Page 189 of The Best Shot

“Yeah?”

“Her and Shaun. Early. I think she went there hoping to see you.”

“She did.”

CeeCee waited.

Down the hall, Hale laughed. The sound moved through the walls and settled me.

“I was leaving when they pulled in,” I said. “She got out of the car. Looked like she wanted to say something.”

“Did she?”

“No.”

CeeCee’s face softened.

“She misses you.”

“I know.”

“She regrets some things.”

“I know that too.”

“But not enough?”

I looked down at my nephew. His lashes were ridiculous. His mouth made a small bow when he slept.

“No,” I said. “Not enough.”

CeeCee did not argue.

Some griefs do not need a committee.

From the living room, Annie hollered, “YAZ. IF YOU DON’T BRING THAT BABY IN HERE SO I CAN SMELL HIS HEAD, WE FIGHTING.”

CeeCee sighed. “See what you started?”

“I’m building community.”

“You’re building a custody dispute.”

I carried him in like royalty, and was swarmed immediately.

Annie claimed him first. Tabby adjusted one of his socks. Ava stood over both of them making high-pitched noises she would deny under oath.

Hale crossed the room, touched two fingers to Theo’s back, and kissed my temple.

“You good?”

“Very.”

His eyes moved over my face anyway.

He always checks.

By five, the wall was done, and my house looked like somebody lived in it. Every frame held a person.