Page 91 of Despite It All
Stevie sniffles and wiggles out of the hug to wipe the small tears in her eyes. Poor girl is exhausted which means we’re also very emotional. “And we can play together too?”
“Whatever you want to do, Little Bee.”
“Okay,” she mumbles, and I can’t resist anymore. I pick her up and she rests her head on my shoulder.
Jett stands back up with a look of pure agony.
“She’s okay, just sleepy. Stevie, honey, let’s tell Daddy goodnight, okay?” I try to bounce her to get any sort of giggle but she doesn’t.
“Goodnight, Daddy, love you,” she heavy mumbles. It really comes out like “Gwednight, daddy, wove yous.”
I can practically see the pain on Jett’s face. “Love you too, Stevie.” He rubs small circles on her back and she cuddles into me more.
“She’s exhausted, babe.” I know this feeling he has right now, theI’m fucking up my childfeeling. “She’ll feel better after some sleep.”
Jett steps in and kisses my forehead. “I’ll be home as soon as I possibly can.”
“It’s okay, she’ll be asleep before we pull out of the parking lot.”
“Wy, I’ll be home as soon as possible. Let me walk you guys out.” Jett tries to lead the way but his dad steps in front.
“I’ve got em, and your mom is waiting in the car up front.” Vance reaches to take the limp noodle of his granddaughter from me.
Vance squeezes Jett’s non-hurt shoulder. “You played good, son. I got your girls, we’ll take them back to your place, safe and sound, I promise. Now go ice your shoulder because I know it hurts.”
Jett nods and looks down at the ground as his dad starts to carry Stevie out.
I take his hand and squeeze it. “Hey, we’ll be there when you get home. Don’t rush, I’ve actually started to like you throwing me over your shoulder so make sure you're still gonna be able to do that. Okay?”
A small smile finally tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Okay, baby girl.”
Chapter 30
There’s not much tonight that could possibly make me feel worse than I already do. I disappointed my little girl, my shoulder fucking hurts, and guess what? I get to do it all over again tomorrow.
I unlock the door to the apartment as quietly as possible and drop my duffle bag at the end of the entryway. I don’t see Wyla in the living room, it’s a little before eleven but considering the time difference from here and Aster Creek, I can’t say I’d blame her if she was asleep.
It may be a huge mistake but I sneak down the hallway to Stevie’s room. Opening the door—again—as quietly as possible, and I see Stevie is out like a light. Her arms are wrapped tightly around the five blankets she insisted on bringing and her little mouth gapes open.
Her being in a peaceful sleep does actually make me feel the slightest bit better. After closing her door, I head backtoward our room. I would love to spend a little time with Wyla tonight, but if she’s asleep I’ll just big spoon her ass.
I open the door and when I don’t immediately see her in the bed I kind of panic. But then I notice the light shining through the blinds of the doors that open to the bedroom balcony.
When I step out, Wyla’s now wearing a pair of leggings and being swallowed by one of my hoodies. She lays back on one of the chaise loungers reading a book.
“Hey, Wy.”
She jumps a little then smiles that smile I love so damn much. “Hey, you’re home. Hope you don’t mind that I raided your drawers. I was cold and none of my stuff was warm enough.”
I walk over to her and kiss her head. “What’s mine is yours, baby.”
Wyla sets her book down and slides up on the lounger. “Wanna sit with me?”
I want whatever she wants. I step over to sit behind her then as she lays back on my chest I wrap my arms around her pulling her closer.
I have to fight the urge to tell her I love her again. Just because she didn’t say it earlier today doesn’t mean I’m going to stop telling her completely, but I don’t want to pressure it out of her either.
“How’s your shoulder? And don’t lie and tell me it doesn’t hurt that bad. I know you didn’t pick Stevie up earlier for a reason.”
