Page 106 of Play With Me

When I picked Cap and Farrah up from dinner last night, my boy asked if he could stay over with me. I met Farrah’s eye in the rearview. Did she make a date with Gerrard or something? But Cap turned to her and apologized.

“I think Dad might get lonely when we’re gone, and I…” He looked up at me in the rearview. “I’m not used to being away from him so much.”

My whole chest ached at that. How could I say no?

When we got back to the hotel, he immediately banged on Nora’s door, filling her in on his “sleepover” with me and begging her to play attack checkers with us. It was a bit like old times, only that heaviness grew wider, setting a dark cloud over me that wasn’t unlike the one that had formed when we were back in Quince Valley that day Farrah had first called.

I should have been enjoying the moment, and even with the ache in my chest I couldn’t stop stealing glances at her. She’d just been getting out of the bath when Cap banged on her door, and her hair was still wet, soaking damp patches into her T-shirt. She wore these little sleeping shorts and looked sexy as hell.

But we didn’t say much when she said goodbye, begging off early to do some more editing on her video footage.

This morning, Cap and I indulge in breakfast in bed, though Cap’s more bouncing off the walls. I texted Nora to invite her over, but she said she was heading downstairs for an early swim, and she’d meet us in the lobby to say goodbye to Farrah and Cap.

I shake off my disappointment, focusing on spending my last morning with Cap for a few days, before checking his backpack full of clothes and supplies for the hundredth time.

“I’m going to be fine, Dad,” Cap assures me as we set out down the hallway.

“I know,” I say begrudgingly, my arm hooked around my little guy’s shoulders. I’m surprisingly less nervous about it than I was yesterday, despite a fresh dump of snow outside. I know a good part of that is because before he left, my brother vouched for Gerrard.

“Wait, you know that guy?” I’d asked, shocked. Nora, in that hot fucking librarian outfit, had smirked as she dug into her dessert. I was asking questions of him like I’d told her was pointless. Still, I waited for my answer.

“I’ve contracted him before for work. He does this tour guide shit when he needs a break. They’re in good hands, Jude, and you know I wouldn’t just say that.”

He wouldn’t, especially not when it related to the safety of his nephew. I didn’t bother asking about what he’d contracted him for. And for what work.

“But if you change your mind about being there at any time you just phone, okay? Gerrard has a satellite phone and can be reached no matter where you are. I’ll come get you, just say the word.”

“Dad.” Cap turns and grips my arms. “You’re gonna be all right without me, okay? Nora’s going to take care of you.”

I bite my cheek so I don’t smile. “Do I look that worried?”

“Duh.”

I give my guy a squeeze so hard he coughs, then another one downstairs after he’s all suited up and about to climb on the little minibus that will take them to the trailhead.

Cap pulls Nora aside before they leave, whispering something in her ear before she bends down and gives him a kiss on the cheek that has my chest warming. She’s wearing her old clothes again, a corduroy skirt and black turtleneck, her hair in braids, but somehow, she looks more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her.

I tear my eyes away from them as Cap climbs the steps onto the bus, waving briefly. God, I remember when he was a toddler and used to blow me kisses. My chest clenches.

After a nod at Farrah and Gerrard, they’re all inside, the bus rumbling away.

Even though I know everything’s going to be fine, worry grinds a hole in my insides.

“I need a drink,” I mutter as the bus rounds the corner out of sight.

“It’s nine in the morning, Jude,” Nora says softly.

“Later, then. I need a drink later.” I look down at Nora, who smiles, her eyes big behind her glasses.

I frown. “What?”

“You ready?” she asks.

I turn fully to face Nora, my spirits lifting considerably. Somehow, in all the worry about this excursion, I lost sight of the fact that Nora and I now have three days and two nights to ourselves. I slide my hands over her hips, pulling her close to me. Heat expands inside of me as I feel her warm body pressed against mine.

But Nora places her hands on my chest, laughing.

“Wait, ready for what?” I ask.

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