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I nod, some of my frustration easing. “Well maybe you can give me a head's up next time. I don't need all the details, but a quick text letting me know you're busy for a few days? I was getting worried.”
He turns his head and brushes his lips along my skin. “I'm sure my cousin helped ease that for you.”
The timer goes off, saving me from coming up with a reply. He steps back, giving me space to get our cookie tray from the oven. I slide it out carefully, setting in on the cooling rack.
I hear the front door shut, the click loud in the house. And then I'm not sure what happens. It feels like I'm having an out-of-body experience.
A grown man yelp, a peal of little boy laughter, a loud thump, and a hot dog running through the house.
“Goddammit, Nova,” Silas yells.
“Swear jar, Dad,” the hotdog exclaims, tearing around the house.
Laughter bubbles up inside of me like one of those wishing fountains in the courtyards of malls. It spills out of me in a waterfall, only increasing after I piece together the puzzle.
I cup my hands around my mouth and say, “Hey, where'd that hot dog come from?”
Squeals of laughter from somewhere by the front of the house is the only reply.
“We gotta get a dog to chase that hot dog down,” Nova says, projecting his voice so Hunter hears him over his own giggles.
“I spilled my fucking coffee in the foyer, asshole,” Silas grumbles, glaring at Nova.
Nova is totally unbothered, hands shoved in his front pockets, leaning his hip against mine. “Serves you right, old man. You know you'll never sleep tonight if you keep mainlining caffeine.”
“Fuck off,” Silas says, but there's no conviction it in. It's like a throwaway statement. He gives me his attention. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“I'll make sure this is all cleaned up before I go. It's nearly cooled,” I say quickly.
He drags his hand across the back of his neck. “Yeah, it's fine. I'll take care of it. But I, uh, need a favor.”
I rock onto my toes. “Oh, sure. What's up?”
He glances from Nova to me. “We're going to be out of town for a few days. And I need someone to watch Hunter.”
“We are?” Nova asks, lifting his brow.
Silas looks at him, and they're having one of those internal dialogues again. Nova tips his chin up and nods a few times, but he doesn't say anything.
“Sure, no problem. When?”
“In a couple days. Through the weekend. I'm not sure how many days exactly, but I'll let you know before we leave.”
“Okay, that shouldn't be a problem.”
“So that means you have to stay here,” Silas hedges, bracing for my reaction.
I bite the inside of my cheek at his nervousness. I don't think I've ever seen him quite like this. “Yep, I figured as much.”
“Alright. Ma will be around, but she'll be fresh in her recovery, so I don't want to lean on her. If there's an emergency, obviously go to her. But otherwise . . .” He trails off.
“Let her rest, got it.”
“Thanks.” Silas wraps his knuckles on the counter twice. He looks at Nova then. “You good if I go take a quick shower?”
Nova lifts his shoulders, a smirk tipping up the side of his mouth. “Dunno, brother. Gotta date with my girl as soon as she's off work.”
Silas gives him a deadpan stare before he looks at me, his expression softening. “I'll be back in five minutes.”
