Page 157 of Unravel Me

CHAPTER36

NOBODY’S GONNA KNOW

ADAM

“You’re fucking embarrassing.”

“Oh, what? So you and Carter can bring your kids to family skate, but I can’t bring mine?” Jaxon flings his arms into the air before propping his fists on his hips. His cat, Mittens, meows from where he’s strapped to his chest, in a—fuck, this pains me to say—cat carrier. “Double fucking standards.”

Garrett looks up from his knees, where he’s lacing up Jennie’s skates. “I’m scared you might be losing it, bud.”

Jennie cringes. “I hate to say this, Jaxon, but I think you might need a—”

“Don’t say it. Don’t fucking say it, Jennie.”

“—girlfriend.”

There go his arms, up above his head again. “I told you not to say it! Mittens has a touch of separation anxiety, that’s all. And we were just on the road for eight days.” He takes Mittens’ paw, jiggling it. “You hate when I leave you, don’t you, chunk? Yes, you do. Daddy hates leaving you too.”

Rosie snorts a laugh, and Jaxon narrows his eyes at her. She folds her lips into her mouth, pretending to button them, then leans into me as I tie Connor’s brand-new hockey skates. “I think we all know who’s the one with separation anxiety.”

I chuckle, watching as she looks down at her skates, swings them gently, her fingers gripping the bench as she breathes deeply. She sure isn’t experiencing separation anxiety from a cat right now, but I know my girl is feeling a little anxious. “How are you doing, trouble?”

“Me?” Her brows jump, and she lays her hand on her chest. “Fine. I’m fine, Adam.”

“Wanna try that again?”

She sighs, long and loud, back to staring at her skates. “I’m nervous. I’ve never skated before. I think I’m going to make a fool out of myself, but I’m so happy to be here and doing something that means so much to you.”

Her hesitant gaze flicks to the crowd of children who’ve just exploded through the doors, rushing to find spots on the benches in our locker room to get skates on too. Kids from Second Chance Home, joining us today for a family skate, because they’re part of our Viper family.

I cover Rosie’s wringing hands with one of mine, tipping her chin up until she’s looking at me. Over the past two months, I’ve told Rosie all about my charity, the Family Project, the work we do with the foster community. She loves my stories, and she’s so damn proud of me, and as much as I would’ve loved to drag her along to meet everyone, I’ve never asked her. I’ve never wanted to put her in a position where she’s forced to relive parts of her childhood she wishes never happened.

But this, inviting the kids to be a part of our family skate, to help decorate the tree at the arena, it was her idea.

“I don’t want to remember what it feels like to go unnoticed,” she admits quietly. “To feel unwanted. But then I don’t think the memory has ever really been far, and I guess I’m just…dreading seeing myself in someone else, someone small and perfect and innocent who deserves to be the center of somebody’s world. Someone who shouldn’t have to be wondering how they can change themselves, make themselves more lovable so somebody will choose them.”

She’s got the biggest heart, my Rosie, and it shows in every one of her decisions, every thought that wanders through her head. I know she’s passed that quality onto her son, too, because Connor reaches up, laying his hand on her cheek, and tells her, “Conn’a choose Mama.”

She kisses the inside of his palm. “I choose you, too, Connor.”

“I think spending some time with these kids when you’ve had such heavy emotions surrounding the foster system is brave of you, Rosie. But you don’t always have to be brave. If it ever becomes too much, you can step away, okay? Just let me know whether you want to step away by yourself, or with me. I’ll support you however you need to be supported.”

Grateful eyes look up at me. “Thank you.”

Chestnut pigtails catch my eye, and I find Lily hovering by herself in the corner, watching Connor, Rosie, and me. When I wave at her, her ears burn bright red, and she looks away.

“That must be Lily,” Rosie murmurs. “Why don’t you go say hi? Connor and I will make our way out to the ice with the others and wait for you on the bench.” She drops a kiss to my lips and stands on shaky legs, looping one arm through Jaxon’s as Garrett scoops Connor up, and I watch them disappear.

Lily twines a pigtail around her finger, scuffing at the floor as I approach her.

“Hey, Lily-bug. I’m happy to see you.”

Brown eyes dart to mine. “Was that your family?”

“Yeah, that was Rosie and Connor. Do you want to meet them?”

She lifts a shoulder. “I don’t want to bother them.”

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