Page 92 of Carson

I’m a scatterbrain, and not nearly as nice as him. Without Carson to balance me out that’s only going to get more noticeable.

So, here I am, hiding in the kids’ playhouse like … you guessed it, a child.

Suddenly the little door opens, and someone ducks inside.

“Oh!” Luna says, turning around to leave. “Sorry, didn’t know this hiding spot was occupied.”

“Wait,” I say, resting my head against the wall. “There’s room for two.”

Her shoulders are tense, but whatever or whoever she’s hiding from is evidently scarier than me.

She settles uncomfortably across from me, making sure her legs don’t touch mine.

“Nice digs,” she jokes.

“I think so.”

We’re both quiet as the party gets amped up outside.

“So, who are you hiding from?” I finally ask.

“My brother.”

I chuckle. “Ah, that might be the first thing we have in common, because I’m hiding from mine.”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, he isn’t looking for you.”

“Oh really?”

“He’s upstairs playing with Mila.”

I raise my brows. “Shouldn’t you be there with him?”

“I haven’t met her yet.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know.”

“She doesn’t bite, you know? Now that baby brother of hers …”

She laughs, and for whatever stupid reason, some of my irritation fades.

“I don’t know why you think it’s so awful to be a part of her and Rage’s life.”

“I don’t want to remind Chance of …”

“Your father.”

She nods, biting her bottom lip and peeking out the window.

“Or is it that Rage reminds you of your past?” I ask.

“Chance was the part I remember that was good. He was always trying to protect me when we were kids.”

“Did he?”

“He tried, that’s all that matters.”