Ransom scowls. “Why would they do that?”
“Sexualization of little girls is a part of our society. The clothes are the tip of the iceberg. Look at pageants and school dress codes forcing girls to wear skirts. Not to mention the video games.” Jonas chimes in, looking at Declan with raised brows.
Declan’s face turns red, but I don’t fucking know why. It’s not like he designs the games. “Yeah, a lot of games can be pretty bad. It’s like the dicks get bolder since they’re in the privacy of their basements. They can hide behind their character and their microphones and spew some pretty vile crap.”
Mia blows a raspberry, catching all of our attention. “Where da bikes, man?” she asks, her eyebrows raised to her hairline.
We crack up and I hug her closer, then fly her into Ransom’s waiting arms. We move slowly towards the toy department. I’m conscious of Holly and Micah hanging back, whispering to each other. I turn, waiting for Evie to catch up. She avoids my eyes as she pulls beside me, focusing instead on our crew in front of us, scattering in the toy aisles.
“How did you two do today?” she asks.
Got it. We’re pretending everything’s the same. Like she didn’t just accept another man’s proposal. Well, date. But, same thing. She’s leaving me.
“We did great, though the fudgesicles after her nap might have been a miscalculation.”
She grins, flashing dancing eyes at me. “Probably, but I’m sure it earned you big points with her.”
A big hand grips my shoulder. “We talk, Colt?” Micah asks.
I scowl at him, but nod as Holly swoops in next to Evie and they head into the toy section. “What, man?”
“Just checking…” he says, then moves to sign,“how are you and Evie doing? Since your giant fuckup?”
“Fuck you,” I mutter, but there’s no heat behind the words. I fucked up, and we both know it. “I think we’re back to normal. At least we were.”
“Holly says she’s going on a date. How do you feel about that?”
“She’s not mine. I have no right to feel any way about it.” I say, trying to head off this conversation.
“Bullshit. You feel.” He pulls me to a stop. “You feel.” He says with a scowl.
“I feel like I want to crush that bean pole motherfucker and bury him in a deep dark hole so she never thinks of him again.”
“And…?”
“And there’s no point. If it’s not him, it’ll be some other guy. I’m gonna have to get used to it.”
Micah scowls. “Why? I thought…you want?”
Exhaling heavily, I lock my fingers behind my head. “Not going to happen. Doesn’t matter what I wanted.”
“Why?”
“Because she needs this family. I don’t want to do anything that might take her away from it.”
Micah studies me, hands planted on his hips. Then, shaking his head, he signs.“Her dating another guy will take her away from us. If she fucking marries some other guy, he could take them away from us. Do you really want that?”
A bead of sweat rolls down my back. I honestly hadn’t considered that possibility. “I always imagine her staying in the apartment. We’d see each other every day, and I’d keep driving her to work. Nothing would change.”
“So she’d stay single forever? No man? No other kids?”
“Pretty much.”
“Dumb fuck.” He mutters.
“Pretty much.” I clearly have had my head up my ass.
“Do you…want her?” he challenges me again.
