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“It’s a cupcake tiara.”
She looks at the band, which has two cupcakes tied through springs on either side, before glancing at me. Watching her carefree, surprised expression makes my heart flutter so fast as if it’ll break out of my chest. I don’t know what this mother-son duo are doing to me.
I take a deep breath before nudging her foot with my shoe. “Put it on.”
“Yes, Ma. Put it on.” Ray claps in excitement.
“Oh my God. This was the last thing I expected from you. Where did you even find this?” She flips the plastic band around before placing it on her head.
“At the gas station, of course. Their selection of crazy gifts is unbeatable.”
Hope shakes her head, giggling, and the two pink, glittery cupcakes jiggle. Before my hammering pulse can skyrocket, I clear my throat.
“Do I get an extra cupcake for this?” I arch an eyebrow.
“Maybe you will,” she replies, returning my smirk before sauntering toward the kitchen.
* * *
“You’re building what?”asks Ashcroft Miller, aka Beast, the most revered man in my life.
“A doghouse.” I push a piece of chocolate in my mouth. “You’re getting old. You need to get your hearing checked.”
He swats my hand when I try to grab another piece from the chocolate box. “I’m not getting old. You’re going insane. You don’t even know how to hammer a nail and you’re going to build a four-foot doghouse.” He nods toward the design Ray and I finally settled on, resting on his study desk.
“It’s for a St. Bernard pup named Mr. Stanley,” I reply.
“And he belongs to the boy who looks like you?”
Zander! Since his wedding to Rose, Beast’s daughter, he’s more in touch with our childhood guardian than I am. I’m not gonna lie, it sometimes annoys the hell out of me. But when I meet Beast and he gives me his no-bullshit style, I know I’m still his favorite.
When I nod, he asks, “So, you went back to their home?”
“I promised him I’d help build the doghouse. Are you going to lend me your tools or what?”
“You can buy all the tools. You can fucking buy him hundreds of doghouses. What are you trying to do here, Zach? And what do you really want to know from me?” I haven’t met a man more astute than Beast. It’s not like I didn’t know he would see right through my excuse of meeting him today.
“His father isn’t in the picture.” I look up and try to tell him the real reason why I’m in their lives. “And Hope, his mother, is hardworking, but they are...struggling. I can see that.”
“Not every woman makes the same mistakes.” Beast gets up from his chair and stands next to me before his hand grabs my shoulder. “He looks like you but that doesn’t mean he will bear the same pain.”
“I know that.” My voice cracks, remembering the first night I found Ray. “But for some reason I feel responsible for him. If something happens to him…” My hands clutch into fists at the mere thought and Beast pats my back. “I want to be…what you are in my life.”
“It’s different, Zach. I took you guys in from a foster home. I was ready to adopt you but you three were very clear that you didn’t want a dad.” A small smile pulls on his lips, possibly remembering that day when Zander told him we don’t want parents but a mentor. “But this kid has a family. What did his mother say when you showed up at their home?”
“That I shouldn’t break his heart.” My heart squeezes remembering the sincere expression on Hope’s face. Even though my gut knows she won’t make a bad choice in life and steal Ray’s happiness, my brain is not fully convinced.
Beast nods after returning to his chair. “Do what you promised, even though I would love to see what you build.”
I chuckle at his lack of confidence in my construction abilities. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to get some action on a video.”
“Definitely do that.” Beast smirks before giving me a straight look. “Whatever else you do, Zach, make sure you don’t forget Hope’s words.”
I nod. I’m never gonna break Ray’s heart.
* * *
I’m nowa regular in their life. I am sure Hope thinks I’m crazy and maybe I am, but spending time with Ray gives me a peace and calmness that I haven’t felt in a long time. We fine-tune our design for the doghouse, which is yet to be started. I’m telling everyone that we can’t start until the design is complete. In reality, I spend an hour every day watching YouTube videos of men working in their garage or workshops, transforming wood into amazing beds and small houses.
