Chapter 77

** Parker’s POV ** By the time the cookies are cooling on the counter, Jaxon has chocolate smudged across his cheek, flour in his hair, and one of the biggest grins I’ve seen since he came to live here. He’s still buzzing with his usual energy. Either he’s so resilient that he’s already over the whole Greg thing, or he’s just very good at hiding how he feels. There’s also the possibility that he’s just riding a sugar-high. We spend the rest of the afternoon making a fuss of him while Paige gets some work done. When evening comes, Ryder scoops him up for a piggyback ride to the stairs. Jax clings a little tighter than usual. Which makes me think he might have been putting a brave face on all day. “I’ll take him tonight,” I offer quickly, because usually Ryder or Paige claims bedtime duty before I can blink. Ryder arches a brow but doesn’t argue. He just hands Jaxon over and ruffles his hair. “Don’t let him trick you into staying up late.” Jaxon grins, his small arms wrapping around my n