“Lily?!”
“Lily!”
The door flew open and three men fell through it, nearly colliding and ending up as a pile on the carpet.
We stared at them.
“Uhhh... what are you guys doing?” I asked.
Nari opened her mouth for another spoonful of broth. She was tucked up tight in her ladybug bed, kicking her little feet under the covers.
And by ladybug, I meant ladybug. The circular bed had little bug feet for legs, antennae on the headboard, and red-and-black polka-dot sheets. It all paired nice with the green, shaggy carpet masquerading as grass, the beautiful meadow painted on the walls, and the clouds and sun on the ceiling.
“What are we doing?” Rhodes snapped, untangling himself from his fellow brothers in matrimony. “What areyoudoing? Why did you take Lily out of school?”
“Why?” I fed her more soup. “What do you mean why? I left all three of you a voicemail, telling you Lily was sick and needed to be picked up from school. Didn’t you listen to it?”
They slowly approached, surrounding the bed and the two of us like we were suspicious packages left at the airport—
No.I saw the looks on their faces.All of their suspicions are for me.
“Yeah, we got it...” Alex said slowly. “But it didn’t make any sense...”
I cocked a brow. “What didn’t make sense? They had a carnival at school for student appreciation day, and the little lady here overdid it on the cotton candy, funnel cake, and lollipops.”
Micah bit off a swear as Lily ducked her head under the covers. “Overdid it? How does that happen?” They were still talking much louder than they needed to. “Why weren’t those idiots watching her? Who lets a six-year-old eat that much sugar unchecked!”
I shrugged. “Lily puked on her teacher’s shoes, so I’m sure he learned his lesson. Anyway, why are you all here? I also said in the message that I’d bring her home and take care of her.” I set down the broth and picked up the bag at my feet. “The pharmacist said this is a really good anti-nausea medicine, and it’s safe for kids.
“Lily took some an hour ago, but she said if she’s not better by the afternoon, to give her another dose. Or if she’s not better bytomorrow, to call her doctor. But I don’t think that will be necessary,” I said to their unsettling, wide-eyed stares. “She’s already feeling much better, right, Nariboo?”
A giggle floated out of the sheets. “No!”
I gasped. “Huh? No? But you know what happens to little girls who are sick?” I dove under the covers. “They get their toes eaten!”
Nari flipped out, kicking and squealing when I grabbed her foot, nibbling on her toes.
Hands suddenly grabbed and pulled me out. The world spun as I was tossed over Micah’s shoulder and carried out.
“Lilybug, finish your soup,” Alex called over his shoulder—standing side by side with Rhodes and Micah. “Daddies will be back in a bit to check on you.”
“Okay,” she chirped, not in the least bit concerned that her auntie was in for it.
“Guys? Micah!” I wiggled in his hold. “Okay, short people don’t like to be picked up! It’s one of our top five fears and dislikes!”
“Want to know what my top fear and dislike is?” Micah plopped me on my feet. In a blink he had me up against the wall, slamming his hands on either side of my face.
Before I could get a word out, Rhodes and Alex were right there—boxing me in on the left and right.
I wasn’t going anywhere.
“My worst fear is that my twisted and duplicitous wife will con our daughter into believing she’s the cool, fun parent, all so she can get full custody of her in the divorce—but plot twist that everyone saw coming—she only wants to use our child to drain us of every cent she can get in child support.”
My eyes bugged. “Child support? Divorce?! What the hell are you talking about?”
“What the hell areyoutalking about!” Micah roared, blowing me back. “Enough with the doe-eyed, innocent act, Sue! For once, fucking enough!”
I shrunk back, eyes huge in face of his fury. My heart pounded a mile a minute, racing faster than the chill crawling up my spine—because I knew this rage.
