AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Better?" I whisper, wondering if he can hear my heart racing.
"Better."
I pull up the streaming app Maison installed when we set up their TV their first night here, browsing the options in the kid's section. I realize as I'm scrolling that there are a lot of depressing ass kid movies. That's not going to help me take care of my little one at all. Rude.
I smile when I see one I know is happy. No tragic death scenes. A good amount of humor. A great soundtrack.
"This work?" I ask.
Casey makes an adorable noise. "I used to love this movie! I had a Lightning McQueen bedroom that was the best."
Don't let the daddy out, Jake. Don't do it. He's not ready. He's not even yours.
Contain. The. Inner. Daddy.
I put the movie on before grabbing a throw blanket and draping it over us so he's all cuddled up and warm as it starts. "Let me know if you need anything, little one."
"I have everything I need right here," he whispers.
Fuck.
Me and my inner daddy are in so much trouble…
Casey only lasts 20 minutes into the movie before he’s softly snoring. I carefully kick my feet up, lounging back so he’s not forced to sleep sitting up, and mute the TV. If I have to sit right here all night for him to get a good night’s sleep, that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’m not sure I even want to know how badly the boy has been sleeping lately.
Carter comes home eventually, long after the movie has ended. He takes one look at us and seems to figure out the gist of what happened, flashing me a thankful smile before slipping off to his room. It's not long after that before Casey startles awake, fighting me for a moment before realizing my identity and relaxing again.
"Sorry," he whispers, his voice sleep-soaked and ashamed.
I'm not sure what he's apologizing for, but I know it doesn't matter. My response is the same regardless. "Don't be. You feeling any better?”
He shrugs noncommittally, tucking his head back under my chin to hide. I try not to frown in case he can hear it in my voice. “You should get some more sleep. Want me to bring you to your room?”
“Will you stay?” he whispers, his arms tightening around me. “It’s dark and - and the roads, you know? It wouldn’t be safe.”
I agree easily, thankful to have an excuse. “Yes. Of course. Let’s get you to bed, okay?”
“You’ll stay?” he asks again. He pulls back, looking at me with wide eyes, and clarifies, “In my bed with me?”
“Oh.” I swallow hard. That’s a bad idea, right? Probably? But… fuck I’ve missed him. “Yeah, Case. I’ll stay with you.”
He manages a soft smile before stumbling off the couch and grabbing my hand, leading me to his room like I don’t already know which one he chose for himself. When he hesitates before opening the door, I squeeze his shoulder comfortingly and promise, “It’s okay if you’ve changed your mind. I can stay on the couch.”
“No. It’s not that. It’s just-” He releases a shaky breath. “Don’t be mad, okay?”
My stomach dips. Why would I be mad?
And then I remember the last time we stood like this. The last time he begged me not to be mad. And I understand. Fuck.
“You’re sleeping on the floor again.”
He nibbles on his bottom lip before opening the door, letting his room speak for itself. The pile of blankets and pillows is just as heartbreaking the second time around. And the dolphin nestled in the middle is… there are just no words for what that does to me.
I rub the back of my neck. “Have you talked to Dr. Singh about this?”
His face reddens. “I haven’t exactly… talked to him.”
That makes me mad. “You what?”
