Page 17 of Mended Hearts

Mattie, dressed head-to-toe as theScarlet Witch, rolled her eyes massively.

Oaklyn had tried. But her attempt at a smoky eye was muddying the whole vibe.

“Oaklyn did her best, but this is wrong,” Mattie muttered in a poor attempt at graciousness.

Points for trying.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you, baby,” Leighton said easily.

The endearment bottomed out my stomach. I cleared my throat and turned to the fridge, fetching water bottles before we ventured out to conquer the neighborhood.

By the time I turned back, the girls were settled in at the table. Leighton was wiping away the black eyeshadow, much to Mattie’s relief.

Because the universe has a spectacularly cruel sense of humor, the front door chirped open.

“Are you guys ready?” came Alice’s voice.

I loved Alice.

I did.

But with her came the ever-present storm cloud of my brother, and I just wasn’t ready for that particular shitstorm.

The problem was?—

“Auntie Alice!! Unca’ Grey!!”

That.

That was the problem.

The rapid patter of Beau’s little feet as he bolted across the house—and inevitably into his uncle’s arms—set my heart racing.

I needed a shot of whiskey to get through tonight.

Greyson and I might not see eye to eye on his involvement in questionable after-hours activities, but he had always been a solid presence for my kids. I didn’t want them in the spotlight. But keeping them away from him these past weeks had been grueling, to say the least.

There were only so many times I could break their hearts with lame excuses for his absence before their heartbreak fractured my resolve.

“Hey bud,” my brother said, a smile creeping into his voice before they even made it back into the kitchen.

“Looking good, big guy.”

“I thought that title was exclusively yours,” Alice chirped, never missing a beat.

“I can share it with my Beau man.”

“Well, that’s just confusing.”

“Are you likening him to a dog, princess?”

“No,” she bit out—and judging by the ensuing giggles, Beau was being tickled.

My attention dragged back to Leighton as shegrowled, “If you don't hold still, I cannot help you.”

“But Uncle Grey!”

“Can wait,” Leighton grumbled, pinching Mattie’s chin between her fingers, angling her this way and that as she drew sharp lines away from her eyes.

---