THIRTY EIGHT

GRAYSON'S POV

I glanced at my watch. The kids' closing time was approaching, and I knew I needed to be there. A grin played on my lips at the thought of that prick Raymond not showing his face today. I picked up my phone and called Sylvia.

“Hi,” she answered, her voice a bit hurried.

“Hey,” I replied.

“I’m sorry, do you need something? I’m about to pick up the kids,” she said.

“That’s why I’m calling. I’m on my way to pick them up,” I said.

“Oh, really?” she sounded surprised.

“Way to sound surprised,” I teased.

“No, it’s just that I didn’t think you still wanted to,” she said.

“I told you earlier that it’s something I want to do,” I reminded her.

There was a pause on her end before she spoke again. “Look, Grayson, the kids have been through a lot. I have been through a lot. I don’t want someone in their lives that they get attached to who might disappear at a moment’s notice.”

“Do you really think that of me? Sylvia, I feel a connection with these kids, and I won’t do that to them,”