Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“That’s why we have so many balconies,” Aaron says, motioning toward the structure. “For the animals. And Mr. Potato Head’s eyeballs. We can’t fit Mr. Potato Head on there, but his eyes are going to look great at the top.”
Chase giggles. “It’ll be so silly. Come on, Awin. Let’s keep going. Mama don’t look yet. We want it to be a surprise.”
“Sounds good, I love surprises, baby.” I motion Ben over to the kitchen with a jerk of my head. “Daddy and I are going to talk for a few minutes, but then we need to pack up toys to take to Uncle Wesley’s house. He’s making us fancy grilled cheese for dinner tonight.”
“Yay, grilled cheese!” Chase shouts. “Do you like grilled cheese, Awin?”
“So much,” Aaron says seriously. “It’s easily one of my top three favorite foods.”
“Me too,” Chase says. “Cheese is so yummy.”
“And bread,” Aaron agrees. “You can’t go wrong with good bread and good cheese. Also a big fan of strawberries.”
“Me, too!” Chase cheers.
Leaving them discussing their other top eats, I pull Ben into the kitchen and ask in a softer voice, “What’s up? Why do you have resting just-sucked-a-lemon face?”
“Don’t play dumb, Mel. It doesn’t suit you. And I know you too well.”
I prop my hands on my hips. “Yeah, I know you, too, but I seriously don’t understand why you’re so upset. Aaron is a fully grown adult who passed multiple background checks in order to volunteer as a big brother to underprivileged kids in Minneapolis. And he’s Nora’s brother. He might not be my favorite person, but he’s absolutely trustworthy enough to watch Chase for a couple hours.”
“With one functional arm?” he challenges. “And probably loopy on painkillers?”
“Does he seem loopy to you?” I ask, meeting his hard look with one of my own. “He insisted on skipping his noon dose, so he’d be clearheaded for babysitting duty. He’s probably in horrible pain right now because he was so determined to be a responsible caregiver. Now, don’t you feel terrible?” I push on before he can answer, “Good, then go home and think about what you’ve done. I need to grab a quick shower before we head to Wesley’s. My hair smells like grilled chicken.”
“Mel, I just—” Ben’s cut off by Chase, who careens into the kitchen, crowing, “Mommy, Awin wants to watch Nemo with me! He likes Nemo, too! Can we watch it tonight? Pwease, pwease, pwease?”
Glancing at the clock, I sigh. “Probably not tonight, bud. We won’t be back from Uncle Wesley’s until it’s almost time for you to get to bed. But maybe tomorrow night?”
Ben’s head rears back, and I instantly realize my mistake.
Fuck my life, I totally forgot to send that text telling Ben Aaron would be staying with me for a while, didn’t I?
“Tomorrow night?” he asks as Chase runs back into the living room.
“Yeah.” I drag a hand through my stinky hair and force a smile. “Aaron’s staying with us while he recovers. I texted you about it this morning, didn’t I? I would swear I did.”
“No, you didn’t,” Ben says, the muscle in his jaw clenching.
I exhale. “Oh, shoot. It must not have sent. Service has been sketchy at the catering office lately.”
“Since when?” Ben asks, but I ignore him, breezing past him to the fridge.
I open it, grabbing a seltzer water and a beat to compose myself before kicking it shut. “So, yeah, he’s staying with us for a bit. It seemed like a no-brainer. I have an extra room. He’s happy to watch Chase every once in a while when I have to stay late at work, so I don’t have to beg my family for help all the time. It’s a win-win.”
“He’s a stranger and…” Ben glances over his shoulder, ensuring we’re still alone before adding in a harsh whisper, “and an asshole. You hate this guy, Mel. He bullied you when you were a kid. Now, all of a sudden, you’re trusting him with ours?”
“It’s not like that.” I set my seltzer down on the counter hard enough to send water fizzing out of the top.
“Then what is it like?” he presses. “What the hell is going on with you? Between this and all the things you’re forgetting lately, it feels like I don’t know you anymore.”
Flinching at the insult, one that goes straight to my frazzled, exhausted last nerve, I snap, “Welcome to the club, Ben. I guess now you know how it feels.”
He steps back, the color draining from his face.
I instantly feel terrible, but instead of apologizing, I do what I do when I’m cornered. I double down, adding, “You blindsided me with the whole Radcliffe thing. Now, I’ve blindsided you with Aaron. Let’s call it even. Now, please, I need you to go. I have to get ready to go or we’ll be late. Wesley’s grilled cheese is bad enough when it doesn’t have time to get cold and soggy.”