Page 58 of Crossroads of Love

I’m certain she feels the connection between us again, too. Jayla has no idea how loaded a comment like that is, and I’m not about to explain it to her. I open my mouth to make some flippant remark, but Jayla cuts me off before I can speak.

“You need a break,” she declares, walking over to the bookshelf and pulling out a board game.

“I’m cleaning the kitchen,” Lena argues.

“It can wait,” she insists, plopping the game onto the table with a grin. “Come on. You need some fun in your life.”

Lena shoots me a look, but I shrug. Honestly, after the day I’ve had, a distraction sounds nice. Even if that distraction is a board game.

Jayla sets up the game quickly, explaining the rules as she goes. It’s a cooperative strategy game where the three of us have to work together to beat the board. I can already feel the tension rising. Lena and I are both super competitive.

“Your mother has been known to flip the board in Monopoly.” I laugh as I nudge Lena.

“That’s because you and Aaron were cheating and running shady deals,” she says quickly.

I don’t miss the flash of sadness that crosses her face at that. It’s gone almost instantly.

“She’s ruthless, Uncle G.” Jayla giggles.

At first, things go smoothly enough. We manage to work together without too much trouble, coordinating our moves and making progress in the game. But as the game gets more complex, so does our bickering.

“Why would you move there?” I ask after she makes a move that completely derails our strategy. “We were supposed to block that space.”

She glares at me, her hand frozen on the game piece. “Because we need to collect resources. Did you not listen to the rules?”

“I listened, but we’re not going to win if you keep going rogue.”

“I’m not going rogue.” She giggles. “I’m thinking ahead. Something you should try once in a while.”

Jayla snorts from her side of the table. “You two are ridiculous.”

“Welcome to my world,” Lena mutters, glancing sideways. But there is something playful in her eyes that hasn’t been there in a long time.

I can’t stop smiling. It’s been a long time since I felt this happy and relaxed. As the game continues, though, I notice Jayla watching us more closely, her expression shifting from amusement to something more inquisitive. She isn’t saying anything, but it’s clear she sees the dynamic between Lena and me.

The game ends in a chaotic mess of laughter and frustration. We don’t win, but it doesn’t matter. Things feel easy for the first time in a long time. It's almost like Lena and I are… friends again.

It’s like we’re a normal family sitting here playing a board game.

I smile inwardly at the thought. Maybe at some point in my life, I had imagined this with Lena and just never gave my permission to continue wanting it. It feels nice and right like this is where I’m meant to be.

As we pack up the game, Jayla goes upstairs to prepare for bed.

“Tonight was fun,” I tell Lena. “It’s been a long time since I just laughed and played.”

“Ah, there’s a surprise,” she replies sarcastically.

“Is that so?”

She’s walking past me and brushes up against me lightly. I reach down and lace our fingers together. She squeezes before she lets go and goes about picking up the rest of the game pieces.

“Are we ever going to talk about the pantry?” I ask quietly.

She stiffens before she lets out a long sigh. She turns right into my arms. I reach down and tip her chin up before I lean in and brush my lips against hers softly.

“What is happening?” Jayla gasps from the top of the stairs.

We jump apart quickly. I look up at Jayla, and even from afar, I can see the tears and accusations in her eyes.

---