Page 14 of A Little Naughty

“Everyone’s afraid sometimes, Jem.” My sister looks at me like maybe she’s thinking of another time, years ago. “It’s hard when they’re little. They don’t understand why things happen, and they don’t know it gets better.”

Does it?Her words hit me where it hurts, and I look up the hall. “I’d better check on Nikki.”

My sister nods like I’ve come around to some knowledge I didn’t already have. I leave her, and when I get to Ms. Edison’s class, I hesitate.

I don’t know this teacher, but Pinky is standing at the entrance with Nikki. Owen and Ryan are listening to her explain how Nikki is new, and she’s living with me in Ryan’s old house. Owen is getting impatient with his cousin—like he always does—and I figure I’d better save them.

“Hi, guys!” I smile, a little breathless. “Nikki, did you meet Ms. Edison?”

Worried amber eyes meet mine, and I can tell she’s overwhelmed. A protective urge squeezes my throat, but Ryan pushes off the doorjamb.

“It’s okay, I’ll look out for her.” He says it with all the Adam-Stone confidence I recognize, and I realize Adam is the only dad he’s ever known. “You can sit with us, and I’ll make sure you know where to go.”

He waves Nikki towards the class, and it takes all my willpower to wait for her to answer Ryan’s very chivalrous offer.

“Thanks.” She lifts her chin in a cool-girl way that makes me so proud and follows him into the classroom.

“I’ll be at the paper office when you’re done.” I keep my voice even, doing my best not to gush or embarrass her. “Ryan can show you the way if you don’t remember.”

“My mom runs the paper.” He shrugs like it’s no big whoop. “You’re living in our old house now.”

Nikki blinks from him to me, and for a brief moment, I think I see a flash of separation anxiety on her face. Blinking quickly, I give her my biggest, most confident smile and a quick little thumbs-up.

She shakes her head like I’m a dork, and I swallow the knot in my throat as she continues following Ryan.

Shit, this is awful. I almost wish she were five, and I was leaving her with my sister, who I now realize has this whole school thing all figured out.

Rocking back on my heels, I want to call out to her and remind her she has my number if she needs me, but I know she knows. Owen follows them into the classroom, and I clasp my hands together, holding them in front of my mouth.

When she reaches her desk, Nikki glances once more over her shoulder at me. She does a little wave, and I unclasp my hands to wave back as I blink fast. My eyes burn, and I swear, if I don’t get out of here, Iwillcry.

A small hand slides into mine, clasping it tightly. “Don’t worry, AJ, Owen and Ryan will look out for her. They’re really good at looking out for people, even if they are boys.”

A wry smile curls my lips, and I look down at Pinky. She’s looking up at me like she knows exactly how I feel, and I huff a laugh. Maybe she’s not so annoying after all.

“Thanks, Pink.”

We hold hands, and the bell starts to ring as we walk back to the kindergarten class. A lone tear traces down my cheek, and I don’t even understand why. Nikki is at the cutest, safest little school in the world, and my awesome big sister is right here.

It’s only a few steps from the fourth-grade room to the kindergarten room… and it hits me how fast these years will pass. I glance down at the little girl holding my hand with such confidence, and I think about Cass’s words.Everybody’s scared sometimes.

She’s right. I was a sassy five-year-old with all the answers, but then my world got turned upside down, scattered like those jacks. I lost everything I knew, and there were times when I was so afraid.

I wonder how different I might be if I’d grown up here with Cass. There’s no way to know, but I can’t help thinking about what I lost, what I might have done, who I might’ve become.

I’m not going to let that happen to Nikki. She’s going to have all the chances I never did, and she’ll never go to sleep hungry or cold or scared.

“Here you are.” I give my niece a hug before passing her to my sister.

Straightening my shoulders, I head out the door ready to face the world when I bump into Adam Stone, slamming the hatchback on his old Jetta.

“Jemima?” He cocks an eyebrow at me. “What the hell are you doing here?”

I’ve always had a soft spot for the youngest Stone brother. He’s a reformed bad boy, but he’s engaged to Piper now. Not to mention he’s been in love with her since forever.

“Just dropped off mydaughterat school.”

“Oh, yeah.” He squints one eye at me. “I heard about that.”

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