Beneath the Stars (Falling Stars 4)

A knife stabbed straight into my greatest regret, that motherfucker giving it a good, hard twist.

But I knew the disorder I felt right then was a direct result of the girl who was toyin’ with my logic and rationale.

She was a storm currently wagin’ war on my insides.

It was rare that my head, spirit, and dick were at odds.

Usually, we were a one-track mind.

Get in. Get out. Get gone.

And that girl had me itching for all kinds of irresponsible, delusional things.

Daisy shook her head like she felt sorry for me, breaking me from the thoughts, the child still coloring away when she said, “You sings it so bad, Uncles Rhys. You ain’t got the pipes like my auntie Ems and my daddy and me.”

Overdramatic, I smacked a hand onto my chest. “Now how could you go and be so cruel, oh, young one? Five years old, and already breakin’ hearts.”

Daisy ho-hummed and sighed. “I gotta tell the truth because the lies are bad. And I’m almost six. Get it straight.”

“Well, okay then, almost six-year-old sassy pants.”

Emily shuffled into the kitchen, looking like she was lacking about a week’s sleep, hair a disaster and bags under her eyes. She hip-checked me to get me out of the way of the coffee pot. “Scoot.”

I hopped out of her way. “Well, good morning to you, too. Sheesh. I’m surrounded by nothin’ but a bunch of bossy pants and sassy pants. Way to hold a good man down.”

“No way. I’ll hold you up, Uncle Rhys’ Pieces!”

“Oh, and how are you gonna do that…build me an altar on all those truths?” I teased.

Daisy gave me a resolute nod. “Yup. And I gots the most important truth—all the amor, amor, amor, and I gots lots and lots of it for you.”

Damn.

There went my mangled heart.

Setting my coffee on the counter, I moved around the island and swung her up from her stool and into my arms. I spun us in a circle, singing off-key and just as loud as could be. “Amor, amor, amor. Give me some more. Don’t drop Little Miss Daisy on the floor.”

I fumbled, pretending like she was slipping from my hands. I caught her a second later, just as she screeched, and I swept her back upright. Daisy scrambled to get even closer, locking her tiny arms around my neck. “Don’t drop me, Uncle!”

A light chuckle rumbled out, and I kept swaying her, hugging her tight. “Never.”

“And stop with all the teases.”

“Never.”

I could feel her grin pressed to the side of my face. “Okay, fines. I like your teases alright.”

Amor. Amor. Amor.

Love, love, love.

Rhys’ mama said this house was built on it.

That it was the foundation of a family.

And without it, everything would collapse.

My heart clutched in old agony, and I squeezed Daisy just a little tighter.

Royce strolled in holding Amelia. At the sound of his footsteps, Daisy pulled back. “Ooh…look it! My baby cousin is here!” she squealed. “She’s soooos the cutest!”

She wiggled, and I set her down so she could go scamperin’ that way.

Emily beamed at her little family. She lifted the carafe in her husband’s direction with that adoring expression on her face. “Coffee?”

“Please,” Royce grumbled, shifting down onto a knee so Daisy could ooh and aah over the tiny infant.

“Ah, I see how it is, Em-Girl. Offer him coffee but ignore little ol’ me,” I taunted.

Emily rolled her eyes.

Some might not know the difference, but I knew it was filled with affection. “Um…if you wanna start gettin’ up for three a.m. feedings, I’ll be happy to pour you a cup of coffee in the mornin’, too.”

My hands shot up in surrender. “Hey now, let’s not get crazy.”

Her eyes rolled again, and she was shaking her head, looking at me the way she did. The girl one of my oldest friends. Family. Her joy mine because it was the only thing that mattered.

Truth was, I’d step in for every feeding if that’s what she needed of me.

Royce’s cell rang from his pocket, and he seemed to waver, unsure, like he was contemplating juggling our poor little Amelia.

“Here,” I said as I ambled that way.

It was almost a scowl scrawled across his brow when I offered assistance, but he straightened and passed her over. “Careful.”

“I’ve got her.”

All chubby, pinked cheeks and pursed, adorable lips.

She weighed next to nothing.

I held her against my chest, bouncing her soft.

Yeah.

Definitely ooh-worthy.

“Hey there, gorgeous girl,” I murmured when she made a tiny, squeaking cry. “Look at that, another one that’s gonna be breakin’ all the hearts.”

Daisy grinned up at me. “I don’t think so, Uncle Rhys’ Pieces. I heard my mommy tellin’ my daddy you is the one who is nothin’ but a heartbreaker.”

I forced a smile.

Heartbreaker.

Heartbroken.

Same dif, right?

“She did, did she?”

“Yup…and she said you is a catch.” Daisy’s dark eyes lit, and her voice switched to a squeal. “Hey, do you wanna play catch with me on the beach? I brought some balls with me! And we can go swimmin’! Can we go swimmin’?”