He nods. “I got it. Don’t worry about it. When do you want to start? If you need a few days or weeks to settle?—”
“I’ll be there in the morning.” She looks at her brother. “Kane, can I ride in with you?”
He nods. “Sure thing.”
Kane practically pushes Elijah from the living room. “I’m going to walk out with Eli. I’ll be right back.”
I barely get out the words “thanks for dinner” before they’re both walking out the front door.
I fall back into my chair with a huff and look around the tiny apartment. I was surprised when I walked in. Everything is clean and spotless. A big difference from the apartments Kane has had in the past. At least this one doesn’t smell like a bachelor pad, but I’m not going to get too comfortable. Kane can say all he wants that I’m not cramping his style, but I know my brother. He’s always having friends over to watch sports on television, drinking or hanging out. I don’t want to ruin any of that for him.
Which is why I’m taking the job with Elijah. I know he’s giving me the job because I’m Kane’s little sister. He’s a good guy and sometimes acts like he doesn’t want people to know it.
I have my eyes closed, head lying back on the couch cushion when Kane comes back in. I don’t open my eyes until I feel his gaze boring into me.
I open one eye and peek at him. “What is it?”
He sits down across from me and binds his hands together nervously. “You doing okay?”
I sigh. “Elijah told you I fell apart?”
He’s silent, and I open both eyes to look at him. The surprise is evident. He shakes his head. “No, he didn’t mention it. What happened?”
I clear my throat and slowly lower my feet to the floor and sit up. I don’t want to have this conversation, but my brother deserves the truth. I shrug. “I dunno. I just sort of lost it, I guess. All of it, no job, the asshole cheating on me, no place to live. It just sort of hit me all at once, and I cried.” I shake my head because cry doesn’t quite justify it. “I mean, I lost my shit, but I’m fine now.”
Kane nods awkwardly. He’s never been good at handling emotions or anything else close to it. “Right, well you can stay here as long as you want to.”
“Oh yeah? You good with some kid crying at night, waking you up?”
He chuckles. “It’s not some kid… she’s my niece. And I’m serious, sis. You can stay here for as long as you need to.”
I bite my lip so I don’t start crying all over again. “Right… well, thank you. I appreciate you. I really do.” I put a hand over my belly. “Without you, I’d be homeless right now.”
He leans forward and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I would never let that happen.”
He lifts his hand off me and puts his hands on his hips. “Well, we put everything in your room. You want me to help you unpack?”
I consider his offer, but I feel like I’ve already asked a lot of him. “No, I’m going to unpack, shower, and get to bed.”
He chuckles. “It’s seven o’clock.”
I struggle to my feet. “Yeah, and I’m six months pregnant and starting a new job tomorrow. Trust me if I don’t go to bed soon, I’ll need a nap by two o’clock.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Right. Sorry. I don’t know a lot about pregnant women, but?—”
I hold my hand up. “Bub, it’s okay. I don’t expect you to. I know you think I’m weak and?—”
He steps toward me. “I don’t think you’re weak. You’re the strongest woman I know.” He puts his hand on my shoulder. “Sis, you’re the reason I got through my addiction. Well, you and Elijah. You are the reason I didn’t fall apart. And I also know that your baby is lucky to have you for a mom.”
I hold my arms open. “I love you, bub.”
He laughs and pulls me in for a hug. He’s both gentle and fierce as he holds me against him. “We’re going to get through this, okay? I’m going to be right here by your side the whole time.”
I lean my head back to look up at him. “The whole time? You mean you’re going to be there when I have the baby?”
He steps back and puts his hands up. “Whoa, whoa, I don’t know about that.”
I slap him on the chest playfully as he starts to turn green. “It’s okay, I’ll give you a pass. I don’t need you passing out while I’m having the baby.”
