“You’re right. It’s about me not cleaning up his mess.”
“This is not even about you, Cori,” Leander maintains. “This is about your mother getting treatment and not being stressed out about—”
“Why is it never about me when you wantmeto do something? And who’s stressing Mom? Not me. We had a great day together, but what I’m not going to do is become a caregiver to—”
“Your niece. Whether you like your brother or not, Ruby is your niece, and you’re being inconsiderate.”
“Unlike her father, who is where, Dad?” Cori makes a show of looking around. “Your precious son is the inconsiderate one. Ruby is not my child, and I’m not the one who dumped her on you. You know my boundaries. I’ve done enough for this family.” She stomps out of the kitchen, and my mother followsher. Ruby rubs her eyes and rests her head on my shoulder. I try to hand her off to her grandfather, but he steps back.
“I have to get my wife to her appointment,” Leander says.
“And I have to go console mine.” Ruby starts to whine when I try to hand her over. My mom returns and takes her from me, while glaring at Leander.
“Go talk to Cori,” Mom whispers.
I find my wife and Finch in the bedroom. She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, and Finch sits at her feet as if she’s trying to comfort her.
“Are they gone?” Cori whispers.
“Yes, but my mom is holding Ruby.” Cori lies on the bed.
“I know. I asked her to. I don’t want to be a monster, Dax.” I sit next to her. When she sits up, I pull her to me and kiss her temple. “But I knew this would happen, and I absolutely refuse to do a thing for that loser.”
“I understand, sweetheart.”
“But I also get that Ruby is an innocent baby, so I feel like a monster.”
“You can never be that, and I’m sorry for not seeing your point sooner.”
Despite the door being wide open, Mom knocks before entering with a sleeping Ruby in her arms.
“They’re gone, and this little angel is exhausted.” I take her from Mom and put her on the bed.
“I’ll stay and watch her,” I volunteer.
“No, you go. Momma Had already volunteered to stay with me. We can do all our work from here, and I have a dress I want her to try on.” My mom’s eyes light up, but Ruby turns over and Mom drapes a blanket over her. She smiles and gently strokes her cheek. “Don’t get attached, Momma,” Cori warns.
Mom’s smile deepens while she pushes Ruby’s hair back.
“Oh, I won’t, sweetheart, but she’s so cute. Looks just like you. I’m going to bring some of Josie’s old dresses over so we can play dress up.”
Cori sighs and rolls her eyes.
“Are you kidding me?” My wife whispers.
Chapter 62
Dax
Unknown number: I know it was you
Anyone else might feel anxious, but Steel Titan snatches his phone from my face, sits back in his chair, and laughs.
“I got the same text.” Unlike Steel, I sit back and sigh. “This is not what I fucking do.”
“Oh, take the stick out of your ass.” Steel points at his brother. “How long, Stone?”
“Soon,” the asshole says. “It’s all in place.”
