Page 76 of Three to Fall

“They’re dark sorta guys. They kinda make you look morally gray instead of morally black.”

“Not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.” But I needed help in whatever way, shape, or form I could get it. “Can you get them on board?”

Grayson nodded. “They owe me more than one favor. They’ll be in.”

I studied the doctor. “You’re odd sometimes, you know? In an interesting sorta way.”

Grayson grinned. “Was it my ball sack in your face that piqued your interest?”

I choked.

Chaos turned to me slowly, barely concealing his laughter. “Want to tell me what that’s about?”

“Not even a bit.” I shoved Grayson as I stalked off toward my bedroom. “You’re all getting a little too comfortable around here. Can we go back to when you were just a guy I used to work with?”

“But then you’d never get to see my ball sack again.”

He and Chaos dissolved into laughter, which slamming my bedroom door did nothing to cover.

And they called me the asshole.

19

HAYDEN

Iwoke up the next morning with Kara in my bed, but when I rolled over to reach for her, I found there was a squirmy girl in between us, staring up at me with big eyes.

I squished her a little, pretending I hadn’t seen her. “This mattress is awfully lumpy!”

Kara and Hayley Jade both giggled.

“Hmm. And it makes noises!”

More laughter as I wriggled around, acting as if I was trying to be comfortable with her in the way. She tapped me on the chest, getting my attention.

I pretended to see her for the first time. “Where did you come from?!”

She just grinned and pointed at the wall in the direction of her room.

I kissed the top of her head. “But you thought my bed was better, huh?”

She shook her head.

“No? Didn’t have anything to do with me having a TV in here then?”

She shook her head once more.

“Was it maybe because your mommy was in here?”

Kara’s soft, sweet smile was like sunshine on a rainy day when Hayley Jade nodded yes.

Kara slipped her arms around her daughter, and both of us covered the little girl in kisses, while she squirmed to get away.

Eventually, she got bored and wandered out to the kitchen where someone was making a racket and would no doubt get her whatever she wanted for breakfast, even if that something was ice cream. She had everyone here wrapped around her finger, and I was no different.

Kara watched her go and sighed.

“You don’t have to come today, you know? Nobody would think any less of you if you stayed just to be her mom. We have Kyle to show us where to go once we get inside Ethereal Eden’s gate. There’s no pressure on you here at all.”

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