“You’re too nice,” Lexi says. “Plus, you have a soft spot for kids.”
“Even when they’re tiny gremlins,” I sigh.
“I’ll start seeing if I can figure out what’s changed at Henderson estate,” Lark offers. “Have your hacker call me so we can work together on flying a drone out there and hacking his system. I won’t say no to help.”
Nodding, I thank her. The get together breaks up a little while later, and I walk everyone out with my steps feeling a little lighter. I often feel as if the world is on my shoulders, but that’s not true anymore.
It hasn’t been for a long time.
I have people, friends and lovers in my corner. And I’ll never be alone again if I don’t want to.
Speaking of which, Izzy, Kyren, and Harlan walk inside shortly after everyone leaves with gorgeous flowers and chocolate. They even offer to clean up the mess outside, and Izzy kidnaps me for a nap.
It’s kind of nice to have people.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Silva
“The gremlins broke me,” I groan as I drive home after helping with the five year old ice skating class. I didn’t realize they’d be doing drills as well.
I did have two other people with me, but I was chosen to help skate the drills. My muscles are on fire.
“Oh sweet girl,” Syrus chuckles in my ear. He’s connected through my Bluetooth earpiece, and I can feel his amusement as well. “This town will make sure we don’t have kids for a long time if they keep doing this.”
I almost take out Mrs. Heigleman’s mailbox and have to swerve to miss it. This wouldn’t be an issue if she wasn’t standing in her front yard with her jaw dropped watching me.
Fuck.
“Don’t be surprised if the station gets a call from Mrs. Heigleman,” I gasp, wincing as I wave and keep driving.
I’m going to pretend I didn’t do that. It’s fine.
“Why?” he asks worriedly.
“I almost murdered her mailbox,” I grumble. “Why are we talking about kids?”
“Why wouldn’t we?” Syrus teases me. “Our pack is coming together, Spitfire. I’m not pressuring you at all, and I’m sorry I almost made you kill the mailbox. I’ll smooth it over with her if she calls to complain. It was an offhand comment. If you never want kids, I’m happy with that too. There are plenty of rugrats for me to get my kid fix from here in town too.”
“Syrus…” I don’t even know what to say. “I think I wanted kids when I was younger, before my parents died and my life changed. I’m kind of a natural caretaker. The thought of a mini me is scary.”
“What would unscare you?” he asks.
“Things that I can’t say on an open line to a police officer,” I reply honestly.
“Then get your cute ass home, Spitfire. Stop trying to take out people’s mailboxes.”
Snort-laughing as I hang up, I drive the last ten minutes home and park in the driveway.
“Hey, Menace!” Lark says from my porch with a smirk as I get out of my car.
“Ugh, what did I do?” I ask, chuckling under my breath.
Syrus’ SUV is in the street, so I’m pretty sure she already knows.
“What did that mailbox do to you?” she asks, laughing as I join her.
“I’m pleading the fifth and blaming Syrus for mentioning having kids when I wasn’t expecting it,” I confess.
