Page 24 of Falling Stars

7

BAYLEE

LATE FEBRUARY

With his arms raised,chest out, Leo yawns, and I smile at my precious boy as he settles. “Go to sleep, my love.”

I run my finger up the bridge of his perfect nose and over his forehead, grateful he’s healthy. I repeat the motion as he falls asleep, marveling at his light blond hair.

Leo is the one bright spot in my life right now. Whenever I look at him, I can pretend I’m not knee-deep in debt and practically homeless.

With an angry huff, Amara tosses shit into a cardboard box. “Why didn’t you tell me things were so desperate?”

I glare at my sister as I rock Leo in my arms. Does she not see the sleeping baby? “Gee, I seem to recall asking for your help at least a dozen times,” I grit out quietly. “You always have an excuse.” Her three boys race down the hallway, excited to get on the road. They’re in for a rude awakening. Amarillo’s a seven-hour trip. Fortunately, Leo is out for the count and doesn’t wake from the commotion.

My sister hangs her hands on her hips. “Don’t act like I didn’tgive you any money. I paid for groceries and sometimes gave you money for utilities.”

“Well, therearefour of you. I told you they raised the rent at the salon. What was I supposed to do? Not pay it? Then I’d have a place to live, and no job. Plus, we employ people. I can’t let down Vera and the girls.”

“So let’s find something cheaper for the salon. Can’t we try?”

When she sayswe, she meansme. She just doesn’t want to move in with Mom andAbueloon the other side of the state. “There’s nothing cheaper. I checked. Plus, it would cost a small fortune to outfit something with sinks, a washer, and a dryer. Do you have that money? Because I don’t.” And now I have a hospital bill that gives me heart palpitations.

I kiss my son’s downy head. Leo’s worth the expense. I just don’t know how I’m going to afford more than PB&J sandwiches for the next ten years.

“It’s such a pain in the ass to relocate. You know how muchAbuelohates a ruckus, and the boys are loud.”

My sister has been a giant drain on my finances, but I don’t want her to go either. I wrap one arm around her shoulders and press my face into her neck. “I’m sorry. I hate this too.” A sob breaks from my chest, and she hugs me back.

“Shit. Don’t cry. You’ll upset Leo.”

I can’t help it. I’m at the end of my rope. I can’t do everything anymore. I’m exhausted. Leo was up all night, and now that he’s asleep, I have to finish packing. “Promise you’ll call me when you get there?”

She nods and pats my hair. “I’m sorry I didn’t get a job,” she whispers. “I know I need to be an adult, but I didn’t sign up to be a single mom. Diego was supposed to be my partner, not a deadbeat dad. This isn’t the way life was supposed to turn out.”

“I feel you.” I lean away and wipe my face.

“Mom feels really bad she can’t be here to help you.”

I shrug and try to play off how much I need her. “She can’t be in two places at once. She’d be here if she could.” She came down for a visit after I had Leo, but then my grandfather had an episode, and she had to return to Amarillo. But it gave me time to explain how much I screwed everything up. And I was right—she didn’t have money to help us keep the house rental.

My sister tugs on my wrist. “Are you going to be okay at the ranch?”

“Paige said I could stay in Beau’s old camper.”

Concern etches her tired face. “And you’re sure you’re not going to have to see Maverick?”

My sister isn’t his biggest fan. She’s the only person I told what happened with that dumb kissing challenge in high school. “He’s rehabbing in New York.”

Irritation skates down my spine. No one will tell me what’s going on with him. ESPN says he’s rehabbing from a concussion, a rotator cuff injury, and a spinal fracture—which, holy shit, that’s crazy—but I don’t know his prognosis because that asshole won’t pick up the phone.

At first, Paige gave me little updates.He’s awake. He’s talking. He’s feeling better.Then she apologized and said she couldn’t say more.

When I told her I had Leo, Maverick finally texted back. Asked me how the baby and I were doing. Asked if we were okay. Asked if we needed anything. I sent him a wall of text about my sweet boy and a million baby photos.

But when I returned the questions and asked about his injuries, he went radio silent.

Whatever. He’s alive. I suppose that’s all that matters. Kira is probably taking care of him.

---