Midnight Wreckage - Winter Travers Page 0,47

finally set my eyes on Gunner that I wouldn’t be able to let him go. No matter whatever happened between Queenie and me, I knew I never would be able to walk away from Gunner.

“He’s home, Sledge, and he needs you. Who else is going to teach him how to blow bubbles, catch a ball, or laugh hysterically at his own farts.”

“Hey,” I chuckled, “I only know how to do two of those things.”

“Well, I can be the one to play catch with him.” Queenie smiled wide. “Get over here, Sledge. I know you’re scared. I know you’re worried about so many things, but none of that matters right now. The only thing that matters is this little boy and me who needs you. More than ever. We need you, Sledge.”

I didn’t even think. I just moved to Queenie, her words propelling me forward. She scooted over, and I climbed right into bed with her.

“He was only gone for eleven days, but he looks different from when I last saw him.” She brushed her finger across his cheek, and a smile spread across his lips. “You ready to hold him?”

She shifted him in her arms.

“Queenie. You need to know something.”

She held him to her chest and frowned. “What is it?”

“You give him to me and I can promise you I won’t leave. Ever. I hold him, and then he’s mine.” It was a done deal once he was in my arms.

Queenie pursed her lips. “Oh, well, then I guess you should know that Gunner and I are a package deal. If he’s yours, then that means I’m yours, too.”

I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Can I get that in writing?”

She handed over Gunner, and I cradled him in my arms.

“How does it feel?” she whispered.

I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “It’s feels like home.”

*

Chapter Twenty

How could you…

Queenie

“No. We are not switching rooms with Gunner.”

“Queenie. I’m not sleeping in a fucking closet anymore.”

“Well, if you’re too good to sleep in there, then so is Gunner.” I laid Gunner in his crib and headed down the hallway with the baby monitor clipped to my back pocket.

“Now that is one thing we can agree on.” He pulled out his phone and held it front of my face. “We move in next week. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and there is a yard he can play in. You know, once he learns to walk.”

“You’re insane. We’re not moving.” I grabbed the basket of clean clothes and dumped them on the couch. “There is nothing wrong with living here.”

“Uh, yeah there is,” he drawled. “It’s tiny as fuck, and you and Gunner both deserve better.”

I angry-folded his t-shirt and then tossed it at him. “No.”

“What is going on right now?”

“I’m mad, Sledge, and I’m not holding it in. Isn’t this what you wanted?” I grabbed a pair of socks and shoved one inside the other.

“I get that you’re mad, Queenie but I don’t understand just what you’re mad about? I’m trying to move you into a nicer place, and you’re digging your feet in and insisting you’re gonna stay here.”

I wrinkled my nose and growled. “I’m mad because you decided we were moving without even involving me in it. I get that this is a shitty place, Sledge, but I’m sorry that this was all I can afford.” Ass.

“Yeah, before. Now we can afford more. Three bedrooms and two baths more.” He held up his phone. “I already signed the lease, Queenie. I couldn’t sleep on this. I needed to make a decision right away.”

I shook my head.

Four days ago, Sledge, Gunner, and I were one happy family.

Now, I wanted to box in Sledge’s ears and shove a sock up his nose.

I grabbed my phone and texted Lynn.

“What are you doing?” Sledge asked.

“Texting Lynn.” I typed out a quick summary of what was going on and if she thought I was being crazy.

“What the hell for?” he demanded.

Because I needed to know if I was being ridiculous for being mad. I was, but I wasn’t. I think.

Gunner cried over the monitor, and we both froze.

“He’ll go back to sleep,” I whispered.

“Not if you keep yelling at me about trying to move you into a bigger house.”

Slightly ridiculous, but he also should have made the decision with you. Be mad but not too mad.

Well, hell. “You’re lucky,” I grumbled.

“Because Gunner went back to sleep or you being mad for no reason?”

“Both.” I dropped my phone on the clean clothes