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His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
She stared at him, searching his eyes for confirmation of the question she’d always been too afraid to ask.
“You’re my little sister. I know I made a lot of mistakes and wasn’t always here when you needed me most. But I’m back for good. Whether that’s to loan you money for a car, pick Z up for school, or beat some sense into your baby daddy.” He chuckled.
Jasmine laughed. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
He shrugged and then released her. “Clean up, guys. Time to go.”
The kids piled the bits of chalk back inside the bucket.Mikel walked over to Zoey and wiped the corner of her mouth where some bits of egg had been.
How did I miss that? Pinpricks of guilt settled in her chest.
She bent and opened her arms. “Can I have a hug goodbye?”
Phoenix ran into her arms first. She laughed and caught him. “Oof! You’re getting so big, Phe.”
“I’m strong wike Daddy!” He raised his little arms showing off non-existent muscles.
“You sure are.”
Mikel picked him up, swinging him upside down as he giggled. “Come here, you little monster.”
Lyra raised her hand. “I don’t feel like giving hugs today. Just a high five.”
“That works for me. Thanks for letting me know.” Jasmine smiled and slapped her hand against Lyra’s. The little girl had grown so much. Hard to believe she was already eight years old.
“Mommy, I want a high five too,” Zoey said, raising her hand. Of course. She was always chasing her cousin’s shadow.
A pang of loss tightened in her chest. “Sure, baby. It’s your body.” Jasmine lifted her hand and returned the gesture. “Can I have a hug and kiss too?”
Zoey tugged on her long hair. “Otay!” She wrapped her tiny arms around Jasmine’s neck and squeezed hard.
“Wow! That’s quite a hug. I think that will hold me until you get home.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead.
“Bye, Mommy.”
“Have fun at preschool.” Jasmine waved as Mikel corralled the kids into his SUV.
“Thanks, Mik.”
“Anytime.” He winked before shutting the kids’ door. “Oh—Remy said to call her.”
She waited until they’d driven out of sight before she pulled her phone from her pocket. Remy’s name flashed in her message inbox.
Remy: Something you want to tell me?
Damn. She’d probably hurt her best friend by not confiding in her, but why did they all feel the need to be up in her business? They acted as if she couldn’t deal with anything on her own. Maybe because they know I’m a failure.
She walked back into the kitchen, pocketing her phone. Atlas stood by the screen door overlooking the back deck. His gaze turned intently to her as she cleared the table. Almost all the quiche had been eaten. She offered him a polite smile.
“Do you have a special container you want to put this in or do you just wrap it with plastic?” Atlas asked, motioning to the casserole dish.
“Atlas, you don’t need to tidy this. Go enjoy your day.”
“It’s not a problem.”
“I’m capable of cleaning up my own mess! You’re a guest. Go do whatever it is you came here to do,” she snapped, her anger boiling over. Her brothers’ hovering, her friends’ intrusiveness, and now him. It was too much.
