He laughs and rocks his head back. I can understand his appeal. Hayes is attractive and a genuinely nice guy. It’s not like I want to date him. One reason of course is that he’s taken, and I absolutely love his wife. The other reason I’m in the process of trying to delete out of my brain.
He shakes his head at me. “Look at us, trying to give the other one a break.”
The bell rings, which gives us about five minutes before the kids rush out.
Hayes pushes himself off the ledge. “Your time to help us out will come, I’m sure. We’ll be in Texas soon and then Atlanta. But you probably know that.”
I nod. “Your schedule is posted on the fridge. Hazel likes to follow her grandpa, plus he always brings her stuffies from the cities he visits. She’s getting older, so now she’s asking for specific things.”
He chuckles. “Am I going to be fighting your dad for a Texas longhorn and a right whale stuffed animal?” My shocked expression must give me away. “Leighton and I apologize.” He places his hand over his heart. “Our Monroe has never found a list she didn’t want to check everything off of.”
“I think it’s cute they have something to share. And I’d tell my dad to pick up two, but I have a feeling you want to buy them for her.”
He’s already nodding before I finish. “It’s kind of our bonding thing. This time of the year is hard enough, and it helps a little. Leighton and I are trying to schedule some days out just us and one of them.” He shrugs. “So, it’s hard.”
The doors of the school open, and we get interrupted by kids pouring out of the school.
Monroe and Hazel are the first of our crew, both of them running toward us.
Monroe clings to Hayes.
Hazel lingers and hugs me around my middle, but there’s no tight squeeze. When I look at her face to try to decipher if it was a bad day, she’s staring at Hayes and Monroe.
I watch Hayes lift Monroe, and she wraps her legs around his waist as though it’s the most instinctive thing in the world, and something quiet and complicated moves through my chest—because I want that for Hazel so badly it almost looks like anger from the outside.
“Tell me one good thing from today,” Hayes says to her.
Monroe stares at the blue sky.
“She got picked to bring someone special on Friday,” Hazel interjects, and I run my hand over her long braid. She sounds super excited for her friend.
Monroe’s lips tip down. “You can’t come.”
Hayes’s eyes close for a moment, and his mouth twists. “I’m sorry. Maybe I can talk to the teacher. Swap days with someone.”
Monroe squirms, and he lets her down. “It’s okay.” She turns to Hazel. “This is what happens with them.”
Hayes and I share a look of confusion, as Monroe’s comment is kind of cryptic, as though the two of them have been discussing something.
“Let’s swap,” Hazel says. “I’ll take Friday. My mom can come.” She looks at me, and I nod.
Monroe’s mouth twists. “It’s okay. You don’t understand how busy their schedule is.”
“Monroe, don’t you mean my schedule?” Hayes has clearly picked up on the words they and them, as I have.
“All of you… but anyway, Hazel has news too.” She motions at Hazel, trying to shift the attention to her friend.
“Do tell,” Hayes says, crossing his arms, waiting.
Hazel’s gaze falls to the ground, and she shuffles her feet. “I’m entering the end-of-the-year talent show.”
My eyes widen, and I try to tamp down my surprise. This is a very out-of-the-box thing for Hazel. She’s quiet, reserved, and doesn’t like any kind of spotlight on her. “Oh, that’s awesome, sweetie.”
“There’s one problem.” Monroe cringes, but when Hazel glances over, she smacks on an encouraging smile. “But she totally has it.”
Hazel’s shoulders slip as if she’s already doubting herself. “I have to hula hoop.” Her voice is small and unsure.
My mind travels back to field day a few weeks ago when she struggled to get the hula hoop going and to move her hips properly.
