Page 44 of The Girl He Loves

Chapter 16

Tuesday Evening

Tyler isover the moon that Dax is hanging out at our house. And that the microwave has a working light so he can now watch the popcorn bag get bigger and bigger as it pops.

Kids and their simple pleasures.

I’m over the moon that after our tryst in the garage, Dax cleaned out my gutter. No more water pooling. I thought I had a roof leak, but it turned out to be something simpler and easier to fix.

And I don’t overthink the fact that a pro football dude stands in my kitchen making all of us grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner while cracking fart jokes with Tyler. Because to me, it’s just Dax. We’ve slipped right back into how we used to be together. Only this time, it’s better.

“We should go to the beach,” Dax says and flips the sandwich by tossing it in the air and catching it in the pan.

Tyler’s in awe. “Can’t,” he says, staring at Dax like he’s a magician. “Uncle Doug is taking me to a flag football game down at the park. It’s for kids my age, and Mom says I can play.”

Dax nods and smiles. “That’s right. Your mom said something about that. Then dude, we should totally not go to the beach. Football is way more important.”

Tyler nods in agreement. I snort to show I disagree.

Dax asks me, “Are you going, too?”

I shake my head. “I think I might kill the fun vibe if I was there.”

Dax slides a sandwich onto Tyler’s plate.

Tyler says, “She worries a lot.”

“Yes, she does,” Dax agrees.

I put chips on Tyler’s plate. “I worry because I love you.”

But Ty’s forgotten about me. He’s cramming the sandwich in his mouth like a man with his last meal.

I put a hand on his shoulder. “Slow down. You have time.”

Dax tosses a second sandwich in the air and says to me, “What are you going to do with the boys gone?”

“You’re going?” I kinda figured he’d stay with me and we’d play NFL player and naughty cheerleader. I’d even let him be the NFL player if he wanted.

“If Tyler will let me.”

“Yeah!” Food particles fly out of Tyler’s mouth in his haste to assure Dax that he’s welcome.

“Maybe after football, we can all go get ice cream?” Dax says. He meets my gaze over Tyler’s head and raises a brow asking if his offer is okay. But too late now.

Tyler gives Dax two thumbs-up. “Can we go to that place where you put the ice cream in a cup and add your own toppings? We only do that on special occasions.”

Dax ruffles Tyler’s hair. “That’s what this is. A special occasion. You’re getting to play football today.”

Tyler pumps his fist and then looks at me with uncertainty. “It’s still okay, right?”

I nod and smile. Even though I want to say no. I’d rather he build Legos or do his homework. Something safer. “We won’t be able to stay out too late. It’s a school night.”

He rushes to hug me, and I fold him into my arms and hold tight.

“What are you going to do while the men are out playing sports?” Dax asks as he sits at the table, all the sandwiches done.

I release Tyler and move to put chips on our plates. “I heard back from my college advisor. To switch my degree to be a child life specialist, I need only two more classes, so I want to register for those. I need to get ready for finals in May.”

---