Braden was surprised when Jessie started crying louder. He stood, too, not really sure why. She was Wes’s niece. He had this under control. He didn’t need Braden. “I’ll take care of the stuff.”
Wes nodded, and Braden knew he got that he’d put Jessie’s Santa gifts out.
“Night, everyone.” Wes’s voice was hardly heard over Jessie’s crying. Wes looked a little freaked out, too, his eyes wide and his body stiff, as though he wasn’t sure what was going on with her, either.
As they went, Braden’s dad stepped up beside him. “Told you it was more than just friends.”
He didn’t reply. Braden didn’t move from where he stood, just watched Wes disappear with Jessie. For the first time in his life, he felt left out of something he really wanted to be a part of.
***
“But Santa’s not going to find me!” Jessie cried for the millionth time. Wes sat with her in the bed, Jessie on his lap as he rocked her back and forth.
“Yes he will, kiddo. I promise.” Damn it. He’s screwed up. He thought it might not be a good idea to pull her away from her home and her family the first Christmas she spent without her mom, but he’d thought she would be okay with him and Braden. “You have to go to bed, though. Santa can’t come if you don’t go to bed.”
“I want Braden,” she cried. And Wes’s heart broke... It meant so much to him that she loved Braden, but he was her uncle. When she needed someone, he wanted it to be him.
“Braden’s with his parents right now, Jess. I’m here, though.”
There were more tears. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. “I want Braden. Santa won’t come cuz I can’t sleep. I want you and Braden.”
Wes exhaled a deep breath. She wanted him, too. She wanted them both. Red flags flew up. Wes would always be there for her, but Braden didn’t have to be.
“I miss Mommy...” she whispered. The words were a knife through his chest. He got it now. She didn’t want to be alone. She wanted to keep people she loved close to her. She wanted him and Braden. To her, they were her family. They were who she had.
“I miss her, too, kiddo.” Wes grabbed his cell off the nightstand. He didn’t let himself think about what this meant for him. The step he was taking, or the fact that this made it more real. All he knew was Jessie needed them, and he’d do anything to give her what she needed.
And he knew Braden would, too.
Jessie needs you, he texted. A minute later, there was a knock at the bedroom door.
“That’s Braden,” he told her. “I’m going to set you down and let him in.” He knew it was a precaution he didn’t need to take, that Braden wouldn’t think twice to give them what they needed. Her. Give her what she needs, I mean.
He opened the door and peeked his head out. “She’s having a hard time. She misses her mom. She wants...”
“Let me in, Wesley. You know I won’t walk away.”
Wes opened the door and Jessie ran to him. Braden picked her up and held her. “Santa won’t find me.”
“He knows you’re here, Squirt. I already talked to him. He wanted to come, but I told him you were still awake. He said he’ll be back in about an hour, but we have to be sleeping by then.”
“Can you sleep with us, too, Uncle Braden?” Wes and Braden both froze at her words—at the name she called him. Braden’s eyes sought his, a pleading that Wes had never seen from him. He gave the man a single nod.
“Yeah. Of course.” He laid Jessie on the bed. Wes had already gotten her into her pajamas, and he was in sweats and a T-shirt. Braden kicked out of his shoes as Wes covered Jessie with the blanket.
“Do you want to go change first?” Wes asked him, but Braden just shook his head. No hesitation, he climbed into the queen-sized bed in his jeans and shirt, next to Jessie. Wes inhaled a deep breath, and lay on the other side of her. She was the only one under the blankets. He knew they’d get cold, but it didn’t matter. Reaching over, Wes clicked the light on the table. The room went dark except for a light shining through the window from outside. A porch light, maybe, but it was enough that he could make out both their facial features.
“Does Mommy get presents where she is?” Jessie asked.
“Yeah, she does,” Wes replied, his heart pulling from his chest. He rolled to his left side, looking at her. Braden laid on his right side, facing the middle of the bed, too.
“Night, Uncle Wes. I love you.”
He kissed her forehead. “Good night, baby girl. I love you, too.”
“Night, Uncle Braden. I love you.”