Chapter Eleven
Gus
* * *
“Make yourself at home,” Naomi says, leading us into her out-of-this-world beachfront home. I’m thinking it’s time I grow up a bit more. My house is really a simple three-bedroom bungalow in Venice. But between Jasper’s, Lyric’s—who also has an amazing house about a mile from here—and now Naomi’s place, I’m starting to realize they have things figured out that evidently, I don’t.
Other than Ady’s bedroom, my mancave, and my bedroom, nothing in my place is done. I don’t think I’ve ever even turned on the stove. But looking at this place, it’s a home. One Naomi actually lives in and cooks in and watches television in. I expected girly. But other than some of the art on the walls, it’s not.
The floors are all dark wood, the kitchen is white and top-of-the-line and enormous. Everything is gray and white and decorated for both comfort and design. But it’s the view that is obviously the showstopper.
It’s all fucking ocean.
I whistle through my teeth as we make our way past the kitchen and into the family room that has a long, sleek fireplace with a huge television set above it that actually makes my cock twitch. The wall of glass leads out onto one of those balconies, and while it’s tempting to go out and watch the sun slowly begin to set, that’s not what I’m here for.
The room behind us reminds me of that. It’s what is likely meant to be an office, but is a music room instead, complete with keyboards, an upright piano, multiple guitars—both electric and acoustic—a cello, and a large desk topped with computers and monitors and now my dick is hard.
“Thanks,” she says, taking my whistle for exactly what it is. “I’m gonna go grab a quick shower, if that’s cool, and then I’ll make the popcorn. I also know of a place nearby that delivers pizza with gluten-free crusts and dairy-free cheese if you’re interested in that.” She points to the television and hands me a crazy-ass remote. I stare at the thing in awe like she just handed me a lightsaber for the first time. “You’re a man. Do you think you can figure this out?”
I look up, directly into her cerulean eyes, and I have to remind myself to breathe. The ocean has nothing on these puppies.
“Are we being sexist now?”
She smirks, dropping a hand to her towel-covered hip. “Only if I were implying that a woman couldn’t. Obviously, I have no trouble with it. Do you think you can manage?”
“I think you’re insanely hot.”
Her eyes pop open wide as saucers, her teeth sinking into that full bottom lip. “Right. So, um…yeah. I’m going to take a shower. You can man the television. Sexist reference and all.” She slides back a step and then spins around on the balls of her bare feet, taking the stairs at a quick pace up to what I assume is her bedroom.
“You’re blushing!” I call out after her, smirking like a bastard.
“Am not!”
I stare at the empty steps for a few moments, my grin uncontained.
This girl. Damn.
I chuckle under my breath. “Yes, you were,” I whisper, even though she’s gone.
I peek down at Adalyn, who is still holding my hand, staring around the strange-to-her home with cautious observation.
“Ady, can I ask you a question?”
My girl looks up at me like I’m fucking with her time and I realize I likely am. I figure out how to turn on the television, and since Naomi’s setup is intuitive, I find Disney Plus in no time. I put on Mickey Mouse Club House because that’s Adalyn’s favorite.
“Mickey!” she squeals in delight, and I drop onto the sofa beside her, tugging her little body into mine.
“Back to that question, babe. Do you think Naomi likes me?”
Adalyn does not even so much as glance in my direction.
“I think I like her, but I don’t know. I haven’t liked anyone since your mommy, as weird as that may sound. The problem is, I know I shouldn’t like her. Naomi, not your mom, obviously, though I shouldn’t like her either.” I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. What the hell am I even saying? Adalyn throws me a curious eye before just as quickly returning to Mickey. “But yeah, I think I have a not-so-small crush on Naomi and that’s just crazy, right? Completely stupid? It makes no sense. In fact, I think your daddy would smack me upside the head for it.”
“Daddy,” she says simply. Then she twists onto my body, her head on my shoulder and her cheek on my chest as she angles herself to watch and goddamn, I love this baby. “Gus. It’s Mickey Mouse.”
“I know, doll. I know. He’s the man. Or mouse, I suppose.” She leans in and plants a deep kiss into my neck and that’s actually when I become misty-eyed. “I love you too.”
“Love you, Gus.”
A smile erupts across my face as I hold my best girl tight. My chest swells and a levity I’ve never experienced claws its way through me. It’s not the first time Adalyn has told me she loves me. But there’s something about this time, something about her voice that sets me off. I think the girl is turning me into a pussy and I can’t exactly find it in me to care.
“I want a dozen just like you, kid. Do you think you’re having a brother or a sister? It’s a strange thing to know your mommy is having a baby with your daddy. This is likely not making any sense to you, but it’s like therapy for me. Your mommy was supposed to carry my babies. But…” I bluster out a sigh and sag further into Ady. “No. I’m really wrong about that. Your mommy was always supposed to carry your daddy’s babies. And you were always meant to be a big sister to those babies.”
I think this is the moment it truly hits me.
I want what they have.
What my dad had with my mom before she died.
Maybe not yet. But eventually, I want it all.
It always felt very abstract to me—marriage, kids. But now?
Adalyn kisses my face again and I know she gets me. This girl feels other peoples’ emotions even if she cannot express them or verbalize her own. She feels it all.
I didn’t really know how to understand the fact that my niece is autistic when I first found out. I studied a lot. Read a lot. But it’s not the same as experiencing it. She scares the shit out of me with her behaviors and impulsivity and sets my fucking heart on fire with her smiles, enthusiasm, tenacity, smarts, and exuberance.
It’s impossible to think of Adalyn any other way, and other than making her life easier, I wouldn’t change her. Jasper feels the same. This is our Adalyn.
And she is perfect to us.
But right now, I could use some girl advice and the only girl I know besides her is Viola.
The doorbell rings, stirring me out of Mickey and Adalyn’s comfort. I sit up, glancing around for Naomi, who is nowhere to be found. “Naomi?” I call out. But she’s not answering.
The bell rings again and I get up off the couch and find my way to the front door that actually feels like the back since it’s not on the ocean but on the street. There is a touchpad with a screen beside the door and I tap on it. It immediately illuminates with the picture of a guy I somewhat recognize but cannot place. The bell goes off a third time and I decide to open the door.