Three… two… one…happy birthday.” The last words came out as a whisper, per the request of the birthday boy. Even still, Carson’s ears turned a violent shade of red as he stared hard at the table. I affectionately ruffled his hair.
At his first birthday party, he screamed hysterically when we sang to him. We just assumed it was because he was overwhelmed by the number of people. Same thing for his second birthday. On his third birthday, he yelled at us not tosing to him. The rest was history. We gave him one enthusiastic whisper of a birthday wish, and that was it. He didn’t need and didn’t want more than that.
I shifted in the booth, doing my best to avoid kicking Roxy in the process. She and Carson sat across from me. In the years since Carson was born, Roxy had come into her own. She was a terrifying and snarky force to be reckoned with. The woman could put men twice her age and twice her size in their place with more efficiency than anyone I’d ever met. Her pin-up-inspired look with big hair, bandanas, and tattoos only made it funnier. She’d also become my best friend with ease. It turned out we had a lot more in common than I’d expected. It didn’t hurt that we worked together or that I was her go-to childcare help when she needed it.
“Are you coming tonight?” she asked.
“Have I ever missed a birthday party?” I demanded, feigning being offended. In six years, I’d been to every birthday party, and I did meanevery.I went to all of Carson’s parties, but I also went to every other family birthday party that Millie and James threw—that included my own. They celebrated my birthday like I was part of the family.
And I was.I’d happily accepted my place in their family. Birthdays, Christmases, Fourth of July celebrations… all of them were events I looked forward to now.
“Hmm, you never know when you might start,” she teased.
“He’s never late like we are,” Carson chimed in, making me laugh.
“Yes, I’ll be there,” I said. “I’m even closing everything early today.”
“No, I’m closing everything early today,” Roxy corrected with a cheeky grin. “You won’t be in the office.”
“Well, you work for me, so it’s the same fucking thing.”
The swearing earned me a glare.
“Remember, we admire your uncle for many things, except for his mouth,” Roxy told Carson. His stormy blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he held back a giggle. I winked just to break him, and she let out an exasperated sigh as her son laughed loud enough to make heads turn. “You’re a bad influence.”
“I’m a great influence.”
“And when I get called into the school because he’s swearing—”
“No one’s calling you because he’s swearing,” I interjected over her. “I’ve seen the little shits in his class. That Liam kid is more trouble than he’ll ever be.”
“I don’t say bad words in school,” Carson added.
“See? I’m not a bad influence,” I stared pointedly at Roxy, challenging her and knowing she’d let it go. Carson was the quiet kid. He wasn’t a social butterfly. Every teacher he had said the same thing to Roxy: maybe he should be tested because he didn’t socialize like the other kids. It always came down to some bullshit about how he wasn’t normal.
But the truth was that he was wicked smart and exceptionally creative. He preferred art and alone time to roughhousing and sports. At least the former didn’t come with any hospital bills.
“Before I run to my next appointment,” I began as I pulled out the wrapped-up box I had on the seat next to me. “I figured I could give you this.”
“But my birthday party’s tonight,” Carson said, but he grabbed the box and worked on tearing it open before I could respond.
“I know, but we’re doing birthday breakfast,” I replied. “And every birthday breakfast needs a present. Besides, your mom agreed when I said I’d like you to have it for the day.”
I was fairly certain that last sentiment was lost when he saw the iPad box. His jaw damn near hit the floor as he stared at it.
“You keep doing that, and your Mamaw says you’re going to catch flies,” Roxy said and gently tapped his chin. “What do yousay to your Uncle Mav for such a nice gift… a much nicer one than we discussed.”
I winced.I knew that was coming.Selling her on the idea of me buying him a present that expensive had been hard. My buying something more expensive wasn’t going to win me any points.
“I got a deal on it,” I admitted.
“Is it real?” Carson exclaimed. “Likerealreal?”
“Yeah, kid, and it’s yours,” I said. Leaning over, I took the lid off the box. “I already put a case on it—one that’s supposed to be indestructible. Not sure that’s a thing, but whatever. And there’s a drawing app on there for you. I loaded it with a bunch of pre-made brushes or something. I don’t know. A digital illustrator I found online helped me put it together. And for mom, the airplane mode is on. Don’t turn it off without her permission. Got it?”
“It’s really mine?” he repeated softly. The awe in his voice made my heart melt.
“Yeah, it’s yours,” I assured him. “Just do me a favor—”
