Page 8 of You Fall First

“I’ve been a couple times.” I push my hands in my pockets. “But I don’t get out much. And when I do, my friends and I usually meet up at one of their places.”

“I get it.” She cocks a brow. “You’re old. Like my brother.”

My mouth slips sideways. “Careful, Little Michaels.”

“Call me Little Michaels again, and I’ll tell Dex you spend your weekends cosplaying Toy Story.”

“Ah. You’re too late.” I grin. “I just sent him a pic of Dutton and me as a warning of what’s to come if he and Sayla ever have a kid.”

This pulls a chuckle out of Jo. “That woman is a saint to put up with my brother.”

I bob my head. “True story.”

“But annoying as Dex can be,” she says, “I sometimes miss the days when our whole family lived under the same roof, you know?”

I cut my gaze to Dutton. With both my parents gone, there’s no shot of the Stadlers being whole like that again, which is why I’ll do anything to keep what’s left of us safe and close to me now.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes. A new text from Paige. We’re supposed to touch base during Dutton’s nap so she could catch me up on the move without him listening in.

Nap time.

Crap.

Another text comes in from her, followed by one more. Three in a row. Leaving Dutton for the first time must be hard enough, even without the task of packing up their entire lives in one weekend by herself. I hate that I’m not there taking care of her.

“It’s my sister,” I say.

“Go ahead.” Jo nods at my phone. “I’ll keep an eye on Dutton.” She wanders closer to the circle of kids, probably to give me privacy.

I like that about her.

Every instinct she has hits me in a spot beneath my sternum.

Sis

Just checking in. The movers are super loud, so I can’t really talk, but I wanted to thank you again so much for paying for them and for talking me into leaving Dut there so I can take care of things here. Did you get him down for a nap all right?

Sis

He’s a real monster if he skips his nap, but you know that already.

Sis

Miss you. I’ll try calling later when things quiet down.

I glance at Dutton, who’s currently snuggling a long-eared rabbit. The kid definitely won’t want to leave, but I’ve got to get him back to my place and asleep in case Paige is able to call. I just hope things are going okay back home.

Our old home, that is.

My eyes flick over to Jo. She’s posted up between the pigpen and the rabbit hutch, keeping the kids in her sightline. She scoops up what looks to be the world’s tiniest rabbit and lifts it to her cheek. As she rubs the fur along her skin, warmth spreads between my ribs.

Then my guts twist.

Dude.

She’s Dexter’s little sister.

And even if she weren’t, Paige and Dutton are my priority now.