Rhonan and Elliot chuckle beside me, but I keep my eyes on Fletcher. “No, but I couldn’t sleep until she got home.”
“Why?”
That’s the thing I’ve been struggling with for the past few days—whydid I feel the need to stay up and wait for her? And why did I pick a stupid fucking fight with her when she got home?
I swear, those were some of the longest hours of my life, and that’s including the first night I had Remy in my care. I kept wondering what she and Dilynne were doing, if they were okay, if Elodie was dancing with some random guy and hitting it off with him, if they would…
“Henley?” Fletcher pulls me back from my mental spiral.
“What?”
“I asked you why you waited up for her?”
Pushing a hand through my hair, I lean back in my chair. “I guess I’ve gotten used to her being in the house and it felt weird without her there. I couldn’t sleep.”
The guys share a look before Rhonan loses his smirk from earlier. “You know, it’s okay to care about her, Henley.”
“I don’t care about her…”
“I mean in a non-sexual way. Like, she’s a part of your life now. She’s been in your house for almost a month. It’s natural to want to make sure she’s safe. I mean, I feel that way about Joanne. She’s a part of my family.”
“I don’t have family.”
Elliot scoffs. “Uh, then what the fuck are we?”
Sighing, I say, “You know what I mean.”
“No, enlighten me, because the last time I checked, Dilynne is your sister and the four of us are practically brothers,” Elliot says defensively.
“I just…” Looking off to the side of the room, I debate how to explain what I’m feeling. “I guess I’m annoyed that I care about her when she’s just going to leave.”
Rhonan nods. “That’s understandable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate her now. You don’t need to act like her father, though.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Yeah, I guess it kind of sounded like that when I spoke to her.”
Rhonan shrugs. “I mean, unless she has a daddy kink.”
I grab a few pretzels from the bowl on the table and chuck them at him. “Shut the fuck up.”
Fletcher clears his throat. “Okay, so other than that, how’s it going? How’s dad life treating you?”
“Honestly, I didn’t realize how boring my life was until Remy came into it,” I say as I feel my lips curl up in a smile. “That little girl is…” My words trail off because I can feel my throat growing tight. “Her smile makes me smile. Her giggle is one of the best sounds in the world. When she takes a shit, I’ve never smelt something so godawful in my life, but it also makes me proud. It’s fucking weird, man.”
Fletcher smacks me on the back. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
“Honestly, I’m surprised by how well you’re handling the whole thing.”
My brows pull together. “What do you mean?”
Fletcher looks between Rhonan and Elliot. “We all know what growing up was like for you, and how you never wanted kids,” he says matter-of-factly. “So, I guess I’m just surprised how easily you stepped into this new role.”
My momentary happiness shifts to annoyance. “Wow. Glad to know you had such high faith in me.”
Rhonan interjects. “It’s a good thing, Henley.”
“Remy deserves at least one parent who wants her,” I say, but can’t deny that when Elodie, Remy, and I go out in public, I have to remind myself that we’re not a family. I’m always quick to clear that up when people assume, but lately, I’m annoyed by how good it feels to have someone to talk to, to help on those days when I’m exhausted, and someone to come home to after a long day at the lodge.
