Page 17 of Coastal Rewind

“I can be domestic,” I said defensively.

Aiden’s eyes widened and he sank back into his chair with a sheepish look on his face. “I didn’t mean anything by it, Ry. It’s nice of you to offer to help. This all almost feels like you’re going to stick around.”

Guilt riddled through me as I glanced up at my brother. “I’m here for now.”

“We’re all happy about that.”

“Right. Well, I should go.” I gestured to the door and turned on my heel.

“Don’t burn the house down!” Aiden called after me as I plugged in the door code and walked through the threshold.

I knew in my heart that my brother was joking, but I was more than capable of caring for another person. I’d taken care of myself for a long time. There was no one with me on the road making sure I stayed alive and their lack of faith in my survival skills was hurtful.

The house was pristine as I stepped out of my shoes and left them by the front door. Every surface was free from dust and not one piece of decor was out of place. If I didn’t know that a six-year-old lived in this house, I would assume this was a model home that was never actually lived in. I padded my way into the kitchen and stopped in my tracks.

A vase of tulips sat on the kitchen island next to a basket that was filled with everything from bath salts to face masks. There was a purple envelope propped against it just behind a set of car keys.

I opened the note and couldn’t help the giddy smile and butterflies that fluttered through my stomach.

R,

Thank you again for helping me out this week. Hopefully it isn’t too stressful on you. I put together some things to help you relax until I’m back. Text me if you need anything.

-M

I dropped the note and pulled the basket toward me. I wasn’t used to this. I lived in a van, constantly on the move, never staying in one place. I showered in a three by three-foot stall and occasionally rented an Airbnb to take a bath. This all felt very luxurious.

My eyes flicked to the clock and I sucked in a breath. Grabbing the keys, I bolted to the door. I was going to be late picking up MJ if I didn’t leave right now, and that would be a horrible first impression.

When I pulled up to the pickup line at Horgrove Prep and parked, I spotted MJ standing by a teacher in front of the school. He looked so adorable. His brown curls blew in the wind and his little uniform was untucked and wrinkled from a long day.

The moment his eyes spotted the car, his face morphed into a beaming smile.

“Ryleigh!” he shouted before taking off into a sprint.

I laughed and slid out of the car to open his door. He tackled my legs in a hug before dropping his backpack and climbing in with absolutely no hesitation. I buckled him in and shut the door before getting back behind the wheel and heading back toward the house.

“How was your day?” I asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.

He shrugged his little shoulders and mumbled, “It was okay.” His little face fell and his smile disappeared.

“Rough day?” I asked, a feeling of worry sinking like a rock in my stomach.

“Just a regular one, I guess.”

Something about that comment bothered me, but I dropped the subject. He could open up about it in his own time. It really wasn’t my business; I was sure Mason was aware of whatever was going on and he had a handle on it.

“So, it’s you and me for the rest of the week. What do you want to do?”

“Can we go swimming?” His face lit up again and my heart soared.

“We can absolutely go swimming.”

“Sweet.” He pumped his fist into the air.

When we pulled into the driveway, I unbuckled MJ and he burst out of the car, running inside. I followed him, hanging his backpack on the hook by the door and walking into the kitchen. A minute later, he emerged from his room in his bathing suit and bolted toward the back door.

I was quickly learning he didn’t do anything in slow motion.