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“What’s your idea?” Asher asks from the recliner, lazily rocking himself.
Rad grins. “I want to throw my Little Pretty Girl a birthday party. She’s going to be five soon.” His brows furrow, pain twisting his expression.
I know that look. Haunted. Pained. Filled with regret. It’s the same one that consumes me every time I think about what we’ve missed out on.
Instinctively, my eyes dart to Asher, sitting rigidly now. He knows that look, too. It’s written on his face. Anguish and utter devastation contort his features, dropping his eyes to the floor where he studies the wood like it’s the best thing he’s ever seen.
“I’m sorry,” Asher says again, licking his lips. “I know we missed a lot of time with her because of me.” Guilt drips off every word he utters, thickly laced with a pain I can’t even explain. His hand rubs across his chest. No doubt aching from his massive mistake.
I know what he did hurts him, too. It has to. He was an asshole for what happened. But we’re moving forward. Together. With the help of therapy and group sessions, we’ve come to rebuild our relationship as friends. We’re a damn brotherhood again. And damn, does it feel good.
“Every birthday. Christmas. Easter. Thanksgiving.” Callum murmurs, looking deeply into the swirls of his coffee.
“Every step. Her first words.” I shake my head, sinking my teeth into my tongue. “It happened, okay?” My gaze connects with Asher’s glossy eyes, and he nods. “You can’t take it back. But we’re here now. In the present, to be there for Ly. We can talk to the therapist about this more. Okay?”
“Okay.” He nods with reluctance, pulling his lips into a tight line.
“So, no more missed birthdays or holidays. We’re here for good,” Rad says, rubbing his hands together.
“Tell them your idea,” Callum huffs, sipping his coffee with a knowing look.
“Four words…” He grins, looking around the room as anticipation builds in the air.
“Go on,” I say, rolling my wrist.
“Put us out of our misery,” Asher quips with a snort, wiping away the uncomfortable look.
Every so often, I see defeat in his eyes. He’s still beating himself up every chance he gets. Even in River’s presence, he takes a backseat, offering to care for Ly if we want to go out. Asher did a shitty ass thing when he ripped us apart. But I don’t want it to define him anymore.
River forgave him and us. There’s no need to keep rehashing what he did. It’d be different if he didn’t feel remorse. But he does. He feels it with every step he takes. So, he’s off the hook for now.
“East Point Amusement Park.” Rad holds his hands out in front of him with a grin. “Huh? What do you think?” His brows waggle with excitement as he looks around the room at our stunned expressions.
I blink several times. “You mean the place off the highway with all the rollercoasters and stuff?”
“Yeah! That’s the place.” He physically lights up, jumping from his seat to pace the room.
“Why that place?”
East Point Amusement Park is larger than life. Filled to the brim with rollercoasters, arcade games, kiddie rides, special sections, and so much more.
Rad swivels in my direction with a grin. “Because our little girl likes unicorns, and that’s the birthplace of her favorite ice cream. Believe me! I researched all night long, looking for the perfect place. Just imagine our baby girl on the unicorn ride holding an ice cream cone and laughing. They even have a whole unicorn adventure inside the park, with kiddie rides, unicorn games, and that damn ice cream. The owner said we could buy out the whole park for a day. Her birthday is next Saturday.” He wiggles his brows again, waiting for our excitement to kick up.
“Can confirm. I’m pretty sure he kept River up all night long with his search,” Callum says with a groan, finishing off his coffee.
“Well, would you look at that? He does come up with some good ideas,” I snark, chuckling when he flips me off.
Poor bastard. He’s not sleeping well again. And I know damn well the cause of his ache and the balm to his restlessness—our girl. But apparently, he was with them last night after Cal took Ly to the reading.
“See! I told you! You fuckers didn’t believe me.” He rolls his eyes in disbelief, shaking his head. “Even my Pretty Girl agrees it’s a good idea.”
“Book it,” I say with a nod. “It can be a big surprise party. We can invite Ly’s friends and family.”
Excitement thrums through my veins at the prospect of surprising my baby girl with a unicorn-themed party, her favorite ice cream, and plenty of presents. The need to spoil the hell out of my mini-me has me thumbing through my phone on the hunt for the perfect birthday present.
The ultimate unicorn stuffed animal with sparkles and a horn. I grin when it has the option for a voice message. All you have to do is press its hoof, and your voice will come through. And sold.
I furrow my brows when a loud thump comes from the front door, echoing through the house.
