Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(122)

I take the slimy raspberries she’s blowing as a yes.

I set her down and she immediately lunges for a blue stuffed bear on the carpet. It’s almost as big as she is.

“I guess he’s your favorite?”

Brows furrowed, she clutches him protectively, as if to say he’s hers and I’m not allowed to touch him.

Once again, I find myself laughing at her antics. “Don’t worry, sis. Mr. Blue Bear is all yours.”

This seems to please her because she gives me another toothy grin, letting me know I’m back in her good graces.

I watch as she starts doing this hoppy thing on the carpet, almost like she’s trying to stand on her own. I remember my dad saying she took her first steps a few weeks ago, but I guess she still hasn’t gotten the full hang of it just yet.

I hold out my arm so she can use it for leverage.

She licks it instead. Apparently, every new thing she comes in contact with must go in her mouth first.

I’m still getting slobbered on when my phone buzzes.

Reaching for it with my free hand, I take it out of my pocket and pull up the new text from Bianca.

Bianca: How’s everything going?





I quickly snap a picture of C.J. nibbling on my watch and send it to her.

Oakley: Being a big brother is pretty sweet. How’s your first day of school?

Bianca: Holy shit. She’s so freaking cute. I knew you were a natural. And ugh, school sucks big hairy monkey balls. Bitches be trippin’.





My eyebrows raise as I type out my next text.

Oakley: Bitches be trippin’? Or you be trippin’ bitches?





Because with Bianca…it’s usually the latter.

Bianca: It will be the second one if Caitlyn doesn’t quit running her STD filled mouth and telling everyone that I’m a carpet muncher.





Well, shit.

I know Bianca doesn’t exactly walk the straight line because she’s fooled around with girls, but it’s some bullshit that people are condemning her for it.

Oakley: Fuck em’.

Bianca: Nah. These skanks aren’t my type. I’d much rather fuck you.





My dick twitches in agreement.

Oakley: I’m babysitting. Stop making my dick hard.

Bianca: Whatever. We both know a strong breeze gets you hard.





I grin as I type out my retort.

Oakley: Only if the breeze is blowing your skirt up.

Bianca: Tru dat. Oh, I forgot to tell you earlier, but I have to stay after school for cheerleading practice. I’ll be home right after tho.

Oakley: Enjoy practice. Maybe a strong breeze will greet you when you walk through the door. ;)





I bring my knuckle to my mouth and bite it when she sends me a pic of what’s underneath her cheerleading skirt.

Oakley: Tease.





I’m quickly brought out of my haze when C.J. starts wailing.

Shit. Gauging by the red mark on her forehead she must have bumped her head on the coffee table when she tried to stand.

Guilt prickles my chest as I pick her up. I should have been paying better attention. “I’m sorry—”

“What happened?”

Crystal rushes into the living room like a cyclone.

“I think she bumped her head—” I start to say and that’s all it takes for her to go from zero to sixty.

“What do you mean you think? Weren’t you watching her?”

“I was, but then I got a text and—”

She snatches a still crying C.J. out of my arms and cradles her to her chest. “I knew this would happen. God, you’re the most irresponsible person I’ve ever met.”

Given the events that just unfolded, her outrage is warranted.

I honestly feel like shit about it.

“I’m sorry.” I check out the red mark on C.J.’s forehead. Luckily it doesn’t look too bad and it’s not bleeding. But still…I know I fucked-up. “Should I get some ice?”

“No. I don’t want you going anywhere near her ever again.”

She shoots me a death glare before she storms out of the living room.

I follow her to make sure C.J.’s okay.

Furious, Crystal sticks her daughter in her highchair and gives her some Cheerios. Then she plants a bunch of kisses along her head. “I’m so sorry, honey bunny. Mommy never should have left you alone with him.”

Stick the knife in deeper why don’t you?

Fortunately, C.J. doesn’t harbor the same resentment toward me because once the first Cheerio hits her mouth she stops crying altogether.

Crisis averted.

Only it isn’t…because Crystal’s still mad as hell.

“I can’t believe you let this happen.”

“It was an accident,” I tell her. “I didn’t mean—”

“She’s a baby, Oakley. You have to watch them all the time.” She snorts. “Not that I expect you to understand that, because like I said, you’re the most irresponsible person on earth.”

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop myself.

“Right. Because fucking your stepson behind your husband’s back is the epitome of responsible.”