Page 108 of The One for Me
My niece is the perfect distraction for him.
“Thanks, we’ll definitely think about it,” Devney says smoothly.
Connor enters the room. “He looks good. He’s using the crutches now?”
“Yeah. He’s getting there.”
“We broke enough bones to know that it takes time and patience that no kid has to heal.”
He couldn’t be more right. Declan broke his arm when we were kids and I broke about every finger in my hands because I was an idiot many times behind the plate.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of healing that Austin needs, which we know as well.”
“We all do,” Devney says quietly.
My hand wraps around hers and gives it a squeeze. “I know, sweetheart.”
“I’m sorry.” She pulls her hand back and adjusts her shirt. “I shouldn’t be like this. Today is just . . . weird. I don’t know. It’s like it’s hitting me all at once. It’ll be Christmas, and . . . I have to do all these things. We don’t have a tree or gifts to put under it. I need to do all of that.”
Little does she know I already got him a few special gifts. Before I can say anything, my sister-in-law takes over.
Ellie sits beside her. “I can help. Whatever you need. Connor will go get you a tree and I can send him shopping if you want. He can get everything done while we handle the other stuff.”
“Uhh,” Connor mutters. “Huh?”
“Yeah, Connor, you can go. You’re good at shopping and doing all that,” I tack on, like the helpful brother I am.
“What the hell are you doing? She’s your girlfriend.”
“And your wife wants you to help.”
“I want you to shut up,” he says under his breath.
Ellie eyes him with a brow raised. “Are you saying you won’t help your brother and Devney?”
“Of course not!” he says so quickly it’s comical.
“Then why are you complaining?”
I sit here, shit-eating grin plastered on my face. “Yes, Connor, why are you complaining?”
He puts his hand on the back of my chair before flicking me when they look away. “Ouch!”
“What’s wrong, Sean? Did you stub your toe?”
“I’m going to stub something.”
Devney rolls her eyes and looks away. “Idiots.”
“They really are,” Ellie says without a pause.
“Yeah, well, you’re both the idiots who have fallen in love with us so what does that make you?” Connor asks.
Devney answers first. “Bigger idiots.”
“At least they know it,” I say to him.
“True. If they were in denial, I’d be worried.”
