Page 2 of Tell Me It’s Right

“Each of the kids picked a different country,” Christine explains.

I resist the urge to ask whyshe’sdressed like the Fourth of July then.

“Is that for me?” He points at the bag in his mom’s hands.

“Uh, are you the birthday boy? Or is there someone else turning six around here that I don’t know about?”

“Just me! Mom, can I open it now?”

Christine gives him an annoyed look, but she’s smiling. “We talked about this. We’ll open presents after the cake.”

“Just Liam’s, though!Please.”

She glances at me sideways, and I shrug. “I don’t mind.”

With a drawn-out sigh, she hands over the bag. Casey immediately rips the tissue paper out, but he’s gentle as he removes the wrapped package.

“What is it?” he asks as he turns it over in his tiny hands.

“That would be the point of opening it,” I say. “To find out.”

He sticks his tongue out at me, then rips the wrapping paper off. I can feel his mom watching me, but I pointedly ignore her as Casey inspects the gift.

The sketchbook itself is plain—black cover, spiral binding—but as soon as Casey flips to the first page, his face lights up, and I exhale my relief.

Every few pages is a different drawing, broken down step by step as simple as I could make it. The biggest gamble was choosing which superheroes and characters to do, seeing as Casey’s interests change on an hourly basis.

His head pops up like the best idea ever just occurred to him. “If I get as good as you, can I draw your next one?” He points at the tattoos on my arm.

Christine scoffs, then covers it up with a laugh. “Casey…”

“Absolutely,” I say, meaning it. Can’t be any worse than my first few.

His little nose scrunches up. “Can I watch you do it? Or does it get all bloody?”

I chuckle, knowing full well he wouldn’t make it that far. Poor kid passes out justseeingthe needle for a shot at the doctor’s. “Not always.”

“You should get back to your friends, don’t you think?” Christine smiles and leans down to nudge Casey. “Don’t want them to think you’re ignoring them.”

“Liam, are you gonna watch me compete? I’m gonnadominate.”

I quirk an eyebrow at the fancy vocabulary, even if he has trouble pronouncing it. “Of course! It’s the whole reason I’m here.”

He grins, exposing a missing tooth I hadn’t noticed before. “It’s gonna be awesome!” Then he pivots and sprints the way he came—the only speed he has these days, really.

“Thank you for coming,” says Christine. “Really. I know things have been…tense, but it means so much to Casey. Especially since Taylor can’t make it. And God only knows where Asher is.” She gently tucks Casey’s book in the bag. “And this was really thoughtful.”

She says that likeI’mthe responsible brother now. My, how the tables have turned. I clear my throat and avoid whatever meaningful look she’s giving me.

She’s trying. I know. I can’t fault her for it. But I’m also not interested in some woman who’s barely five years older than me trying to act like a parental figure just because she’s Casey’s mom.

“Wouldn’t miss it. Have you seen Leo? I think he said he’s already here.”

“Oh.” She frowns. “I haven’t. But he might be out back!”

I smile and step around her, knowing very well Leo isnotcoming today, but it does the trick. She waves and heads off for the kitchen, effectively ending the conversation. Though today would definitely be easier if Leo could come. I don’t know what it says about me that my best friend has always been better at dealing with my family than I am.

But he’s got his own family stuff this weekend, what with his sister moving in. I still can’t fucking believe they decided that was a good idea. Gracie and Leo under the same roof again? I give it two weeks before one of them kills the other. And my money’s on Gracie.

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