Page 24 of Infinitely Mine

Mammoth jolted with my words.

Oh, no. I didn’t mean to hurt him.

His eyes darkened, and the pain that flashed inside the dark depths confused me. How could he feel that way about us? We only knew each other for weeks. Jacob wasn’t his child.

“We shouldn’t pressure Mammoth like that,” I finally replied.

“We’re not, Mama. I already drew a picture of you in a white dress. You’re so happy sunbeams are in your eyes.”

I heard Mammoth swallow, and I was terrified that he felt roped into this and my son had forced him into something he didn’t want. I couldn’t see rejection in his eyes.

Even when I could feel his stare, I refused to meet his gaze.

He lowered to his knees and stared into Jacob’s eyes. “You saw a wedding?”

“Mama’s white dress and your black suit and Helkin’s shadow. I carry the ring on a pillow.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “You told me you finally had a son. That’s me,” he said, pointing at his chest, “and I get a real daddy who doesn’t hurt my mama. You love us both.”

Mammoth appeared at a loss for words.

Tears filled Jacob’s eyes. “You want me, too, right?”

Oh, fuck.

A strangled noise left Mammoth’s throat.

“As much as your mama.” He tapped his chest over his heart. “You’re right here. Sometimes, we find love even if it doesn’tmake sense. Even if it seems too fast or no one else understands. They don’t have to, Jacob. It doesn’t matter as long as our three hearts know.”

He nodded. “I feel all warm and squishy inside. Is that it?”

“Love?” Mammoth asked.

“Yeah, love.”

“You bet, Bud,” he confirmed. “That’s one of the ways you know. I feel it whenever I’m around you and your mama.”

Oh, wow. I couldn’t hold back the sting of tears as emotion swept through me. When he turned his head, Mammoth caught the tears I swiped from my cheeks.

“I don’t know how I got so lucky.” Did I dare to believe him?

“C’mere, Gorgeous.”

I stepped into his embrace as he stood and scooped up Jacob with his free arm. “This is happening so fast.”

Jacob shook his head. “No, Mama. You saw Mammoth in your dreams.”

“What?” I asked, shocked by his admission.

“I have a picture. You used to dream about a giant with a big heart who chased all the bad men away.”

Oh, wow. “I never told you about that.”

“Helkin showed me.”

“Who’s Helkin?”

Jacob shrugged. “My new friend. He’s always around.”

An imaginary friend? I indulged my son because maybe he needed this friend to feel safe after moving to a new city. “I see. Is he here now?”

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