Page 69 of Wild Devotion
“What took you so fucking long?” Eric filled the doorframe, arms crossed, his expression hovering between annoyed and amused.
“Got caught up with something.”
“You’re almost an hour late. And empty-handed. Most people bring food or flowers or some shit.”
“Where is everyone?”
He quirked an eyebrow. “You sure you’re okay? You look off.”
“I’m fine. Answer the question.”
His brows lifted at my tone, but he dropped his arms and stepped back to let me inside. “Mom’s got the flu. Dad’s staying with her. Celeste bailed at the last minute. Marc’s kids have some big rehearsal or something. Uncle Bowen is too busy with things in New York. And Zane’s mom...” He shrugged. “You know how that goes. Zane’s at the resort tonight.”
“I didn’t know about Mom.”
“No one did. She got sick this morning. Might be a blessing in disguise, though.” He pointed at the skateboard in my hand. “You know if she saw you with that, she’d lose her mind.”
“Uncy Caleb!” Brooklyn came tearing around the corner and crashed into my legs like a wrecking ball.
I handed my board to Eric and scooped her up. “Hey there, munchkin. Where’s your sister?”
She squealed as I spun her around, and the sound of her laughter erased everything that had happened before I walked through the door.
“I missed you,” she cooed, ignoring my question.
“I missed you too.” I spun her again. Her giggles were the best sound in the world.
“You make me tired,” Eric muttered.
“We’re just getting started.” I dipped Brooklyn upside down and she shrieked with delight. “Aren’t we?”
As I stood us upright, I stumbled a step. Not from the head rush. From the sight of Zadie standing on the other side of the front hall with Mia attached to her leg.
She was wearing a deep crimson dress that clung to her chest and flowed freely around her waist and legs. The color—her color, the one she reached for first, the one that felt most honest—set off the auburn highlights in her curls, which hung in loose ringlets over her bare shoulders. Her eyes were lined in something subtle that made the brown look endless, her lips brushed a pale pink.
I could have stared at her forever.
Eric’s hand landed like a solid weight on my back, steadying me. “Come here, Brooks. Give your sister a turn.” He pulled Brooklyn from my arms and leaned close to my ear. “Remember…don’t be a pussy.”
“You a pussy cat, Uncy Caleb?” Brooklyn giggled.
I choked back a laugh and looked at Zadie. Her eyes were sparkling, her mouth fighting a grin. My brother was about as subtle as a brick through a window.
“Mia, say hello to your uncle,” Eric called over his shoulder as he carried Brooklyn toward the kitchen.
Mia looked up at Zadie with her enormous baby eyes, then released her leg and toddled toward me.
I crouched to meet her halfway, gathering her into my arms. She squirmed, hating to be held now that she’d discovered walking. But when I covered her face with loud, smacking kisses, she dissolved into giggles and grabbed my cheeks with her chubby fists.
“Where do you think you’re going, monster?”
She returned the love with messy smooches of her own, her tiny palms squishing my face.
“All right, kissy-monster,” Eric called from the kitchen doorway. “Come help Tante Sol set the table.”
I let Mia go, watching her chase after her father on unsteady legs. Emotion caught in my throat, but I cleared it as I stood to face Zadie.
“I was getting worried you weren’t going to show,” she said before I could speak. “Chantel promised you’d be here.”
