Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,216

and it hurts. How am I going to see him every day? That’s my last thought as I drift off to a night of restless sleep.

Chapter 56

Evan

Lexi and I slept downstairs last night, her in her pack-n-play and me on the couch. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t sleep in that bed without her. We’re up early, neither of us getting a good night’s sleep, so when there is a knock on the door at seven, I jump to answer it. Maybe it’s her. Maybe she changed her mind. I rush to the door and pull it open only to find Aaron. “Hey, man,” I say, deflated.

“Wow, don’t break out the welcome wagon or anything.”

“Want some coffee?” I ask, ignoring his jab.

“Sure.” He takes a seat at the table. “So, how did you sleep last night?”

“Like shit,” I say, setting his cup down in front of him.

“Are you going to fight for her?” he asks, cutting to the chase.

“She doesn’t—”

“She does. Trust me, she does. I held my baby sister last night while she cried for hours. She does.”

My chest tightens just hearing she was hurting. “Then why did she leave? I told her I needed her. I asked her to stay. She refused.”

Aaron runs his fingers through his hair. “Fuck! Okay, listen, man. From day one, you’ve needed her. At first, it was to get ready for Lexi, the room, things she would need. Then after she was born, you were timid and unsure, and you needed her then too.”

“I did,” I admit.

“Then, when all that shit went down with Misty’s parents, you needed her. She stepped up and did what she needed to do to help you.”

“She did.”

“Why do you think she did that?” he asks me.

“She loves my daughter.”

“Nah! Try again,” he says.

“It’s true. She’s told me multiple times that she loves Lexi, she would do anything for her, and I love her for that,” I tell him.

“Just for that?” he asks.

“Are you fucking kidding me? You know better than that shit. I already told you I love her.”

“Yes, but did you tell her?”

“No, she didn’t give me the chance.”

“No, instead you told her you need her. Did you give her a reason?”

Oh shit. I think I’m starting to see where this is going. “No.”

“Right.” He smirks. “Do you have a reason?” he counters.

“Of course, I do. I can’t fucking breathe without her. I couldn’t even sleep in my bed last night, our bed, because the sheets smell like her,” I all but scream at him.

Aaron grins. “That’s what you need to tell her. She thinks the only reason you asked her to stay was you’re afraid you can’t raise Lex on your own. You didn’t give her a reason to believe it was more than that,” he points out.

Fuck me.

“She loves you, Evan. Her heart is breaking just as much as yours. You have to show her you need her, not because of what she can do for you, but because she is the other half of you.”

I stare at him. “When did you get so good at relationships?”

He shrugs. “I’m not really. It’s easy to see it from the outside looking in. You both are head over heels, but you can’t see through all the bullshit to work it out. She’s my sister and you’re my best friend. I want to see you both happy.”

“She loves me?” I ask, needing his reassurance.

“Irrevocably.”

She loves me. I think about everything he said and it makes sense. I never told her how I feel, but begged her to stay because I needed her.

Shit.

“Hey, man, can you do me a favor? Can you keep her busy? I know she mentioned coming to get her stuff, but can you keep her occupied until I text you? I need to do a few things first. Give me a couple of hours?”

“She tossed and turned all night. My guess is she’ll hole up in her room most of the day anyway, but I got you covered. Can I do anything else?” he asks.

“No, just when I text you, bring her here.”

Aaron stands. “You got it, man.” He claps me on the back and waves goodbye.

A plan forms in my mind as Lexi babbles, letting me know she’s awake. Baby girl needs a diaper change and some breakfast; then we have things to do.

Chapter 57

McKinley

“Come on, sleepyhead, get up,” Aaron says, shaking my arm.

“Go away.” I throw the covers over my head.

“Nope, I need you to wake up. It’s three o’clock in the