He turned and started for the crowd. I was left standing there fuming all by myself. I wanted to yell at the sky in frustration.
After a few deep breaths, I slowly started in the direction of the field again. I spotted Aiden standing alone with his head bowed.
Confused, I started for my son, knowing something was the matter. Ace and I reached him at the same time.
I stooped low. “Aiden, why aren’t you playing with the other kids?”
He looked at me with sad eyes. “William said I couldn’t play touch football because I don’t have a daddy.”
“What?” I blurted out with ballooning eyes. “Since when do you need a dad to play touch football?”
“They’re playing in teams of dads and sons.” Aiden shrugged. “Since I don’t have one…” he trailed off.
My heart lurched against my ribcage. Ordinarily, I would’ve busted all up in that game and either demanded they let my son play or let me substitute as the parent, but my sundress wasn’t suitable for a game of football.
As I tried to figure out how to make this situation right for him, I felt Ace lower next to me.
“William talks too much,” he said. “Just like his daddy.”
Aiden perked up a little from Ace’s comment.
“I’ve wanted to play a game of touch football all day. Would it be okay if I played with you?”
I gawked at Ace. His tone was so tender. Sweet almost.
“You want to be my pretend daddy?” Aiden questioned with his eyes wide.
Ace hesitated and then looked over at me. He shrugged. “Just for the afternoon. I don’t see the harm in that, right?” he asked Aiden.
“We can, right, Mama?”
A piece of me wanted to say hell no. Ace wasn’t his pretend daddy, not even for the afternoon. He only wanted us here to paint an image so he could get a promotion. But the excitement in Aiden’s voice stopped me. I couldn’t let him down.
I nodded. “Just be careful, all right?” I looked at Ace as I said that.
He gave me a slight nod before standing and taking Aiden by the hand. I looked on as they headed in the direction of where the other men gathered.
This is only pretend, Savannah.
I reminded myself. I couldn’t let Aiden or me get caught up in the fantasy that we were somehow a real family. It would be too devastating to both of us when that bubble burst.
CHAPTER8
Ace
I pushed through the door to exit the building where a few of my squadron mates and I finished flight simulation training. I heard footsteps behind me.
“Hey, man. Good shit today,” Maple said, patting me on the back.
I nodded and pounded Maple’s fist with my own. “Always.”
“It was good seeing you this Saturday too. Even if you did have a surprise none of us were expecting.”
I paused and gave him a look.
“Still not talking, huh?” He laughed. “Whatever, man. Your business. But look, you know Tricia’s pissed.”
“Am I supposed to give a shit about her being upset about my personal life?”
