They have the best parents. So dedicated and organized. So obviously keen to be in this role.
And all poor Nichelle and Kendall have is me.
They’ve got the best dad in the world. My gorgeous man, out there in the cold, no doubt leading the way and using his tracking skills to find those two girls. In that sense, I’m not worried. He’ll find our babies.
But in what condition?
Shit, shit, shit!
I shouldn’t have gotten distracted by that phone call!
With a heavy sigh, I head back downstairs, bumping into Nylah at the bottom of the stairwell. Portia is pressed against her leg, still recovering from her traumatic meltdown. I’ve never heard a kid cry so loud. It really unsettled the others, but thankfully Wily managed to distract them.
He’s taken them down to the rec room, and I don’t know what they’re doing in there, but I’m going that way to give him some backup, because I can’t keep searching this house.
“Hi.” I stop on the bottom step.
Nylah gives me a weak, tight smile.
“How are you holding up?”
She blinks, her shoulder hitching while she avoids looking at me.
Shit. She’s pissed off. At me.
And she has a right to be.
I told her I’d find her kid.
And while I was busy chatting with Dani, those girls were probably sneaking out the back door.
My little Kenny.
She’s so tiny.
And she’s not even wearing a jacket!
Shit, shit, shit!
I wish Maverick was here. Our German shepherd would find her in a heartbeat. He would have gone with her in the first place, or at least started barking when she left the house. I obviously rely on him way too much.
Ugh! I can’t believe our dog is a better parent than I am!
“You’re spiraling,” Nylah murmurs. “I can see your eyes glazing over.” Her fingers lightly dig into the top of Portia’s shoulder. “Don’t. Okay? We need to keep it together.”
Her voice is quiet, but there’s a steely glint in her eyes. If her kid wasn’t right there, she’d be yelling at me.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
Closing her eyes, she shakes her head. “It’s not… it’s not your fault.”
“Not entirely, but I got distracted, and I should have followed through on what I said I’d do. I just never thought they’d…” I point toward the direction of the back door, my voice hitching. “Go outside.”
My words break apart, and tears burn my eyes.
“Keep it together,” Nylah softly reminds me before taking Portia’s hand and edging past me to head upstairs.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her again, and she gives me another stiff smile.
