Avery blinked. “Of course.” She stepped back, and the kids rushed in as though they’d broken through a dam. Tee and Brady had to turn sideways to get in the door with their cargo. Avery’s eyes darted to Landon’s foot and then to Rigby, who still carried his shoe. “What happened?”
She got twelve answers all at once.
“He turned too fast.”
“He busted his ankle.”
“He can’t walk.”
She held up her hands for silence. “What?” She pointed at Landon for him to answer.
“I was running and looking over my shoulder and my foot caught and I twisted my ankle.” He spewed it out like a confession in church.
Avery dropped to her knees in front of him. “Oh my gosh!” She reached for his foot, but he pulled it away.
“Ben already looked at it.”
“Benlooked at it?” She was on her feet and rounding on him, ready to pounce.
He grasped her upper arms, a shock blowing through his system as his brain registered that her skin was indeed warm and velvety. Just as he’d known it would be. “Play it cool,” he whispered to himself, though those were the words he had intended for her. “In front of the guys,” he added in case she wasn’t thinking clearly. Her eyes had glassed over. He didn’t know if it was because she was afraid for her child or if she’d been affected by his touch as much as he’d been affected by hers.
She nodded mutely. They stared at one another for an extra second than was acceptable before Ben mentally forced his hands to let her go. He stepped into the bathroom, being hit with the scent of Avery’s vanilla body spray. The bottle was right there on the counter. Next to the ice bucket
He needed some space. Focusing on the task at hand, he stepped into the bathroom to get a moment away from Avery. The room was filled with the scent of her vanilla body spray and did little to help him think clearer. He needed a dunk tank full of ice water. Ice bucket! He snagged it, lined it with the plastic bag folded in the bottom, and then turned to toss it out to Layten.
Avery was helping Brayden and Tee set Landon on the bed.
“Layten, you and Trey go get some ice. It’s at the end of the hall.”
They nodded and took off.
“I’m sorry, guys. I ruined the game.” Landon’s eyes stayed glued to the bedspread.
Avery looked around at all the downcast faces. “You know what? You can watch a movie here. I have snacks.” The kids looked to Ben, silently asking permission—or maybe if it was cool to hang out with the school secretary.
It was most definitely cool. He nodded encouragingly.
Soon, the two were back with ice and the kids took up spots on the two queen beds. Landon was in the middle of one, his foot propped up on a pillow and the ice bag on top. Avery handed the remote to Rigby, who solemnly found them a Marvel movie.
Once everyone was settled, Ben motioned to the door. “I’d better get going.”
Avery followed him to the doorway. She chewed her bottom lip and continually glanced over her shoulder at the pile of boys. “Sorry about getting so upset.”
The apology rolled off her tongue so easily, he should have been able to say sorry as well. He just didn’t feel like it was the right time. If he brought it up now, she might shut him out again. Her eyes were open, real, unguarded, and he liked the way it made her seem approachable—friendly, even. He lifted a hand and brushed away her concern. “I get it.”
“Sooo. What do I do here?” She jerked her head toward the kids. “I don’t want to mess this up.”
Feeling brave, he ran his hand down her arm. The gesture was supposed to reassure her that she had this, but he half expected her to jerk away from him. She didn’t, and his heart rate triple. He cleared his throat. “All you have to do is feed them and they’ll stick around. Got it?”
She nodded, setting her chin with determination. “I can do that. I overpacked on snacks.”
“Great. Boys are easy; let them pig out and they’ll love you.”
She hugged herself. “Thanks for looking out for my kid.”
“Anytime. He’s great. That’s on you.”
Her smile brightened the entire room and knocked him back a step. She’d said Savannah had a great smile—and she did. That girl could get anything with her smile. But Avery’s smile affected him in a completely different way. It was harder to obtain, and it was the smile of someone who had known great sorrow and still found joy in life. Wow. Just wow.
