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Then I helped Sia open her first gift from her grandfather. Her first gift from anyone other than me.
Or Hope.
Hope showered her with gifts.
Only after Sia fell asleep for the night did I consider opening mine.
I sat like a pussy with the box on my lap, afraid to open it.
“Fuck it,” I muttered and tore through the wrapping paper. Lifting the lid, I pulled out the tissue paper to uncover an ancient, battered, copy ofThe Outsiders.
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
My stomach cartwheeled as my heart strove to leap out of my chest.
“You want to get that book, son?”
“Ares, I love you. Don’t forget.”
“Flower.”
I rocked forward and pinched the bridge of my nose as I sucked back enough air to swallow the grief that choked me.
Without looking, I placed the lid back on the box and forced it under the couch.
Pushing my memories back where they belonged, I slipped quietly into Sia’s room and sank to the floor.
I watched her face, peaceful and lax.
Exactly how I intended to keep her.
Around 4 o’clock, I woke up stiff and sore and took to my bed. I lay awake and pondered the chaos wrought by one poor decision.
Part of Your Charm
Hope
Ares: Come over. Pack a bag.
Hope: Bossy.
Ares: Brats get punished.
Hope: Okay, okay, keep your pants on. Or not! Haha!
The drive over gave me plenty of time to stew over the possible outcomes from yesterday’s meeting with his father. None of which prepared me for what I found when I got to his place.
Before I even exited the car, Ares had his front door open and stood, arms crossed, leaning casually against the frame.
“Hey,” I breathed as I scanned his face.
He tilted his head and studied me, his eyes narrowed. “Are you nervous?”
I looked to the sky then returned my gaze to his. “A bit,” I admitted. “More worried.”
Standing straight, he reached to take my bag before stepping back to let me into the house. Closing the front door, he gently turned me around and pressed my back against it. Staring down at me, his dark eyes serious, he gently brushed his knuckles over my cheek.
“You never have to be nervous or worried with me. I think the world of you.”
