Page 19 of Daddy Frost

Ripping his gaze away from Kalen’s mouthwatering body, Delta noticed the elderly woman from the bench standing to his right. Her hair was a delicate shade of white, flowing in soft waves around her lovely face.

The years had left their mark, etching deep lines through her features from the passage of time, but they only added to her beauty. She was smiling knowingly at him, causing her pale green eyes to twinkle.

For a moment, he imagined his mom at this age, the two of them visiting the ice cream parlor, simply enjoying each other’s company and making each other laugh the way they used to. His chest constricted with pain at the loss.

The elderly woman reached out a shaky hand and gently squeezed his wrist. Her skin was wrinkled and spotted with age, but it held a warmth that Delta found comforting. Then she whispered, “Even after fifty-two years of marriage, I still stare that way at my husband.”

Fifty-two years? He felt a tinge of envy for their long-lasting relationship as he glanced over at the woman’s husband, who sat peacefully on the bench.

Delta had a hard time keeping a boyfriend for more than two months, let alone decades. But then again, he was only twenty-five.

Even so, a guy could dream of having a relationship that meaningful.

“It takes hard work, but if he’s the right fella, it’s worth the ride.” She nodded conspiratorially toward Kalen with a whimsical smile.

Delta didn’t have the heart to tell her that he and Kalen had only just met and were simply hanging out. The woman seemed proud of her words of wisdom, and he didn’t want to take that away from her.

Yet, there was something undeniably compelling about his and Kalen’s connection, which he still couldn’t explain.

As the old woman went back to admiring her husband, Delta wondered if he would ever find someone who would make him feel as content and loved as she seemed to be.

He glanced at Kalen, who stood there chatting with a guy Delta assumed was either the soccer coach or the father of one of the boys. Or both.

Oh hell no. You really have officially lost your goddamn mind. You just met him this morning! He’s not going to grow old with you. Kalen will grow old before you.

The woman turned then suddenly seemed unsteady. Delta gently took her arm and walked her back to her husband, helping her to sit.

“Thank you, young man.” The husband smiled at him, patting Delta’s arm. “Your mother raised a true gentleman.”

Jesus, the couple was determined to make him blubber. Swallowing past the hard, burning lump, he smiled. “She was the best.”

The man’s face fell slightly. “I’m sorry about your loss, son. Name’s Milo, and this is my wife, Sarah.”

“Delta.” He shook Milo’s hand.

“What a unique name!” Sarah appeared delighted, her smile infectious.

The soccer ball hit Delta’s ankle. “Excuse me, you two.” He winked at them. “I have to show these rug rats how it’s done.”

Milo grinned. “Go get those kiddos, Delta!” he said enthusiastically.

Delta bent and grabbed the soccer ball.

“Can we have it back, mister?” the same boy who’d been bouncing the ball on his foot when they’d arrived asked.

Holding out the ball, Delta grabbed it back at the last second before the kid could grab it. “Unless you want me to show you a few tricks.” He pretended to fumble it in his hands, nearly dropping it.

The kid’s expression was doubtful, clearly not believing McFumble could teach him anything. The little bugger had no idea Delta was once an all-star soccer player in school, leading his team to victory and snagging multiple varsity trophies. Technically, Delta wasn’t being a sandbagger since he was just goofing around with the soccer ball to impress some little kids.

The boy crossed his arms, his team rallying around him. “Fine, but if you drop the ball even once, you have to buy us each an ice cream.”

“And if I don’t drop it?”

The boy looked at his friend’s like Delta was full of it. “Then we pay for yours.”

If the kid hadn’t been wearing an arrogant smirk, Delta might have felt bad making them pay for an ice cream he didn’t want.

Once again, he pretended to fumble the ball, letting it slip from his hands, the group of boys laughing at how easily they’d won an ice cream from such a loser.

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