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“Did you see Meredith’s texts?”
I did. But… Do I want to admit that right now? By the expression on my exhausted sister’s face, the jury is still out. “How did you know—”
“Oh, we talk.” Her eyes turn to slits, and she nods at me as if I might be in danger. “Meredith and I have a relationship that doesn’t involve you. We talk. All. The. Time.”
“And she told you—”
“She did. You kissed the crap out of that girl and now you aren’t answering her text messages? You are better than that, Levi!” But she doesn’t let me answer. She’s got a whole lot more to say. “What happened towe’re better off as friendsandyou don’t know what you’re talking about, Coco.You said those exact words to me right before you left my house, Levi. You said you weren’t interested in pursuing her and that I should stop encouraging it.” She scoffs. “Well, it looks like you were able to encourage things all on your own.”
My jaw clenches. “I can’t believe she told you.”
“Have you met your girlfriend? She doesn’t exactly hide how she’s feeling.” Coco shakes her head at me—not at Meredith’s antics. “And I like that about her.”
I like that about her too. I’m not sure I did at first. But when Meredith feels things, she owns those feelings, and then she claims them. I like that a lot about her. She is the most sincere person I’ve ever met.
“At least you know where you stand withher.” Coco’s brows shoot up accusingly on her head.
“What does that mean?” I ask, snapping out of my trailing thoughts.
“That means she would never say that the two of you were better off as friends and then kiss you! Stop being a dummy, Levi!”
Lulabelle stirs with Coco’s bark.
She growls—sounding a tad like her big brother, like me. “Now look what you’ve done?”
“Me?” I say as Coco passes the baby carrier off to me.
“Yes.You.” She deflates, the fight gone out of her. She blows out a sigh, it’s almost cry-like. “Levi,” her eyes water, “I’m exhausted. Between Alice being up sick, Lulabelle being up for feedings, Jude being gone on an overnight trip, and the vet filling in for me calling a dozen times during the day with questions…” The tears in her eyes spill over. “I—I—I am losing it.”
“Hey,” I say, my tone soft. “You aren’t losing it. You just need some rest. Go home. I’ve got the girls.” Our fight is over. My sister has her own problems. But I know I can help.
“I can’t go home alone,” she moans, but more tears spill onto her cheeks. “I’m the mom. I can’t.”
“You can. Even moms need help sometimes. I’m headed home in an hour. Mom will help me with the girls.”
“But—”
“There’s still formula at the house, and besides,” I unclip Lulabelle from her seat and lift her up, holding her close to my chest, “we’ve been needing some Uncle Bear bonding time. You’d be doing us a favor.”
Coco’s breath hitches. “I’m just so tired, Levi.”
“I know.” I wrap one arm around her shoulders. “Alice’s extra booster is still in my backseat. We’re set.”
“Diapers?” She says, convinced.
“There’s a package at Mom’s. We’ll close up early, won’t we Lula.”
“Didn’t you open up late today? Don’t you have work to do?”
I hold baby Lulabelle with one hand and hug my sister close to my side with my other. “We’re all good here. I’d much rather spend the evening with my nieces.”
Coco hugs me back, her tears leaking through my T-shirt onto my chest. “You’re still a dummy. Go text Meredith.”
I ditch work for the night. Coco wasn’t wrong—I have plenty to do. But I don’t mind ditching for her and the girls. I’ll come in early tomorrow and fix the two bikes on my roster for today.
First, I call the fill-in vet at the clinic. He doesn’t need a long lecture—just a stern one. There are plenty of people at the clinic to ask for help. He doesn’t need to bother my sister while on maternity leave, anymore. Next, I call Miles and tell him we’ll need a ride back to Mom’s in an hour. Then, I sit in the recliner in the office and watchThe Little Mermaidwith Alice while Lulabelle stretches out on my chest, sound asleep. I also take Coco’s advice and text Meredith back.
Me:Cookies sound good. But I’m babysitting tonight. Sorry.
