Page 29 of Enticing

Not how I remember it.

Callen

Listen, I was pissed. I’m not now. It’s over. Emotions run high during the game. That’s all it was.

Leo

Still looked like you were gonna hit Dad though.

Nixon

Shut up, Leo. Kenzie’s on call at the hospital tonight. I’ve got the house to myself, and Monday Night Football is on in ten minutes. If you’re coming, bring food or beer. Up to you assholes.

Killian

I miss food.

Maddox

You eat.

Killian

Yeah. Chicken and rice is what we feed the dogs.

Leo

I like chicken and rice.

Hendrix

I heard you like ramen since Nixon moved out. You ever heard of a meal service?

Leo

Sorry. Mommy didn’t set that up for me when I moved out. Must be nice being the baby.

Hendrix

You said it. Not me.

Nixon

Nine minutes.

I look back at the house in front of me and wonder when hanging with my brother and friends instead of Addie and the girls became my second choice.

ADELAIDE

Dust settles. Queens don’t. Keep fighting because there is no other choice.

—Addie’s Secret Thoughts

“Do you need anything?” I ask Caitlin as I close the kitchen trash can, still smiling when I think about Leo looking for it a few weeks ago.

“Unless you have a magic wand that can make my life make sense somehow, I don’t think there’s anything you can do, Addie.” Exhaustion and frustration lie equally heavy in her words. “You know what—I take it back. Tell me this is going to all work out. Tell me being pregnant and living with the baby daddy, who I sort of hate and sort of love, will make sense eventually and that I’ll be happy one day.”

I stay silent as I finish loading the dishwasher, unwilling to lie to her. “I can only tell you you’ll be happy again, Cait. When they place your baby in your arms, you’ll be happy.”

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