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“We should’ve listened to you.” He lets out a breath of relief. “You are a menace on the ice.”
I bark out a laugh and push him off me. “I wasn’t the one skating backward and causing this pileup.”
“Are you okay?” Aspen asks as she skates over to us.
“That was so cool!” Brayden says.
The huge smile on his face gives me pause, but not in a bad way. For the first time in a long time, he’s got his old smile back. The one that lights up his entire adorable face. It was at this moment that I realized the heavy load my son was carrying as a result of his concern for me. Standing in front of me is the little boy he should be.
“Totally your mom’s fault,” Silas jokes, making Brayden laugh.
Most parents have to deal with a child that wants nothing to do with the idea of them dating after divorce. But it’s clear that Silas gives him peace of mind, that he doesn’t have to worry. There is someone here that he can trust to take on the heavy lifting.
“Hey!” I pretend to pout. “I told you guys I didn’t know how to do this.”
They all laugh, and we get up off the ice. My wrist is tender, but I didn’t land too hard on it. I can still move it, but it will not feel great tomorrow.
We decide it’s probably best to take a hot chocolate break. We return our borrowed skates and sit on one of the benches that circle the rink. Brayden is talking animatedly to Silas about the new bike he wants for Christmas while Aspen leans against me. Her little yawn draws my attention away from watching my two guys.
“Someone’s sleepy,” I say, brushing her bangs out of her eyes.
She tries to open her eyes but really struggles. “I’m awake.”
“Sure, you are.” I smile down at her. “Guys, I think we might need to wrap it up.”
Aspen’s hand that’s holding her half-empty cup of hot chocolate drops to the ground with a splash as sleep overtakes her. And to my surprise, Brayden doesn’t fight me on this. Silas gathers up all the cups and walks them over to the trash can.
“Did you have fun tonight?” I ask Brayden.
He nods. “It was the best.”
The urge to pull him into my arms and sniff the top of his head is only hindered by a sleeping Aspen leaning against me.
“Thank you.” I reach out my hand to him.
He takes it, but it’s clear from the expression on his face that he doesn’t understand why I’m saying this to him.
“You are the best son any mom could have. You know that, right?”
Brayden tries to play it cool, but I still see the corner of his mouth lift up. “Yeah, I know.”
“Good.”
Silas returns and scoops Aspen up into his arms. “All set?”
“Let’s go home.”
* * *
Both of mychildren are like walking zombies when we get back to the inn. They are both asleep before their heads hit the pillows.
“Skating was a good idea,” I whisper to Silas as we walk to the top of the steps. “Those two will sleep like the dead tonight.”
“I’m glad you took a chance on it,” he says, gently lifting my arm and running his thumb over my bruised wrist. His gaze lifts to meet mine.
“Me too,” I say, but I don’t think either one of us is talking about skating anymore.
Silas starts to lean close, but instead of kissing me, he puts both hands over my ears. I’m so startled by the action I try and pull away, but he shakes his head to stop me.
