Don’t need to.
I know what he did.
He hurt Emma.
That’s the only important part here.
He breaks eye contact with me and looks back at her. “I have a big appointment up in Tiara Falls. Massive business deal.”
“It’s Sunday.”
“Best time to do business, baby.”
“Mama not da baby,” Bash says.
“I am definitelynotanyone’s baby,” she agrees.
Chandler squats and looks past her. “Hey, Bash, little dude. Brought you a—”
“No, you didn’t,” Emma interrupts. “We’ve discussed this.”
“Em—”
“I saidno.”
He rolls his eyes. “C’mon, Em. You know you’re not gonna get a better offer.”
“She doesn’tneeda better offer to not want you around,” I growl.
Growl.
Me.
Thehappy-go-luckyguy.
I think my brother just came out of my mouth.
And I’m okay with that.
Chandler puffs his chest. “Look, you little—”
“Bash, let the chickens out,” Emma says.
“Dick-dick!” my son cries in absolute glee. He drops the scoop, the feed spilling all over the yard, and dashes for the gate on the pen. “Dick-dick out!”
Chandler visibly swallows, but he’s holding on to the glare he’s aiming at me. “She doesn’t need you talking for her.”
My hands are in my pockets to keep my fists still. “You need to learn to listen when a woman tells you no.”
“Emma doesn’t have cousins.”
“I do, actually,” she says.
“I’ve met them all.”
“Did you miss thedistant, long-lostpart?”
The dick completely ignores her. “Who are youreally?”
