“But Gabe ruined it.”
“He hates me.”
There was no emotion in Caden’s voice. It was as if he were totally and completely defeated. I despised everything about it. There was no teasing or spark of life. Not even anger. Just nothingness.
And I couldn’t fix it for him. I would’ve done anything to be able to. But all I could do was sit in it with him.
I leaned into Caden. He didn’t move for a moment but then wrapped an arm around me. I nestled against his side and pressed a hand over his heart. “You’re a good man.”
The muscles tensed beneath my palm. “Don’t.”
“You’re a good man.”
Caden swallowed. “Gigi…”
“You are. The best. Always there for your mom. The best friend to Nash. Always jumping in when someone needs you.”
He glanced down at me, our gazes locking. “I thought you wanted to murder me.”
I shrugged. “Murder’s my love language, remember?”
* * *
I headedtoward The Brew as the early morning light filtered through the trees. I needed the most massive cup of coffee known to man. I’d tossed and turned all night, worrying about Caden. Hoping he was okay and hating that he didn’t have the kind of familial support I did.
“G.”
My head lifted to find Lawson walking out of the coffee shop and café. I grinned, crossing to him and throwing my arms around his waist.
His arms came around me in answer. “What’s this for?”
“Just remembered how lucky I am to have you.”
Lawson squeezed me a little tighter and dropped a kiss to the top of my head. “Everything okay? Caden isn’t dicking you around, is he? I’ll—”
I pinched his side. “Stop it. Caden’s fine. Can’t a girl just appreciate her overbearing big brother?”
Lawson chuckled. “I guess so.”
“How are the boys?”
A look of fatigue filled Lawson’s face. “Good. Just a lot right now.”
“I can call off early today and pick up Charlie and Drew from camp.”
Lawson shook his head. “No, I’m good. I’m just realizing I might need some full-time help come fall.”
My brows lifted at that. “Seriously?”
He squeezed the back of his neck. “Charlie and Drew have a million and one activities they need to be carted around for, and as much as I’d love to leave Luke in charge, he hasn’t exactly proven to be trustworthy lately.”
I winced. My eldest nephew had taken my brother’s car for a joyride without a license and now only communicated in grunts. It was a far cry from the happy-go-lucky kid of last year. “Is there anything I can do?”
“I wish.” Lawson gave me another hug. “We’ll get through it. It’s just the ornery teenage years.”
I hoped that was it. I was tempted to ask if it could be feelings coming up about their MIA mom, but Melody was a no-go zone for Lawson, so I kept my lips zipped. “Just let me know if you need a night off. And we have family dinner this weekend, so you’ll get a little spell then.”
“I’m good. Promise.”
