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“You’re right. It’s not. So, let’s find something that is.”
Now it’s her turn to look surprised. “Are you being serious?”
“As a heart attack, baby girl.”
We’re interrupted by a sudden influx of voices in the penthouse, and I’m suddenly on high alert, ready to push her out of the room, when a head of platinum-blonde hair comes barrelling into the kitchen.
“You’re alive! Oh, my goodness, you had us so worried!” Addie yells, running right for Braxton.
Braxton barely has time to set her cup down on the counter behind her before my sister has her in a tight hug. My girl meets my eyes over my sister’s shoulder, and I shrug, just as surprised as she is.
“Adalyn, don’t you be hurting our girl!” Mom warns, and I turn to find her walking in with Dad at her side.
I double blink and lift my hands in the air. “What are you doing here? You can’t just show up unannounced. How did you even get in here?”
“Nothing can stop a mom from getting to her babies, Maddox. And we’re here to see Braxton, of course. We brought cinnamon rolls because I know how you can’t cook,” she says, dropping a white paper bag on the counter.
“Oh, okay then. Make yourselves at home.” I scoff.
“Thank you, baby,” Mom replies before all but pushing my sister away from Braxton and taking a hug of her own. “Cooper is a gossip, I’m afraid. He called Addie, and as soon as she told us, we knew we had to come and see for ourselves that you were okay. We were so worried.”
Dad sidles up beside me, his eyes on Mom. “She swore me to secrecy after I tried to warn you. Sorry to cut your morning short.”
I shrug, finding it hard to be truly annoyed as my mom and sister start to fuss over Braxton, showing in their own way how much they love her. She deserves the attention and affection they so eagerly want to give her.
“It’s good for her to start getting used to them again. I’m not letting her go this time,” I state.
Dad laughs softly, patting my back. “Didn’t think you would, but I’m glad to hear it. She’s family to all of us.”
“How soon do you think is too soon?” I blurt out.
“Depends on what you’re talking about.”
Braxton grins at me through the gap between Addie and Mom, and fuck if I don’t want to steal her back and bring her to my side. She looks like she belongs here. With me and with my family. And I know to my very core that she really,reallydoes.
Addie leads them out of the kitchen and toward the living room, carrying Braxton’s coffee for her. Mom snatches the bag of cinnamon rolls on her way and winks at me.
I look at Dad, my expression open, heart bared.
“I’m talking about everything, Dad. I want it all with her, and the thought of wasting more time makes me feel ill.”
“I don’t think there is a too soon with you two, Maddox. It’s been a long time coming. If you’re asking me for approval, you’ve had it for over a decade. Do what feels right to you and your girl.”
“Thank you, Dad.” I scrape the words up my throat, the emotion there making it a difficult task.
“For what?”
“For bringing her back to me when I was too scared to do it myself.”
37
BRAXTON
I thinkI’ve died and gone to heaven. A heaven full of shirtless, muscular bodies and thigh-hugging black boxer briefs.
I’ve been in a perpetual state of sweaty since the six Vancouver Warriors players showed up an hour ago for this photoshoot, each player more excited than the last to get started. Their excitement might also have something to do with their third-round win against Minnesota and the fact they’ve made it to the fourth and final round of the playoffs, but I’ll take it regardless.
With a four-day break between now and the start of the fourth round, we’re also closing in on adoption day. It’s two weeks away, and this photoshoot is the perfect way to finish our preparations.
