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“Fine.”
She sneaks a teasing look at me, and her eyes are brighter. They’re lighter. Everything about her in this moment is lighter, and it steals my breath. “Thanks for doing this,” I whisper, and a small smile tips her lips.
“You too,” she says just as softly back. My throat tightens, but I just dip my head and go back to the books.
God, I love her. So fucking much.
And if cleaning, organizing, and reading are the ways back into her heart, are the ways she’ll heal, I’ll never stop doing them. I’ll never stop giving her everything she needs, and more.
“You think they’ll ever do a Mammoth Big Brother?” Oli asks from the other couch, throwing popcorn into her mouth. I grin around my straw as I continue staring at the TV. Roman’s head is down as he draws in his sketchbook. He won’t show me what he’s drawing, but I keep sneaking little peeks.
I can’t make it out fully, but it looks incredible.
“Doubt it,” I mutter.
“Oh, maybe Chase and Kon will be on it!” she laughs. “Imagine the drama when Kon finds himself another little boy toy.” Roman snorts and shakes his head, still not looking up. “There would be a murder.”
“You think Chase could murder someone?” I lift my brows, and Roman silently nods as Oli turns a thoughtful look to the ceiling.
“If someone tried to take Daddy Kon from him, yeah.” I huff out a laugh and turn my attention back to the show. I don’t know when everyone started calling him Daddy Kon, but he doesn’t seem to care. Even Roman teased him about it earlier, and is still alive to tell the tale. Kon just grumbles to himself, but doesn’t stop anyone.
It’s still surprising Chase is with the big guy, that Kon is even Chase’s type. I always assumed Chase would want someone like him, but Kon is the total opposite.
“I’m hungry,” Oli whines. “What’s for dinner, Pyro?” I glance at him, finding his eyes on her.
“You’re grown. Cook for yourself.” She gasps, placing her hand on her chest.
“You’re a terrible host,” she mutters. “Making a guest cook for themselves.”
“You just had lunch,” I say, giving a pointed look at the bowl of popcorn in her lap. “And you’re having a snack.”
“Yeah, but popcorn isn’t actually food.” She waves dismissively. “Look at these guns.” She holds her arms up, flexing, and Roman laughs softly. “I need sustenance to get big and strong.” My brows lift, a small grin spreading across my face.
“So, lots of protein and veggies?” I ask, and she gives me a horrified look.
“Protein? Veggies?” Her eyes widen and she shakes her head. “I said I’m a growing girl, Evie. I need sustenance. I need mac and cheese.”
With the decision made, she jumps to her feet, setting the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table as she passes, Robert on her heels. Laughing to myself, I settle deeper in the couch and fold my arms over my stomach as I turn my attention back to the show.
“When are you going to show me?” I mutter, still looking at the TV. Roman stiffens and I see him glance at me from the corner of my eye.
“When it’s done.”
“When will it be done?” I ask desperately, turning toward him. I just want to see his picture.
“Whenever I finish it,” he laughs. His expression softens as his hazel eyes flick between mine. I see the questions swirling in them, the things he wants to say but forces himself to keep in. Slowly, his lips part, a silent breath leaving him. It looks like he’s about to say something, but a door slams somewhere in the house, jolting us.
My gaze snaps up, finding Chase storming down the hall, looking annoyed. When his eyes meet mine, he pauses. “You’re out of the room.”
“She’s been coming out of the room for days,” Roman snaps.
“But she hasn’t stayed out here this long…” Chase shakes his head, his brows pinching together. “Whatever. Doesn’t matter. My home is your home, and all that.” He waves his hand as he talks, then turns toward Roman. “I’m heading to the gym. You in?”
Roman opens his mouth, then pauses and glances at me. “Nah.” His jaw tenses as he leans back on the couch. “I’m good.”
I don’t know how often he worked out before, but judging by his muscular body, I’m assuming it was constantly. And since everything happened a few weeks ago, he hasn’t left my side.
He doesn’t work and I know he’s losing out on clients, on money. He doesn’t go to the gym and when we were younger, he worked out to help with his stress. He’s stressed now, but he doesn’t do anything except wait on me hand and foot.
