Love's Game (LarssonSiblingSeries#5)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Double update! 💕

OLIVE

I'm trying my best to stay out of the way of Dexter and his family. The last thing they need is me hanging around so I stay back in my bedroom, reading a book with Sed sprawled across my knees. Every time I hear Delilah cry it makes me want to go out there and give her a great big hug, but I refrain, knowing I can do that later.

We don't know each other all that well, but she's made me feel incredibly comfortable around their family and often tags me in funny posts on Facebook. I wouldn't call us friends but it's close and seeing someone I care about hurting tears me up.

They got back about forty minutes ago with Dexter telling me in private that her father died late this morning. I didn't know what to think at first, but I soon got my head around it when Levi walked her in to the apartment and I saw her expression.

"Olive?" Dexter whispers, knocking on my door.

I sit up, pushing Sed away when he goes to sniff my face. "Everything okay?"

Dexter steps inside with Beau holding his hand. "Is there any chance you can watch over him a minute? Edward's just got here and doesn't know about Jason yet. It's going to get emotional and I don't think Beau should see it."

"Of course I'll look after him," I reply, moving my legs over the edge of the bed to hold my hand out to him. "Come here, little guy. You hungry? I'll share my marshmallows with you."

At the sound of marshmallow, Beau toddles over here, falling into my legs before I lift him on the bed. Dexter thanks me before leaving the bed and I let Beau help himself to as many marshmallows as he needs. I know he doesn't know it but his mummy is going to need him more than ever right now.

"Ummm," he says, his tiny hand delving into the bag, pulling out a handful.

I take them out of his hand and hand over a pink one. "Let's eat one at a time. We don't want you choking."

Listening to me, Beau stuffs it in his mouth with a big grin. "More," he responds, swallowing down what he has in his mouth.

My hand goes out towards him. "Which one do you want?" I say, letting him take a white, surprised when he gets on his knees to shove it in my mouth.

I laugh. "Thanks, Beau."

He chuckles, putting one in his mouth too, head snapping in the direction of the door when he hears Edward's voice. I try to distract him but it's useless and he's far too quick at sliding down the bed.

"Dada!" he shouts, looking up at me when he points at the door.

I bend down to pick him up. "Daddy is busy at the minute. You'll see him soon," I respond, feeling way out of my depth - I have no clue what I'm doing.

Beau makes a beeline for Sed, stroking his head with a lot of force. "Ahhh, woo," he says, leaning down to kiss his fur.

I smile, "Do you like doggy's?"

Beau kisses Sed's head for a second time in an answer, looking up to point to me. "Kissy!"

I laugh, "You want me to kiss him too?"

Smiling big he lets out a long and lispy, "Yeeees."

Climbing on to my bed, I push the pillows out of the way and kneel next to Beau, planting a kiss on Sed's nose. This earns an extra loud chuckle from Beau so I do it another three times until he's in fits of laughter and almost falling backwards off the bed. Children find the silliest things funny. It's kind of endearing.