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“Hey man, yeah, all good, everyone there?”

“Of course. They’re staying home today. Doing some artsy things Sophia and Sandra have been wanting to show the twins.”

“Yeah? That’s great. Hey, so I’m going to call Avery and see if she can keep the boys for the rest of the week and weekend. I’m gonna be slammed and Sunny’s sick. Just wanted to give you a heads up.”

I think I’m doing a great job of sounding like everything is fine, but Sunny grips my hand, and I realize my fingers are curled so tight that most of my hand has gone white with the strength.

“Aw man, poor Sunny. Tell him I hope he gets better soon, please, but it’s all fine by me, boss.”

“I will. I’ll call the boys later, yeah? Thanks, Johnny”

I text Avery with the question, the lie about Sunny being sick, and she gets back to me quickly and agrees.

Then I drag Sunny back to me, wrap one arm around him, and . . . I call the only person I trust for this. Eli.

I start speaking before he says hello.

“I don’t know if you’re still in Chicago, but I need to cash in on that IOU. Stat.”

“I’m back home,” he says after a beat, catching up, but he’s quick about it. “You want to come tonight or early tomorrow?”

“We’ll go over there in the morning.”

“We?”

“You’ll see,” is all the explanation I’m gonna give him right now, even if we are on a secure line.

“Okay, six? Seven?”

“Seven works. Thanks.”

Finally I put the phone away and turn to Sunny, pulling him into another hug.

“Your ex?” I ask softly, though I know he can’t know for sure. All the messages were vague enough.

“I think so,” he whispers, before starting to cry again. “I’m sorry.”

I shush him and start rocking us from side to side.

“You have nothing to apologize for. This isn’t your fault.”

He pulls back and nods, then twists his hands in my jacket, so unsettled my heart breaks.

“I don’t want to bring Hannah into this. She’s so far along in her pregnancy and she deserves to enjoy this time. I can get a hotel for the weekend and then⁠—”

“No,” I say with a hard tone I’ve never used with him. “You’re going to stay here where Wes and I can keep you safe. We’re going to Eli’s tomorrow morning. He owes me. Believe me, he’s going to take care of this.”

“How is Eli going to take care of this?”

I manage a smirk.

18

SUNNY

July 1st

I don’t consider myself a genius or anything, but I’m secure enough to know I’m also not particularly slow.