Page 144 of Single Teddy
“I thought you wouldn’t come back for days,” he said.
I grimaced.
“Is that what Mommy used to do?”
“Sometimes,” he mumbled.
God, Josie. What’s wrong with you?
“I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”
My chest tightened at those words.
“Is that why you came back home?” He nodded. “Oh, Bear, honey, have I ever given you the impression I don’t want you anymore?”
He didn’t respond, so I just hugged him. If he wasn’t sure, then I needed to do a better job of showing him.
“I love you, Bear. And I always will,” I said. “And I’ll always want you. Okay? You hear me?”
He nodded and pressed against my chest, and even though it hurt like a motherfucker, I stayed there with him for as long as possible while the two men watched us.
After a moment, Wesley sat on the couch beside me and rubbed Bear’s back affectionately.
“It’s been a terrible day for all of us, but we’re all safe and sound now. How about we all go home and rest?” Wesley said.
Bear looked up at him with big puppy-dog eyes.
“Will you come with us?” he asked.
I smiled. And so did Wesley.
“If you want me to,” he replied, and Bear nodded, raising his arms so he could climb into Wesley’s arms, who carried him out of Zach’s apartment and toward mine.
Before I left, I turned to my friend and hugged him.
“Thank you. Thank you so much,” I told him.
“Hey, I didn’t do anything. I just sat here doing nothing like you told me to.Hecame tome.”
“Oh my god. Your ex. I forgot. Do you want to talk? Tell me what happened?”
He shook his head with a sad smile.
“You’re tired. Like Wesley said, it’s been a long day for everyone. Go home. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
I didn’t agree, but at the same time, I was starting to feel the exhaustion wrap its claws around me and my eyes were getting heavier.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Go home to your family, Teddy. I’ll be okay,” he said and gently pushed me out, where Wesley and Bear, still in Wesley’s arms, were waiting for me at our door.
Truly like a family.
Oh how my life had changed in such a short amount of time. And despite everything that had happened today, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
THIRTY-EIGHT
WESLEY
