“Couldn’t I just stay here and work on them?” But even as he asked the question, he could tell what the answer was going to be.
“No. You are going to have to earn back Mommy’s trust, so for the time being, you will not be going anywhere without my supervision.”
His stomach twisted at the knowledge he’d hurt their relationship so badly with his lies. “Yes, Mommy.”
Cupping his face, she leaned in to capture his lips in a long, slow kiss. “If you’re very good for me the rest of the afternoon, Mommy will think about letting you come tonight. Otherwise, you’ll have to watch Mommy and Kylie play without you. So be my good boy and put your clothes on.”
He didn’t need to be told twice. Jumping out of bed, he pulled his clothes back on in record time.
Chapter Nineteen
Kylie
“Kylie! Hey!”
At the sound of her name, she turned to find Sadie Hawkins, Derek’s wife and Little, running up to her. Unease rippled up her spine. Not because she had any issues with Sadie, but simply because they didn’t interact a ton and she couldn’t think of anygoodreason Sadie would be flagging her down outside the cafeteria.
“Hey, Sadie. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to check on Danny.” Worry twisted the other woman’s features. “I was helping Daddy with some things earlier and I saw your Mommy taking him to the infirmary but Daddy wouldn’t let me ask them what was wrong.” Sadie rolled her eyes. “He got on to me about being ‘nosy’ but I just worry about my friends.”
As far as Kylie knew, Danny had even less contact with Sadie than Kylie did, but Sadie pretty much considered everyone her friend. “He wasn’t feeling well this morning. Um, but how did you know Professor Renard is our Mommy?”
“Oh, everyone knows,” Sadie replied breezily. “You know how it is on the Ranch. Nobody can keep a secret to save theirlives. And now that you’re out as a Little, you can come play with us!”
“Maybe.” Kylie forced a smile. “Listen, I need to grab something to eat and then head back to class. I’ll see you around.”
“See you! And give Danny my best!”
“Sure thing.” With that, Kylie turned and hurried back toward the doors that led outside, and straight across the sprawling Ranch to the University buildings.
Somehow, she managed to keep the panic beating at her chest under wraps until she made it to her Mommy’s classroom.
Her Mommy’s completelyemptyclassroom.
Fuck.
Pulling her phone from her backpack, she checked Addison’s schedule. Twenty minutes to her next class, which meant her Mommy would be there any minute.
As she waited, she paced, her movements becoming more frantic with every lap from one end of the classroom to the other.
“Kylie?”
Whipping around at the sound of her Mommy’s voice, Kylie rushed toward her and Danny, throwing her arms around her best friend’s neck. “Danny! Sadie said you were in the infirmary earlier and I was so worried! Are you okay? What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“Ah… no, Ky, I’m not sick. I’m okay, I promise.”
Pulling back, Kylie wiped at the tears streaming from her eyes. “Why did you go to the infirmary, then? Are you sure you’re okay?”
Mommy and Danny shared a look, with the former raising a brow and jerking her head toward Kylie. “Go on, Daniel. Tell your sister the truth.”
Nerves danced in Kylie’s stomach. “The truth? What truth?”
Suddenly looking more Little than she’d ever seen him, Danny looked down at the floor, his cheeks reddening as he shifted from foot to foot. “Um, the thing is, I sort of… lied about being sick.”
Nothing, absolutelynothinghe could have said would have shocked her more. “You lied? To me?”
“Yeah.” Lifting his head, he sent her a pleading look. “I’m really, really sorry, Ky. I was just nervous about letting Mommy plug me, and it seemed easier to fake being sick instead of talking to her about it. But I shouldn’t have worried you and I’m so sorry.”
