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Sitting between my legs is an array of toys I had gotten when I forced Riley to drive me to the store this afternoon. I had piled them in his big arms until I couldn’t see his face anymore, which was a shame, but the things I will do for that kid.
I feel the excitement start to grow as we pull into the drive at Ava’s house, only to see her all glammed up and holding my little man in her arms, waiting for me. I squeal so loud, I see Riley flinch beside me. “The fuck?”
“I get to see my little man!” I scream with excitement as I kick the door open, but not before I hear Riley comment behind me, “And the award to crazy aunt goes to…”
Without giving him a second look, I take my bag and run up the front porch with my arms out.
Ava laughs. “If I give him to you, will I get him back?”
“Maybe,” I say with a mischievous twinkle in my eye as I gladly take the small bundle in my arms, seeing his small scrunched-up face and chubby cheeks just calling to smooched. I get so lost in this kid that Ava’s next words catch me off guard as she looks behind me.
“Oh, Riley, are you staying?”
“I’m not having Mia take an Uber home, so yeah.” His words bring me back to the here and now as I spin on him.
“Mia is right here, and Mia can take care of herself.”
He doesn’t budge, but instead crosses his arms over his massive chest. “Well, I’m not going anywhere.”
I take a step towards him, limited by Charlie in my arms, as I narrow my eyes. “Well, neither am I.”
We hold each other's eyes until we hear Ava chuckle behind me, clearly amused as she says, “Trust me, if he’s anything like his brother, he ain’t going anywhere.”
I break eye contact long enough to scowl at my friend, giving Riley time to skirt around me and walk into the house as if he owns it.
I scowl after him, but I still see my best friend smirking at me, reading me like a book like she always could. I narrow my eyes further, warning her, “Don’t.”
I hear her giggle behind me as I make my way inside the house, looking down at the baby in my arms and wondering if tonight is worth it.
Charlie purses his cute pouty lips, and I know that no matter what is going on with Riley and I, or what isn’t going on, that getting to spend time with Charlie is definitely worth it.
This isa side of Charlie I'm not used to seeing. His cute little face is scrunched up and turning red, and his hands are clenched into fists and shaking as a demon-like scream echoes throughout the house.
I have tried bouncing him and shoving toys in his face, but God, I cannot find the weird bear he likes to hold, the blue one with arms and legs that are too long.
I try to force a smile and remain calm to try to settle Charlie as he continues to wail, and looking around desperately for any sign of Riley, I call out, “Anything?”
He comes rushing in, clearly panicked and stressed, his hair a mess as if he had all but tried to pull it out. “Nothing. Are you sure it was a blue bear?”
“Well, it couldn’t have just disappeared. Keep looking.” My outburst only increases Charlie's screams, and I curse, continuing to bounce Charlie.
Riley approaches with his arms out. “Give him here, let me try.”
I scoff, holding the baby close. “What do you know about babies?”
“I do have a little brother, so I have some knowledge.”
“You’re only a couple of years older. What were you doing when you were two?” I didn’t think it was possible, but Charlie's wails have gotten louder, and I’m actually surprised cops haven’t turned up due to noise complaints. I’ve been to parties that haven’t been this loud and they got shut down.
I groan, wincing against the noise, when Riley raises his brows, still holding his arms out, and I realise how limited my choices are. Rolling my eyes, I hand Charlie to Riley.
He takes him in his big arms, but the screams continue as Riley proceeds to bounce him as well. But just when I am about to comment on how he isn’t doing any better, the best thing in the world happens.
The crying stops but not before Charlie spits up an orange liquid, splattering it up and across Riley’s cheek and shirt as well as Charlie’s own clothes. A few coughs later, and the crying stops completely, the boys covered in vomit.
The silence that follows is deafening, neither Riley nor I moving as we process what just happened.
It takes me a second to react, and I can't help but let out a full belly laugh, bending at the waist to rest my hands on my knees, looking up long enough to see Riley now glaring at me.
