All Consuming (Brotherhood by Fire #3) -Jaci Burton Page 0,70

broke his wrist today, and that was some scary shit. So it’s okay to be upset about it.”

He felt her shuddering sigh as she leaned into him. He rubbed her back, hoping in some way to let her know that she didn’t have to go through this alone. He laid his chin on the top of her head and closed his eyes, and just . . . stilled. This moment right here? He could do this forever, could feel her heart beating against him, could feel her arms around him. It made him want to protect her—and Oliver—so that nothing could hurt either of them.

Paige cleared her throat. “So, who’s hungry?”

Hannah stepped back, swiped her cheeks where tears had fallen again and smiled up at Kal. “I am. How about you?”

He grinned. “Are you kidding? The only reason I stayed was for the mac and cheese.”

She laughed. “Okay, then. Let’s get cooking.”

Kal offered to help, but Hannah and Paige shooed him out of the kitchen, so he went and sat in the living room. Oliver woke up and said he had to go to the bathroom. Kal went with him and helped him out in there since he was going to have to learn to manage things one armed for a while, at least until the sling came off and he got the cast on. After that, they sat at the table and Oliver drank his lemonade.

“At least you broke your left wrist and you’re right-handed,” Kal said. “You can still do homework.”

Oliver gave Kal a look. “That’s good?”

Kal laughed. “Yeah, it’s good. And wait ’til you go to school tomorrow. Everyone will want to see your splint with you looking all cool now.”

“I look cool?”

“Yeah, you do. Like a bad— Well, you look really awesome.”

Oliver beamed a smile.

Dinner was good. The macaroni and cheese was spectacular, and they had chicken tenders with it, along with a green salad and a fruit salad. He was happy to see that Oliver ate well. Typical for kids. No matter what happened, they could still fill their stomachs.

After dinner, Hannah said she was going to give Oliver a bath, which meant a lot of wrapping and maneuvering, so Kal knew it was time for him to leave.

Kal walked over to Oliver. “Get some rest, buddy. I’ll be back to check on you soon.”

“Okay. Thanks for hanging out today, Kal.” Oliver put his one good arm around Kal to hug him.

Kal’s heart squeezed as he hugged Oliver back.

“I’ll walk you out,” Hannah said.

Kal said goodbye to Paige, then walked outside with Hannah. It was a clear night, and humid.

“Looks like a rain shower’s coming in soon,” she said.

“Yeah.” He stopped at his truck and turned around. “He’ll be okay.”

She nodded. “I know he will. Thank you for being there for me. For Oliver.”

He tipped her chin and brushed his lips across hers. “Always will be.”

She gave him a look he couldn’t figure out. Maybe surprise, maybe disbelief. He wasn’t sure. And now wasn’t the time to question it, so he got in his truck, waved and backed down the driveway.

What he really wanted to do tonight was stay, to make sure Oliver slept okay, to be there for Hannah because he knew she’d be emotional about what happened today.

He realized on the drive home he had gotten himself deeply involved. Not only with Hannah, but with her son.

And he honestly had no idea how she felt. Which meant he might be in trouble.

“MOMMA, IS KAL YOUR BOYFRIEND?”

Hannah paused as she was tucking Oliver into bed, not knowing how to answer.

Honestly, she supposed. “Yes, I guess he is. What do you think about that?”

He shifted since he was piled up with pillows under his broken wrist. “I like him. He’s nice to you. And to me. And he doesn’t make you cry.”

Her stomach knotted and her heart clenched. “He is nice, and I like him very much. So it doesn’t upset you that I’m seeing him?”

“No. You need someone to love. I mean, you got me and Grandma, and we love you and you love us. But it’s good that you got Kal now, too. You can never love enough people, right?”

She smoothed her hand over the top of the blanket, then kissed Oliver’s forehead.

“Right, baby. Get some rest now. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Momma.”

She turned out the light and left his door partially open. She went into her room, shut the door and leaned against it, finally releasing the tears she’d been holding