Page 83 of Shattered Dreams

The day is pretty smooth, despite the kids being overly excited about the dance. I manage to get through lunch without having to scold anyone, and the study halls go quick, thank God. Before I know it, the last of the buses take off, and it’s time for me to go grab Maddox from school.

Normally, he goes straight to Amelia’s, and I pick him up there after school, but we’ve always had this tradition for Valentine’s Day, where I take him with me to pick out flowers and candy for his mother. When Amelia and I got divorced, I didn’t want to do much of anything, feeling like a complete and utter failure as a husband and father, but I wanted to keep things as normal for Maddox as I could, and I didn’t want my son to think because we weren’t together didn’t mean I didn’t care about his mother. So now, every Valentine’s Day, I pick him up from school and we go pick out flowers and candy for Amelia.

I tap out a text to Dre to remind him I’ll be home a bit later because Maddox and I are going out, just as Maddox opens the car door. He piles in with a big grin on his face, carrying a giant box full of party goodies. Valentines, candy, toys. I note his box is covered in lightning bolts and it looks like he’s taped a toy motorcycle on top of the box.

Not going to lie, it looks cool as hell, so I tell him that.

He goes on and on about the party, and I can’t help but smile because seeing my kid happy like this, especially after these last couple of years? Knowing it’s because of Dre and Rylee…

My chest tightens at the thought.

When we get to the grocery store, it’s packed with husbands and boyfriends scrambling at the last minute to get stuff. I grab a box of chocolate-covered cherries for Amelia, since they are her favorite, and a heart-shaped box of assorted chocolates with a llama on the front for Rylee, while Maddox peruses the flower selection. When I head over to him, he’s staring at them with a very intense gaze.

“What’s the matter? Can’t find one you like?” I ask.

He shakes his head as I lean in to grab a large bouquet of red roses.

“These look good. Can’t go wrong with a classic dozen roses,” I say seriously as I hand them to him. Then I pick out a bouquet of six pink roses with gold glitter on them for Rylee, and turn to move, but Maddox stands still, staring at the flowers, still.

“Everything okay, buddy?”

He turns to me, twisting his lips as his intense gaze lands on me, and I worry he’s going to tell me he got in trouble or something and ask me not to tell his mother. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time.

“Do boys get flowers, too?” he asks.

I’m taken aback by his question, because it’s so blatant, but also because he looks genuinely curious.

Ever since Dre told him we were together, he hasn’t said a word to me about it, which I was kind of relieved about. He hasn’t acted differently towards either of us, and honestly, I have been pretty thankful.

But now, here we are in the middle of Target, and he’s asking me if boys get flowers.

Shit.

“Umm…” I swallow the lump in my throat as he looks at me, and answer him as best I can. “Yeah, of course.” I blink, feeling strangely on the spot. Maddox nods as if he understands. “Do you want flowers?” I ask carefully. “Because if you do, we’ll get you some.”

He rolls his eyes at me.

“You’re supposed to buy flowers for your valentine, Dad.” He raises a brow at me, and my cheeks heat with embarrassment.

Fucking kids know just how to shame the hell out of you.

He crosses his arms and taps his foot impatiently, glaring at me then looks at the flowers.

“Yes, you are,” I say, clearing my throat as I look at all the flowers, feeling like I’m picking out a house. Suddenly the choice is difficult, because they all look great, but… I am not sure what would be best for Dre.

Maddox carefully points to a bouquet of white roses that have red edges.

“Those are pretty.”

I smile at Maddox and reach for the roses.

“Yeah, they are,” I say, and he takes off for the candy aisle. “What are you—”

Maddox returns with a small heart-shaped box of Reese’s Cups.

“Don’t be cheap, Dad.”

I can’t help but laugh.