I head for the massive tree, taking it in as I get closer. Head tipped back, I catch sight of a flash of color.
Of course they’re in the tree. I wouldn’t expect anything less.
“Get down from there before you break a bone and end up in the hospital. I need your help.”
They’re determined to give me a heart attack, I swear. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, reminding myself that I’m doing the right thing by taking custody of them. That all this is worth it.
The boys laugh, shoving playfully in a mock effort to knock each other out of the tree.
“I mean it.” I infuse my tone with all the firmness I can muster. “Get down and help or you’re grounded.”
That only earns a round of laughter.
I can’t say I blame them. We’resiblings. I’m not their parent. And for their whole lives, their parents have been deadbeats who never bothered to parent them. We share a mom, one who doesn’t give a shit about being a mother, but while I have no idea who my dad is, theirs has been in and out of the picture over the years. Mostly when he wants money, which we never had, or a bed to crash in, which my mom was always willing to offer.
“Listen.” I plant my hands on my hips. “I know this is a weird dynamic, and I know I’m not your mom, but Iamyour legal guardian. The two of you need to show some respect, and I’ll do the same in return. Now, since our neighborsare being kind enough to help, would you please join us?”
Finally, reluctantly, they shimmy down the tree, both landing impressive jumps from branches too high for my liking.
“You’re kind of a buzzkill,” Casen says, sauntering past me.
Quinn stops beside me with a sigh. “We were going to help.”
“But only after you gave me a minor heart attack over a potential broken bone, right?” I arch a brow, hands on my hips.
He cracks a half grin. “Exactly.”
Out front, Caleb has returned, wearing a faded t-shirt and a pair of jeans that look way too good. And he’s flanked by two other men. The first, a tall, good-looking man with a hint of gray in his stubble and at his temples, extends a hand and introduces himself as Thayer.
The other, who has hair the same shade as Thayer’s and similar eyes, shakes my hand as well. “I’m Laith. This one’s brother.” He tosses a thumb in Thayer’s direction.
He’s tall and just as good-looking as his brother, but with an easier smile and softer eyes. Thayer’s sharper edges make me think he’s experienced some hardships, whereas Laith is full of a playful lightness. The other noticeable difference is a crook in Laith’s nose that his brother doesn’t have.
“I’m Halle.” I tuck my hair behind my ears, cursing myself for somehow losing the hair band I always keep on my wrist. “I appreciate the help. You didn’t have to do it.”
Despite my desire to handle all my shit on my own, I can’t say I’m not relieved.
“We’re happy to do it,” Laith says with a beaming smile.
Caleb, who was leaning against the U-Haul, straightens. “Put us to work.”
I smooth my hands down my shirt and paste on a smile. “All right.”
With their help, all our meager belongings are inside and in place in under two hours.
Now, I stand in the doorway of my bedroom, biting back the urge to cringe as Caleb assembles my bedframe, hands wringing, while I consider the best way to tell him he doesn’t have to do that.
“You can go,” I tell him. “I can figure out the bed.”
There. That sounded okay, didn’t it?
He glances over his shoulder, one of the pieces clasped in his hand. It would take me a while to figure out how to assemble it, but I could get it done. Eventually. And if I had to spend one night with my mattress on the floor, that wouldn’t be so bad.
He arches a brow that’s more brown than blond. “You really don’t like help, do you?”
I frown, easing away from the wall. “Is it that obvious?”
In my experience, most peopledon’tactually want to help, and when I suggest I can handle something on my own, they’re way too quick to let me try.
