I smiled. “There are no predators lurking, especially in a place that doesn’t even have Uber!” Predators. He was adorable. Wait, no, stop.
He snorted. “You’re taking the Jeep, give me your keys and I’ll have Drew grab your car later. It’s the least he can do.”
“Jeep?” I tried not to sound too excited as he shot me a pointed glance over his shoulder then walked over to the counter and handed me the keys.
“Try not to crash it.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I grinned.
He glowered. “Not funny.”
“Wasn’t trying to be funny.” I folded my arms and gave him a challenging glare.
He pressed his hands down on my shoulders and then pulled me against him. My arms dropped to my sides. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Does anyone in life?”
“I want—”
“Daddy!” Malcom made his way into the kitchen rubbing his eyes. “Can I watch a movie?”
“Sleep, I just want sleep,” he muttered under his breath. “No, buddy, you have to go to bed.”
“I’m scared.”
“Sleep with your brother.”
Malcom’s bottom lip trembled a bit.
“Hey!” I intervened. I hated his tears. “Why don’t you go sleep in my room a bit? I left the fireplace on, and my favorite bear’s in the bed guarding my things!”
“You sleep with a bear?”
“It protects me.” I winked. “I mean, you don’t have to, but there is a TV in there. Maybe after you sleep a few hours, Dad will let you watch?”
“Yay! Dad, can I?”
“Yeah.” He kissed the top of his head “Off you go.”
Malcom ran full speed toward my bedroom, and part of me felt sad that I couldn’t stay home and cuddle with him while watching Sesame Street.
His little hands and feet would be under the covers, limbs taking over the entire bed. Malcom slept like he was trying to use as much space as possible.
My heart ached.
Trevor shook his head in what looked like frustration. “I need to do something about their sleeping arrangements. Kid’s not sleeping. He keeps trying to sneak into Eric’s room.”
“So let him,” I piped up in a strong voice. “They’re twins, and Malcom needs comfort. Honestly, putting them together mighthelp Eric just as much as Malcolm. He’s hurting too. He just lashes out, whereas Malcom…”
“Malcom has a tender heart.” Trevor took the words right out of my mouth.
“Tender but still strong, just like his dad,” I said softly.
Trevor reached for me.
I stumbled back. “Okay, so I’ll just be heading to the garage now.”
“Running away?” he taunted, looking deliciously sexy in no shirt and a low pair of track pants that hugged his hips.
