“I really made too much. Take it for lunch tomorrow.”

I might actually puke.

“Thanks,” Aiden says for the both of us since my throat is dry. “And thanks for watching the twins for me today.”

“Anytime,” she says, her warm smile so like the one I’m used to seeing on Mason. “You really should ask for help more often. I’m happy to do it. And really, Aiden”—she puts a hand on his shoulder and gazes deeply into his eyes—“Stop being so stubborn. You’re welcome to move back in any time you want.”

I can’t take it anymore. “Thanks for the food!” I blurt, running out of the house before anyone can comment on my odd behavior. I had to get out of there before I erupted from her genuine kindness. Aiden and his brothers follow a moment later, and soon we’re all buckled up in the car.

Once we’re on the road, Aiden’s the first to break the silence. “So, boys, how was Mason’s house?”

“Fine,” they say together. They’re sitting in the back, looking out the small windows on opposite sides of the car.

Aiden keeps his tone neutral. “So, is there anything you want to tell me?”

Jason and Jackson look at each other. It’s almost creepy how in unison they are with their twin abilities. They’re making faces at each other.

“Maybe you should wait until I’m not around,” I tell Aiden. Whatever is going on with them might be something they don’t want to admit in front of me.

“I want to tell you something, but Jason says we shouldn’t,” Jackson blurts, earning him an incredulous “Jackson!” from his twin.

They start arguing with each other about telling versus not telling, and Aiden pulls the car over on the shoulder of the road. He engages the parking brake and twists in his seat to look at his brothers.

“Hey!” he calls with authority, and even I stop whatever I was going to say. The twins stop arguing immediately. “Someone tell me what’s going on right now.”

Jason and Jackson glance at each other.

“Boys . . .” Aiden’s looking at them in a way that scares even grown adults.

Jackson opens his mouth but Jason beats him to it. “I’m getting bullied in school!”

“What?” Aiden and Jackson exclaim at the same time, although Jackson’s is more with shock, and Aiden’s with rage.

“Who’s bullying you? What are they saying? When did this start happening? Are they hitting you? Jackson, are you getting bullied too? Why didn’t you want to tell me, Jason?” Aiden fires off question after question, the expression on his face one of barely restrained rage, not at his brothers, but at the bullies.

Have the kids at school found out about Greg? About the twins’ biological father, Andrew? About what people are saying about Aiden online? Children are ruthless and it breaks my heart to run through the possible scenarios of the bullying they’re facing.

Jason’s face pales. “Not long. And no, no one’s hitting me.”