Page 107 of Broken Prince
“What about the daycare?”
“Logan took Benny out. At least on his weeks. Something about the daycare worker, unfortunately, being one of Stacy’s friends. He doesn’t trust her.”
“Oh.” Guilt hits me. Why does Stacy have to be like this? Benny should be her first priority, but all she cares about is hurting Logan. And by default, it hurts Benny in the long run.
“I’m gonna go grab him,” Mom says.
“Let me,” I rush out.
Mom smiles softly and nods.
I’m racing up the stairs and down the hall to Benny’s room. Opening the door, I find him sitting up in his crib. My heart could burst with how happy I am to see his little face. Two weeks away from him felt like a lifetime.
“Hey, little man.” I smile so wide, my eyes filling with tears.
He smiles back, rubbing at his sleepy face. I pick him up and hold him in my arms.
He sighs and snuggles into me. “I miss you so much.” I kiss his dark curly hair. “I hope it doesn’t have to stay like this for long.”
Benny rubs his face against my shoulder, still pretty sleepy.
I bring him downstairs, taking my time so I can hold him as long as I can. When I get to the kitchen and hand him over to my mom, I know I have to leave or I’m going to end up staying longer than I should.
Saying goodbye is hard. It almost feels like I’m leaving my own kid behind, and it kills me.
Needing to take my mind off everything, I head back to campus and change into running gear. I’m itching to run, and with the campus being busy midday, I feel like it’s the safest time.
I don’t listen to music, wanting to be aware of my surroundings at all times.
Starting off slow, I make a few laps around the dorm building. It’s not enough, and I get bored fast. But since I’m feeling good, I decide to take my jog down towards the coffee house.
I’m smiling by the time I get there, panting heavily, heart racing, but I did it. And I didn’t feel unsafe. Morning runs are the best way to start the day, but until I’m comfortable doing that, I think mid-day runs will do for now.
Grabbing a coffee, I start to walk back towards the dorm. With the sun beating down on me, sweat drips down my brow. Needing some shade, I head under a nearby tree and check my phone.
“What are you doing here?” a voice low, deep sounds from behind me. I let out a yelp, jumping forward in fear and spilling my coffee all over my hand. I hiss, the hot liquid burning my skin.
“Fuck!”
“Shit, Delaney.” The person grabs my hand, and I look up to see it’s Kai. “Fuck, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. We need to get that cleaned up.”
“I’m heading back to my dorm. I’ll just run it under some water.”
He shakes his head. “My place is closer.” He uncaps the water bottle he’s carrying and gently takes my hand, pouring the contents over the burning skin.
“The one time I go for a hot coffee,” I groan.
“I’m so sorry, Sweetheart,” he rumbles.
“It’s fine. Really.”
He gives me a look. “It’s not. Come with me.” He takes my good hand, and my eyes flick around us.
“Someone might see,” I hiss, trying to pull back my hand.
He snorts. “I don’t seem to care very much about that, Sweetheart,” he chuckles.
Kai ends up dragging me to an apartment building about a three-minute walk in the opposite direction of my place. But he’s right; it is closer than the fifteen-minute walk home.