Slenderman by CeeRee Fields (good novels to read TXT) 📗

jaw was shaved. Where Rian bounced with nerves, Evan twisted his cloth napkin between his fingers.

Silence reigned until the rest of the group bustled in, Jo coming in last with a basket of biscuits. After everyone sat and loaded their plate, Rian scraped his fork through his potatoes and then blurted out. “I-want-Evan-to-move-into-the-pool-house-with-me.”

Rhys winked at Jo behind his tea glass before donning his ‘serious face,’ as his brother called it. “I’m assuming you’ve discussed this with Lisa.”

He’d liked Lisa the day Maddy had introduced them. No nonsense but with a wicked sense of humor, she handled Rian like a pro. Knowing when to back off and let him make his own mistakes and when to step in and put her foot down. Rhys had been worried since Jo’s family were loud and opinionated. He’d expected Lisa to be the same, but she was laid back compared to the other Rayburns.

He appreciated how the Rayburns always showed how much they cared. Calling Rian on his cell to check in on him. Inviting him and Rhys to get-togethers which could be anything from fishing with Carl to bowling with the men and sons. And they were always there to lend a hand when Rhys needed them.

When they’d wanted to install a pool, Jo had a cousin who worked for a contractor. When Rhys’s gardener had retired, Jo had a cousin whose wife was studying horticulture and botany with plans on starting a landscaping business. The classes set Rhys’s mind at ease about his mother’s prized orchids, and Penny now came over to look over the orchids and have tea with Marta. The two had become fast friends.

His heart felt full to bursting at how blessed he was. Each of these individuals made up Rhys’s family. Only he and Rian were related by blood, but Marta was the mother figure who took care of them. Lisa was the sister who made sure Rian was taken care of and Evan was another little brother to watch out for. Then Jo, who was Rhys’s heart. Without her, none of this would have worked. He would’ve smothered Rian with how protective he’d become. Jo knew when to drag Rhys back and let Rian breathe.

“Actually, they both came to talk to me since Evan has very different needs than Rian. They wanted to make sure I could handle them.” Lisa grinned. “Evan even had a binder specifying his schedule, challenges, and dietary restrictions.”

Rhys coughed into his burgundy napkin to hide his chuckle. It didn’t help when his gaze tangled with Jo’s finding her stifling her own mirth. She gave Rhys a thumbs up. The first time he had left her alone with Evan and Rian overnight she had been nervous. Worried she couldn’t handle Evan if he became overwhelmed. It had happened, and Rian had stepped in to help Jo get Evan to a guest room to decompress. When Rhys had returned home, he’d found them all on the different pieces of the sectional in the den having a television slumber party, something Evan’s parents never allowed.

Rhys wanted her opinion but refused to embarrass the boys. He leaned over. “Are you okay with this?”

“You know I am. Now that we have Lisa in case of any meltdowns, I’m fine with it.” She patted his thigh before lifting a chicken leg to her mouth and taking a bite.

Rhys had spent years navigating Evan’s triggers on camping trips and outings. Looking at Lisa, he arched a brow. “Will you be able to handle the two of them?”

“I think so, but you and I had talked about getting someone to relieve me a few weekends out of the month. Maybe we could alter the plan.”

“How so?” He ate a forkful of the crisp green beans that held a hint of cinnamon.

“How about allowing a friend who’s a year behind me come and live in the pool house with us? She’s studying to be a friend for people with special needs.”

He stifled his smile at her chosen word of ‘friend.’ It was what Lisa had instructed Rhys to call her instead of a nanny, since Rian associated that with a babysitter and he was adamant he was not a baby.

“You already have someone in mind?” Rhys’s eyebrows rose. They’d only discussed the free weekends two weeks ago.

Lisa rolled her eyes. “Well, yeah. Rian and I sometimes need breaks from each other, right, Ri?”

“Hecks yeah. Besides, I know all her moves on Mario Kart. Some new blood would be greatly appreciated.”

Lisa squawked and pointed her fork at Rian. “Just for that, I’m kicking your rear on the next match. I’ll be Koopa Troopa, and you’ll eat my yellow dust.”

Before they degenerated into gaming smack talk, Jo intervened. “You need to give her a heads up. I’ll want to do a background check. And Rhys will want to make sure she understands the rules and then if Rian and Evan are comfortable with her, I don’t see a problem.” She turned to Marta. “How about you?”

Marta shrugged. “I’ll need his diet restrictions and allergies, but I’m game.”

“If you need help—” Rhys hated giving Marta more work.

Marta waved him off. “Please, you’re hardly here, and Jo barely makes a mess. The boys are the only ones I clean up after, and that’s mostly laundry and changing sheets since Rian’s become a pro at loading the dishwasher and house cleaning.”

Rian beamed at Rhys. “So, can he?”

Jo gaze caught and held his eyes as she dipped her chin. Support and understanding flowed from her and calmed the doubt swirling in his mind.

“How about a three-month trial run? That way if either of you gets on each other’s nerves you have an out.” Rhys suggested.

The boys looked at each other before both heads bobbed in agreement.

“Evan, have you talked to your parents about this?” Rhys didn’t think Evan’s overprotective parents would let him leave. And was shocked when Evan nodded.

These two had it more together than he thought. Maybe letting Rian live in the pool house had