Page 88 of Make Me Trust Again
I shake my head. “I guess it’s a good thing I insisted I put sunscreen on him before leaving. I had a feeling this would happen.”
“That’s good to know. Jax can’t run off now because he’s small, but in a few years, it’ll be pure chaos; I can already see it.” She lifts the container. “Thank you for these. You didn’t have to bring anything.”
“It’s not a problem. You guys are doing all of this, and we really appreciate you inviting us.” My gaze darts to the lake, where now all three boys are running into the water together. “I think Kyle needed this.”
“Let’s put this away.” Becky tilts her head to one of the tables they put out, so I follow after her. “Is he okay? How did the visit with John go?”
“He says he is, but he’s been quieter than usual and pretty moody.”
Becky hums softly. “It’s a change, alright. Especially for a kid.”
“It is, but it doesn’t help that John’s being an ass about it,” I mutter, words out before I can think them through.
Dammit.
I place the container I’ve been carrying on the table, my hair falling into my face and shielding it from view. I hope Becky doesn’t catch the resentment in my tone, but when I straighten,I find her giving me a knowing look. “He’s being an ass in what way?”
“Who’s being an ass?” Savannah asks as she joins us.
“Rose’s ex,” Becky explains, before continuing, “I mean, don’t get me wrong, John’s always been an ass, even when we were teens, and the few times I’ve seen you guys together since you’ve come back, I can’t say he’s changed much.”
Shit.
So much for people not noticing. Or maybe I’ve just been lying to myself all those months that people don’t see it because it was easier that way. Easier to pretend things would go back to how they used to be. But nothing was the same anymore, was it? I certainly wasn’t the same.
Two pairs of eyes watch me intently, waiting for an answer.
“He’s not really…” Sighing, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear as I weigh my words carefully. “Hands-on with Kyle.”
“He doesn’t sign with him,” Becky points out.
“No, he doesn’t.” There’s no point in lying about it.
Savannah glances at me, an apologetic smile on her face. “I don’t think I’ve seen him once pick him up from school or come to one of the games.”
Just hearing her say it has my annoyance rising. Not at the two of them, but at myself for not standing up to John sooner, at him for acting that way.
“He doesn’t think he has what it takes to make it all the way, so why bother?”
The two women exchange a look. “Because they’re kids and it’s fun? It’s not the freaking NFL.”
Becky snorts. “Isn’t that what you said to Blake when he decided he wanted to take over as the coach?”
“Sure did.” Sav smirks and lifts her glass in a little salute, her gaze darting over my shoulder.
I follow her line of sight. Blake has joined Emmett, the two of them playing with the kids in the lake. All of them are standing in the shallow part. Emmett’s daughter is sitting on his shoulders, a cute pink hat on her head, her little fists holding his hair. Blake’s daughter is sleeping in the crook of his arm as he plays with the boys who are tossing the football, all of them laughing.
I lift my hand, rubbing at the middle of my chest as I just watch them, that familiar ache squeezing around my heart tightly at the image in front of me. Of the life we could have had, but never will, and it only makes me despise John a little bit more for taking this from Kyle. From us.
Blake must feel us watching because he shifts his gaze and flashes Savannah a grin. “See something you like, Blondie?”
“That man.” Savannah shakes her head, but there is happiness radiating off of her.
“I know. Makes you want to sneak out and do some very inappropriate things.” Becky’s gaze darts to me, her smile falling. “I’m sor?—”
“Don’t you dare apologize for being happy. You guys deserve it. The fact that I ended up with an asshole isn’t on you.”
Becky offers me a small smile. “How about I mix us some drinks? I’ve brought the good stuff.”
