Page 97 of Back to Willow

“I’ll open it,” Dylan exclaims and rushes out of the kitchen before I can stop him.

I can only stumble on myself while trying to follow him.

Liam stands at the front door with a nervous smile on his face and a bouquet in one of his hands. Dylan has his back facing me so, I can’t see his reaction, but he’s standing still.

“Oh, hey, Liam,” I greet him shyly.

“What is he doing here?” Dylan asks me but keeps looking at him.

“Liam is taking us to the aquarium,” I say as I crouch down to his height.

Upon seeing his confused face, I continue, “It was his idea from the beginning because he wants to get to know you better.”

Dylan scoffs and crosses his arms in front of his chest. From the corner of my eyes, I see a proud Jake closing the distance, watching from the front door.

“Are you trying to get to know me or get my mum to like you?” His serious expression with narrowed eyes surprises me.

I splutter, shocked at the words.What the hell is going on with my kid?

“Dylan!” I scold while Jake laughs wholeheartedly. “What are you on about? Liam is my friend, and you are a part of me so, it makes sense that he wants to get to know you. Don’t be rude!”

“That’s my boy,” Jake hollers.

To my big surprise, Liam chuckles and crouches down just as I did.

“Hey, buddy. I am here to see you and get to meet you.” He smiles kindly.

Gosh, his smile is still as perfect.

I had almost forgotten how breathtaking it is.

“Yeah, then why did you bring flowers?” Dylan doesn’t even budge.

“Right?” Jake chimes in, a raised eyebrow and a cocky smirk, showing how much he’s enjoying it. “You hitting on my sister?”

“Jake,” I hiss.

Liam chuckles but ignores my brother, keeping his focus on the young boy in front of him. “Because she is your mother. And it would be rude to be here empty-handed. Don’t you think?” Dylan weakly nods, but Liam doesn’t give up.

He motions for him to get closer to him, to which my kid begrudgingly obeys, allowing him to cup his hand around his ear and fake a whisper, “I wanted it to be a boys’ day only, but she wouldn’t let me. This is my way of winning her over so we can spend some quality time in the future. What do you think?” Dylan’s eyebrows raise, and he glances at me before looking back at Liam with curiosity exuding from him. “You know how much better it is to play a football match with just boys…right?” He nods eagerly. “Then shhh, don’t tell her our plan.”

My boy’s face softens. He nods and takes the flowers himself and takes them inside, probably to give them to Nana.

“That kid is such a turncoat,” Jake grumbles, and we both chuckle.He’s jealous.“I’m out of here, guys.” And he up and leaves, heading for his car and driving off.

“He is so clever,” Liam remarks, talking about the six-year-old currently walking down the driveway, to meet us by his car.

“Yeah, I think Jake’s been a bad influence the last week. He was never that protective of me; I don’t know what’s gotten into him. Sorry about that.” My cheeks are aflame, but Liam doesn't comment on it.

“I like it. He’s cheeky and has no shame, and he’s also protective of you, which I appreciate.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t like it. He’s six years old, not twenty. I hope it doesn’t get worse as he ages; being possessive is not healthy,” I mumble.

“You’re right.”

“Let me just get his seat from inside,” I warn him. Since Jake stayed for way longer than predicted, I’ve been leaving Dylan’s car seat at home instead. It proved useful since my brother has been his nephew’s private chauffeur for almost two weeks now.

When I come back outside, both boys are waiting, with my sassy kid narrowing his eyes at my childhood best friend—and first love—every once in a while. I guess he still isn’t fully convinced.

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