He open-mouth yawns. “Yeah, but I wanna watch cartoons.”
I walk into the first bedroom and turn the television on. I click through the channels until I find a cartoon, and Eli jumps up onto the bed. Lindseygoes next, lying down next to him. “If you guys need anything, I’ll be down in my office.”
Lindsey wraps her arms around Eli, and as I get to the door, she calls out, “Miller.”
I turn. “Yeah?”
She offers me a soft smile. “Thank you for this.”
I pat the door jamb. “Sure.”
I walk out of the room before I let myself do what I really want to do. I want to lie down on the bed next to her and pull her into my arms. Not for sex, not for anything but to make her feel better. She looks so sad and lost. I walk down the stairs and enter my office. Without even thinking about it, I open the group chat with my brothers and sister and type in, “I need your help.”
Literally, a second goes by and my phone starts dinging, letting me know they are all here for me and asking what I need.
I type out a lengthy response, explaining what is going on. My brother Logan and brother-in-law Zach own a security firm, and they can help me find out everything I need to know about the Davenports. They tell me they will have a report to me withinthe hour.
My sister Skyler is packing up baked goods and food and will bring it over shortly. She thinks pastries will fix anything, and in most cases, her baked goods do. My brother Penn, the doctor, said he’ll be over after an emergency surgery if I need him. His wife Aria is meeting Ozzy at Lindsey’s apartment to pack up some stuff to bring over. Guy doesn’t have to report back until tomorrow, so he’s heading over to the apartment to help them.
I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing, but I’m doing what I feel is right. Moving Lindsey and Eli into my home needs to be done. At least until I know what I’m dealing with. I text my driver Mike and arrange for him to bring Lindsey’s car here. And then I wait for Lindsey and Eli to wake up or to need anything. From now on, that’s my sole mission… to make sure they’re okay.
A few hours go by, and I’m sitting at my desk when I feel eyes on me. I look up, and Eli is leaning against the open door.
“Hey, bud. Did you get some sleep?”
He nods. “Yeah, but Aunt Lindsey is still sleeping.”
I stand up and walk to him. “I think she needed her rest. Want to hang out with me for a bit? My family is coming over, and they would love to meet you.”
He bites his lip, and even though he seems a little nervous, he nods. “Okay.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and am about to lead him to the living room when there’s a knock at the door. I’ve told everyone that Lindsey and Eli were sleeping and to be quiet when they came over. I quickly open the door, and my brothers and sisters are all looking at me expectantly. Their arms are full, and I back up, bringing Eli with me, to let them in.
They start bringing things in, stacking everything at the landing of the stairs after I explain that Lindsey is still sleeping.
They are all talking to Eli, but all he can do is stare open-mouthed at Guy. I roll my eyes. It’s not like I’m jealous. Okay, maybe a little bit. I squat down next to Eli. “Remember my brother, Guy? He talked to you on the phone.”
His mouth is hanging open, and he nods his head.
Guy holds his hand out to him. “What do you say, little dude? Want to throw the ball around a little bit?”
Eli’s eyes widen excitedly, but just as quickly, they fall. “I do, but I don’t havemy glove.”
Guy looks around, points at a box, and pulls out a glove. “You mean this glove? Miller had us go to your house to pick up some of your stuff.”
Eli jumps and grabs the glove. “Thank you, Miller!”
Guy grimaces. “He just told me to get it. I’m the one that got it.”
Eli laughs out loud. “Thank you, Guy!”
Guy puts a hand on Eli’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s go out in Miller’s massive backyard and throw some ball.” He holds his hand up to me. “Don’t worry, we won’t break any windows.”
I point at Eli and whisper to Guy, “Watch him.”
I don’t know much about seven-year-olds. I mean, I was one many years ago, and Eli seems pretty self-sufficient, but I was also wiping that little boy’s tears earlier, so I want to make sure he’s okay.
Guy nods his head. “I got him.”
