Page 127 of Mr. Broody

“Thanks so much, babe.”

“You’re welcome. Sweet dreams. Of me, I hope.”

My hand tightens on my phone, wishing she was with me so I could hold her. “I love you,” I say, unsure how to end this conversation.

“I love you too. Play like the rock star you are tonight. We’ll be watching. Bye.”

“Bye.”

We hang up, and I stand, blowing out a breath.

This second-chance romance while having a kid thing isn’t easy. Am I the one holding us back now?

Fifty-Five

Jade

I walk up the sidewalk at the end of the school day. It feels weird to be here as the parent.

Trina eyes me while sipping her iced latte and talking to the other moms. She whispers something, but I don’t really care. I chill on the ledge in the small courtyard, sipping my own caffeine boost, trying to tamp down my fears that I actually don’t have this handled like I told Henry.

Why does it bother me so much that I was his bottom of the barrel choice? All those deep-seated fears that live inside me have risen to the surface. I’m not as organized as him. I can be messy and not stick to a plan. I think school is really important, but I don’t think it’s everything. All qualities that aren’t prized mother material.

The bell rings, and I stand up from the ledge and wait for Mrs. McConnell to bring the class to the doors. At least I have this part down since I was on the other side.

One by one, the kids come out and run to their parents. When Bodhi gets to the open doors, I watch him look around.

Mrs. McConnell waves. Henry messaged me that he’d called the school and told them I’d be the one to pick Bodhi up. Then he gave me Mack’s number, but he said to call him with any questions. As if I’m going to bother him on the road, but that’s so Henry.

Bodhi’s eyes light up when he spots me, and he runs down the stairs and through the courtyard. “Jade! What are you doing here?”

“Well.” I crouch down. “Mack is sick, and your dad is on the road, so it’s me and you for the next couple days.”

He smiles and wraps his arms around my neck. “Best day ever,” he whispers, and my heart warms.

“Come on, we’re going to get my stuff from my house before we head to yours.” I stand and take his hand, walking down the street toward my family home.

“I wish I could walk to school,” he says when we’re halfway there.

“Your dad and I used to walk this route to and from school, and we’d try not to step on any cracks in the sidewalk.” Which, looking down now, seems impossible. The sidewalk definitely needs replacing.

He releases my hand and jumps over a crack. “Like this?”

“Yep.” I skip a crack. “Watch out, it can get tricky.”

The two of us jump from one open space to the other, and at one point, Bodhi is on his tiptoes, trying not to fall over.

“This is fun,” he says, and it feels good to give him a first. For him to discover something he finds fun from me.

“Well, it’s easy when you have those small feet.” I point out, and he looks down at his feet.

“One day they’ll be big like Daddy’s.”

I rustle his hair and stop at the bottom of my parents’ steps. “Yes, they will.”

He jumps from the sidewalk to the bottom stair, so he doesn’t step on a crack. “Are Waylon and Owen home?”

“No.” I give him a sad face. “They’re at practice.”

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