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The ladies were understanding, thankfully. On the way back out, I passed one of the cater-waiters.
“I can grab that. Thanks.” One full silver tray of tiny-ass sandwiches. Score.
In the kitchen, I snatched two sodas from the fridge too, while Lucian gave me a confused look.
“What did you need me for?” he wondered.
“All kinds of shit, but let’s start with a breather.” I went for the kitchen door that led to the backyard. “Come on.”
Out here, it was just us and the April sun. Fresh air—it wasn’t that warm yet. It felt nice.
We took cover on the other side of Mr. Leroux’s toolshed so we could be alone.
“I thought you could use a break.” I held up the tray and handed him a soda.
His mouth twitched with a pinch of mirth, and I took comfort in the relief in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” I spoke around a mouthful of food and gestured for him to dig in.
He looked older in a way today, and I didn’t like it. We were seventeen, for fuck’s sake. He shouldn’t be dealing with losing his folks, selling a damn house, and wondering if he could even finish high school where he was at, or if he’d have to change schools. I mean, I didn’t think he would…? Tuition was paid for. His grandmothers were doing a lot, but he was still on his own.
Before Mr. Leroux had passed, they’d gone through the process of having Lucian emancipated, and now he had a team of lawyers to talk to. It wasn’t fair.
“I, uh…” I scratched the side of my head, wondering how the fuck to say this without sounding like a lame-ass. “Just so you know, if you need anything—I’m here. Okay?”
He swallowed and nodded once. “I appreciate it.”
“I mean it. We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. We can rent a bunch of movies and order pizza all the days of the week.”
He chuckled quietly. “I’m sure the coach would love that.”
Fuck the coach. Fuck parties and whatever too. I just wanted to be here with Lucian. For him.
“Lucian!”
“Lucian!”
I sucked in a breath and sat up in bed, disoriented, heart pounding. Had someone screamed?—
“Lucian!” It was Noa. This one came out as a whimper, and he scrambled out of bed and darted out of our bedroom. “Uncle Lucian!”
“Freckles?” I coughed to clear my throat from sleep and did my best to follow as fast as I could. I grabbed my cane and grunted as I rose from the bed.
“What’s wrong, Noa?” I heard Lucian ask groggily. “Calm down, sweetheart. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I had a bad dream,” Noa replied, sniffling.
Fuck. I blew out a breath and reached the doorway to Lucian and Cam’s room.
I met Lucian’s sleepy but troubled gaze in the dim light as he comforted our boy on his lap.
Hell, I felt I needed some comfort too. It was possible we had some fears to work through after this week’s clusterfuck.
“Wanna talk about it, baby?” He kissed the side of Noa’s head.
Noa shook his head hesitantly. “No…it was too horrible.”
A heavy unease settled around my heart, and I limped over to the bed and slumped down on the edge. Lucian immediately reached for my hand.
