You Can Count On Me (Christmas Daddies, #2)

by Fae Quin

These two lost boys had me wrapped around their little fingers and they didn’t even know it.

Quicker than I could blink, I was halfway to the playground, alarm bells ringing in my head, and anger unlike anything I’d ever felt before burning hot and ashy in my chest. I ate up the distance faster than if I’d been flying, my vision going red-hot with rage. No one touched what was mine and got away with it. No one.

“Did you just spill milk all over my kid’s fucking backpack?” Trent’s voice was low, dangerous. Calm as a river just waiting to drown you.

No sparks. My. Ass. Goddamn fireworks were going off inside me.

“I dunno,” Bubba replied dubiously. “My last plan hasn’t worked yet.” Trent sighed wistfully, glancing right at me when he said it. “Your plan hasn’t failed. I just haven’t earned him yet.”

“I’m terrified because you’re everything. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. And for the first time in my life, every action I take is wrong, wrong, wrong. I don’t have sweet words. My silver tongue gets tangled. You make my hands sweaty, and my heart race. I feel like I’m in goddamn grade school when you’re around.”

The linoleum slid beneath my feet as I ducked into the hallway, Mama’s voice chasing me. “Where are you going—?” “Home.” I turned back to her, my tears still hot, lashes still wet. I couldn’t help but grin.“I forgot something.” “The casserole?” she teased, and I shook my head. “No.” A feeling of rightness settled warm and soft around my heart. “My goddamn family.”