He moves the tray away from me and leans in, taking my hands in his.
“I want you to listen to me,” he says, his tone gentle. “I want you to rememberfivewords when Brax gets here. Okay?”
I nod.
“It changes nothing between us.”
The words knock the breath out of me, preparing me for the worst. I close my eyes and repeat his words so many times they take on their own sense of life, providing comfort.
It changes nothing between us.
It changes nothing between us.
It changes nothing between us.
My eyes flutteropen to the sound of a doorbell. I sit up and Roman’s voice echoes through the place.
“Hi, Uncle Chasey. You stink.”
I snort and shake my head. Chase was in the middle of a bicep curl when I drifted off, so yes, he absolutely smells.
Chase’s voice draws closer. “Hey, Romey Gnomey.”
“You know I hate it when you call me that. It’s mean,” Roman whines. “Gnomes are scary.”
“You said I stink—thatwas mean,” Chase fires back playfully just as the bedroom door opens. He, Roman, and Brax walk in.
“I’m just being honest. Honesty is the bestie’s policy—ERINNNN!” Roman squeals, his eyes lighting up when he sees me.
“Be careful, buddy,” Brax calls out as Roman climbs on the bed and gently throws his arms around my neck.
“Thank you so much for my banner,” I say, holding him tightly. “Best way to come home.”
Roman grins and launches into everything he’s been up to in the last week. His eyes brighten with each sentence.
“Oh! Oh! Annnd Nightwing finally defeated the troll gargoyle. Now I’m on level twenty-two.” He beams, throwing up two fingers on each hand.
“Ahem,” Chase scoffs.
Roman rolls his eyes.
Chase gasps. “You said helping you defeat the troll gargoyle put me at number three on your favorite people list,” Chase says, folding his arms and clearly miffed Roman isn’t including him in the victory.
Roman grumbles intangible words under his breath.
“Hey, buddy.” Brax chuckles. “Why don’t you carry on defeating gargoyles. You can sit with Erin a little later. After we finish talking about grown-up stuff,” Brax says, ruffling Roman’s mop of hair when he walks over to the bed.
“Cool,” Roman agrees and climbs off after giving me a kiss on the top of my head.
I practically melt at his cuteness.
“Are you allowed to eat ice cream?” Roman asks. “I can get you a bowl.”
“I’d love some.”
Roman blanches when he walks past Chase. “Don’t kiss him unless he showers.”
I chuckle. “You got it.”
