Shameless(48)

Kat waves that wooden spoon at me. “Dinner won’t be ready for another half hour. You know, there’s a camera on Cal’s laptop if you wanted to Skype with your parents. Is your dad still in the hospital?”

She has this little apron wrapped around her tiny waist and that gorgeous hair all tied up on top of her head. Her glasses are perched at the end of her nose.

Looking over her shoulder at me, she lifts an eyebrow, and I realize I still haven’t spoken. “Um, yeah, he’s still there, but I think my mom has her laptop. She likes to play Candy Crush.” I place the baby on the counter, keeping my hands on her waist so she doesn’t take a tumble. “That’s a good idea. They’d probably like to see the baby.”

“And you too, silly. I’m sure they miss you.”

Yeah, they probably do. Inwardly, I groan.

As if sensing my reluctance, she asks, “You haven’t talked to them about adopting Izzy yet, huh?”

“No, I’ve pussied out the last few times we’ve spoken.”

“Brady,” she says sternly, shooting me a look. “Let’s not use that word around the baby.”

“Oh, shit. You’re right.”

She sighs and shakes her head.

Okay, so I have a little ways to go when it comes to using age-appropriate language around Izzy.

“Go call them if you’d like. You don’t have to talk about anything serious. Just say hi. And oh! Be sure to tell them that Bandit nearly ate you for breakfast this morning.”

She laughs. Like it’s funny that little raccoon f*cker tried to bite me. Again.

“He’s a menace.”

“He’s a baby.” She turns to look at me so I can see that she’s rolling her eyes.

I swing Izzy into my arms, and she giggles and grabs my face. “Bray, Bray, Bray!” I don’t think hearing her say my name will ever get old.

“What do you say, kid? Wanna call Granny and Gramps?”

“Gwamps!”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

As we head for the hall, I catch the smile on Katherine’s face as she stirs that giant wooden spoon into a pan. “Hey.” I wait for her to turn to me. “Have you had a chance to call your parents yet? We can hold off on dinner if you want to do that first.”

Her smile falters, but she pastes it back on. “Um, yeah. Maybe.”

It strikes me then that she could have gone home for Thanksgiving, but she chose to stay here instead. And make you dinner.

I rub the stubble on my chin. “Everything okay back home?” She half nods, half shrugs. “I know you said your dad is pretty conservative. Is he okay with you living alone here with me?”

Her chest heaves with a sigh. “He is definitely not okay with me living here with you, but it’s really not any of his business.”

Shit. That doesn’t sound good.

Her shoulders slump. “Don’t worry about it. My dad is never happy with any of my decisions. Or at least that’s how it feels.” Another deep sigh leaves her. “Go Skype. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

I squeeze her arm, feeling somehow responsible for whatever is going on with her parents.



After a quick phone call home, Izzy and I return to the kitchen. I hear Katherine’s voice. She sounds tense.

Her back is to me while she faces the sink. “Tori, seriously, tell Dad I’m fine. Brady is completely normal. He’s not a serial killer or anything.”

I pause at the mention of my name. Izzy squirms in my arms, and I tighten my hold on the little ninja.

Kat shakes her head. “No, and for the millionth time, I am not going back to that job in Austin. I don’t care if that makes me the biggest loser on the planet, it’s not happening. And if Eric calls again, tell him—” Her whole body stiffens. “Ugh. He’s such an *. Just hang up on him next time. I’m serious. You cannot give him my number.” She sighs. “Yeah? You think he’s such a great catch? Fine. You date him.”

Who the f*ck is Eric?

Realizing I’m eavesdropping like a dick, I back out of the kitchen and return to the office to give Kat some privacy. The baby and I emerge once I think that phone conversation is over.

“That was fast,” Kat says as she reaches into the cabinet for some dishes.

I want to ask about that guy Eric. It’s none of your business, man. Don’t make things weird.

Leaning over to strap my niece into the high chair, I motion toward the office. “My parents couldn’t really Skype right now. The doctor came in and needed to go over the plan for my dad. He might go home soon.”

Kat’s face lights up. “That’s fantastic! I’m so happy to hear that. I bet you’re relieved.”

“I am so f*ck—” I pause and look down at my niece who’s watching me with that toothy grin. “I am so freaking relieved.” When my eyes lift to Kat, she winks at me in encouragement for not totally corrupting my niece before she goes back to serving dinner.

Despite our failed hookup the other night and the fact that I’ve been terrified things would be weird between us, they’re not, at least not any more. Kat and I enjoy watching the baby blow bubbles in her apple juice, and for one brief moment, everything seems right in the world. I love her laugh. It’s light and airy, and when I tell her a stupid joke, I feel like a lucky * whenever she smiles.