Page 41 of Until Forever

“You didn’t have to do this,” I say as JJ takes Jasper’s hand with his other and pulls us to the exit.

“Now, what kind of father would I be if I broke tradition?” He smiles and licks his lips.

I look away to keep from watching his mouth. He’ll notice, and I’ll never be able to live it down. He’s been here a month, hanging around JJ and me on the days I don’t have to work late. This was the first time I allowed him to keep him without me around, and to say it felt awkward would be an understatement. But gauging by the smile on our kid’s face, I had nothing to worry about.

“What did you guys do while I was gone?” I ask as we approach my car.

“It was so cool. After we did my homework, we played games—he’s really bad at Madden.”

I shake my head, fighting to keep from laughing.

“And we watched scary movies, and I only jumped one time. We made pizza, went for ice cream, and practiced my throwing.”

“Wow. It sounds like you didn’t miss me at all,” I tease.

“Of course, I missed you. We both did. Right, Dad?” JJ waves at Jasper, who’s standing just as shocked as me by JJ’s choice of words.

“A-ah,” he stutters and makes eye contact with me. “Yeah, we missed you.” His words came out clearer this time, his gaze lingering longer than it needs to.

I let out a breath and adjust my bag on my shoulder. “Yeah, well, I missed you, too, baby.” I lean down to peck his cheek.

“And you missed Daddy, too.”

I’m upright again and drag my gaze over Jasper’s frame. He raises a brow and cocks his head to the left with his arms out at his sides, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It’s a silent question of whether there’s some truth to JJ’s words.

“We should go. I’m hungry.” I open the door to my back seat, toss my bag across his booster seat, and immediately realize I forgot to leave it with Jasper before I left to spend the last three days at work.

“I’m going to ride with Dad, but yes, we should go.” JJ closes my door for me and walks around to the opposite side of the pickup that’s parked beside my Jeep.

“What happened to the van?” I ask, not expecting to see the shiny blue Chevy Silverado.

“Since you clowned me so badly, JJ and I traded it in. I only had it a few days, so they worked with me.”

“I wasn’t clowning you.” I try not to smile but fail miserably.

“Oh, you did, big time. And so did Bax when I stopped by the compound.”

I chuckle. “Hey, the moms on the PTA would have swooned,” I joke.

“There’s only one mother I want swooning over me.” His words come out quick but serious nonetheless.

My breath hitches, and I glance down to keep him from seeing that his confession flatters me. “Oh, wait. JJ’s seat. Sorry, I totally forgot to leave it with you.”

He holds up a hand then opens his back door. “We got one of those, too. The first day, I borrowed one from Sage but got a new one after leaving the dealership. Figured I’ll need it for the times we’re in my truck.”

I nod. “That makes sense.” I saunter to the driver’s side of my Jeep Renegade. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you two at IHOP.”

“We’ll be right behind you.” He and JJ climb into his new truck, slamming the doors shut.

* * *

“That was good.” Jasper pushes his plate to the center of the table.

As if on cue, they both rub their stomachs and sigh. When I take them in, both dressed alike in white tops and jeans, a chill travels my spine. Not that I ever denied it, but JJ really is Jasper’s twin. But it doesn’t matter that I know it, seeing that they have more in common than just their appearance is surreal.

“What?” Jasper asks, catching me staring.

“Nothing.” I shake my head.

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