Page 102 of Let Me Love You

I turn back to the game, but Aunt Blake adds, “Thanks for looking after Rory while I dealt with Lia.”

“I’m always looking after Rory,” I remind her.

“And everyone else,” Aunt Mia agrees, bumping her shoulder against mine. “What would we do without you, Jaxon?”

I shrug again.

It’s a good question. I’m always holding someone, helping someone, or playing with someone. As the oldest kid in the group, the pressure’s always there. To make sure everyone’s okay. To make sure everyone’s taken care of. It’s just the way it is. I’m used to it by now.

“You’re always going to look out for her, right?” Aunt Mia prods.

I look down at the blue-eyed baby on my knee, finding her already staring up at me. Her little hand reaches for my nose, and I dodge it, grabbing her hand and giving Aunt Mia another shrug. “Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”

“That’s my man.” Aunt Mia gives me a side hug, then catches Opie, Maverick, and Archer shoving each other near the net. Again.

“What’d the twins do this time?” she demands.

“You know how they are with Lia,” Aunt Blake grumbles. “I swear. I knew I was a spitfire as a kid, but I’m pretty sure my girl is gonna be the death of me.”

“Or the death of my boys,” Aunt Mia quips. “Come on.”

They both stand and head toward the ice as Dad intervenes for the hundredth time. I can’t help but laugh. Because this? The chaos? The yelling and fighting and laughing and crying?

Well, it’s just another day in the life of Jaxon Thorne, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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