Page 21 of Simply You & Me

"Why are you here?" I sit straight but stay in Julian's arms. "Do I have to ground my kid for opening the door by herself?"

"No grounding, Doll. Gabby called you when we got here to see if you wanted to hang out with us, but your mini-me answered the phone instead." Zach's voice is strained as he recounts the events. "Rory let Gabby in because she was worried about you crying in your sleep. We followed."

I sigh, feeling my cheeks pinken with embarrassment. "I'm sorry for scaring everyone. And for crying all over you guys." I eye Julian’s wet throat and grimace. Wiping it away with the edge of the blanket, I ignore his soft chuckling. I stand with the blanket and dab at the wet spot I left on Zach's chest, too. God, I'm a mess.

Zach huffs a laugh, his dimples coming out to play. "Dolly," he growls playfully. "I quite like your tear-streaked claim on me. I don't mind your little hands petting me, either. First, though, I need you to tell me what's wrong."

The change in his voice is fast, and all the joy I felt from seeing his dimples and having him tease me vanishes. "I was dreaming. I'm okay now."

"Nightmare?" Zach presses.

I shake my head. "No, it was beautiful, actually." If I sink into myself deep enough, I can smell my dad's shampoo. I can almost hear my mom’s honey-smooth voice.

"I'm confused. Why were you crying then?" Julian tilts his head in confusion and stands beside me.

Fidgeting with my sweatpants string, I whisper, "Sometimes the most wonderful memories hurt the most. Remembering those who were your entire world is a gift, and a curse." Closing my eyes, I say the last bit. "My parent's faces were exactly as I remember them. Their love was spot on, too. I miss them more than anything."

My greatest moments bring the heaviest ache. There's nothing I can do to bring them back. I took on the role of mother and father right as I lost my own. A hole of depression and utter loneliness threatens to swallow me whole every day. Sometimes I really want it to. Sometimes it's hard to hold the creeping darkness at bay when I feel out of control. But I promised, and I won't let Rory down. I won't allow Aurora to lose another mom.

"Swee—"

"Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom." I turn on my heel, needing to get myself under control. There's only one way to do that.

Chapter Fourteen

Zachary

Adelyn's hair whips with the force of her body rushing away from Julian and I. Something about the look in her eye and the way her body was vibrating sends a chill down my spine. I'm not sure what to do with this niggling feeling in the back of my mind when I don't really know Addie that well. Yet, this incessant need to follow her retreating footsteps and force her to allow me into her personal space is overwhelming.

I want to demand she look me in the eye and tell me what she's thinking. The desire to pluck her off her feet and sit her on her bed is ratcheting higher and higher the longer she is out of my space. If I could wash her little body, feed her and brush her hair, I would finally calm. I need Adelyn to let me treat her like my own little treasure. My little dolly. Maybe once I've pampered and praised her for being so good and pliable, I would get to play with my doll.

"Do you feel weird right now, too?" Julian whispers, staring down the empty hallway.

I don't let my gaze stray to him for long, his also focused on where she disappeared. "I don't like it," I grumble. "I'm going to get her."

"No!" Gabby's shout stops me in my tracks. From where I'm standing, it looks like she and the little peanut have been playing with the bubbles rather than cleaning dishes. "Addie likes her privacy, Zach. She will be back soon; just give her space, please."

I eye her, mildly amused at her wild pink curls and soapy forehead. Sighing, I relent and park myself on the bar stool in front of them. Rory's long brown hair is in two braids coated in bubbles, wetting her black T-shirt.

"You got any friends?"

A bark of laughter comes from directly behind me, where Julian’s hunched over. He soon begins to wheeze, unable to control his laughter, and I become even more confused. Swiveling on my stool, I find Rory looking at me expectantly with an eyebrow raised, Gabby chuckling beside her.

"What?" I ask, uncertain if the question was meant for me. Or just what's going on in general.

"I asked if you had any friends. So do you?"

I feel like this eight-year-old is scrutinizing me, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. "Yeah," I drawl. "I have friends."

Rory's eyes narrow like she doesn't believe me. "Besides your family, Z."

I'm about to respond in defense when Julian hoots even fucking louder. Shoving him, I glare. On the inside, though, I'm thrilled he's so relaxed right now. It's been a weird few days since the party night fiasco.

A throat clears, reminding me of the little peanut waiting for my response. "Um, not many, no," I say, offering the truth.

I was ready for Rory to tease me or look at me like I'm crazy for not having any friends, but her actual response is not what I was expecting. Her already large blue eyes widen, and her lips spread into the biggest damn smile I've ever seen. My heart fucking pauses to watch this little girl.

"YAY! I'll be your friend! Wyatt's my best friend, though, but I can be yours!" Screeching with joy, Rory races around the counter and jumps up and down in front of me. Her glee is like a lightning bolt right to my broody heart. "I promise I'll be the most amazing friend. Will you be my friend? Please, Z?"

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