Page 80 of Shattered Dreams

“I’ll be back soon.”

He leaves the room, and I grab the rest of the stuff for Rylee’s bath. As I head into the bathroom, I call her name so she knows it’s time. I shut off the water. She hurries into the room, gets undressed and into the tub.

“We have to be fast tonight, Daddy.”

“Sure thing, pumpkin.”

I help her wash her hair, but she washes the rest of herself without prompting or reminding. She’s getting too big too fast. It’s crazy how quickly these kids grow. I wish Vicki could be here to see it, and though it’s not easy sometimes, I’m glad that I am. I don’t regret working with the Cougars, but I missed out on a lot of things, especially those first few years.

When she’s done with the bath, she dries off and gets dressed. I dry her hair a little more and braid it so it won’t be a wild mess tomorrow.

We head downstairs and I walk her into the living room where Maddox is sitting on the couch, watching TV. He gives me a strange look, which I don’t think much of, before letting them know I’m going to check on dinner, which should be done soon.

I threw a bunch of stuff in here to make a stew, and it smells good. I take the top off and give it a mix, then taste it to make sure it doesn’t need anything else. I stab the potatoes and carrots, which seem cooked, and the meat is tender and falling apart, so I turn the crockpot to the warm setting, and put the lid back on. We can eat when Paul gets back with Straw Berry.

“Andre?”

I look over my shoulder to see Maddox standing by the island, looking at me carefully. There’s something about the way he’s looking at me that has me slightly worried.

“What’s up, Maddox?” I ask. “Everything okay?”

He looks at me, almost unsure if he should answer me or not. I’m worried he’s going to tell me something bad. When you’re a parent, you always think the worst.

“You can tell me whatever’s going on, bud,” I say to reassure him.

He blinks a few times, then finally opens his mouth. And what he says… it knocks me back.

“Are you my dad’s boyfriend?”

I am speechless. I have no idea what the hell I am supposed to say to that. For some reason, my gaze goes to the door, willing Paul to open it and step in to have this conversation so I don’t have to. We told my parents and Amelia and Sean. We knew we would have to tell the kids at some point, though we haven’t really discussed when or how to do that, but damn, I wasn’t prepared to do it now of all times. And I don’t know if I should. Is this something that Paul wanted to do? Him and Amelia together? How would I feel if this were Rylee asking him the same thing? I think I’d be relieved that someone else did it instead of me.

“Before I answer that, can I ask why you’re asking?” I say carefully, not wanting him to think I’m mad or that we can’t talk about it, but I want to know how much to say.

“I saw him kiss you in Rylee’s room.”

Ah… so there was someone there.

Nodding, I move over to him and crouch down so we’re eye to eye.

“If I was your dad’s boyfriend, would that be okay with you?”

“Yeah, I guess. I know boys can be boyfriends and girls can be girlfriends.”

“That’s right, they can.” I give him a smile. “You’re a smart kid, Maddox.”

“So, is that a yes?”

“It’s a yes. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner; it’s just kind of a scary thing to tell people.”

“How come? If you like someone, then you shouldn’t be afraid of that, right?”

A soft smile forms on my face, and there’s a warm, tight feeling in my chest.

“I guess you’re right. But sometimes, when you’re an adult, you get scared of silly things.”

“Does Rylee know?”

“Not yet, but we will tell her. Not tonight, I don’t think, but soon.”