AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?” Flint finally breaks the quiet, his single-worded question packing a punch that even I can feel from where I’m standing.
“Never mind,” Pike mutters.
“No. You said it. It’s obviously been grinding on you. Now spit it out,” Caden barks.
Pike glares at Flint. “You’re never here. It makes little sense that you’re the one who’s responsible for Lily’s adoption. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought the same thing.”
“This is about Lily’s security!” Flint storms, ire lacing every word. “Your minds might be on other things, but I’m only thinking about Lily.”
“Really?” Pike challenges. “How can that be when you haven’t been here to tuck her in once in the past three weeks?”
“That’s not true!” The hurt in Flint’s voice hurts me, too.
I want to put an end to this, to stop their bickering, but I know it’s not my place. They need to air their grievances with one another, and I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but I can’t help but feel like I’m a part of this.
“You may as well just move to New York permanently,” Caden agrees. “You look like shit. All this back and forth is going to give you a coronary.”
“How the hell am I supposed to do that? The state will come to do interviews about the adoption soon! I have to be here.”
There’s another stomping sound, and I realize Pike is pacing around.
“You should have thought about that before you committed to all this, shouldn’t you?” Caden says sarcastically. “Now you’re going to fuck it all up.”
“And what exactly do you contribute day to day, Caden?” Flint retorts. “You’re barely even seeing patients anymore.”
“I get by,” Caden answers cockily. “At least I’m around.”
Someone scoffs loudly. “Yeah, you get by living off your trust fund. That must be very rewarding after putting in all that effort for a medical degree,” Flint fires back.
“Fighting isn’t going to solve this. Flint, what are you going to do about your back and forth?” Pike interrupts.
“I’m trying to run a business, Pike. It’s not like I’m off painting in the woods.”
I grimace. They’re just firing shots at one another, and no one is going to win at this rate.
“I’ve spent every damn day with Lily and Aspen.”
Another pregnant quiet befalls the entranceway.
“Where is Aspen?” Flint asks.
“Upstairs with Lily.” Pike sounds defeated.
“Did Raya see Lily at all?” Flint demands.
“No. Aspen was sure to keep her upstairs and out of the way.”
“She’s smart. Lily’s lucky to have her,” Flint sighs.
“We’re all lucky to have her,” Caden growls. “Especially with you AWOL.”
“I don’t have to listen to this. I’ve explained it to you as many times as I’m going to.”
Flint’s footsteps on the stairs drive me back, my heart in my throat as he sprints into view. He freezes when he sees me. He blinks once, and I part my lips to say something.
“Flint…” He doesn’t stop, his arms coming out of his jacket as he moves toward his closed bedroom doors. “Flint, please talk to me.”
He barely glances at me as he enters his room. “Thanks for keeping Lily upstairs,” he mutters. “And for being here.”
