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Chapter Nine
Tyson
A screeching, high-pitched wail woke me from my dream. I jerked awake, groaning as my nephew screamed again from somewhere within the house. I loved him and all, but that kid had a pair of lungs that could rival an opera singer.
I flopped over in bed and glared at the ceiling. It had been a good dream. One that involved a very pretty girl…or at least, the back of her was pretty. I never did get to see her face before the baby interrupted. I scrubbed a hand over my stubbled face. I shaved my beard off a couple weeks ago. I didn’t miss it, but I didn’t love having to shave again regularly.
I sighed, blinking the sleep away along with the last remnants of the dream girl. It had been a long time since I’d gone on a date, or seen any woman, really. Maybe it was time to branch out since I wasn’t hiding in the house any longer.
Crew wailed again. The kid sounded demanding and I grimaced. I didn’t mind living with my brother. I’d lived with him for basically all my life—minus the three years I was away. But he had his own family now. It was probably time to find my own place. That would help with the whole dating situation too, at least.
I dragged myself out of bed and threw on some clothes before making my way to the kitchen.
Wren was in the living room. Crew was on the floor and she leaned over him playing peek-a-boo. The baby seemed to be in a much better mood already as he grinned and laughed for his mama. I smiled and poured a glass of orange juice, pairing it with a protein bar from the pantry and sat down at the large island.
“Morning,” Wren said, taking up a rattle to hold little Crew’s attention.
I nodded as I chewed a large bite of the protein bar. She stared at me a bit too long, her brows furrowing.
“Everything okay?”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I was still brooding over my fight with Ellie the other day. Apparently, it was written all over my face.
“Sure.” I shrugged.
Wren picked up Crew, bouncing him on her hip as she walked toward me. “You look stressed. I mean, more than usual.” Crew pulled on her shirt, fisting the stretchy fabric in his hand and stuffing it in his mouth. “You’ve seemed to be doing…better since you started going out again. I’m just checking in.”
I set my glass of OJ down after taking a long drink. I put on a smile and hoped it looked convincing. “Thanks, Chickie. Really, I’m fine.”
She bit her lip, but didn’t push it any further. “Okay. Good. Well, I’m about to put this little monster down for a nap.” She removed her shirt from Crew’s mouth and switched him to her other hip. She was about to turn, but she hesitated.
I tiled my head. “What?”
“Are you going to Friday Fest tonight? It’s the first of the season.”
I frowned. Cypress Falls held a small festival downtown once a month on a Friday in the spring and summer months. There was music and local artists and lots of street food. They closed down main street for the occasion. I used to go to every one, but hadn’t in years.
I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to go again. In a way, that was a part of my old life. And while I was reclaiming parts of it, there were other parts I wasn’t interested in. Partying was one of them.
“Probably not,” I answered.
Wren didn’t look pleased with that answer. “Well, if you change your mind, Atlas and I are going. I’ve managed to convince Ellie to come along too.”
I stiffened. “In that case, I definitely shouldn’t go.”
She frowned. “Why not?”
“Ellie hates my guts if you haven’t gotten the memo.” I shrugged, but that truth was like a knife in the gut.
Crew rubbed his eyes and started to fuss. Wren bounced him harder, cradling him to her chest. “Ellie is stubborn,” she said. “You know that. It’ll take time. But…don’t give up on her, okay?” Her face softened with worry. “She’s had to deal with a lot.”
I swallowed and nodded. Wren gave a small, half smile and patted my shoulder. Crew popped his head up from her chest and leaned toward me. His tiny fingers curled into my hair. I winced as he gave it a good tug.
Wren giggled and carefully unwound my hair from between his fingers. “Sorry. I’m officially putting him down for a nap now. Give Uncle Ty a kiss.” She held both his hands out of the way as Crew opened his mouth wide and planted a sloppy, wet baby kiss on my cheek.
I tried not to grimace at the drool coating my skin. “Night, little man,” I said, ruffling his dark head of hair.
Wren finally turned and headed down the hall toward the nursery. Crew watched me from over her shoulder. Sometimes, it still shocked me that I was an uncle. I would’ve never thought my brother would find someone and settle down, let alone with someone as great as Wren. I stared at the little guy until they disappeared through a door. Something in my chest twinged, the memory of my younger brother, and baby Crew’s namesake, came to the surface of my mind.
