“Does this mean you love me? It does, doesn’t it?” I ask, batting my eyelashes.
Wills looks at Declan. “You need to shut him the fuck up, or I’m going to kill him.”
“Just admit it. You love me and can’t live without me. You want to work with me forever now.”
“Okay, you two gobshites, enough. Since we’re all talking about good news, I have some myself,” Declan announces as he sits up taller.
“After the unfortunate death of Archie’s grandmother, we have officially started taking steps to adopt him. Because he’s been like family to us already, we hope the process is quick and painless for Archie as he adjusts to his new life.”
I turn toward Wills, whose face instantly mimics my pride and happiness for Nora and Declan. This time Wills gets up and walks over to Declan, holding him in a long embrace, celebrating adding another toourfamily.
Wills and Declan run The Taylor Foundation, a charity that funds an after-school program for underprivileged children who want to play rugby, now recently extended it to soccer, and tennis.
Soon after they opened the foundation, Declan began mentoring a young boy named Archie, and they quickly formed a tight bond. When he met Nora, it was no different. He spends most holidays and birthdays with the Buckleys and as such he’s gotten closer to the rest of us too.
Last month, his grandmother, who was his legal guardian, passed away from a heart attack, and Nora and Declan were awarded the privilege of being his foster parents. They could have just left it at that. Many foster parents keep older children in their care for years without taking the step toward adoption, and considering Archie will be eighteen in four years, it would have been understandable.
Though, it doesn’t shock me for even a second that they want to make it official, even though they already care for Declan’s sister who has cerebral palsy, as well as their five-month-old twins.
Archie is meant to be a Buckley.
“Congratulations, Bucks. Let’s grab a pint at the pub to celebrate before you go home?” I could really use a drink after last night.
Declan shakes his head. “Can’t. Although this is good news, today has been tough for Nora. It would have been her mum’s fiftieth birthday today.”
Ah fuck, Nora must be a mess today. “I’m surprised you even came in.”
“She’s painting in the park with Maeve, and I was going stir-crazy, so I came in, but you know what—” Declan mumbles and stands in a rush.
“You’re leaving early, and you’re going to see her now?” Wills finishes.
“Aye, I need to get to my girl.”
The second Declan is out the door, my phone pings, and I take it out of my pocket so fast I fumble it, trying to see if it’s Belle, but disappointment fills me when I see it’s my sister.
“Sadie just texted, you left your phone in the car, and she says your time’s up. You need to leave.”
I walk him out and stop him before he gets on the lift. “All kidding aside, Wills. Thanks for today. I needed some good news.”
He pauses and gives me a good once-over, narrowing his brows. “You doing okay?”
I shrug. “Been better, but I’ll figure it out.”
“All right, if you need anything… Call Declan, not me.” He smirks. “I’ll be preoccupied, if you know what I mean.”
The doors close before I can respond. That fucker’s dead when he gets home.
* * *
“Hi, Mom,” I call out as I walk through Wills and Sadie’s house.
“We’re in here, Jackson.” Eleanor’s voice drifts from the kitchen.
I walk down the hall where she’s cooking up a feast and kiss her head. Eleanor is one of those moms with something freshly baked or brewing on the stovetop no matter the time of day. She reminds me a lot of Mrs. Morales, Seb, and Leo’s mom.
“Up, up. Up, up,” Chloe says repeatedly until I lift her out of her highchair, kissing her and cuddling her close to my chest—her favorite thing.
“Are you having fun with Nan?” I ask, and she nods against my chest. She’s so much like my sister, it’s uncanny. Quiet, shy, and sensitive.
