She studies me for a long moment. “And the other two?”
“They’re part of the package. It’s new, but we all support each other.”
“You’re okay with that?” She arches a brow in disbelief. “Y’all sleep together? In the same bed?”
“Ah…” I waver, uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation. Wearesharing a room with only one bed. “Not usually. I still don’t sleep well, and the guys are away half the year.”
“And you’re with her?”
“Yes.”
“Is the baby yours then?”
“No, and it doesn’t matter,” I reply with conviction, believing it myself. “Enough with the interrogation. Jesus, should I grill you about your husband? You’re sounding like Mom.”
Her eyes narrow to slits. “That’s rude. Really fucking rude.”
“Language,” Sadie hisses, suddenly in front of us. “Don’t start, you two. Tonight is drama-free. Tomorrow will be a shitshow.” She claps her hands and beams at Aurora, who stands beside her with a wary expression. “We’re going out—for a girls’ night.”
“What?” I ask, dumbfounded. Ain’t no fucking way Aurora is going out for a girls’ night. Not to be controlling, but it’s not safe.
“We’re going shopping. You too, Harp. Come on, you could use a break.”
Harper scoffs. “Danny is heading to bed soon.”
“We’ll wait, and Reece can watch him.” Sadie flashes a self-satisfied grin in my direction.
I push myself up from the floor. “Just the three of you?”
She nods. “Your girlfriend needs a dress and shoes. She’s taller than I am.”
“She’s being nice. My belly is too big,” Aurora adds, her hand on her swollen stomach.
“Not happening.” Ethan sets his phone down, his stormy gaze fixed on our girl. “You’re not going out alone.”
Sadie’s brows furrow. “But Macy’s is only a few blocks away, and I know the formal staff personally.”
“It’s not up for discussion. One of us goes with you,” he tells Aurora. “Take Jax; he enjoys shopping.”
“What if I want you to come with me?” She crosses her arms over her chest, cocks her head, and purses her lips.
Jackson snorts from across the room. “Pick me up some sneakers so I can do some jogging. I forgot mine.”
Ethan releases a heavy sigh, stands, and slides his phone into his pocket. “Fine. Let’s go.”
And that’s how Jax and I end up alone with a toddler.
Chapter 35
Jackson
Danny refuses to stay in his crib. Every time Reece puts him back, he lets out an ear-piercing scream,and my insides crawl.
I cover my ears to block out the shrill noise. “Why won’t he stay in bed? Why is he screaming?”
“Because he doesn’t fit in this bed and he wants his mother.”
Red-faced, his cheeks wet with tears, his leg stretched over the side of the portable crib, Danny peers up at Reece. “Mama,” he cries.
