Not My Hero - Michelle Heard Page 0,57

us, he says, “I can put a couple of these on the sides of the bed. You can use them for books or whatever you want.”

I glance at Cassie, and she instantly bats her eyelashes at me, all cutely saying, “We should definitely get them.”

Grinning at her, I shake my head, then mumble, “I can’t say no when your mom pulls that face.”

Colton lets out a chuckle. “Yeah? You should see how cute you look when you do that.”

Huh?

“When did I pull a face like that?”

Colton’s gaze snaps to me as if he just realized he said that to me, and then he begins to load shelves in the cart, mumbling, “While we were watching a movie.” Then he walks away.

“Oh my gosh,” Cassie exclaims, drawing my attention. “Brie, aren’t those the same color blue as the wall?”

She’s pointing at a throw and tiny pillows. I walk closer with her and run my fingers over the fabric. “It’s so soft. They look the same color.”

Cassie grabs a throw and says, “Take two pillows.”

Knowing she’ll get her way if I try to decline, I pick them up and carry them to the cart that’s reaching its capacity.

I look at everything they’ve gotten me so far, and emotion wells in my chest because not once did they make me feel like a burden like my mother would’ve.

“Thank you so much,” I say to Cassie before I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around her. “You’re really the best mother ever.”

Cassie hugs me back and presses a kiss to my cheek before we pull apart. Her eyes shine, and there’s a wide smile on her face. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. It makes me happy seeing you happy.”

Colton and Cassie are making this birthday unforgettable, not because of the things they’re buying me, but because of the way they’re doing it. They make me feel special.

As long as I live, I’ll never forget the past two weeks, even if the worst happens, and we go our separate ways. Cassie and Colton will always be the first people who loved me.

The first I loved.

COLTON

After we carry everything into the house, I go get my toolkit and get started on putting the shelves up.

I position the first one and glance over my shoulder at Brie. “Is it good here, or do you want it higher?”

She walks closer. “A little lower, or I won’t be able to reach it.”

My eyes dart between her and the wall, and then I mutter, “True.” I glance at the other wall. “And you want the dreamcatcher on that wall, right?”

“Please.” I grin at her happy face, and while I’m drilling holes in the wall, Brie goes to get the vacuum cleaner so she can clean the mess I’m making.

Mom comes into the room and says, “Brie, I’m going to wash your new bedding. Okay?”

“Let me help.” Brie drops the vacuum cleaner and goes to help remove everything from the packaging before she comes back to continue cleaning.

When I’m done, and the dreamcatcher and all the shelves are up, I assemble the dressing table and stool. It’s already past seven when I’m done.

I go wash my hands, and as I pass Brie’s room, I say, “Come on. Time to make dinner.”

“Huh?” She catches up to me as I walk down the hallway. “You know I can’t cook.”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m giving you your first lesson tonight.”

“Really?” A wide smile stretches over her face. “What are you going to make?”

“Nachos.”

Brie’s eyes shine with excitement as we walk into the kitchen. “Get the cheddar and Colby Jack cheese from the fridge.”

I open the bag of tortilla chips and empty it on a baking tray. When Brie comes to stand next to me, I say, “I got these at the local store because they’re fried-in-house. They’re thicker and sturdier.”

I keep explaining what I’m doing as I place the chips in the oven so they can pre-bake while I prepare the ground beef, beans, and jalapenos for toppings.

Once we’re done, and the nachos are back in the oven so the cheese can melt, I grin at Brie. “How was your first cooking lesson.”

“Information overload,” the words pop from her. “I need to write it all down.”

I let out a chuckle. “You’ll get the hang of it.”

“How did you learn to cook?” Brie asks.

My smile wavers. To keep busy, I pour us each a glass of coke while I say, “After we moved here, it was either I learn how to cook or live off

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