Page 32 of Fall With Me
He snorts. “No thanks.”
“I’ll give you the company credit card so you can buy the earbuds.”
“Sounds good.”
Finn’s game ends as we finish our conversation. His team won twenty-one to seven. He gets a treat from the coach’s wife, then runs to Dawson with a smile so big on his face that his eyes are slits. “Did you see me, Dad?”
“I did. You were awesome, dude.” Dawson holds his fist out for a bump. Finn returns it, his grin taking up permanent residency on his cute face.
“Great job, Finn.” I offer him a fist bump of my own.
“I can’t wait to tell Mom about it!”
I smile at Finn. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear how amazing you were.”
“Yep,” Dawson says.
That’s it. A one-word response.
Man, he’s in a tough position. I can’t imagine how hard it is for him to refrain from saying how he truly feels about his ex in front of Finn. I admire how he doesn’t say anything negative about her though. Dawson’s a great guy to be so considerate of his son. Does he vent to a friend? Family? He needs a safe space and someone to be there for him, just like he is for Finn.
“I’ve got work to do before the football game tonight,” I say, picking up my chair. “I’ll see you two boys later.” I give Finn one last fist bump.
The festival is slowly but surely coming along. I’ll feel a whole lot better once we have a venue and I know how much space we have to work with. For now, it’s time to call some food trucks before cheering on the Utes.
Chapter 15
Dawson
Being an adult isn’t easy. Being a parent is downright exhausting in all the ways: mentally, physically, and emotionally. I’m in quicksand, trying to get myself to safety, but every responsibility in my life pushes more and more sand around me, forcing me to stay put. I’m about to get buried completely.
What Chloe said about doing an activity to distract Finn resonated with me.
Sure, it would be easy to dump Finn on a relative, giving me an entire day to myself. As much as I’d like to do that, there’s a little voice screaming at me, telling me Finn needs me now more than ever.
As stressed as I am, it doesn’t matter. Finn comes first.
“Ready to head home? I have a severe itch for some Mario Kart.” Playing an easy game that keeps Finn and me entertained is exactly the distraction we need.
“Can I be Yoshi?”
“You can be whoever you want.”
Throwing my chair into the passenger seat, I settle into the driver’s side and start the car. Glancing at Finn in the rearview mirror, I ask, “You know I love you, right, Finn?”
He buckles his seatbelt. “Yeah. Why?”
“Just making sure.” I can’t make up for Willow, but I can ensure that Finn never doubts my love and devotion to him.
My eyelids are like concrete blocks. No matter how many times I try to keep them open, they’re too heavy. If I rest them for a second, Finn won’t be able to tell.
The controller in my hand vibrates, startling me awake. My heart pounds against my ribs. Rubbing my itchy eyes, I say, “What hap—?”
Finn, slouching on the couch like the cushions have absorbed his body, says, “You’re not playing very well today.”
Settling my gaze on the television, sure enough, my character is ramming its kart into the brick wall. I’m in last place, and I haven’t even completed the first lap. Finn’s halfway through his third. So much for spending quality time doing something Finn loves. “Sorry, bud. I must be more tired than I realized.”
“Can I keep playing while you take a nap?”
