“I know, baby girl.” I cringe. “I’ll walk with you, okay? It’s very important that you go with him.”
“Why can’t you come with me, Mom?” My fucking heart breaks at that question and I exhale deeply. “Is it because of Dad?”
With wide eyes, I look up. “Oh god, no.” The words turn sour when I’ve spoken them. I don’t want to lie to her. “Notbecauseof Daddy, Reb.”
“Because of those men who took Dad… who took Dad?” A sob escapes her throat, and she wipes her fingers under her eyes.
Immediately, I grab her hand and give it a gentle squeeze. “Yes,” I whisper, “but we’re going to fix it, okay?”
She finally nods, and a watery smile appears on her face. “Okay, Mom.”
I stand up and extend my hand to her. “Are you coming?”
Together we walk down the stairs to where Brooks parked his truck at the gate. He’s behind the wheel and in the back is a boy a little older than Rebel.
“Hey, Laylay,” Brooks says around the cigarette between his lips and focuses that icy blue gaze of his on me, “Long time no see.”
My lips press together, and I nod. “I understand you’re taking my daughter to school?”
“Hello little lady,” he says to Rebel, ignoring my question. “Brandon’s already in the back. Slide in next to him and I’ll drop you off.”
Rebel wraps her arms around my neck, and I give her a kiss. I open the back door and say, “Hey, Brandon, this is Rebel. Can she sit next to you?”
The kid shrugs. “Fine.”
Rebel is quiet as she slides into the back seat and puts on her seat belt.
“Have a nice day, honey. See you later, okay?” I squeeze her hand again and press another kiss to her temple. “Love you.”
My seven-year-old nods with tears in her eyes.
“Hey,” Brandon says to her. “What grade are you in?”
“Three,” she whispers.
“Cool, I’m in fourth. Let me know if anyone bothers you during recess, alright?” He grins at her. “You’re one of us now.”
Rebel nods and I close the car door.
“Everything will be alright, Layne,” Brooks mutters and I turn to him.
“Make sure she gets back safely.”
He nods and then drives off.
I watch them until I can no longer see the truck, then go back upstairs.
“I’ve gotta go.” Kyler shrugs on his cut as I come in. “I can pick up some stuff at your house later. If you make a list for me, I’ll get it.” He directs a questioning look at me, with a deep frown on his forehead. That wrinkle wasn’t there when he was sixteen.
I’m definitely not going to cry. I bite my lip so hard that a twinge of pain shoots through it and I nod.
“Layne…” His voice is full of pity as he approaches.
I shake my head. If he acts like that, I’m definitely going to cry and I don’t want to… A tear trickles down my cheek. Damn it. His big, tattooed arms come around me and I press my nose against his chest.
“When I’m alone, I’m going to over-analyze everything,” I whisper.
“There’re books next to my bed, if that helps. I really have to go. His voice is a low hum in his chest. I want to put my ear to it and listen to it all day. In a strange way, it’s soothing, but unfortunately, he slowly lets go of me. “Make that list, Lay.” He presses a kiss to my forehead and disappears through the door.
