Where We Belong (A Touch of Fate #1)(18)

"Cheetos. Freaking Cheetos!" I smack my ass and a puff of orange dust fills the air, causing another fit of laughter from Laura. "Jesus, he's in the ER, for God's sake!" I'm not really angry with her. In fact, Mr. Wilcox is a very pleasant man. A drunken man, but a pleasant one, nonetheless. Laura’s laughter rubs off, and before long I find myself laughing with her.

"I mean, seriously? It's eight in the morning and he's drunk as a skunk, eating Cheetos. I was trying to get his vitals and start his IV while trying to avoid his grabby little orange fingers. I had to have Nikki come in and occupy him so I could get a vein."

Using the back of her hand, Laura wipes away the tears that linger from her laughing spree. "Good Lord, that just made my day." Reaching across the desk, she picks up a travel cup and a folded piece of paper and turns to hand them to me. "Here, maybe this will help make your day a little bit better."

"What is it?" Picking up the cup, I lift the lid. Hallelujah, it’s tea! "This definitely makes up for you throwing me to the wolves...or should I say, Mr. Wilcox."

"Oh, it's not from me," she replies, shaking her head. I furrow my brow in confusion. "That hot-as-hell resident that worked last night dropped it off about ten minutes ago and asked if I would give it to you." Giving me a quick wink, she turns and walks away.

Taking a sip of the tea, I gently unfold the piece of paper. The rush of emotions that hit at the sight of his words is entirely indescribable.





I floated through the rest of the shift on a high, which carried over into Tuesday and Wednesday. I didn't see Tyson again those next two days, but it's not like I was hoping to see him.

Was I?





“I GOT IT!" MAX hollers at the sound of the doorbell.

“Ma-ax! You know better than to open that—" My words trail off at Max's high-pitched screech as he tears off through the house with Levi hot on his heels. The sound of Levi's teasing and Max's laughing quickly permeate the house.

“Me. Eat. Max. Me. Want. Max." Levi’s hands are raised up in front of his face as though he has claws, and his monster-esque voice sends Max into another round of ear-shattering screams. I can’t help the smile that overwhelms my face as I watch the two of them make laps around the house, Levi pretending that Max is too fast for him to catch. Reaching out, Levi snags Max around the waist, tossing him effortlessly over his shoulder as he pretends to bite at Max’s side.

Happiness. Contentment. That's what this is for me. Don't get me wrong, Max and I live a happy life. But there is a different level of joy that shines through his eyes when Levi is around. He just plays so differently with men than he does with me. I try to roughhouse with him and play ‘boy’ games and chase him around like a monster, but he doesn’t get into it the way he does with my dad or Levi. It must be a guy thing.

Sneaking up behind Max, I quickly throw the back of his shirt up around his neck and pretend to bite at his back while Levi continues at his front. “Max. Taste. Good,” I say in my best monster voice. “Me. Want. More." Max stiffens his back and legs, throwing his head in an attempt to escape our attack.

“Done. I’m...stop. Done," he says breathlessly while simultaneously thrashing his body from side to side. We consent to his surrender and Levi lowers Max to the ground. Keeping a hand on his shoulder, he allows Max a second to regain his footing.

Levi raises his hand in the air about two feet above Max’s head. “High-five, Maximus, my man!”

“My. Name. Is. Not. Maximus,” he replies, each word ringing out between jumps, finally landing with a loud slap of a high-five.

“Alright, bud. I have to get cookin’ before your mom here starves to death." Giving me a quick wink, Levi ruffles Max’s hair and walks over to the front door, retrieving the bag of food he must have dropped prior to his monster transformation, and heads toward the kitchen.

“Can I watch a movie?" Max begs, bringing his clasped hands under his chin. Max has large, chocolate-colored eyes outlined in thick, black lashes, and he uses those magnificent eyes to get his way.

“Sure, but only until dinner is ready. Deal?" I stick out my arm and Max slips his tiny hand in mine, giving me an exaggerated shake.

“Deal." Scurrying over to the TV stand, he begins rummaging through our collection and picks out his favorite movie, Cars.

There’s really no point in helping Max start the movie. I’m not sure where kids learn all this stuff, but I swear that Max can work any electronic device in this house better than I can on any given day.

My butt starts vibrating so I reach into my back pocket and pull out my phone. I swipe my thumb across the screen and a text from Quinn greets me.

Quinn: What's up sexy mama? You and Max doing anything cool?

Me: Hey sweet cheeks! Nope just chillin'. Max is watching a movie and I'mwatching Levi.

Quinn: You're watching his ass right? Please tell me you're watching his ass!

Me: Yup! I'm watching his sweet ass cook me dinner.

Quinn: What? WTF! I want to watch Levi cook!

Me: Get your booty over here. Pronto. Dinner in 30.

Quinn: Well I don’t want a pity invite.

Me: Shut the hell up and get over here!

Quinn: Be there in 5. I’ll bring the wine!