So fucking tired.
Tired of the reality of her life that followed her around like a long shadow. Tired of the fact that she still had no way to leave it all completely behind.
Tired of everything.
21
FRENCH QUARTER, NEW ORLEANS
“Idon’t know, Mama. This is extremely short notice.” Brennan switched his phone to the other ear and peered around the corner of the hall to glance at Skye in the den. She was curled up in a corner of the sofa as best she could with all her braces holding her limbs firmly in place. She nestled her head against the cushion and had been attempting to sleep for the better part of the afternoon.
She hadn’t been sleeping well since he brought her home a little more than a week ago. Beyond being in obvious physical pain, Skye was apparently given to nightmares.
Or were they actually nightterrors? Liza had been reading every child-rearing book she could get her hands on and informed him of the phenomenon. It typically affected children and consisted of thrashing, panicking, mumbling, crying, and even screaming. It looked like exactly what was going on with Skye, and it happened to her every single night like clockwork. And like clockwork, he woke up to calm and soothe her.
After a week of this, Skye and Brennan were exhausted.
“I know it is, darling,” Constance said, “I’m sorry. But I’m about to go see Ophelia about a frame I bought from her, so I’m going to be right up the street. You don’t have to worry about entertaining me. I just want to see you, and I’ve really wanted to meet Skye. This situation is just ghastly, and you should have family support.”
Skye stirred on the couch, and Brennan pulled his lips between his teeth.
Constance wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Especially if she was right up the damn street. He’d just try to keep the visit short. Besides, part of him craved a bit of motherly support and love. After all, according to Constance, Brennan had come out of the womb completely enchanted by women, so naturally his loving mother was the first object of his doting affection. Him quickly becoming a little bit of a mama’s boy was a natural outcome of that, and it just kind of stuck all the way into adulthood.
And now that he was in an unprecedented amount of shit while also on his father’s shit list, something in him kind of needed a moment with his mother—a verybriefmoment.
“Okay, Mama.” He rubbed his forehead. “But only a quick visit. She’s really tired.”
“I imagine she is,” Constance said. “The poor thing.”
After his mom got off the phone, he immediately dialed Ophelia.
“Brennan!” Ophelia answered, sounding delighted. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“My mother is on her way over there.”
Ophelia chortled. “You sound thrilled about that.”
“I mean, she’s on her way over there, and then she’s planning to come here,” he explained. “Can you buy me some time?”
“Poor Brennan.” Ophelia gave another quiet snicker. “How much time?”
“At least thirty minutes would be amazing. But just try to distract her if you can.”
“I’ve got her,” Ophelia assured him. “Don’t worry your handsome head about it.”
“Thanks.”
He shoved the phone in his back pocket and glanced down at his jeans and basic white t-shirt, then raked his hand through his hair. He’d normally never meet with either of his parents looking like this, but then again, his mom was coming over unannounced, and that’s something she would never normally do. Skye, however, was wrapped in her robe without much underneath. She’d definitely want to be more dressed than that.
Brennan approached the sofa quietly, picking up her hand first to avoid startling her, and then stroked the top of her head. “Skye, it’s Brennan.” She woke up easier if he led with his name. It seemed to tether her to reality, and something about that made his heart simultaneously warm and ache. “Try to wake up, sweetheart.”
Skye jolted as her eyes flew open, revealing a glossy, disoriented gaze. “I’m fine.”
“You are, honey,” he said, still stroking her head. “You’re just fine. You’re here in the house, and you’re all right.”
Her gaze skimmed the room as she appeared to get her bearings, and then she looked up at him.
“Hi, baby girl,” he said in a quieter tone.
