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Livy
I’m whooped.
Crutches are a whole different level of physical exertion, and the mental game of navigating an airport requiring them is next level stuff. That was one thing. Suitcases were another. Kyle created an added layer of complexity with his size and the amount of attention he receives.
And there was the trip from Austin to the ranch.
I won’t even talk about the dry Texas heat that invades everything, from the top down and from the bottom up.
But the kicker was the emotional piece. The excitement and restlessness, the fear and nerves.
The idea of seeing him only to discover he wasn’t in the loop on the decision. The betrayal visible on his face. The rejection. The reveal of his desires and fears.
A birth.
A family.
Normally, I’d be game to stay up chatting, but today has been a lot.
“Thank you for a wonderful day,” I offer to Kimp and Layton in the living room after dinner. “See you in the morning.”
“Good night,” they reply in stereo.
I walk to the bedroom I’ve been offered. Never in my life have I accepted a job offer where I was staying with the client and his family. I can only imagine my mother—not to mention Tally—deciding the merits of this opportunity based on the housing situation.
It’s temporary. Quite frankly, I’m thankful for it. I can barely maneuver as is. Knowing that there’s another person to help with Kyle is a bonus. The idea that two men will handle an intruder when I’d be lucky to be the character in “The Karate Kid” if someone broke in is the icing on the cake.
Kyle and I settle in after I get a quick shower.
I’m almost asleep when my phone buzzes.
Layton:Good night, Pix.
Me:Good night, Layton. Hope you sleep well.
Layton:You too. Sweet dreams.
Me::)
I fall into a deep and dreamless sleep, cocooned in a soft bed.
Sometime later, I grab my phone to see what time it is and if I’ve overslept.
There are messages from within the last few minutes. Maybe that’s what woke me.
Layton:You didn’t tell me about the black eye.
Layton:Confession time: I came unglued when I saw that. If I’d been there when that fucker touched you, I’d be in jail.
Me:I took an elbow during the attack on Kyle. Small fracture that should heal on its own. I was very lucky it wasn’t the eye socket.
Layton:I’ll go with lucky, too, but for him. If I find him, all bets are off.
Me:Layton, it’s not worth going to jail for. Or in your case, being sued for.
Layton:Not it. You.
