Chapter 4

Green Eggs and Stale Bread

Edward

Loud screaming from the living room causes me to bolt out of bed. Not only does the shrieking wake my ass up from a dead sleep, it scares the absolute shit out of me. I quickly remember the little people that are currently taking up residence in my house when I hear another round of ear piercing yelling.

"No! No! No! I wanna go home!"

"This is your home now!"

"No! I hate it here! I want my daddy!"

"Daddy's dead!"

"No, he isn't! I hate you!"

I barrel my way down the stairs, and when I enter the living room, what I see next shreds my fucking insides.

"My daddy isn't dead!"

"Quit being a baby, Ty, and grow up!"

I blow out a harsh breath through my lips. I knew I was in over my fucking head the moment I agreed to take in my brother's kids, but small kids? Yeah, I was fucking delusional to think I could handle this shit. As the screaming continues I can feel my head begin to throb and my ears feel like they're about to bleed if it continues.

"Enough!" As soon as my voice rises several octaves, the screaming stops only to be followed by soft sobs. I instantly felt like shit for yelling but I needed to get their damn attention. "What's going on in here?"

Tyler continues to cry as he sits huddled in a nearby corner with his sister hovered over him. I watch as several tears slip down her cheeks. God, I hate seeing them this way and I have no fucking idea how to help them.

When neither of the kids answers me, I decide that food might be the key. Maybe if they had some breakfast in them they might be more inclined to talk to me or at the very least feel a little bit better. I trudge my way to the kitchen and look through the cupboards. Nothing. I have food but nothing that's kid friendly. Fuck. I swipe open the refrigerator and suck in a breath. Double fuck. Beer, eggs, and a few pieces of outdated bread is all that's taking up space in the fridge. I decide to pull the bread and toss it on the counter, and I'm slightly thankful that it's only three days expired as I snatch the eggs from the shelf and place them next to the bread. I shake my head at my lack of fucking preparation. There's no doubt that I'm gonna to fail these kids, and I'm absolutely certain that if I don't haul ass to the grocery store and get some food in the house these poor kids are gonna starve to death.

"You guys hungry?"

I don't wait for a reply. I know they have to be hungry since neither of them ate a single bite last night when I stopped for burgers and fries.

"I'll make you guys some fried eggs and toast. I hope you like it cause' that's all I got right now. We'll go to the market later for some cereal and milk and other stuff we need."

I still don't want for them to respond and pull a skillet out of the oven and begin to crack a few eggs. I'm good with them not responding to me as long as they don't wither away to nothing on my watch. As the food cooks, I'm hyper aware of the kids still crammed into the corner like a couple of pretzels, except now Cassidy has Tyler in her arms as he continues to softly whimper into her side. It fucking crushes me to see it, and every time I hear that little boy cry, the urge to pummel my dead brother crawls over my skin.

I'm pulled from my thoughts when my cell phone begins to buzz. I look down at the caller I.D. thankful that it isn't Tanya…again. Last night, every hour on the hour, that bitch either called or texted. I'm going to have to set that broad straight and soon. When it finally registers who's trying to get a hold of me, I roll my eyes. Emmett, my best friend and business partner, is driving me fucking crazy. I'm convinced that if all hell broke loose that motherfucker wouldn't be able to run the shop on his own even if his life depended on it. I quickly press the silent button and lay my phone down on the cabinet. Dude knows that I'm dealing with some heavy shit right now and needs to get a handle on things on his own.

A knock on the door pulls me away from my thoughts and the kitchen.

Passing by the kids another wave of guilt smacks me in the face. I need to figure this shit out and quick or Ms. Jenks might be inclined to find them another home, and that shit will not happen as long as I'm breathing. Another knock beats against my front door and when I open it a, I silently thank whoever will listen to me.

"I need a favor."