Page 20 of Bruise Me Tenderly
Eleven
Judson
The nursery is a total mess when we get started in it. The only piece of furniture already put together is a rocking chair in the corner. At least the walls were painted a pale yellow already. McKenzie told me River did it for her a few months ago.
I try to focus on all the boxes instead of River currently sitting in the middle of the floor, his T-shirt sleeves stretched tight around his biceps as he lifts part of a crib into a standing position.
“Come hold this,” he says without bothering to look up at me.
I put a hand on the crib side to hold it steady and glance back to check on McKenzie, who’s rocking slightly in the chair in the corner, her hand resting on her belly.
River double checks the instruction manual before slotting a screw into the crib head to connect it with the side I’m holding up.
The tiny wrench that came with the crib makes a rattling sound as he tries to match it up with the screw.
“You know, when you offered to help put this stuff together, I thought that meant you had some expertise or something.”
He pauses to glare up at me. “She needs these put together soon. Not next year when you learn how to use a tool.”
“Right now, you’re the only tool I see in the room.”
“Judson,” McKenzie chastises.
“It’s okay,” River says. “He’s just jealous.”
He flicks his wrist once more before leaning back. “Let go.”
When I release the crib, it stays upright.
McKenzie gasps. “How’d you do that? Judson tried for thirty minutes before you got here.”
“It was five minutes,” I protest, even though I am kind of impressed. River was always like that though. Always good with hands, with puzzles and challenges.
The doorbell rings, and McKenzie pushes up from the chair. “That’s the pizza. Keep working.”
As soon as she disappears down the hallway, I turn back to River. “I missed you.”
River’s answering smile is shy and sweet. “I missed you too. Now help me get the crib together.”
We work in silence for a few minutes, the only sound McKenzie’s light laughter as she talks to the pizza delivery guy.
“She sounds happy,” River says.
“Yeah.” I can’t really focus on what my sister sounds like because I’m busy admiring the way River’s blue jeans hug his ass as he bends over to slot something into place.
“I feel you staring at me instead of working,” River says, the words muffled because he has a screw sticking out of his mouth, held in place with his lips.
“Well, watching you is more entertaining.”
He straightens up and glares at me. “We are not doing this in your nephew’s nursery.”
“It’s not like he’s living in it yet,” I point out and laugh at the scandalized look on his face. “Relax, I’m not serious.”
He grunts and points to the changing station box. “Open that and get started. You’re going to earn your pizza.”
We work for a few hours, and by the time we’re done, the nursery is completely furnished and decorated.
“It looks so good in here,” McKenzie says, her eyes shining as she moves around the nursery, running her fingers along the rail of the crib. “It looks just like I imagined it would.”