“You can’t… or you don’t want to?” her voice whispers to my left, and something inside my chest tightens.
“I don’t know if I can,” I murmur, the words scraping out of me.
“You can. It’s why you came back here. To find your closure. To say goodbye to her. To confront him. You’ve been here long enough, hiding out with me and Remi, helping us for too long. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can go home.” Her eyes find mine, and there’s no judgment in them, only understanding. “Back to your sister. Back to Madison. It’s time for you to go home.”
A faint rustle from the other side of the wall pulls me from my thoughts. Sheets shifting. A small yawn. A smile creeps in before I can stop it as I listen to Remi waking up. Last night was something else. My house was full of laughter, toy cars crashing against table legs, and Connor’s half-burnt popcorn filling the air. The guys had shown up the second they heard I was on babysitting duty. I swear they thought I was incapable of doing it on my own. Like I’dsomehow lose the kid or forget to feed him. I wasn’t sure how they would take Remi at first, but of course, he won them over. The same way he did with me and Halle. He had Connor crawling on the floor pretending to be a dragon within ten minutes. His fiery personality and high imagination are contagious, and you can’t help but fall into his little orb. What I didn’t expect was how quickly Connor and Remi clicked. They were like two peas in a pod. They sprinted through the house, plotting pranks and whispering like partners in crime. Most of their chaos was aimed at Asher because the broody asshole is a hard one to crack. He sat on the couch for most of the night, glued to his phone, pretending not to care while clearly waiting for Halle to call. Connor finally rolled his eyes and talked Remi into stealing the phone.
“You can’t get mad at a three-year-old,”he said, grinning.
The two of them were hiding behind the couch, giggling uncontrollably while Asher tore the place apart trying to find it. The guy is completely and utterly gone for my sister.
“Uncle Hunter!” Remi’s voice yells from the spare room.
I jump into action before he can yell again. The last thing I want is Sarah thinking I can’t handle one night with the little dude. She deserved a night off. Time to let go, to laugh, to get to know the girls… to meet Madison. Nerves swoop low in my gut as I tug on a pair of charcoal sweats. Did Sarah get the chance to introduce herself properly? Did Madison ask about me? Did Tessa include her? The questions spiral as I drag a hand through my hair and straighten my bedding, trying to look like I’ve got my shit together.
“Morning, little man,” I chirp, stepping into the room.
He slides down the bed, his little feet pattering against the floor as he runs toward me. I crouch just in time to catch him, lifting him high into the air before spinning us both ina quick circle. His laughter bursts out, and I can’t help but grin wider as I settle him against my hip.
“Oodmorning, Hunter,” he says through a giggle.
My chest squeezes at the way he says good morning. Sarah told me when I first met him that he was late to start talking—didn’t say his first word until two and a half.He’s still learning, and some of his words come out jumbled. It’s the cutest damn thing ever.
“Come on, let’s go find some breakfast and see if your momma’s home from girls’ night yet,” I say, ruffling his wavy hair.
A few minutes later, we’re tiptoeing to the couch like we’re on some secret mission. Remi’s bare feet kick excitedly, while I press my finger to my lips, shushing his giggles. His eyes are wide with mischief. I nod once—our silent cue—and he tips the plastic cup in his hands. Cold water splashes across Sarah’s face. She bolts upright, sputtering, and we completely lose it. Remi squeals as laughter booms out of me. He wriggles out of my arms, races around the couch, and launches himself onto his mom’s lap.
I wipe the tears from my eyes, still laughing, and toss Sarah the dish towel.
“You’re a bad influence on him,” she mutters, wiping her face and neck.
“Momma, are you ick?” Remi asks, his little fingers poking at her cheeks and under her eyes.
I snort, grabbing a bottle of water from the table and handing it to her before dropping onto the couch across from her.
“I don’t think she’s sick, buddy,” I say, grinning. “I think she’s just super tired from her girls’ night.”
Her arms wrap around him, pulling him close, and I watch the way her whole body exhales. The tension inher shoulders melts, and her eyes flutter shut as she breathes him in. The whole world falls from her shoulders in that one embrace. It’s the type of hug my mom and dad would give me. The kind that made me feel like the world wasn’t so scary… so big. A soft smile tugs at my lips as Sarah sinks back into the couch, Remi sprawled across her chest.
“So tired, my Rem-Rem,” she murmurs, pressing a kiss to his hair. “We’re having aBlueyand all the snacks kind of day.”
“Big night?” I chuckle, leaning back on the couch.
She groans, rubbing at her temple. “Your sister and her friends are on a different level.”
“What time did you get in?”
“Like, thirty minutes ago.” She yawns, waving a lazy hand. “Halle dropped me off. She decided to go to meet Asher, something about him and the sun and running and dragging him back to his house for a nap.” Her lips twitch before she looks down at Remi, brushing a lock of hair off his forehead. “How was your night, buddy? Did you have fun with Hunter?”
Remi bounces in her lap, his grin stretching ear to ear. “So much fun! Boys night rules!” his voice pierces through the quiet morning, and Sarah winces, pressing a hand to her forehead.
“Come on, Remi, let’s go make some breakfast.” I scoop him up.
My gaze lingers on Sarah. Her dishevelled hair, a faint smear of drool drying at the corner of her mouth. If it weren’t for the glint in her eyes, the smile lines I can see, I would worry that last night was a disaster. But beneath it all, there’s something new. For the first time since she came back into my life, the heaviness in her seems to have crackedopen, replaced by something that looks a lot like peace… and belonging.
She raises a brow at me, her lips pursing. “Boys’ night?”
“I probably should have asked first,” I admit, scratching the back of my neck. “Asher and Connor came over to hang out with us for a bit?—”
