Her cheeks lifted as she smiled and looked up at me. “That’s always a bonus.”
Unable to resist, I kissed her nose before smiling. “Have you eaten, pooh?”
“Uh, not since lunch. That might be why I started feeling my shots early tonight too.”
Sucking my teeth, I looked around for our waitress. She was busy at another table, so I stood and headed to the bar to order a pizza for now and a salad for her to have later along with a shot of tequila for us both. I used to only drink brown, but Jayla put me on to tequila. I could drink as much of that as I wanted if it was top shelf and never wake up with a hangover.
It didn’t take long for the food to be delivered, and we didn’t take the shots until after. We continued to talk about our days and plans for the weekend before she decided she was ready to go. We went back to the table with her friends so she could say goodbye to them before I walked her to her car. I gave her a hug, allowing it to linger for a while, before watching her drive away . . . trying to convince myself that being her friend would have to be enough.
My heart was filled with pride as I looked around at my little nuggets. Today was family day, and so many of them were extra hyper because their parents or other family members were here to spend a couple of hours with them. We’d done a late Easter egg hunt and had a few tears from some students who didn’t get a golden egg with five dollars, but other than that, there weren’t any real issues. Well, except little Miley’s family not showing up.
I’d begged all parents to find a stand-in if they wouldn’t be able to be in attendance, and everyone had done so except Miley’s dad. He was at work and said neither of his siblings were able to come. His mom was sick, and his father had never been in the picture, which was why though he seemed to have little time, Sonny was adamant about succeeding as a single father. Or, at least, he was in the beginning of the schoolyear.I appreciated his desire to work to provide for Miley and her older brother, but they needed his presence too, and I hoped he realized that before it was too late.
We were getting ready to paint noodle faces, and I’d already made up in my mind to do Miley’s with her. I looked around for my assistant to let her know she’d have to handle walking around and making sure all my nuggets had what they needed while I gave Miley a little extra attention.
“Okay, munchkin,” I said, lowering myself to my knee so I could be eye level with Miley. “Have you decided what you want to paint yet?”
With a pout, Miley shook her head as it hung. “No, ma’am.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to paint,” she whined with watery eyes.
“Why not, nugget?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her for a hug.
“Because Daddy didn’t come like he promised.”
“Aww, I’m sorry about that, but I’ll help you. How about we make a heart that you can give him and tell him how much you missed him?” Miley considered my words for a few seconds before huffing out her agreement. “That’s my little munchkin.” I gave her another quick hug before walking her over to the small, oval table.
“Hey, Anderson,” Katie, my assistant, called. “You have a visitor.”
I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I helped Miley into her seat then walked the short distance to the class door. At the sight of Kayne, my heart stopped. At the sight of Miley’s older brother, Mateo, it started back up again. Mateo was in the sixth grade and one of the sweetest, kindest little boys I’d ever known. His issues with not having a present parent in the home were typical—having to grow up and care for his little sister too fast, suffering grades because he had no help, and often falling asleep in classor being too tired to fully pay attention. Like I’d made Miley my little helper to keep a closer eye on her, Kayne seemed to show Mateo extra interest as well.
“Hey. What are you doing here?” I spoke.
“Well . . . We were texting, and you mentioned Miley’s dad not being here, so I kidnapped Mateo so he could come be here for his sister.”
“Is that okay?” Mateo asked hesitantly, looking around me into the classroom.
My eyes watered as I nodded. “That’s more than okay, Mateo. Go on inside. She’s going to be so happy to see you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He jogged in, then turned and gave Kayne a hug. “Thanks, Mr. Mathis.”
“You’re welcome, buddy. Remember we can’t stay long.”
“Yes, sir!” he yelled, running toward his sister.
We both watched as Mateo covered her eyes with his hands. She gasped and grabbed them, already knowing who they belonged to.
“Tae Tae!” she shrieked, hopping up from her seat so fast it fell behind her. “Oh, I’m so happy you’rehere!”
Mateo smiled widely as he hugged her little body close to his. The sight made my tears fall. I brushed them away quickly before returning my attention to the man who made this possible.
“You’re amazing,” I muttered, wrapping my arms around him.
Kayne wasted no time returning the gesture as he kissed my neck. I shivered, like I always did, and held him closer.
“I couldn’t have baby girl lacking. I know Sonny is doing the best he can but damn. Some things need to take a higher priority.”
