Page 45 of Stick Play

Once the kids have their meals, Brady serves the adults and we all sit around the table like a big family.

Found family.

I glance at Gina. It’s just her and her daughter, like it is with Dad and me. This could be found family for her too. As if feeling me staring, her gaze lifts and she gives me a small smile.

“Mommy, Kayce has a daddy too.” Zoe frowns, and puts her chin on the table. “My wish lumps aren’t working.”

Brady and Melanie glance at Gina, who looks a bit mortified. Gina opens her mouth, but no words come out.

Deciding I need to help her out here, I say, “I don’t think it’s that easy, Zoe.”

“Oh, it is, Uncle Ash,” Camryn supplies with an exuberant nod of her head, before she sucks back a long noodle, splashing sauce on her face.

“I think it’s different for everyone,” I weakly explain.

Zoe’s gaze zeroes in on me. “Why can’t you be my daddy, Ash? All you have to do is kiss my mommy. Right, Camryn?”

Camryn, with all her knowledge, adds, “He needs to give her a ring and they have to sleep in the same bed, remember?” After that helpful information, she jabs her fork into her meatball and starts nibbling on it.

Well, fuck me sideways.

Dad chuckles and my gaze flies to his, and I find him sitting there like Zoe’s idea just solved world hunger. Christ.

“I heard you went skating today. Was that fun?” Melanie pipes in, redirecting the conversation, and when all the kids start talking, I exchange a look with Gina, who has paled quite a bit. Damn. I hope she’s right about Zoe’s life getting back to normal once she’s back to her regular routine.

The kids talk nonstop as we finish our meal, and eat the pastries Gina brought. It’s nearing the kids bedtime by the time we clear the table, and Gina needs to get them back to her place and into bed.

After we say goodbye, we head to the door to get into our coats, and Zoe complains, “I don’t want to go home. I want to stay at Ash’s again.”

“Honey, no, you have school in the morning, and I have to drive Camryn and Tate home.”

“I want to stay at Uncle Ash’s too,” Camryn pouts, with a big yawn.

“I think—” I begin when Dad puts his hand on my arm.

“I’m not feeling so good again, son.”

Gina puts her hand to his forehead. “He actually does feel warm.”

I’m about to point out that he likely put a hot cloth to his head when he disappeared into the bathroom, but I don’t. Again, if something really was wrong, I’d hate myself for not taking it seriously, and let’s be real here. I kind of want them all to stay overnight too.

Oh boy.

15

Gina

“Mommy, can we please stay at Ash’s.”

Grant coughs again, and it concerns me that it’s only coming on at night. I glance at Ash. Perhaps he doesn’t want his house full again.

“I…if…” I begin.

“You should probably stay the night again,” Mel suggests and my gaze flies to hers. “Grant is looking a bit pale.”

“Do you think we should take him to a clinic?” Ash asks, as he helps his dad into his coat.

“No, no clinic,” Grant grumps. “I just need some more of Gina’s medicine, and for her to tuck me in. That helped last night and of course, knowing she’s close by if anything happens helps put me at ease.” He turns from me. Wait, did he just exchange a look with Melanie? Do they know something I don’t?

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