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Knowing I need to clean up Charlie, I clear my throat, biting my lip to control some of the laughter as I rise to stand and go to take Charlie. “Here, let me clean him up.”
But Riley keeps hold of Charlie, telling me as if he didn’t have vomit on his face and shirt, “No, I’ll clean us both up, but can you get me a change of clothes for him and maybe a shirt from Conner’s closet?”
He moves carefully towards the hall, and I can’t help but smile as I ask, “Any particular colour?”
He doesn’t answer, and I am left to giggle just a bit more, loving that kid more than I already did.
After a moment of giggles, I go to retrieve a blue onesie for Charlie and a green shirt from Conner’s closet before hurrying to the sound of running water in the bathroom, but I stop dead just outside the door at the sound of Riley’s voice.
I press my back up against the wall and listen, knowing I should just go in and give them what they need, but the soft, caring words coming from Riley make me stay where I am, make me want to hear it.
“Thanks, kid. Are you trying to help me embarrass myself?” he teases, pausing before sighing. “One day, things will get complicated for you. At first, girls will be weird, but then one may change your mind and you’ll start seeing them differently.” He pauses again. “But then there will be her. The girl who will be the only girl, and when you meet her, it might not make sense, but it will hit you like a bus. I just hope it won’t be so complicated for you.”
His words are met with a squeal of excitement, which elicits a laugh. “That’s the spirit. Hey, you got the stuff yet?”
His voice calling through the house makes me jump in surprise as I remember where I am, his words still buzzing around my mind as I think to myself who he might be talking about. Is there a girl? Was there one when he was overseas? He’s never mentioned one, but we don’t exactly talk about our dating life. Not like I have one right now, and I haven’t seen him talking to anyone.
With the question blaring in my mind, I school my features and force my legs to move, carrying me into the bathroom. I stop in the doorway and swear I swallow my tongue at what I see.
Before me stands a shirtless Riley with ripped muscles on display, wide shoulders, big arms, and… are those abs?
I swallow as I take in a little Charlie wrapped in a towel, bundled in his arms.
This right here is what women mean when ovaries are exploding, and if I wanted kids of my own, I’d happily lay down on the floor for this man right now to get a start on it.
Breath stops in my lungs as Riley takes me in with a furrowed brow and a question in his eyes. “Everything okay?”
I blink, realising I am literally standing here with my jaw practically hitting the floor, looking like an utter idiot. I instantly want to slap myself, but instead, I clear my throat and enter the room. “I’ll dress Charlie, if you wanna put this one?” I say, handing him the green shirt, which he takes with a nod, handing Charlie to me.
Riley pulls on the shirt, and I try to hide my disappointment as I place Charlie on a towel on the floor to get him dressed. He lies there, kicking his legs, making it difficult to put his onesie on. I manage to get his legs through, when Riley leans against the countertop, and I feel his eyes on me when he speaks. “You’re good with him.”
“So are you,” I say without looking up, but as I pull his onesie up, Charlie starts to whine and cry again. Panic and desperation filter into me, not wanting a repeat of before, so I try something different, something I’ve seen in movies and pray it would work.
I start to sing, something I don’t do a lot these days, but it's just like riding a bike. I start to sing that Phil Collins songs fromTarzanbecause it kind of fits and something strange happens.
Charlie stops, looking at me as I sing the opening, carefully doing up his clothes, and before I know it, he is dressed. I breathe a sigh of relief, but he starts to whine again when I stop.
Rolling my eyes, I continue to sing.
For one so small
You seem so strong
I scoop him up, taking him in my arms.
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can’t be broken
I will be here, don’t you cry.
I continue to sing on the floor of the bathroom, trying not to think about Riley’s eyes on me and only on the heavy-lidded eyes of Charlie looking up at me. He's so close to sleep.
Charlie’s eyes drift shut by the time I get to the bridge, sleeping soundly in my arms as my voice fades into nothing.
