Page 67 of Emil

I pressed him gently back against the wall and threaded my fingers through the loose strands of hair that had escaped his bun.

“I know,” I said quietly. “I know you’re struggling.”

For the first time since we walked in, his shoulders dropped and his head came to rest against my shoulder.

“I love them,” he said softly. “They’re the best friends anyone could want. And I know they love me too.”

“They do love you,” I said. “And that’s why they’ll be okay if you step away. Give them that credit. They love you enough to understand.”

Anders nodded and relaxed enough to let a little more weight settle into my hold.

“I need to ask you something, and I need you to answer me honestly.” He nodded but didn’t look up. “Do you want to go home?”

The sigh that left him came from his soul. “Yes, please.” He paused, then added, “Jakob and the rest of them will be upset though.”

“You said they love you. Trust them.”

I stepped back just enough to cradle Anders’s jaw in my hand and press a soft kiss to his lips. He breathed a little easier.

“I just don’t want them to be upset.”

“Let them love you,” I repeated. “Trust them.”

Anders gave a slow nod. I kissed him again. “Let’s go tell them. I’ll do the talking.”

He didn’t even pretend to argue. He kept his hand in mine and followed half a step behind as we reentered the living room. The littles had rejoined their Daddies while we’d been in the entryway.

“Thank you for inviting us,” I said. “Jakob, happy birthday. I hope you enjoy your gift.” I handed him the envelope I’d tucked back into my pocket. “We’re going to head out.”

“Tell them I just need quiet time,” Anders whispered near my ear. “I’ll message the group chat when I get home.”

“Anders needs a little quiet,” I said evenly. “He’ll update the group chat later.”

“Anders, you mad?” Jakob asked. The worry in his voice was immediate.

Reed stepped forward and rested a reassuring hand on his boy’s shoulder. “Emil will take care of Anders. He likely just needs rest. Anders knows I’m a doctor, and he can call me anytime if he needs to.”

He handed me a slip of paper. When I glanced down, I saw his number. I nodded and slipped it into my pocket.

Anders stared at the ceiling, fighting back tears. Whatever weight had landed on him today, it had been too much. He was holding it together by sheer force of will. There was no damn way I wouldn’t give him a soft place to land.

We said our goodbyes and stepped outside. The boys seemed confused, but they said goodbye from a distance. They’d finally recognized Anders’s fragility in the moment.

Anders sat quietly in the passenger seat, arms wrapped around himself. I turned on the heat and the seat warmers.

“Let’s go home, sweet boy.”

Our trip home passed in complete silence. Anders sat in the passenger seat with his arms wrapped around his midsection. My hand never left his thigh. The only movement came when he shifted his leg closer to mine. My thumb traced slow, steady arcs against his jeans. Every so often, he glanced my way, but he didn’t speak.

When I pulled up to the house, his gaze flicked toward the cottage.

“You’re coming inside with me.”

He didn’t argue. He just nodded and got out of the car.

I rounded the hood to open his door, but I was too late. Instead, I took his hand and walked him up the steps. Inside, I tugged off his jacket, then mine, and tossed them onto the entry bench. I guided him straight to my bedroom, set him in front of the sink, and turned on the shower.

“You don’t need to take care of me. I’m fine,” he said quietly.