other shoe to drop. “And they are totally going to, but I want this birthday and all your birthdays to be special, Bree.”
I see Rhys walk back into the living room out of the corner of my eye, but he doesn’t approach us. He just stands at a distance with his arms folded and watching us. “Why?”
I don’t glance over at Rhys, even if I'm pretty sure he could shed some light on the confusion I'm feeling right now. “Why wouldn't I want you to have a good birthday?”
“I don’t know, Blair. It’s just weird. I remember one birthday with my mom out of twelve, and she didn’t seem to care about it.”
My heart aches for her, and I feel so shitty because I spent so much time feeling sorry for myself because my dad was always too busy for me, but even he bought me a damn cake for my birthday. “Well, that changes now. We’ll make sure you love every birthday from now on.”
She only offers a small smile, but I see the sad uncertainty in it.
“What’s wrong, Bree?”
Her shoulders shrug. “That’s only if you guys win custody, right?”
I brush that off easily. “There’s no way we won’t, Bree. You can’t think like that.” I wrap my arms around her, not giving her a choice as I hug her to my body because I want her to feel safe. I need it.
She stiffens, but she accepts the hug, patting me on the back. I release her but use my hands to smooth down her unruly hair, and she swipes me away, laughing.
“I’m going to get the rest of the presents out of the car.” She nods her head.
As I start toward the door, I can feel Rhys coming with me. When we reach the car, he helps me gather the rest of the presents. I guess I went a little overboard, but he doesn’t say anything about it.
“You really sure about this?” He looks so nervous, and I find it cute. Nervous is not a way I can often describe Rhys.
“Yes. I’m sure. They’re her best friends. Think about you, Sean, Logan, and Quinn.”
He looks pained as he glances toward the house and then back to me. “Logan and I both fucked Quinn.”
The hot streak of jealousy racing through me really isn’t fair. I already knew that. And hell, I’ve fucked Logan. Still not my favorite thing to think about. “I know that, but they’re twelve.”
“How old were you,” he keeps his voice quiet as he clarifies, “when you had sex the first time?”
I laugh, slamming the trunk down after retrieving the last bag. “You’re really freaking.”
“I’m serious.”
I think about it. I had sex with one guy right before Logan. “Fifteen. Too young, but not twelve.”
I watch his throat bob with concern and see it in his eyes as well. I know he was fourteen when he was at the Bradfords, and I want to comfort him. Tell him I know this subject isn’t easy for him. But I’m silent and let him speak. “Kids like that . . . kids who never had a parent’s love, who’ve been abused and tossed aside . . .” He stops for a minute, sounding pained, and I wish I could take it all away. His eyes lock on mine. “They have sex early. They’re searching for that love.”
I know there’s no argument. I know Quinn, Sean, and Logan weren’t the only kids he met along the way in the same situation. I know he knows what he’s talking about. Hell, my parents didn’t technically abandon me, and still, I gave my virginity to an older guy searching for the same thing. “I know, Rhys. Believe me, I know.”
He seems to recognize that in me. “She’s our responsibility. I don’t want her getting knocked-up at thirteen.”
“All we can do is show her how important she is to us, which is a big reason for this party. They’re important to her, so they need to be important to us.”
He nods decisively. “Okay, but they better not try anything.”
I shake my head at him, laughing, unable to stop. “I like this protective side of you.”
He acts like I'm the ridiculous one as we go inside, and they both help me decorate for her party. Soon after we finish, the boys show up at the front door together.
They’re good-looking kids, a little rough around the edges with scruffy hair and ratty clothes, but I can tell they’ll be handsome men someday. As I look