“You’re not in the way,” he states. “Your stuff is already all here, ain’t any sense in packing it all up again just to move in with Brynn. Her house is a mess, too. Her guest room has turned into a closet,” he rambles. I’m not sure if he notices, but he’s rubbing his knuckles against his chest. He’s stressed about the conversation, about me leaving.
“I’d just be taking up space,” I tell him. “You’ve already done so much for me.”
He shakes his head no. “You do great around here,” he says. “You could watch Lennon in the mornings when I go out to work.” He says it like this is the answer to everything.
“Beck, your momma watches Lennon,” my rebuttal falls short, though, when Mary cuts in.
“Actually,” she says slowly. “If you stayed and did the morning shift, it would free up time for me to go to quilting classes that Susie teaches.”
I glare at her, looking for any sign of a lie. Hayes takes a long sip of his tea, but he isn’t saying anything.
“You’re going to go to a quilting class?” I deadpan.
“Well, yeah,” Mary says matter-of-factly. “I’ve been wanting to, but there ain’t no way I’m just going to leave my Grambaby in the hands of just anybody.”
Beck protests quietly. “I wouldn’t just leave her with anyone, Mom. Damn.”
“Oh, hush, Beckett Hayes. I know you wouldn’t. I had time, and it helped you. It wasn’t a bother. Now that our Clover girl is here, I’d be able to go to my class in the morning and then come over after lunch to help out more.”
Beckett nods. “Makes sense. It would also give you a solid place to stay,” he states, looking at me. “Now that the power’sback on, the place is like brand new.” His smile hits me right in the heart. He wants me here. I’m not forcing it on him, and it’s not so Brynn will have something to hold over him. He doesn’t want me to go.
“Alright,” I say, smiling back at him. “I guess it wouldn’t be too bad,” I emphasize the word ‘too’.
Mary smiles at Hayes with a look in her eyes I can’t quite read.
“Alright, Beetlebug,” Beck says softly, waking Lenny up. “You’ve had a pretty big day. Why don’t we get you to bed?” She’s too tired to object, so she goes around giving everyone a hug. When I lean in to get mine, she holds on for an extra minute.
“Can we all do our best parts together?” She asks sleepily.
“My best part was seeing you, Sprout,” Hayes says with a big smile on his face.
“I think my best part was being able to hug all of you today,” Mary answers. “It’s been a while, especially a long time since I’ve seen my Clover girl.” She grabs Hayes’ hand in hers. “I sure am glad Papa and Beck can build stuff!”
We all agree with that statement.
Beckett goes next. “My favorite part was when Lennon ate booger ice cream,” he teases her. She giggles at that.
“Lovey’s turn,” she says. I think about it hard. I know what my real favorite part was, but there’s no way in hell I’m saying that out loud. I glance at Beckett, and I’m glad it’s dark because I feel my face heat up.
“My best part was breakfast this morning with everyone,” I decide. Food's good. Food is a safe choice.
We all look at Lennon.
“What was your favorite part, baby?” Mary asks her.
She rubs the heel of her hand into her eye and yawns, walking towards the door.
“My favorite part was when Dad kissed Lovey real big in the middle of the playground.”
“Ah, fuck,” Beckett says, swooping her up and rushing into the house with her.
“Another dollar,” Lennon says with an oomph as she gets scooped up.
That leaves me with Mary and Hayes on the porch, and I am frozen.
“Well, that’ll do it,” Hayes says with a shit-eating grin on his face. He stands up and pats his stomach, motioning for Mary. “Let’s go home, Mama. They probably have some more kissin’ to do.”
I’m going to die of embarrassment.
