Page 140 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
We pulled apart, laughing. Ro stood beside us, his face scrunched up in an exaggerated grimace.
I held out my fist to him. “You’ll change your mind about that someday, buddy.”
Ro bumped his fist against mine, still making a face. “No way. Girls have cooties.”
Zoey rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “All right. Time to go. Sam’s going to pick you up.”
“Sam? I’m not staying with you, Mom?” Ro asked.
Zoey’s lips twitched. “I thought girls had cooties?”
I laughed, seeing him roll his eyes in a gesture so like his mom’s.
“Sam said something about a transponder,” Zoey said.
“Okay, okay.” Ro grabbed his bag.
Pride swelled up inside me as I watched him go. Ro had a lot of potential. With the right guidance, he could go far.
I turned back to Zoey. “Now, where were we?”
She laughed but didn’t resist as I kissed her again, even when Ro groaned. I knew we had a long road ahead of us, with George still out there somewhere and Zoey’s healing process just beginning. But in that moment, with her in my arms, I felt like we could take on anything.
37
ZOEY
As we walked across the road to the small park to wait for Sam, Ro peppered Noah with questions about boxing. “What’s a southpaw? I heard you were a southpaw.”
Noah chuckled. “It means I have a good left hook. Southpaw is the term for a left-handed boxer.”
Ro’s face lit up. “Cool! I’m going to have a strong left hook, too.”
“Everyone’s different, buddy.” Noah ruffled Ro’s hair affectionately. “We’ll have to wait and see how things go as you develop your own style.”
Once we reached the park, Ro made a beeline for the swings. But before Noah and I could even start talking, Ro was already calling out to him.
“Noah, come push me! I want to go high!”
“Just a minute, Ro, I’m talking to your mom.”
“No, I want you to push me now.” Ro’s usually sweet demeanor vanished, and a petulant pout replaced his smile.
I shot Noah an apologetic look. Ro’s uncharacteristic behavior bewildered me. Was this some kind of reaction to thetrauma he’d been through? Or more of George’s influence on him? Worry knotted my stomach.
I went to the swings and caught the chains before he could kick off the ground again. “Listen, young man, Noah and I are in the middle of a conversation. When we’re done, I’m sure he’ll be happy to push you. But for now, you need to wait patiently.”
Ro’s lower lip jutted out as he tried to argue. “I don’t want to wait. Tell Noah to push me now.”
“I’ve already told you no,” I said. “If you keep this up, we’ll go wait for Grandpa Sam by the road, and you won’t get to play at the park at all. It’s your choice.”
For a tense moment, Ro stared me down, testing my resolve. When he saw I wasn’t going to budge, he huffed and sat on the swing, pouting but quiet.
I walked back to Noah, guilt gnawing at my stomach. I hated being so stern with him, but giving in to this behavior would only make things worse in the long run. It wasn’t easy being firm with Ro, especially when all I wanted was to shelter him from more pain or fear. But he needed structure and consistency more.
Noah’s hand settled on the small of my back, a comforting warmth seeping through my shirt. “You’re doing great.” His breath tickled my ear. “He’s lucky to have such a strong, loving mother.”
I leaned into his touch, grateful for his steady presence. “Thanks. I just hope I’m handling this right.”
