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“Gavin can drive back with us. You get Harper into the truck, and we’ll meet you at your place, Liam.”
I’m so not used to other people making decisions for me, whether they’re good or bad, so I say, “I’m sure I’ll be okay, and I need to get my car. I left it at work.”
“That will be all taken care of,” Liam explains as my hands slide around his neck to hold on. He carries me outside, and I note the news van is still there. The guy was creeping around inside earlier, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t get any pictures of me with Liam. That’s all I need. If pictures of Liam and me were printed, it would only result in trouble for me.
Liam sets me in the car, and buckles me in. I angle my head. “My ankle is hurt, not my arm. I’m quite capable of buckling in.”
“And I’m quite capable of buckling you.” He grabs the booster seat from the back and hands it to Nina. “Thanks.”
“I think he’ll enjoy driving with Brandon and Casey. Do you need me to stop for anything?” Nina asks me.
Oh, just my dignity…
Liam circles the car and jumps in. His brow is furrowed.
“What?” I ask.
“I trust Jules’s diagnosis, but maybe we should go to the hospital. Get an x-ray.”
I honestly don’t have money to spare on a checkup, when I’m certain it’s not broken. “I think I’d be better off just to go home and put some ice on it.”
He thinks about that for a second and then nods. “Okay.” He starts the truck and I catch sight of Gavin, smiling and happy to be with Brandon and his little brother. He obviously admires the older boy and to be honest, all the kids were so great with him, so open and inviting. That thought makes my stomach tighten. The last two men in Gavin’s life walked out on him. If Liam decides being a big brother isn’t for him, and Gavin loses all these new friends, it will gut him.
I shake my head, and work to push off old insecurities. It’s not fair that I’m judging Liam like that. He’s been nothing but nice to us, and doesn’t deserve to be placed in the same box as the last two guys in my life.
“We should probably go straight to my place. I have to get dinner prepared, and get ready for work tomorrow.”
Liam casts me a quick glance. “Who takes care of Gavin when you work?”
“We have a girl down the road that watches him, and sometimes he goes to Holden’s. Holden’s mom is a really good friend of mine. Come this fall, Gavin starts kindergarten, so we’ll have to figure out new arrangements.” I take a breath. “One thing at a time, though.”
“You should give your sitter a call. Let her know she won’t be needed for the rest of the week or two.”
I eye him, but he averts his gaze. “What are you talking about?”
“You see, I’m responsible for you hurting yourself—”
“No, you weren’t. I didn’t fall on the ice, and that wouldn’t have been your fault anyway. I fell on the floor.” I roll my eyes. “I never thought a backpack would take me down before skates.” I laugh at that, and Liam reaches across the seat, takes my hand in his and gives it a little squeeze.
All righty then.
I gulp as his heat zings through me, and steal a glance at him, taking in his strong profile as he stares straight ahead, the muscles in his jaw clenching like he’s chewing on my words.
“Everything okay?”
He looks at me. “No, you’re hurt.”
My heart squeezes a little, liking how much he cares about my well-being. “It’s just a sprain. I’m sure I’ll be able to walk on it before the night is over.”
“I say you give it until tomorrow.”
“I have a son to take care of, Liam. I can’t just lay around at home.”
“You won’t be. You’ll be laying around at my place, and I’m going to take care of Gavin.” I open my mouth to protest, and his lips quirk as he blasts the radio to drown out my voice.
“Real mature,” I yell, but secretly, I like this nurturing side of him. I was right. One day he’ll make a good dad. What frightens him about that, though? Why doesn’t he want kids of his own someday?
I turn the music down. “Tell me about your sisters?” I ask, wanting to know more about his life, even though I should be keeping a measure of distance.
