I don’t say anything. Instead, I offer Lexi her bottle and watch as she once again starts to eat.
“Fuck, man. Your fucking eyes got all soft just at hearing her name. You’re really in love with my little sister?”
And there is it.
Lifting my head, I meet his gaze. “Yes.” I don’t offer an explanation or an apology. Just the cold hard truth.
“Does she know?”
“No, and I don’t plan on telling her.”
“Why the fuck not?”
I sigh in frustration. I’ve been through this a thousand times in my head. No one else was supposed to know besides Lexi. “She deserves better, man. I’m a selfish bastard for letting her go through with this. I’m scared as hell that, when this is all over, she’s going to pack up and move back in with your parents. I know that’s what’s best for her, but I’m fucking dreading it.”
“Don’t you think she deserves the chance to make that decision?”
“She loves her, Aaron. She loves my daughter like she would if she were the one who gave birth to her. I don’t want her to stay for just Lexi, man. I want her to stay for the whole package.”
“How do you know she won’t be?”
“I guess I don’t. Maybe living together will change that. I don’t know, but as for now, I can’t tell her.”
“Stubborn ass,” he retorts. “You really love her?”
“Yeah, man. I really do.”
“So the proposal?”
“It was real.”
“Wow.”
“I’m in deep, man. I know she’s your little sister, but she’s here.” I place my hand over my chest.
“I’m glad it’s you. I mean, it’s still weird to think about my best friend and my sister, but I know you, and you’ll be good to her. I just wish you would tell her, man. What if she feels the same way?”
I shrug. “I think I’ll choose heartbreak because when what she thinks is just an arrangement is over, heartbreak is better than her rejection. I don’t think I could live with that, Aaron. It’s going to be hard enough letting her go when this all settles. To think she never really wanted me . . . this is the better option.”
“I think you’re wrong, but it’s your call.”
I don’t reply as we sit in silence, both watching Lexi finish her breakfast. “She’s a cute kid, man,” Aaron finally says.
“Yeah, she’s my world.”
Lexi spits out her bottle and grins. “All right, baby girl, let’s get you cleaned up and then Uncle Aaron is going to take you to Kinley.” I try like hell to not be jealous of my daughter.
Aaron left forty-five minutes ago; he should be back by now. I’m pacing back and forth in my room. Mom and Dad shared a room as did Aaron and I. So there is no one here to witness my crazy. I know Aaron and Evan probably got caught up shooting the shit, as they refer to it, but they could at least send me a damn text so I don’t worry.
Just as I pick up my phone to call them, the door opens and Aaron waltzes in with Lexi in tow. “Finally!” I say, dropping my phone on the bed and taking Lexi, seat and all, from him.
“Hey, the little bugger had to finish her breakfast.”
Lexi smiles when she sees me. “Hey there, sweet girl. I missed you,” I say as I unstrap her from the seat. Her arms and legs are flying when I pick her up. She grabs for my chin, my hair, anything her little hands can latch on to.
“I think it’s safe to say she missed you too,” Aaron laughs. “She’s not the only one,” he mumbles under his breath.
I pretend I don’t hear him. “You ready for a today, Lex? You have the prettiest little dress,” I tell her.