I wouldn’t blame her.
I place Zeke on the changing table and quickly change his diaper.
The stove beeps, and Harper leaves the two of us alone while I finish the diaper change before bringing him to the bathroom so I can wash my hands.
“Did you leave the diaper in his bedroom?” Harper asks me from the bathroom. I left the door open, and she’s already on me like I’m incapable of handling a simple diaper change.
I’d be annoyed if it were anyone else.
“It’s in the diaper pail. I know how to look after Zeke.” I kiss his forehead, and he wiggles away from me, wanting to get down. I gently set his feet on the ground, and he tears off, arms out, running around like a little monster.
“Dragon! Roar!” Zeke shrieks with laughter, running around the living room. While his words aren’t crystal clear, I’ve learned to decipher most of his babbling over the past couple of weeks.
Nova pokes her head out of her bedroom. “Is the little dragon okay?”
“He’s fine!” Harper shouts over the roar of the little dragon running wild. “Sorry for the noise.”
Nova’s been studying for hours or, more likely, avoiding me. It’s fine; I’m leaving for Dante’s soon. She’ll have the house all weekend, and thankfully, Ashton will be with me, so I won’t have to worry about the two of them getting up to trouble.
Ashton hasn’t come home yet. I expect he’ll be back in time for us to leave. We’ve exchanged a few brief texts, him double-checking that he has a ride tonight.
I’m feeling generous.
I won’t make him walk or take the bus.
“I made enough dinner, you’re welcome to join us when it’s ready,” Harper says, inviting Nova to dine with us.
When the timer beeps again and this time dinner is ready, Nova finds her way out of her books and to the table for dinner.
“Thanks. This smells amazing. Way better than the chicken tenders at school.”
We all sit down, minus Ashton, for dinner. He’s probably at the dining hall. Liam joins us, although he’s a bit quieter than usual. I’m assuming he also knew about Nova and Ashton and is trying to keep the peace or at least stay on my good side.
Dinner is delicious. I don’t want to move from my seat at the table, but I hear the front door and glance at my watch. It’s time to head to Dante’s. Although we won’t begin any training this evening, we’ll likely be getting started early tomorrow morning.
I’d rather sleep in my bed with Harper and wake up extra early and drive over, but that isn’t an option. Dante has made it clear that he expects me to stay weekends, unless there’s a hockey game.
I hate playing Thursday games.
It means longer weekends and more time learning about the ins and outs of the mafia.
I’ve mastered the gun range, which wasn’t the worst thing in the world. But knowing that I need to know how to use a gun, how to shoot someone—that, I find far more unsettling.
I give Harper a kiss goodbye and kiss Zeke on the cheek before grabbing my weekend bag and departing.
It’s cold outside, the crisp air allowing me to see my breath as we walk to the car.
Ashton says nothing.
No apology.
No words.
He’s silent, which irks me even further.
I throw my bag into the backseat. Ashton does the same, and then we climb into the car.
We drive, the radio on, the only noise between us.
