He pinches the bridge of his nose before throwing himself down onto the couch beside me, far too close for comfort. I try to inch away from him, but he just manspreads further. He’s so close I can practically feel the heat of his body next to mine.
“I mean it,” Atlas says, his glare flipping back and forth between the two of us. “Act right or...”
“Or what?” Ellis says, unable to stop himself from poking the proverbial bear.
“Or I'll enroll y’all in couple's therapy.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
It's obviously an empty threat, but Ellis on the other hand, explodes. “You can't do that—we're not... she's... I...”
“You're what?” Nora asks, walking back into the living room and leaning over the back of the couch to soak up some last-minute baby loving.
“Not a couple with Scarlet!” he shouts, outrage soaking his each and every word.
“Okay.” She draws the word out as though speaking to a child, which is apt, because he’s certainly acting like one.
“Are we just stating super obvious things?” She scrunches her nose. “Okay, my turn… my hair is red.”
“Dammit, Nora. I know your hair is?—”
“So, we're not stating the obvious?” She plucks James from my arms and cuddles him to her chest. “Then what exactly are we doing?”
Ellis cuts his eyes toward Atlas and sighs in defeat, slumping back against the couch. “Nothing.”
She glances between the three of us before shaking her head. “Whatever. He's already had a bath, so no worries there. We usually eat around six, which I guess y’all already know.”
“Take a breath,” I murmur. “Everything’s going to be fine.”
Nora shoots me a grateful look. “He has dinner in the fridge with heating instructions. He’ll want a bottle at bedtime, whichis usually between eight and nine. He'll sometimes get fussy and wake up around one or two, but usually settles down pretty quickly. He typically sleeps until seven. His bottle is prepped and ready in the fridge, along with instructions on how to heat it. Breakfast is easy—fruit and eggs.”
She wrings her hands together—something Atlas catches right away, sliding his hand into hers and squeezing gently. “Um... let’s see… he hates being swaddled but loves being rocked. I read to him every night but you totally don't?—”
“Nora, babe, we've got this. Go, have fun. I'll check in periodically.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” I move to take James back but Ellis beats me to it, snuggling the little guy against his broad chest.
Not gonna lie, seeing him hold a baby does things to me. Stupid, fluttery things. The kind of things I’ll never,everadmit out loud, not even for a million bucks.
There are some things worth taking to your grave, after all.
SEVEN
ELLIS
There’ssomething about holding James when I know how badly Scarlet wants him that feels a lot like winning. Actually, it's better than winning, because uncle life is the best, and my little dude is cool as hell. So really, pissing her off is more like the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae.
“So...” she drags out the word as I round the back of the couch and plop back down beside her—this time with a whole cushion between us.
“So what?” I bounce James lightly on my knees, and he squeals, the sound a straight-up shot of dopamine.
Before James, kids were not remotely on my radar. Now, though, I can see myself doing the dad thing—maybe, one day. You know, assuming I can find someone to settle down with.
Until then, I’m happy being the world’s best uncle. And I am the fucking best, because this kid and I have a special bond. Hell, my voice is the first thing he ever smiled at. Not his mama or daddy—me!
“Are we just going to sit in silence all night, or...” She’s tense, and I can’t help but wonder why? Sure, we don’t get along but she’s never seemed so…uncomfortablein my presence. Hell,before now, I’d have thought she enjoyed going toe-to-toe with me.