Page 8 of Seduction
“Thanks. I appreciate that. Come on, Mikey. Time to go home.”
“Stay. I don’t think you should be alone right now.”
“Oh, so you’re a shrink, too?” she snaps.
“No, but I’m your friend… and I know about loss.”
“Oh, crap. I’m sorry.” She shakes her head in remorse. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay, beautiful. Let’s go.”
I curl my arm around her shoulder and lead her outside to the play area set up for the kids coming today. She’s hurt and lashed out. She needs to be around her family instead of retreating into herself. I just have to make her see that.
Mikey wriggles out of my arms, shooting for the slide. Ellen follows, carefully watching as he climbs the ladder. I stand at the end, encouraging him. He squeals on his way down, his laughter bringing a smile to my face. Scooping him up, I take him back to the ladder.
“Ready to go again, buddy?”
“Again!” He giggles.
I place him on the first rung, watch as he climbs up, and then position myself at the bottom of the slide once more. I notice Ellen has checked out; her eyes are following Mikey’s movements, but it’s obvious her mind is a million miles away. Man, I can’t imagine loving someone the way she seems to still love Eddie. He was a lucky man. Too bad he’s not here to experience it.
Gage walks up, placing his hand on her shoulder. “You okay, sis?”
She turns to him, her bottom lip beginning to tremble. I haven’t told him what happened last night, and I doubt she’s said anything, either. But he’s an observant and intuitive man. He pulls her into his arms, wrapping them around her tightly. Her shoulders shake, and I know she’s lost the battle with her tears.
“I know. I miss him, too. We all do.”
While he comforts her, I keep Mikey busy, not wanting him to see his mom like that.
“I have a surprise for you, shorty,” Gage tells Ellen. “You, too, VP. I was gonna wait, but I think now’s a good time.”
“What is it?” I ask.
“You’re the smart one. Tell me what ‘surprise’ means.” He smirks.
“You’re lucky Mikey’s around.”
He chuckles, moving toward the clubhouse. “I’ll be right back. I’m gonna get Raven.”
“We going somewhere?” I ask.
“Yeah. Take Ellen’s car and follow me.”
Mikey reaches for his mother, and when she takes him from my arms, he wraps his tiny ones around her neck.
“Don’t be sad, Momma.”
He comforts her like he’s done it before. I was trying to prevent him from seeing her cry, but it seems it’s a sight he’s used to. I haven’t noticed it before—pretty sure no one has—but she’s probably been in a state of depression this entire time.
We need to do something. She needs help.
“Come on, beautiful. Let’s go.”
I lead her to the car, strapping Mikey into his car seat and then helping Ellen in. She hands me the key, and we sit in silence, waiting for Gage to drive off. Reaching across the console, I take her hand in mine and give it a gentle, supportive squeeze. Her eyes focus on our joined hands, then slide up to meet mine. I give her fingers a firmer squeeze at the sight of her red, puffy eyes.
“Newton’s first law of motion says an object at rest remains at rest, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.”
She regards me with utter confusion. I don’t blame her. She’s probably wondering why the fuck I’m giving her a physics lesson.
