Page 15 of The Third Girl

I take it, drop it, pick it back up, and squint at the screen.

Skylar:Hi, Matt. I hope you’re okay.

Skylar:Would it work for you if I meet Sailor before I start staying with her overnight?

Skylar:Maybe like at a park or something like that?

Skylar:I’ve been thinking about this a lot.

Skylar:And I thought if she got to know me now, things would transition smoother.

Skylar:We can hash out details while she swings or slides or whatever.

“It doesn’t seem like my meltdown fazed her.” I flop back on the couch, resting my head on the cushion. I turn to the side so I can see Travis.

“Lucky, I guess. You heard Logan earlier. She seems nice. Easygoing. I mean, she’s a kindergarten teacher. I think she’s probably got some built-in childcare chip to handle the kinder-age freak-outs. Who knew it’d work on you, too.” Travis snickers.

I fling my hand to the side, smacking his arm with the back of it. “Fuck off.”

He laughs again. “Right. I think I’ll stay right here. So, what are you going to say to meeting up with her?”

I shrug, my brain struggling to process much of anything at this point. “Mom’s surgery is the fifth. So… I guess we could meet up with her either after school one day this week or next weekend.” I look down at the phone, having to squint again. “Fuck, I’m too drunk to reply.”

Travis holds his hand out. “Give it. What do you want to say?”

I roll my eyes at him. “I dunno. Ask if she can meet next Saturday at eleven at… what’s that park with the rocking horse thing that Sailor likes?”

Travis arches a brow. “You’re asking me?”

“Mm. It’s like… um…”

“Wait, is it the one on Main Street? The one near the elementary school?”

I fling my arm from my side, jabbing my finger in his direction. “That’s it.”

“’Kay.” His fingers fly over the keyboard. “Sent.” He holds out the phone to show me.

Me:Can you meet us at the park near your school at eleven on Saturday?

I nod and shut my eyes. A few seconds—or could be minutes—later, Travis pokes me in the shoulder. “Hey. Let’s get you to bed. I’m ready to crash. I’ve gotta be at work in seven hours.”

“Ugh. Okay.” My head is swimming with booze.

When I open my eyes, Travis is in front of me, holding out his hands. “Come on, buddy.”

I grasp his hands and let him pull me to my feet. Travis snatches up his bag from the foyer as I weave toward the stairs.

“Hold it.” My little brother drapes my arm over his shoulder, then guides me up the steps.Fuck, I must be really drunk.I mumble, “Is it going to be weird to have someone in my house with my kid?”

Travis’s voice is quiet as we walk down the hall, passing the guest bedroom and Sailor’s room. “Weird? Maybe different at first. It’ll be worth it, though, taking that responsibility off Mom’s shoulders so she can heal.”

A strangled moan leaves my lips. “I should have done this for her ages ago.”

“It’s all good, brother. She understands. And she loves Sailor. You know it’s never been a hardship for her to do that for you until it became physically difficult for her. This’ll be good. I’m sure Skylar will work out great.” Travis opens the door to my room and helps me inside. I promptly collapse onto the bed. “You going to be okay if I let you pass out?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

Travis slips my shoes off, setting them at the foot of the bed. “I don’t know if you’ll remember what we’ve talked about in the morning.”

I blink at him. “’Course I will.”

“I liked that Skylar suggested she get to know Sailor ahead of time. Because you know what? It’s not just Sailor that needs to get used to her. It’s you, too.” I’m drunk, but I still catch the hesitation before he finishes. “Hell, maybe she’ll be good for both of you.”

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