AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sure your mom loves you very much.”
“Thanks,” she mumbles.
“Your dad clearly does,” I reply, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah,” she says with a smile. “I’ve always been close with my dad.”
“What does he think about Clay?” I ask.
Her smile fades, and she immediately looks away. Something about the way she’s evading that question makes me nervous. That’s not a good sign.
“Uhh…” she says as she scratches her leg.
Just then, Jack and Clay come bounding out of the ride exit, Jack bouncing with a wide smile.
“That was so fun!” Then he looks up at Clay, who looks like he’s been through the spin cycle. “Can we ride it again?” Jack says with a shriek.
Clay winces, which makes Jade and I laugh. “Why don’t we do something a little slower, buddy?” he says with a grimace.
Standing up, I smile at Clay. “What’s wrong? Can’t handle another turn on the Spin-o-Matic?”
He smiles, bumping me with his shoulder. The four of us make our way down the paved pathway toward the next ride.
“The Ferris wheel!” Jack says with excitement when he sees the giant ride up ahead.
“Perfect,” Clay replies, and we laugh again.
“You look a little green, babe,” Jade says, teasing him. I let out a laugh, biting my bottom lip and waiting for his reaction.
He looks back from where he’s walking with Jack to glare at her when his eyes dart down to find my hand resting on the inside of Jade’s arm. A smile crosses his face.
Then he faces forward and takes my son’s hand in his own. “To the Ferris wheel,” he calls.
“To the Ferris wheel,” the rest of us echo.
The line is short, but we still have to wait about twenty minutes before we can get on. Of course, during that time, Jack steals all the attention, talking about all of his favorite parts of the day so far and all the things he’d like to do before we go home.
“Can we come back here on my birthday?” Jack asks excitedly.
“You just had a birthday,” Clay replies with a laugh.
“I know. But mynextbirthday.”
I ruffle his hair with a smile. “Yes, buddy. We can come back on your birthday.”
“All of us,” he adds. “I wantallof us to come back.”
Glancing up at Clay, our eyes meet, and I feel my skin breaking out in goose bumps. The future feels so distant and long, but the possibilities of our future make it seem so exciting. Birthdays, holidays, vacations. Could we really see that far together? Like this?
“Of course, buddy,” Clay replies, giving Jack a wink. “We willallcome back.”
When it’s our turn for the Ferris wheel, the four of us climb into one pod together. Clay and I end up next to each other, and Jade and Jack are on the other side.
He grabs her hand with a big cheesy smile, squeezing it excitedly as she smiles at him. The sight of them together makes the inside of my chest warm.
I can’t remember the last time I ever put my trust in anyone the way I trust these two. Last night was a testament to that. I told them everything and never worried once they would spill my secrets or think of me differently after learning the truth.
And now, I’m trusting them with my son. And not just his safety but his heart. He’s falling for them the same way I am. If they leave us, I won’t be the only one left heartbroken.
