A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies - Christina Lee Page 0,54

fled the room like he couldn’t get away fast enough. But he supposed it made sense. Emerson had to come out to Rhys all over again. That was enough to send anyone running.

18

Emerson

Emerson yawned and sat up in bed. He had a few extra minutes to grab a shower and coffee before getting the kids up for school. He’d had a restless night due to replaying his conversation with Rhys too many times to count. He’d practically run to his room afterward and had trouble reining in his breaths as he sank against his sheets and stared at the ceiling until he finally succumbed to sleep.

He’d almost told Rhys everything. Almost. In hindsight, he was glad he’d restrained himself. Not only because it was wrong to bombard Rhys with too much at once, but also because he couldn’t think of anything worse than Rhys feeling sorry for him or obligated to him for a fucking kiss that he didn’t even remember or feelings he couldn’t recreate.

No. Hell no.

Plus, Rhys was emotional lately, understandably so, as well as on uneven ground, and there was the possibility that he might cling to what felt familiar even if it wasn’t what he truly wanted. And then there was that other thing…the insidious fear that as soon as he told him, he’d withdraw, and wonder what in the hell Emerson was thinking. He didn’t think he could handle it right then, even though he knew he’d have to eventually.

Rhys was still asleep as Emerson shuffled the kids to his car and off to school a bit earlier than normal. Rhys had a late-morning shift at Flying High, and given how tired he looked last night, he could use the rest in a quiet house. He might’ve looked rehabilitated on the surface, but Emerson could tell that the newer pace was catching up to him. So he’d continue to keep his eye on Rhys even though he didn’t want to be coddled.

Emerson dropped Sam off in front of the school and told him to go in without Audrey because he needed to speak to her. When he pulled into a parking spot, Audrey still wouldn’t look at him.

“Out with it,” he said as he watched other parents getting their kids off to school.

She folded her arms and harrumphed. “I’m mad at you.”

Emerson nearly rolled his eyes. “Gee, really? I couldn’t tell. Maybe shooting daggers at me during breakfast should’ve given me a clue.”

She finally looked at him, pointing an accusing finger in his direction. “You can’t date someone else.”

“I’m not dat— Neil is only a friend. I’m finally doing fun stuff, and you’re gonna complain?” Emerson didn’t want to sound too harsh, but it was that line between brother and parent that he’d always struggled with, especially with Audrey, though it would probably be Sam too as he got older and more rebellious.

“How about doing more stuff like that with Rhys?” she asked, as if he and Rhys weren’t already around each other every day. He wouldn’t be surprised if Rhys was sick of his company by now, though he’d never detected any such mood from him. They’d always fit together, which so wasn’t helping this conversation right now.

He softened his voice. “Honey, I can’t predict how things go down. I know where you’re going with this, and I need you to—”

“You get along so well, and I…well, I see how you look at him.”

Fuck. He hoped he wasn’t as obvious to Rhys. But no, not a chance. Just last night Rhys had been flabbergasted by his confession.

“We get along because we’ve been friends forever. And I can’t force or even sway him to have those kinds of feelings for me.” Emerson sighed. “He’s been through a traumatic event, and now he has to stay with us even longer because of that stupid tree. So we’ll do whatever we can to help him out. Just like he did for us.”

Audrey blinked like she understood. And then: “But maybe if he knew.”

If he knew, he might run through the door quick as lightning, just like last time.

He turned in his seat to face her better. “I’ve shared more personal stuff with him recently, and guess what? He was overwhelmed, which is why they cautioned us to go at his speed. One step at a time. Do you understand?”

Her bottom lip began trembling, and she threw herself into his arms. “I’m sorry. I just want you to be happy.”

“Shh…it’s okay, sweet girl.” He wound his fingers through