Page 105 of The Life We Left Behind

And then an idea popped into my mind.

“We have to protect the house,” I told Cade seriously. “I have an idea.”

He rubbed his hands together like a mad genius, and I army-crawled to the pantry with Cade hot on my heels. When I passed him a bucket, he looked like he was about to explode with happiness.

I was just going to have to hope that Delaney could forgive us because we were about to escalate this battle to a whole other level.

Booker sagged back onto the couch with a wry laugh. “If I knew babysitting was this much fun, I’d have gotten in on this years ago.”

“No one would trust you with a kid. You’re lucky that Trace hasn’t got enough sense to keep us away. Anyway, Cade is Trace’s kid, so you don’t get to call it babysitting.” Dex pulled a Nerf dart out from the couch cushion and chucked it at Booker’s head.

“Hey! I’m the responsible one! And you’re right, I’m sorry,” Booker added.

“No. You’re the boring one,” Dex corrected him.

Booker just glared but didn’t correct him. I saw the flinch from Dex from across the living room as he realized he’d struck a nerve.

“Cade’s asleep,” I told them as I came over to join them. “He was absolutely worn out.”

I looked at my watch. It was nearly eleven at night. The girls would probably be out for another hour or two at least. As I looked around at the playful destruction of the house, I decided not to worry about it. We had time to put it all back together before she got back, and it wasn’t like anything was broken.

“He’s a good kid,” Dex said, rolling his head in my direction. Cade wasn’t the only one who was exhausted from playing. “Still kinda weird thinking about you with a kid, though.”

“Tell me about it.” My shoulders ached as I leaned back in the armchair. I may be too old for commando rolls, not that I was going to let on to the other two. “It’s kind of amazing.”

Booker hummed in agreement, and Dex nodded seriously.

“I think I want one,” he told us seriously.

“I don’t think the town could handle any mini-Dexes taking over this place. Imagine the chaos,” Booker said grumpily and then shoved Dex so he’d know he wasn’t being serious.

Dex shook his head and laughed. A couple of weeks ago, kids wouldn’t have even been on our radar. I’d never even considered it with Chelsea.

“So, what happens now?” Dex asked.

I looked around at the mess. “I guess if we take down the fort and clear away the toys, it won’t look too bad. You’re cleaning up any water, though, since you were the one responsible for it.”

“Erm, I wasn’t the one with the bucket,” Dex pointed out and then shook his head. “I meant with you and Delaney.”

“We’re just seeing how it goes. We’ve got a lot of time to make up for, but we’re also different people since the last time we were together. She’s staying here for now, and Cade likes it here. I’m just…I dunno. I’m figuring out where I fit in at the minute.”

“Hmmm, yeah. Play it casual in case you need to back out. Sensible.”

“What? No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

“Sure, sure. I mean, it’s not like you’ve finally got back the woman you always loved and found out about an amazing kid that’s yours. Gotta keep an exit in mind just in case.”

“You’re being a dick.” I knew what Dex was doing. He always did shit like this.

“No. I’m pointing out to you what you have.”

“I know what I have, but it’s not that simple. I can’t just blow into their lives and take over,” I snapped.

“You’re not taking over, Trace. You’re making a family. The family you always wanted with the woman you always loved. I’m not saying that there wasn’t something with Chelsea in the beginning. But we could all see that it was nothing compared to how you felt about Delaney. It was an obligation. What you thought you were meant to do. And it never made you happy. It only made you miserable. But Delaney’s back. She’s here, in your life, offering you everything you’ve ever wanted, and I don’t want to see you miss out on this because you’re afraid.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Chelsea—”

---