Page 99 of Make Me Trust Again
“Seven, huh?” Chase’s face relaxes, and he crouches down so they’re at the same level. “You sure? I thought you were twenty.”
“No, silly.” Kyle chuckles, shaking his head. “I’m not that old.”
“I guess not. Still, seven is an important birthday.” Chase nods seriously and extends his fist to him. “Happy birthday, bud.”
“Thank you.” Kyle’s grin grows wider as he bumps his fist against Chase’s. “Mom promised me we can go and play mini golf for my birthday. Are you and Shadow coming with us?”
Chase’s mouth parts in surprise at the invitation. I place my hand on Kyle’s shoulder, and he turns to me.
“This is for you and your friends?—”
“Chase is my friend. He can come, right?”He shifts his attention to the man in question. “There will also be pizza.”
I press my lips tightly together, and even stoic Chase Williams can’t resist it. The corner of his mouth twitches upward. The motion is small, but it’s certainly there.
“Pizza, you say?”
Kyle nods. “With pepperoni. No mushrooms.” His nose furrows. “I don’t like mushrooms.”
Chase nods and leans forward slightly as if he’s telling him a secret. “I don’t like mushrooms either.”
“Mom likes mushrooms.” They both look at me with matching disgusted expressions on their faces. It’s uncanny to see them like that, so similar. “See? Even Chase doesn’t like them.”
“I’ll let you know, mushrooms are healthy.”
“They’re yucky.”Kyle turns to Chase, a hopeful expression on his face. “So, are you coming?”
Chase Williams has one very fine ass.
I bite the inside of my cheek as I watch him lean down and correct Kyle’s posture, making sure he’s holding the golf stick—is that what it’s called? I have no idea—before crouching down in front of him so he can explain to him how to play properly.
Shadow huffs out a breath, leaning her head on her paws. Today she’s wearing her working vest, and for the first time since I’ve met her, she’s on a leash, something the girl at the register insisted on.
“I know, girl, I know,” I whisper, placing my hand on her head and rubbing her between her ears as we watch the boys play.
Kyle nods decisively, so Chase stands up and takes a step back. Kyle leans forward like Chase showed him, glancing at him for approval. His face is serious, tongue peeking out the side of his mouth as he focuses on the little white ball and shoots. The ball flies past the hole and sails all the way to the other side.
Kyle’s head lowers, his shoulders slump slightly in obvious disappointment. Chase places his hand on his back and waits until Kyle lifts his gaze before telling him something. Kyle moves to the ball, taking the position once again, and shoots, this time gentler, so the ball falls into the hole.
The boys cheer for him, exchanging high-fives before Levi takes Kyle’s position, and then Gage. Chase stands by their side, giving advice and correcting them when necessary.
He’s so good with him, with all of them, really. Chase might be rough around the edges, but he’s more caring and patient than any other man I know. It’s impossible not to notice how Kyle seeks him out, asks for his advice, and wants forhis approval. It should terrify me. That bond that has grown between them. My little man’s heart was broken one too many times as is, and yet I can’t bring myself to tell him no when he’s so clearly excited.
A woman slows down as she passes by, a tray with drinks in her hand, her gaze going to Chase and taking him in. Our gazes meet as she looks away, a smile forming on her lips.
“You’re a lucky woman. I wish my husband was as good with our kids.”
Color rises up my cheeks at her comment. “Oh, that’s not…” I fiddle with Shadow’s leash. “I mean, we’re not…” I stutter, unsure of what to tell her.
A warm hand presses against my back, making me jump. “Everything okay?”
That deep voice sends a shudder down my spine. I look over my shoulder to find Chase watching me with that silent intensity of his. “Umm… Yeah. Just talking. Did you need anything?”
“The boys are done at this hole,” Chase says, tilting his head slightly.
“Oh, okay. I’ll be?—”
The sharp intake of breath has me turning around just to see the woman take a step back, her wide eyes fixed on Chase. I blink, confused by her reaction for a split second, until I see her horrified reaction. At Chase. At his scars. Thedamagedside of his face.
