MASON RUBBED THE BACKof his neck. It was getting stiff from slouching on the couch with Layla. “They’re something, that’s for sure.”
Harper stood and walked toward the kitchen. “Just wait until you see them in action with Estelle. She actually tries to keep them in line.” Harper smirked. “It’s a losing battle, every time.”
Mason shook his head, his brain still swirling. “I can’t decide if I’ve been helped or pranked.”
“Helped.” Harper disappeared. “Definitely.” Her voice carried from the kitchen. “Do you want a drink?”
Mason looked down at the sleeping child. He wasn’t going anywhere for a while. “Sure,” he said, careful not to shout. Layla was out, but he was positive his voice could snap her out of it if he wasn’t careful.
Harper came back with a cold bottle and loosened the lid before handing it to him. She again sat beside him. “So...” She gave him a small smile. “Maybe I’ll grab my paint supplies and try to get some work done?”
Mason nodded after taking a drink. “It looks like I’m stuck.” He gave her a wry look. “And it looks like the playpen isn’t going to work.”
“Apparently, our climber isn’t held back by mere walls.” Harper stood. “I”ll bring my stuff in here. We can talk while I paint.” She paused at the hall entrance. “Or do you want to sleep? I’ll bet you could scooch down and close your eyes. I’ll just work in the other room for a while.”
Mason debated his choices. The friendly interruption and then Layla’s appearance had ruined any chance they had of spending time alone. That little voice in the back of his head that argued this was why he’d avoided a relationship to begin with tried to come out of its corner, but Mason shoved it back. They could make this work. He didn’t want to do it alone and Harper hadn’t complained once. She understood his position...for now. “Come talk to me,” he said with a smile. “I’d like to watch you work.”
The blush on her cheeks let him know it was the right choice. Without a word, the beautiful artist nodded and walked down the hall. Mason waited eagerly for her return, wanting to do all he could to show how much he appreciated her. It wasn’t much, but he was doing his best, and hopefully it would be enough.
It has to be.
The afternoon flew and soon they were loading Layla in the car to head to the Harrison home. The driveway was filled with vehicles, letting Mason know that Aspen’s prediction had been correct.
As he unloaded his charge, he had a moment of hesitation. “Do you think it’s okay to introduce her to so many people at once?” he asked Harper.
She gave him one of her gentle smiles. “She’ll let us know if it’s not. But Aspen was right. They’ll all love her, and you and her both are going to need that.”
Mason nodded, staring at the house. “I know, but...I just want to do the right thing.”
“You are.” She tugged on his free arm. “Come on.”
“Hang on.” Pulling on her hand, Mason brought Harper back and gave her a short, but fierce kiss. “Thank you,” he whispered when her eyes fluttered back open.
“For what?” Her blue eyes searched his.
“For being so positive all the time,” he whispered. “And for helping me figure all this out.”
Harper laughed a little self consciously and tucked her hair behind her ear. “It’s far from figured out, but I’m glad I could help even a little bit.” Together they walked up the front porch.
Without knocking, she opened the door and the noise of chatty adults came to a screeching halt. “Hey,” Harper said, waving and drawing attention away from him and Layla.
Mason was grateful she was taking the lead. These were his friends, but his life had changed so drastically in the last couple weeks that he was feeling a bit awkward and anxious. How would everyone react to Layla? Would they understand what he was going through? Now that he was a parent, was he too different to get along with them anymore? Would Layla like his friends? Would he have to find new ones?
“Yay!” Aspen said, walking through the crowd. “Me first!” She held her hands out with an inviting smile. “Hey, sweet girl,” she cooed. “Want to come see Auntie Aspen?”
Layla increased her grip on Mason’s neck and his worry shot up a notch.
“Let her breathe,” Estelle said, stepping up next to her sister. She smiled kindly at Mason and her gaze softened even more when it turned to Layla. “She’s beautiful,” Estelle said softly.
“Thanks,” Mason muttered. He looked around. Everyone seemed frozen, like they weren’t sure how to handle having a child here. His concerns were right. This wasn’t going to work. Not that any of his friends were bad, just that he wasn’t really a part of them anymore. He took a step back, ready to say he was going home.
Before he could move, another person slipped through. “Hey, Mase.” Ethan’s grin was easy going and wide as usual.
Mason breathed a little easier. He and Ethan had been good friends for a long time.
“Mind if I try?” Ethan raised his eyebrows and nodded toward Layla.
Mason hesitated, but Harper was nodding at him encouragingly. “Sure.”
Ethan turned that wide smile to Layla. “Hey, beautiful.” He bent over. “I’m your Uncle Ethan.” He winked. “Your favorite uncle.”
A groan came from the crowd even as most everyone chuckled.
“Are you hungry? Want to grab a snack?”
“She likes cheesy things,” Harper whispered.
Ethan acknowledged the help. “Want to get some cheese?”
Layla perked her head up.
Ethan held out his hands. “Come with me and I’ll get you all the cheese you can eat.”
Layla stuck her middle fingers in her mouth and considered him. The whole room seemed to hold their breaths as they waited for her response.
Her mind apparently made up, Layla fairly leaped across the space into Ethan’s arms.
“Whoa.” Mason had to shift his hold to keep her from hitting the ground.
“Got her,” Ethan said, tucking the little girl onto his arm, supported by his chest. “Alright, pretty lady. I promised you cheese. Let’s get to it.”
Mason watched, his heart pinching slightly as Ethan walked away with Layla. She was staring at the surfer with an adoring look on her face and it took Mason off guard. A heavy slap to his back brought him quickly out of his thoughts.
“It’s the smile,” Jayden said with a laugh. “The women can’t seem to resist it.”
Mason’s smile felt tight, but he appreciated the attitude. “How are ya, Jay?” he asked.
Jayden squeezed Mason’s shoulder. “Doing better than you, I think.” His smile faltered. “I’m sorry about your sister.” His eyes drifted to Ethan and Layla. “A part of me wants to say congrats on becoming a father, but...” He shrugged.
Mason nodded. “Yeah...I get it.”
“If it helps, I think you’ll be great at this.” Jayden grinned again and walked away, heading to the kitchen area.
The next half hour was filled with food, laughter and a releasing of Mason’s tension. The longer he was there, the more he realized how much he needed this. How much he needed them. First, it had been Harper, but even that wasn’t going to be enough. Apparently, when they said it took a village, they were talking about a group just like this.
Layla was smiling and laughing and being passed from person to person as each adult took the time to get to know her. It didn’t matter that she was a baby. It didn’t matter that Mason’s life had been turned upside down. They accepted him just as he was and were all willing to help.
His own family might have fallen apart, but Mason was quickly realizing it didn’t matter. He and Layla had everything they needed right here.
His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out. “Excuse me,” he said to Gavin, a friend he’d been chatting with. “It’s my brother.”
Gavin nodded and stepped aside.
Mason rushed outside, the only quiet place he could think of. “Crew?”
“Mason!” Crew shouted. “Where the heck are you?”
“I’m at a friend’s house,” Mason explained, frowning at the frantic tone in his brother’s voice. “Why?”
“Man, you need to get home. I’m in your driveway.”
“Crew,” Mason said firmly. “What’s going on?” Why would Crew have shown up without any warning? Something wasn’t right.
“Mom got herself a new lawyer...and she’s coming after Layla.”