Page 69 of Shattered

I sigh, putting away my phone. I wish he wasn’t so damn overprotective. Things would be so much easier, and I wouldn’t have to pretend I haven’t been spending time with Neilix or lie about where I am or who I’m seeing.

Eventually, Neilix and Adi make their way back, and I decide to pull out the dinosaur bubble shooter I brought for Adi as a surprise. Eyes wide, he watches as I prepare it for him, pouring the bubble liquid into the little compartment. Then I set him up with it a short distance from the blanket so the food doesn’t get covered in soap.

Settling back down, I catch Neilix’s eyes on me. “What?”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re trying to win us Adams men over.”

I laugh lightly, turning my attention back to his son. “There’s no trying. Adi already adores me.”

A beat passes before Neilix speaks again. “He’s not the only one.”

My gaze flies back to him, but he’s looking ahead at the bubble-blowing boy, purposely not giving me his eyes. With a barely contained smile, I face forward, my chest feeling fuzzy. “I adore you, too,” I whisper.

We spend a few hours at the park, eating, playing, and lying around on the blanket. My cheeks ache with how much I’ve been smiling and laughing, and if I weren’t already falling for Neilix, I would be after today.

We arrive back at their place, and I take Adi’s hand to walk him inside while Neilix collects all the bags from the car. As we climb the steps, a pretty woman exits the house next door. She looks surprised to see me and pauses, looking from me to Neilix at the car and then back.

“Hi, Adi,” she says. Adi doesn’t even look at her, telling me he either doesn’t see her often, or he just doesn’t like her.

We walk through the door, but before I close it, I see the woman standing and talking to Neilix by his car. I can’t tell for sure, but it looks like his posture has changed.

I can’t help it. Jealousy sends my mind spinning with different scenarios, including her having spent time here in the past. Do they talk often? Hang out?

After a brief pause, I shake my head and close the door. He said he hasn’t been with anyone else, and I trust him. Releasing an exhale filled with negative thoughts, I join Adi at the fish tank, and we both watch them swim around.

A moment later, Neilix walks through the door, and the genuine smile on his face when he turns and sees me sends all previous thoughts out the window.

...

Jason: Remember when you fell out of that tree in Campbell’s yard?

Neilix: Yes, because you told me the branch was stable.

Jason: That was Campbell.

Neilix: It was you.

Jason: Are you sure?

Neilix: Yes.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Neilix

We topped the day off by watching one of Adi’s favorite movies and ordering pizza. I’m not sure when he fell asleep, but when the credits start to roll on the TV, he’s already out like a light. My eyes drift down to his adorable sleeping form with a smile on my face. His head rests in Sienna’s lap and his feet are in mine.

Today was the type of torture I haven’t experienced before. All I’ve wanted to do from the moment I saw Sienna standing at my door is touch or kiss her. I’ve wanted to run my hands up her thighs and inhale her scent. I’ve wanted to trail my tongue up the column of her neck. I’ve wanted to thread my fingers through her hair and pull her head back so I could claim her mouth.

But I couldn’t do any of that.

Then, watching her with my son had my heart so full it was ready to explode.

I had resigned myself to the fact that I’d remain a single father. I didn’t want anybody else in my life, not after what happened.

But it’s different with Sienna.

Since we reconnected, I crave her company more often than not. Sure, it’s been a little challenging with us living an hour apart, but talking every day helps.

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