“You’re really good at this,” I say, high-fiving Kyle when we finish anchoring the last screw.
Kyle grins widely at me. “I know. Chase taught me.”
My brows rise. “He did?”
“Yes.” His little chest puffs out proudly. “I helped him put together the kitchen.”
“Did you now?” I nod seriously. “I guess that explains it.”
Kyle blinks, his brows furrowing in confusion. “Explains what?”
“Why it’s so well done! No way Chase could have done that without you.”
The boy giggles at that, his shoulders relaxing. “I’m his best helper.”
“Sure are, dude,” Chase agrees before giving me a pointed look. “Contrary to some people.”
“Hey, I’m a good helper too!” I protest, nudging the boy to get his attention so he can read my lips. “Right, Kyle?”
Kyle was born deaf, but he can speak, read lips, and use American Sign Language. I had him show me some easy signsso I can understand at least something. He entertains me, but I think I’m butchering the language with my big hands.
Kyle’s blue eyes fix on me. “Not as good as me!”
The corner of my brother’s mouth tilts up. “Even the boy knows.”
“Seriously, dude? You couldn’t have just agreed? And here I am, helping you put together your room.”
“It’s the truth. I’m his best helper. You’re okay too.”
“Okay?” I shake my head and grumble under my breath, “That sounds a lot like passable.”
An image of Jessica pops into my head, making me wonder what she’s up to.
Yesterday’s date was more fun than I thought it would be. And not just because Nico and Maisie put on a show with their constant bickering. Jessica is fun to be around when she’s not scowling at me. She’s even more fun to mess with. I swear I can still feel the way her body reacted to my touch. I made it my mission to get her to react.
Passable my ass.
“Passable?” Chase’s brows pull together in confusion.
I just shake my head. “Nothing. I think we’re done with this.”
Thankfully, Chase doesn’t probe further, and we go back to finishing the room. With the help of Kyle, we put the bed where he wants it and then slide a brand-new mattress onto the frame. Kyle runs and jumps onto the bed, bouncing as his giggles fill the room.
Together, we move the dresser and desk into place before I start collecting empty boxes that need to be recycled while Chase and Kyle start pulling out his things from the boxes.
“Did you know this used to be Chase’s room?” Kyle asks me as he places his books on the desk.
His serious face forces me to hold back my laughter. It’s cute how he looks up to Chase. To Kyle, my brother put the moon andthe stars in the sky. But knowing a little bit of their history, there is no way I’d ever laugh at that.
“I did. My room was across from his, actually.”
Kyle tilts his head. “I thought you don’t have a room here.”
“Well, not anymore, but mine was right there, across the hallway.”
“Huh… Well, I got Chase’s room, and it’s the best. Right, Dad?”
Chase’s face softens slightly.
