front of me, hands on his hips, and cocks his head. “What’s that sigh about?” Before I can answer, he snaps his fingers. “Let me guess, you’re worried that this is too much and you don’t know how you’ll return the favor. Am I right?”
I wrinkle my nose, chin jutted in the air. “Annoyingly spot-on.”
His responding smile isblinding.
Asshole.
Except Caleb is the farthest thing from an asshole there is.
He reaches out like he’s going to touch me, but when he’s mere millimeters away, he drops his hands to his sides. “Please don’t think you owe me anything. Anyone would do this.”
That’s the thing he doesn’t realize—no, not everyonewoulddo this. He’s just that kind of guy.
Arms wrapped around my waist, I shrug. “I have no idea how long we’ll have to be out of the house.”
With any luck, there won’t be too much damage. Maybe we discovered it in time and got it cleaned up before anything could be truly destroyed. But I don’t dare hope. I learned long ago that my luck is too shitty for that.
“It’ll make me feel better if we help out while we’re here. I can buy groceries and cook dinner, and maybe Casen and Quinn can mow or?—”
“Ilikecooking and Thayer takes care of the grass.”
I frown up at him, gaze narrowing when I discover his blue eyes twinkling annoyingly with humor. “You’re not gonna make this easy on me, are you?”
He shrugs and crosses his arms. The move makes his biceps strain against the white fabric of his dress shirt in a way that makes my mouth water. “No, I’m not.” His top lip curls a little, like he’s fighting a smile. “Get settled. I’m going to the office.” He sidesteps me.
I whip around, hair flying behind me. “Do you need me to?—”
He places one hand on the knob and holds the other up. “No.” Then he’s gone.
“Okay,” I reply to the now empty room. With a clap of my hands, I turn to the bed. “Get settled.”
I assess my bag, then peer over at the dresser beneath the wall-mounted TV. It seems silly to fill it with my stuff when there’s a chance we’ll be back home in a few days.
The door opens behind me, distracting me from my indecision. I half-expect to see Caleb back, but it’s Casen.
“Hey, Case.”
His eyes drop to the floor between us. “I’m really sorry I didn’t get up and check the second I heard something. We were playing, and—” He sniffles.
That tiny sound shatters my heart. He’s never been a crier.
I surge forward and wrap my arms around him. Any day now, he’ll be taller than me, but for now, I’m thankful he’s not. I don’t know that holding him like this would feel as comforting as it does.
“It’s okay, Case. I’m not mad.”
Frustrated about the situation, sure. But not mad. They’re just kids.
“It’s just… you’re doing so much for us. You moved us all this way, you got a second job, the house…” He trails off, gaze averted. “We shouldn’t be your responsibility. We’re a burden.”
I hold him tighter, like Caleb did for me. “You’re myfamily. Ichosethis. I chose you. Both of you. Iwantthis. Promise. You’re not a burden to me, Case. Life likes to kick you when you’re already down. That’s just how it goes.” I step back, cupping his shoulders. “Shit happens. It just so happens that we get more than our share of the shit. Butwe’re not going to let it make us angry or bitter, okay? We’re better than that.”
He nods. “I love you. We’re lucky to have you.”
“Oh, Casen.” I yank him into another hug and blink back fresh tears. “I’m the lucky one.”
“Can I get in on the hugfest?”
