“Livvy?” she answers on the first ring. “Why aren’t you watching the game?”
“How do you even know there’s a game, Brynn? It’s preseason.” My shoulders relax a little, and I drop my head back and kick my legs up.
“Married to a hockey coach, remember? Did you think he wasn’t going to watch Logan’s game? I think he’s already trying to decide whether he can leverage you to get Adler on his team.”
She’s a pain in my ass, but damn, I love my sister.
“The game’s on downstairs, but I was calling for you, not hockey.” I run a hand over Maggie’s dark curls, and her eyes close. “Maggie has a fever.”
“How high is it?” she asks, and I hear her murmur something to Deacon before most likely walking into a different room. A minute later, the line goes quiet, and I no longer hear the TV. “Is it over a hundred?”
“It’s 100.5,” I whisper as my nerves race. “What do I do?”
I hate this. I hate not knowing.
How am I a stepmother who doesn’t know what to do?
Please don’t let me mess this up.
Tears burn the backs of my eyes, and it doesn’t matter that I know I’m being silly or that I’m fully aware I’m spiraling, I force those bitches to stay in place, willing them not to fall. “Do I need to call the pediatrician?”
“No. I guarantee there’s Children’s Tylenol somewhere in that house. My guess is either the kitchen or her bedroom. Probably tucked inside whatever basket or shelf you keep the diaper supplies in. Can you check?” Her voice is cool, calm, and even. Like this really isn’t a big deal, and it thankfully bolsters my confidence.
Slowly, I stand, careful not to jostle the already sleeping one-year-old, and move to the massive dresser with a changing table built into its center, looking through the white wicker basket where her diapers are stacked.
“Okay, diaper cream, wipes, diapers, lotion. Ah-ha... found it,” I tell her as I locate the Children’s Tylenol.
“Perfect. It’s been a hot minute for me, so read the bottle and give her the recommended dosage. Then check her in another hour or so and see if the fever has gone down.”
“How are you so calm, Brynnie?” I swear my hands are shaking while I read the directions.
“You get used to it, sis. As they get bigger, so do their problems.” She sighs like she’s remembering something specific. “Keep me on the line while you give her the meds. I want to make sure she takes it okay.”
Oh great. I hadn’t even thought of that.
“Thanks, Brynn. I feel like a crazy person.”
“You’re not, Livvy. You’re a mom. Welcome to the club.”
I look down at the sweet girl asleep in my arms, wishing I was her mom and hoping I don’t mess up being her stepmom.
Ihave absolutely no idea what time it is when I open my eyes and find Logan staring down at us.
“Hi,” I whisper, my voice hoarse as I kiss Maggie’s head, relieved she feels cooler now. “Did you win?”
He narrows his eyes, a ghost of a smile on his tired lips. “Yeah, 2–1.” He runs his hand along the back of Maggie’s head, then cups my cheek. “What are you doing in here, sweetheart?”
“She had a fever,” I murmur and close my eyes again. Pretty sure I’ve barely slept. “Feels like it broke though.”
“Livvy... have you been to bed yet?” Logan’s smile is replaced with concern as he lifts Maggie from my heavy arms and rocks her for a few minutes before placing her in the crib.
“No. I brought her up here as the game was starting, and she was warm, so I called Brynlee, and she walked me through what to do.” Logan holds his hands out for me, and I take them and let him pull me to my feet, not expecting it when he lifts me into his arms and carries me into our room.
“How high was it?”
“100.5,” I tell him and wrap my arms around his neck. “I’ve taken it two more times, and both times it’s been 99.”
“Sweetheart, you spent the entire night with her? That’s barely a temp. You could have gone to bed.”
