Page 115 of What If We Break?
“Are you going over to Grey’s later?” Mom asked as I walked into the living room at six in the morning. Why was she awake already?
“I’m not sure.” I took a seat next to her, resting my head on her shoulder just to see what she was doing this early. She was drawing… but of course she was. “I don’t really feel like socializing today.”
“That’s great.” She chuckled softly. “You can go hide with Grey.”
“Wasn’t ithisidea to host Taco Sunday at their place?”
Emory nodded. “We all knew he’d regret it. But he’s actually just hiding from Luan because Luan hasawesomelast-minute ideas for Sage’s birthday.”
“What’s he plan—” I didn’t manage to finish my question before Grey came storming into the house.
“Your husband still asleep?” he asked, barely even nodding a hello.
“He is,” Mom replied, laughing. “Why?”
“That dumbass promised to help me cut all the tacotoppings. I’m gonna wake him, and then I’ll kill him.” Instead of marching toward my parents’ bedroom, Grey made his way over to me first. “Good morning, Princess.” He placed a kiss on the top of my head. “How are you doing?”
“Why don’t I get a good morning?” Mom asked, sounding offended.
“Because I’m mad at your husband,” Grey replied. “So, anyway, how are you, Brookie?”
“My husband is Brooke’s father…”
Grey shrugged, looking as indifferent as ever.
“I’m okay, I think,” I finally replied. “How is Reece today?”
Luan took Reece home to his place instead of staying at our shared apartment. It made more sense that way since Luan had two kids to look after. Sure, Grey was home this past week, but he’d be gone almost the entire next week.
I bet all the kids in this family couldn’t wait for their dads to finally retire after this season. Though, perhaps it was also a bit sad. I was going to miss watching Colin, Aaron, and Grey play.
“I’ll let you know when he wakes up,” Grey answered.
“He’s still sleeping?” That was new. He’d been awake fairly early all week.
“Yes. Luan thinks Reece is finally starting to get some rest. He’s a lot less nervous and anxious for sure.”
“That’s good,” I said, slightly more relieved by the news. I was expecting bad ones.
“Anyway, I got to wake your dad now.” Grey cracked his knuckles as he made his way to my dad. “MILES!”
“So, what’s it like sharing your room with Ash?” I asked, looking around Ash’s room. That kid was beingspoiled, but so was Sage.
It wasn’t the first time I’d been inside either of their bedrooms, but it never failed to blow my mind.
Ash had an entire collection of signed soccer balls on one of his walls, and the one opposite was covered with ice hockey sticks. Signed, of course—but Grey had easy access to those anyway, so it wasn’tthatmind blowing.
The kid was only six and he had a whole shelf of awards from science fairs and whatever else he was currently interested in. I was a little jealous, not going to lie.
“I wouldn’t know. Ash refuses to sleep here with me. He says I snore,” Reece replied, rolling his eyes. “But that can’t be possible, right?”
I cocked my head at him. “Well…”
We laughed, and God, did I miss laughing with Reece together. It was the first time we’d seen each other in person since I temporarily moved out. He didn’t go to my brother’s celebratory party for getting an award, but I kind of expected that.
Reece looked better, a bit healthier. He smiled more, and his eyes weren’t as empty as they were the last time we’d been together. I couldn’t tell a difference, but Luan and Grey told me that Reece had been eating twice a day these past three days, which was great. Still not enough but it was better than nothing. And he wasn’t even forced to eat—he wanted to.
“You never complained about me snoring before, so I’m not trusting you,” Reece said, shrugging.
