Page 104 of Embers in Our Souls
The way Noah is running around laughing, it seems to be a success. “You’re right. I was nervous for nothing. I just wanted everything to be perfect.”
“And your parents didn’t have a coronary over us being together.” Tyler laughs when he looks at me. I can’t help but narrow my eyes in his direction.
Earlier today, when my parents called to wish Noah a happy birthday, Tyler walked by and my mom caught sight of him in the background. That prompted the discussion of our relationship right then and there. It wasn’t how I wanted the reveal to go, but I’m glad it’s out in the open. I’m not a child anymore, so I don’t know why I care about my parents’ approval.
Since discovering the truth about my biological parents, Jerry and Scarlet have stayed in town, prompting Tyler to stay with Noah and I quite often. More and more, his things are starting to add up at my place. I’m beginning to think we should probably have a discussion about him making this a permanent stay.
“Hey, I have a bit of a surprise for Noah,” Tyler says as he kisses my cheek and heads in the direction of the parking lot.
I look behind me where he’s taken off. I see Kennedy walking up and she’s not alone. Standing next to her is another gentleman who’s wearing a baseball cap and a Boston Gael’s shirt.
What is Tyler up to?
I hear a mom squeal as she sidles up beside me. “Oh my gosh. Is that Nash Ripley?”
“Who?” I look at her, confused.
“You’re kidding me, right?” I swear, she could have hearts in her eyes right now.
I swing my head back to the man in question, still clueless as to who’s walking over.
One of the kids catches sight of the gentleman and starts running toward him. “Nash Ripley? Is that really you?” The kid starts jumping and pointing. “Noah, you know Nash Ripley?!”
Noah is playing with a baseball and the moment he sees this Nash person, his jaw falls open and said baseball falls to the ground while he’s still as a statue. How am I completely lost right now?
Tyler makes his way over with Kennedy and, apparently, Nash Ripley, while I’m still connecting the dots. “Hi. What’s going on that you’ve stunned my kid?” I laugh.
“Indiana, I’d like you to meet Nash Ripley, the Boston Gaels’s star pitcher,” Kennedy says with a bright smile. “We thought it would be a fun surprise for the kids and for my favorite six-year-old.” She winks in my direction, and I’m stunned. We both know she doesn’t even know Noah and I want to cry that she would do such a thing for my little guy.
Noah must reboot because he finally comes running over, smiling from ear-to-ear. “Hi, I’m Noah.”
“Hi, Noah. I’m Nash. I hear you’re turning six years old,” Nash puts his fist out for Noah to give him a fist bump.
“Yeah, I am!” Noah’s enthusiasm is palpable.
“Well, what do ya say we get out there and play ball. I hear you love the game.” Nash starts walking out, looking at some of the other kids, all of them hanging on his every word. The moms are following, drooling over this person I’ve never heard of.
Tyler saunters up next to me; I link my arm through his. “How did you pull this off?” I whisper.
“You see, I’m sort of in love with Noah’s mom, so I’ll do anything to see her smile,” he whispers.
“Ah, well, you’re winning major points,” I laugh softly.
“You think I’ll get lucky later?” he whispers into my ear.
“Oh, most definitely.” I waggle my brows in his direction. “Maybe even twice.”
“Totally worth it then,” he lightly smacks my ass as we follow slowly behind everyone.
“Goodnight sweet boy,” I say, as I close Noah’s door.
Before I leave his room, I can already tell his eyes are closing. He’s exhausted after the fun-filled day he had. His party was beyond successful. He’ll remember this birthday for years to come. Not sure we can top it, but we’ll have fun trying.
I’m about to head downstairs to look for Tyler, when I hear the water running in the bathroom. I decide to leave any cleanup we have in the rest of the house for later and opt for joining Ty.
I walk in the main bedroom and lock the door, stripping my clothes as I walk toward the bathroom door. I open it, noting the steam throughout the small space. Tyler is humming a song I can’t distinguish and it makes me smile.
My body is vibrating to be touched by him and I haven’t even caught sight of his naked body yet. He hasn’t sensed me in the bathroom, so I open the door and step in, startling him.
