Page 27 of Hearts on the Mend

He struts out of the rink, hands on his hips. “Feel like there’s more to this story,” the smug bastard says with that sly grin of his. I hate those dimples. Nana always folded when he flashed them growing up.

“I don’t have time right now,” I say. “Where is she?”

He points to his beloved G-wagon, Betsy, parked off to the side.

“I can return it tonight.”

“It’s fine. We can always use the car seat in Izzy’s car if we end up with Luca.”

He climbs into the back, straddles the seat, reaches around, and struggles with unlatching the two belts. “These things are such a pain in the ass. But the best one on the market. Super safe.”

“Sure it is.” My brother would do anything for his wife. I might give him a hard time, but I love that about him. Izzy and Jack watch her nephew, Luca, now that her younger stepsister, Peyton, is back in college.

“Who’d you knock up?” he asks.

I glare at him.

He tosses his hands up. “Okay, touched a nerve. Got it.”

“Helping a friend.”

“This friend has a kid?”

“Yes. No questions, remember?”

With one more tug, the seat comes untethered.

“I’ll install it for you.” And he carries it to the back seat of my truck. “How old is the kid?”

“Six.”

“You want to tell me why you need a car seat, maybe tonight over a beer at Markey’s? Seven. I’ll see if Ethan wants in too.”

“You don’t have to make it a whole thing.”

“You’re leaving soon enough. Just hang out with us.”

“Fine.” I climb into the truck, start her up, and roll down the window. “Thanks, Jack.”

“Yeah, sure, anytime. Excited to hear more about your friend.”

I flip him off and head for the elementary school.

Ruby is escorted out, her green eyes rimmed red and glazed over, clutching a mermaid backpack that’s almost as big as she is. Her pigtails are lopsided, and her nose is a faucet.

“Hey there,” I say.

“Hi.”

“Thanks.” I nod to the teacher, and I can see the questions lingering there too. I’m not in the mood.

“Let’s get you home, kiddo.” My hand hovers by her back, too afraid to touch her, so instead, I lead her forward. “You can hang out with me. I have a cool ride just for you.”

When she’s buckled, we head back to the house. I make sure she gets changed, set her up on the couch, and put on a movie for her. She insists on Frozen.

“I want Mom,” she demands.

I know she probably wants to be here too.