I toss the pen and notebook onto the coffee table. “What’s up, little dude?”
He’s clinging to a faded green fleece blanket that looks like it’s seen better days as he chews on the inside of his cheek.
I smile, lean my guitar against the sofa, and pat the seat next to me. “Come here.”
He doesn’t hesitate, his small form sinking into the brown leather couch.
“Is there something you need?” I ask.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Liam’s looming figure step into the doorway, his tattooed arms crossed over his chest, but Aiden must not notice him standing there.
“It’s stupid,” Aiden says, eyes downcast.
“You can tell me anything. Pinky promise.” I hold up my hand between us, pinky finger up.
He cocks his head to the side, his brow furrowed. “What’s a pinky promise?”
I take his hand and show him how to do it, wrapping his little finger around mine. “My big brother and I used to make pinky promises all the time. It’s practically unbreakable. It can be for whatever you want, but right now, it means you can tell me anything. I promise to listen with an open heart, no matter what, ok?”
He releases my hand. “Tomorrow is Muffins with Mom day at school.” He tugs on a thread hanging off his blanket. “I’m the only one in my class that… I was thinking maybe…”
His chin wobbles, and my heart gives an involuntary squeeze. This poor kid has been through so much in his short life. If I ever get my hands on his piece of shit mother, she’ll regret the day she crossed my path.
I wrap my arm around his shoulder.. “Do you want me to go? I know I’m not your mom, but I do like muffins.”
“You do?”
“Hell yeah, I do! What’s not to love? Chocolate chip is my favorite!”
“Me too!” A smile stretches across his whole face, and he throws his arms around my neck. “Thanks, Ruby. It’s gonna be so much fun!”
I laugh and return his hug, ruffling his hair. “Anytime, little dude.”
The floor creaks as Liam steps into the room. “Time for bed, Aiden.”
Aiden kisses my cheek, catching me off guard. “‘Night.”
“Goodnight.”
As Aiden passes through the doorway, Liam’s lips tip up at the corner in what I think is an attempt at a smile. Hard to say. “You just made his whole year.”
I shrug. “Aiden’s a great kid. It’s not a hardship to spend time with him.”
Liam lets out a huff of air. “Tell that to Breanna.”
“I can confidently say fuck Breanna.”
He nods. “Seriously. Thank you. You have no idea how much he’s been dreading tomorrow. It means the world to him that you’ll be there.”
“Anything for Aiden.”
And you.
I pull up outside Oak Ridge Elementary with five minutes to spare. There’s a line forming in the entrance where an attendant is checking ID before letting people in, and I spot Ivy in an instant.
“Hey, girl,” she says. “What are you doing here?”
“Aiden asked me to come, and I never turn down snacks.” In true Ruby fashion, I use humor to make light of things.
