Page 97 of Perfectly Naïve
LIAM
The only thing that’s saved me from a huge blowout fight with George is his having no idea where I live. Cici has been making it to school and back without incident, which in itself is a little sad.
Mom and George can’t be bothered to try and pick her up. If they wanted their daughter back and truly cared, they’d be there every day, fighting to get her back. They may not care, but I do.
I idle in the pickup line, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel. Liv’s honey and vanilla scent lingers on my skin, comforting and warm. She’s taken to Cici better than I could have ever hoped. The two of them have already developed that special girl code with shared looks and smiles that I still don’t understand.
The bell rings, and seconds later, kids flood out of the school, as if they can’t escape fast enough. I smile to myself, searching for Cici’s familiar face. I spot her in the middle of a group of friends, head thrown back and arms wrapped around her middle as she laughs, so carefree. As sheshould be.
The cars start to move, and by the time I get to the front, she’s said her goodbyes and bounds over to the passenger side. She hops in, smiling and eyes alight with happiness.
“Hey!”
“How was school?”
She buckles up. “Good. We had an assembly today, and the principal’s pants fell down.” She snorts, slaps her hands over her mouth, and loses it.
The image makes me chuckle. “How did that happen?”
She trembles with laughter. “I . . . I . . .” She gasps for air, giggling uncontrollably.
I side-eye her. “Are you going to make it?”
Nodding, she takes a breath. “I don’t know, but he was across the stage and they fell. He had—” She pauses, fighting another bout of laughter. “Ketchup bottle boxers.”
“Poor dude.” I shake my head.
It’s another minute before she gets ahold of herself, clearing her throat even as another giggle escapes. “What did you do today?”
“I worked, met with a lawyer.” I pause, wondering whether I should tell her and ruin her day or wait to tell her another day.
“What?”
“George was officially summoned to court.” I shoot her a worried look, but she’s stronger than I gave her credit for. At first, she was heartbroken. I’ve had the uncomfortable experience of my sweet and gentle sister hardening. Witnessing some of her innocence disappear, thanks to that fucking sperm donor. I clear my throat and continue, coming to a stop at the light. “Josh and Lalo were wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner tonight. We don’t have to if?—”
“I want to,” she says quickly. She’s been talking to them on the phone, and they took her out for ice cream the other day.
“How do you feel about them getting custody?” We’vediscussed it, but part of me is worried she thinks I’m pawning her off. I’m not. I just...she has two other dads.
“Great,” she says, squeezing my arm. “They’re my dads, Liam. Our dads.”
“I know,” I tell her. “You could live with us in a heartbeat if that’s what you wanted.”
Her nose wrinkles. “And deal with your budding romance? As cute as it is, it’s also nauseating.” She shudders. “And Liv is about to go into heat.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Omega, remember?” She points to herself. “Trust me. It’s happening soon.”
I nod. “Okay, oh wise one.”
She jabs me with her elbow. “Shut up.”
“No, you shut up,” I say, making my voice high and tight.
“You’re insufferable.” She rolls her eyes.
“Love you too, sis.”
