Page 13 of James

“It’s okay, James,” Sasha says with a forced smile. I’m about to argue further when Kade suggests we go outside with the kids to play. Kade and I had gone to the shops yesterday and bought a play structure for Jye with swings, a slide and fort. We also got a trampoline, a sandpit, and any other outdoor toys we could think of. Kade bought him a soccer set, mini golf, and other various sporting games that he thought would make for good bonding. I give Sasha a look that says ‘are you sure?’ and she gives me a slight nod in return. My tough girl.

Jye is in Kade’s arms as we walk outside. I love the look on Jye’s face as he spies all the new playthings. His blue eyes shine as he blinks a few times in glee. Nikki takes him and Grace on the trampoline to play as I cast a glance towards the door for the third time.

“Mum’s not gonna kill her,” Kade chuckles next to me.

“I know, it’s just…” I’m protective of her.

“Remember our awesome fort we had as kids?” he asks.

“It was the best,” I say with a fond smile.

“Wasn’t it? It was badass,” Kade adds.

“Yeah until you set it on fire,” I mutter.

“That was Chase, not me!” Kade says adamantly. He’s lying, we all know it was him.

“Really?” I drawl, disbelief showing in my voice.

“Where’s the proof, bro?” Kade asks with a chuckle.

“Still scared of mum, aren’t you?” I tease.

“Not even. Mum loves me regardless. I’m her fav…”

“No, you’re not!” I cut him off. We always get into this argument.

“How’s business?” Kade asks, changing the subject.

“Good, actually. A few of my stocks have gone up,” I answer him. I’ve been playing in the stock market for a while now, and that’s how I’ve been able to afford my house and car, and have more than enough saved in the bank. It allows me extra time to work on other things.

“You’re good at what you do,” he says absently, a double meaning in his words. His voice sounds distracted, and when I glance at him I know why. He’s staring at Nikki’s tits as she bounces up and down on the trampoline.

“That’s a little disturbing, you know,” I tell him, blinking slowly.

“What is?” he asks, his eyes still glued to his wife.

“Nikki is innocently playing with the kids, and you’re staring at her tits,” I say with a chuckle.

Kade narrows his eyes at me. “This is the last time you will speak of my wife’s delectable breasts.”

I burst out laughing.

“You better sort that shit out, James,” he says, his voice unusually stern. I run my hands through the back of my hair, knowing exactly what he is referring too. Something I made myself pretend never happened. Now that Sasha's back in my life, I need to go back and fix things.

I see Sasha walk out alone, looking a little lost.

“Well, then, I guess it’s fair if I just…” Kade trails off, his eyes blatantly on Sasha’s chest. I know he’s just goofing around, but I slap him on the back of the head anyway. When Sasha reaches my side, I pull her closer and tuck her under my arm. She stiffens as I hold her, but she doesn’t pull away.

“Is everything okay?” I whisper into her ear.

“Yes,” she replies, but doesn’t offer anything else. I see her scan the yard, her eyes widening as she takes in all the play equipment. “It looks like a playground out here,” she says in shock, her mouth open slightly.

“I know I went a little overboard, but…”

“You’re amazing, you know that?” she asks, cutting me off. Her compliment makes me exhale in relief. I want her to think that of me, to think I’m good enough to be a father to Jye.

“You were hungry, come on, let’s go and eat,” I say.

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