Page 54 of Make Me Trust Again
“I will be fine. It’s just a little cough. I already feel much better than I did yesterday. C’mon, you can have cereal today.”
I pull out the bowl from the cupboard and pour him some milk before grabbing his favorite cereal and putting it on the table.
“Mom! Cereal goes in first,”Kyle protests.
“It doesn’t matter what goes first. The cereal will taste the same either way.”I let out a sigh. It’s the same old discussion we always have when it comes to his cereal.
“No, it’s not. Tell her, Chase. He knows how to do it right.”
“Oh, and how do you know that?”I cross my arms over my chest and raise a brow at him, which earns me a sheepish grin. Kyle quickly shoves a big spoonful of cereal into his mouth, someof the milk sliding down his chin. It’s his way of trying to get out of having to explain himself.
“I might have fed him cereal for dinner last night,” Chase interjects. “As we established, I’m not the best cook, but I can do a mean cereal.”
“That’s because you don’t cook cereal,silly!” Kyle laughs, and there is so much joy on his face, I feel a deep ache inside my chest.
When was the last time my boy smiled like that? With a man present in the house on top of that? He was always anxious and on edge when John was around, and he rarely laughed because he could see John flinch every time he did it. But not today. For some reason, Kyle feels happy and safe around Chase of all people.
The corner of my mouth tips upward as I watch him eat, Shadow sitting by his chair and looking at him pleadingly, but he just shakes his head. “Mine. You can have your dog food later.”
Biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing, I shift my gaze to Chase, only to find him already watching me. The scruff on his cheeks seems darker this morning, as do the circles under his eyes. Is it because he spent the night sleeping on the couch, or is there something else keeping him awake at night?
“Thank you for taking care of him. Of me. I’m genuinely not sure how I would have done it without you. First Becky, now me.” I shake my head. “This flu is no joke. Hopefully you won’t catch it.”
Chase rubs at the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “I told you, I have tough skin. I can’t remember the last time I was sick. Besides, it’s not a big deal.”
“Maybe to you.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, a soft chuckle escaping me as I place my hand on his. “I have a feeling you keep saving me.”
In the blink of an eye, Chase’s whole face turns serious. The walls he has around himself are back in place, higher than ever. Any warmth that was reflected in his irises is completely gone, and all that’s left is a cold, emotionless man.
His lips press in a tight line, the muscle in his jaw twitching as he glares at me and pulls his hand back. “I’m nobody’s savior.”
His cold voice sends an icy chill running down my spine, making goosebumps rise on my arms.
“Chase, I think she’s?—”
Kyle’s words die on his lips as the man in question spins on his heels and marches out of the room. Shadow glances at me before her gaze darts to Chase’s retreating back. With a sigh that sounds way too human, she stands and runs after her owner.
Kyle’s smile falls as he turns to me.“Did I say something wrong?”
My heart breaks for my little boy and the worry on his face. His heart is way too big, way too sensitive.
I cup his cheek, rubbing at the soft skin.“No, baby. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
I did. I’m not quite sure what about my words set him off, but something clearly did. I’ve never seen somebody pull back so quickly.
I’m nobody’s savior.
A knot forms in my throat as his words ring in my head. There were demons playing in his eyes.
What happened to you, Chase?
Blinking, I find Kyle watching me.Then why did he leave without saying goodbye?
I swallow down the lump in my throat and force out a smile.“Chase is just busy, buddy.”
His gaze darts out the window, where we can see Chase walking away as fast as he can, Shadow at his heels.
“I guess,”Kyle mutters softly, but I don’t think he believes me. I can’t say I blame him.
