I understood not fighting Rylee’s battles—because she would have to learn to do so on her own—but knowing didn’t make me any less angry that there would be a need.
Somee was right about one thing. I would learn how to show up for Rylee. I planned on doing everything in my power to make sure Rylee’s world was happy and complete. Although there would be a time when I didn’t need Somee here, I damn surewantedher here.
Partially for Rylee because their bond was important. I would never discount the value of Somee in Rylee’s life but the other reason was strictly selfish. I wanted her here for me. Never in my life had I met a woman who had me thinking beyond the nut she could deliver. Somee in my home had me toying with the idea of what life would look like if her time in Crescent Falls wasn’t temporary. That was an entire problem because what the hell was I supposed to do with that.
She had a life in Chicago that didn’t include me. I had a life here that was potentially changing, which meant I didn’t have a damn clue what my future would be.
Once I made it to Rylee’s room, I walked inside and found her sitting in the bean bag with a tablet in hand. The sight made me smile because she damn sure wasn’t kidding when she said the chair was her favorite. She lived on that thing.
I crossed the room and sat on the floor in front of her. She looked up and smiled. My heart settled knowing she was in a good place after what happened but I wanted to make sure.
“What are you coloring?”I signed and she turned the tablet so I could see the screen. There was a huge flower in the center with miniature ones surrounding it.
“That’s pretty.”
She beamed.“Thank you.”
“You know when people are mean to you it’s about them not you?”
Her brows furrowed and she placed the tablet in her lap before she responded.“I know, Somee told me.”
Of course she did. I loved that she always had Rylee’s back.
“I was upset because I don’t like when people are mean.”
And I wanted to knock that woman on her ass for being an ignorant dumb fuck who was cruel to you.
“Are people mean to you?”
I nodded.“Sometimes.”
“When?”Her brows pinched again.
“When I have a bad game and don’t play well.”I figured that was the best, kid-friendly example.
She smiled this time when her hands were moving.“You play good. Marlee said you made Somee mad because you’re a good player and Somee didn’t like that because she wanted the Tigers to win.”
I laughed at that.“I have bad games sometimes, and because people want my team to win, they say mean things.”
She frowned.“Does it make you sad?”
It makes me want to pull up and knock their teeth down their throats…
“No, it doesn’t make me sad because I know who I am and I’m proud of who I am. What they think doesn’t matter.”
I never wanted her to second guess or feel bad because people were ignorant and cruel. It would happen. I couldn’t control the actions of everyone she would come in contact with, but I would always be there to remind her that she was so fucking perfect.
“Then I won’t let it make me sad.”She squared her little shoulders while she signed, offering me a confident look while lifting her chin.
“Good because their words don’t matter. Only what you think, feel, and believe. You’re perfect, Rylee. No matter what, you keep that in here and here.”I tapped my chest then my temple.
She smiled big.“Okay.”
“You ready for school tomorrow?”
She nodded wildly.
“It’s going to be so much fun.”