Page 13 of Knight Life In Vegas

Charlotte bent down, looking at me through the open window. “You don’t look very well.”

“I’m not,” I croaked out.

“I don’t think you should be driving,” she said after a moment. “Get out. I’ll help you into the passenger side and drive you back to the pack house. I’m sure someone can get you safely back to wherever you need to go.”

“I’m fine, really.”

“You literally just said you’re not. Out.” She hauled out the same voice for me I’d expect her to use on her children. “I’m not letting you be a danger to yourself or anyone else on the road.”

She had a point. I grumbled and climbed out of the vehicle, reluctantly moving over to the passenger side as quickly as I could manage so she wouldn’t try to physically assist. Charlotte tucked each of her boys into the back seat before climbing into the driver’s side.

“But, Mommy, we don’t have boosters!” said the younger of her boys.

“We’re just going up the street, Ollie. It’s not far.”

“But the rules!”

“We’re breaking them just this once to help Mr. Carlton.”

I held my breath while she was so close. This near, I could take in the shades of gold in her hair and the crinkle around her hazel eyes. Her mouth was a perfect pink pout. I dragged my gaze away and faced forward for the agonizing thirty-second drive back to my son’s home.

“Sammy, run in and find Bryce, or any of Auntie’s pack for me. Tell them to come outside, please.”

Sammy nodded solemnly, apparently taking his duty very seriously. He raced off and returned a moment later with Micah and Luke.

I couldn’t decide if I was more embarrassed for them to see me like this than I would be for Bryce to.

“You doing okay, Mr. C?” Micah asked.

“I think it would be safer for someone to drive him to the hotel,” Charlotte said.

Shame burned hot in my chest.

“I’ll be fine,” I protested.

“Zip it.” Charlotte leveled a firm gaze on me. “Let someone help you.”

“Let me check with Bryce to see if he’d like to drive you himself,” said Luke, briefly disappearing inside and returning with my son.

“Thanks, Charlotte,” Bryce said to her. “I’ll drive him to the hotel. Luke is going to follow and bring me back. Go ahead and enjoy the party.”

I held my breath as Bryce traded spots with her, and Charlotte collected Ollie from the back seat.

“You’re actually sick?” Bryce asked as we pulled out of the drive. “Not running away?”

“Would I be letting you drive me right now if I was fine?” I evaded.

“Fair. Do you need a doctor?”

“Just rest.”

Bryce nodded. The drive was uncomfortably quiet, neither of us willing to break the silence once it settled in. He parked in the hotel lot and we stood awkwardly facing each other. Bryce was braver than me this time, offering a hug that I accepted. He deserved a better father than me, and I was going to try, but I wasn’t strong enough to be that person. At least, not yet.

“Igot you an early birthday present.” Ava beamed and handed me an envelope across our brunch plates.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said earnestly.

“I wanted to. You looked so refreshed after your last night out and I wanted to give you another opportunity.”

---