Page 45 of Graves & Griggs
Aries looks at her and shakes his head. “I’m not gonna say sorry. He’s being a baby.”
“I am not!” Ryder says, then jumps over Seraphina and pushes Aries. It quickly turns into a scrap, and Asher, myself and Liam all move forward. Liam extracts Seraphina from the middle; Asher holds Aries back as I grip Ryder.
“That’s enough. Cool it,” Asher says in a tone that brokers no discussion.
Both of the boys fall quiet as they look at him before Ryder tears out of my grip and runs for the stairs.
I let out a heavy sigh as I turn to Aries. “You will be apologizing to your brother in the morning. Go brush your teeth and head to bed.”
“The movie isn’t over!” he argues.
I widen my eyes at him as the movie instantly turns off.
“Bedtime, kids. Let’s hit it,” Skyla says.
Several groans of protest sound from the couch, but I look to her and mouth, “Thank you,” before heading upstairs to track down Ryder.
When I step into the boys’ room, I don’t see him at first, but I hear him. Soft sniffling sounds come through the window, and I look to see it cracked open and Ryder sitting out on the flat roof.
“Ryder, get inside right now! You’re gonna fall!” I snap.
He looks at me and frowns before slowly coming back throughthe window. He always does this at our house in Seattle, and that doesn’t have a flat roof. Don’t come for me—we’ve literally had to bar his windows. He likes being outside, looking at the stars, and he’s going to give me a fucking heart attack one of these days.
As soon as he’s inside, I lock the window behind him before shutting the curtains. He’s standing in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest and a pout twisting at his features.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask as I crouch down in front of him.
“Aries is a jerk,” he mutters.
I can’t help but laugh at that, shaking my head. “He’s not a jerk, sweetheart.”
His deep brown eyes come to me in frustration. “He’s always picking on me. I wasn’t even touching her.”
I let out a soft sigh as I rub his back. “You know your daddies always fought like this as kids too. It’s what brothers do unfortunately. It’s okay to speak up and tell him that you don’t like the way he’s treating you; it’s not okay to retaliate.”
“What’s that mean?”
I smile and huff. “Hit him back.”
“But that’s not fair!” he argues.
“Life isn’t fair, babe. Aries will be punished for pushing you, but now you’re in trouble too.”
He mutters under his breath, but I’m unable to make any of his words out.
“You both need to try to be a little kinder to each other. You’re family.”
“I wish Seraphina was my family instead.”
I don’t know how to respond to that, but luckily I don’t have to as he continues.
“Do we have to leave? Can’t we stay with them?”
I smile sadly. “You like it here, Ry?”
He nods as I do the same.
“Me too. We’re not leaving just yet, so enjoy the time you have, okay?”
