Page 15 of Back to Willow

“You’re such a girl.” Dylan rolls his eyes, and Abby sticks her tongue out in response.

“Don’t be mean.” I tap him lightly on the shoulder in warning before beckoning him to the green field ahead of us so we can pass the ball around between us.

For half an hour, I run around with Dylan. The ball is passed back and forth for a while until he decides he wants it to be one against the other. The little rascal gets me to trip quite a few times with his newly learned tricks: the crossovers. He’s skilled, I’ll give him that.

Maybe signing him up for a local football team could be a good idea, especially to get all of that energy out. He loves sports, moving around, and he is becoming quite the athlete.

Just like him.

The sudden thought reminds me of easier times. Back when my best friend and I used to play like this. We were inseparable ever since we met for the first time, up until the moment I had to leave.

Even though, for a while, Jake had me caught up with everything that was happening in my absence, it became so unbearable that I eventually asked him to not talk about it—or him—anymore. It’s a decision that will haunt me to the very last day of my life, but back then, I had no choice. Not in my eyes.

All other options were going to be messy and more painful than what it was. At least, that’s what I hope. In the end, putting Dylan first was what made up my mind.

But I wonder—almost every single day—does he look the same or has he changed? Are those blazing blue eyes as soft as I remember?

How about his body frame? Taller and bulkier than he had been? Is he still caring, or was I the cause of a bitter side being brought to the surface?

For a long time, I believed firmly that he was my soulmate. But maybe we’re more like those star-crossed lovers you read about in romances because I know…there’s no going back from this now.

If there are relationships that ever get to a point beyond repair, this is it.

“Mummy, you’re distracted,” Dylan whines, bringing my attention back to him.

There’s a frown on his face, showing how displeased he is with my mediocre performance. He’s so expressive it hurts.

“I am tired, baby.”

This boy never runs out of batteries. But I do. Not to mention I still have work tonight. By the time my body finally hits the bed tonight, I’ll be exhausted, but just watching his smile and happiness today will make it worth it.

“I’ll call Abby, then,” he huffs, annoyed.

Laughing, I turn around, walking to the towel where Nana and Abby are. My feet take a couple of steps before a familiar voice stuns me in place.

“Willow? Is that you?”

FIVE

Willow

It’snotlikeIpurposefully hide Dylan or this intimate part of my life. But ever since everything happened, I’ve grown to appreciate my privacy more than ever. Especially when it comes to my son.

There’s a protective side of me that was born at the same time he was. So, the fact that Johanna coincidentally just found me with him in the park brings someunease.

“Willow? Is that you?” I turn back to see Johanna and another girl in a set of workout clothes. Tight shorts and a sports bra barely cover her fit frame. Her friend, with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes, is dressed similarly.

Johanna isdrop-dead-gorgeous with a hot body, and her friend is not far behind. If I didn't have too much to worry about in my life now, I’d be jealous.So jealous.Between juggling work, school, and Dylan, all the free time I have left is meant for my son or sleeping.

“Hey, Johanna.” I try to smile at her. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

She has been nothing but nice to me ever since we met, and yet, I just can’t get completely comfortable around her.Not yet, at least.Once upon a time, there was a younger version of Willow Hanlon who would trust easily. Naïvely.

Not anymore.

“Yeah, I love to run, so I come to the park a lot. It’s also a good way for me to cure hangovers.” She chuckles. “This is my friend, Sofia. We always work out together.”

“Hi,” I greet, and so does she. She smiles at me, widening a white set of perfect teeth, putting me a little more at ease.

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