It Started With A Concussion ✔️

Chapter 41

Jackson's POV

"I know it's a big ask but-"

"Don't worry about it Mom. I'm happy to take them." I ease her stress a little.

Today is the last day Alex, Jasmine, and Eden are down here. Their flight is at two and they want to go to the diner one last time before leaving.

My mom wanted to take them, but it's Saturday at 10:30 in the morning and it's a perfect day outside. Which means the parlor will be flooding with people early due to how hot it is.

I let her leave and help Jasmine and Eden in the bathroom. I got back downstairs and I'm immediately pulled into a one-sided conversation with Alex.

For a few days now he's been babbling about the upcoming NHL Draft. Ever since Annabelle's friends came over and put on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Alex has been talking nonstop about the sport.

They encouraged him to try it out after learning he's from Michigan and he's been obsessed ever since. Even at five, the kid picked up on a lot quickly.

"So what does this guy do?" Rosalie asked as the TV was paused on a replay of a game.

"That's the center. He's like the main guy on the ice. He scores a lot too." Alex explains and I have to admit, I'm learning a little about the game through this kid. "I want to be a center when I grow up. Do you think I can be a center?" He asks me.

"You can be whatever you want." I tell him through a laugh and he continues to watch the TV like a hawk.

I hear the two girls stumble down the stairs behind me and run into the living room. I realize taking care of this many kids at once would be tough to manage without help.

I focus on Rosalie as she skips back into the room with her shoes on. "Hey Ro?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think you can do me a favor?" I ask, sitting up on the couch. She gives me one of her usual smiles and nods. "Can you go across the street and ask Em if she wants to come with us? Just...don't tell her I said that." I add.

Waiting for a response from my six year old sister seems like hell. She's so young, yet she knows how to read a situation. In fact, she can read people pretty well. Me being one of them.

"You want me to lie?" She questions.

"Not lie..." I trail off to think of an excuse. "More like purposefully say the wrong words." My eyebrows draw together at how ridiculous I sound trying to persuade my sister to get Emery to go with us.

She gives me a questionable look, probably trying to understand what I'm asking her to do, before laughing like I said the most outrageous joke ever.

"For you big brother, I will." She smiles. "I'll just go tell her you think she's cute on top of that."

My face drops as she giggles. And she's already out the door before I can say anything.

I speed to the front door and call the others to hop in the car, watching Rosalie scurry up the steps of the house in front of me and knock on the door. I can still hear her laughing, but me...I'm not laughing at all.

~~~~~

Emery's POV

I had just thrown on my work shirt when there was rapid knocking at the door. I was in a hurry to get to work by this time, so I detoured to get my keys before opening the door.

"What-oh." My rushing comes to a halt when I see the gleaming child on the porch. "Hey Ro...what are you doing here?" I ask.

"Uhm...I was wondering if you'd like to go to the diner with us. It's my cousins' last day here." She explains, her voice sounding fresh off a giggle.