Nick cut me off with another kiss. Softer this time, no punishing tongue. It was sweet and comforting, but still hot. Nick’s lips were addicting.
He took my face in his hands, his thumbs running back and forth over my cheeks. “What you call complicated, I call interesting. I’m a patient man. Even with gorgeous, wishy-washy pains in the ass.” He winked and turned away. “See you outside.”
SINCE THE DAYmy son was born, we haven’t spent a single night apart. Not once, in six years. When I heard that Bianca and I wouldn’t be able to accompany the boys on the Tiger Scout camping trip, my first inclination was to pull the plug on the whole damn thing. Fathers were priority chaperones, and we were reassured over and over there were more than enough parents going and there was nothing to be concerned about. Jack bounced around all week as we purchased all his camping gear, including the Green Arrow sleeping bag he really didn’t need because they would be sleeping in cabin bunks. After all this time spent getting Jack to be more social, I couldn’t say no to that. I would put on a happy face while my insides twisted in turmoil at letting my baby go with strangers for a weekend.
“Jack, I bet we find a ton of bugs!” Dylan shook Jack’s arm from their place in the bus line in front of the school, but my son wouldn’t look up. The hour of their departure had arrived, but I didn’t know what happened to the excited little boy at the breakfast table this morning. He needed to go, and I needed to look like I thought it was a good idea. Motherhood was sometimes exhausting.
“Hey, sweetie pie,” I whispered in Jack’s ear. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you excited?”
Jack didn’t pick up his head as he shrugged at me. “Maybe . . . maybe I should stay with you,” Jack murmured into his chest.
“Aw, don’t you want to go with Dylan?” I swept his hair off his forehead as his eyes turned to mine. “There are so many cool things in the woods!” Like bugs, snakes, possibly Big Foot.Why was I sending my kid camping again?Jack clutched my leg and buried his head against my hip. Tears pricked my eyelids as I tried to figure out what the hell to do.
“Hey, Jack.” Nick came over to us and crouched in front of Jack. Jack turned to him when Nick tapped his shoulder but still kept a tight grip on my leg. “I know you’ll miss your mom, but we are going to havesomuch fun. How about sitting next to me on the ride up? Dylan can sit across from you, and we can talk about all the awesome stuff we’ll see. How does that sound?” Nick raised an eyebrow and extended his hand to Jack. Jack took it and regarded me with wide, sad eyes as he let go of my leg.
“Bye, Mommy.” My son’s voice was so morose and frightened. How would I get through the next two days after he left like this? I bent down to kiss his cheek, and he gripped my neck in a tight hug.
My eyes clouded as I turned to Nick. “Is there any way he could stay close—”
Nick grasped my hand and ran his thumb back and forth over my wrist. “I’ve got him, and he’ll be with me the whole time. I promise. I’ll stay in touch with you. You’ll get so many pictures you won’t have a chance to miss him.” Nick’s eyes locked with mine, and a small relief washed over me. I squeezed his hand back and nodded.
“He usually sleeps well, but he has nightmares sometimes. If his face twists in his sleep, just wake him up . . .” My voice cracked and drifted off.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll take care of him. Don’t you worry,” Nick whispered in my ear.
I brushed Jack’s hair off his forehead and nodded at Nick. “Sweetheart” made me stumble for a moment—but I didn’t hate it.
“That’s better, Ella-Jane. I’ll make sure Jack has a blast, and you don’t worry for a second. Okay?” Nick arched a dark eyebrow and smiled.
“Okay. Thanks . . . Nicholas Patrick.” My lips curved into a tiny smile despite my watery eyes.
Nick nodded and kept Jack’s hand in his as they boarded the bus. Jack craned his head to look for me before he climbed on. I waved and forced my lips into a smile big enough to hide the tear dripping down my cheek.
“What time do you want me over?” Bianca tapped my shoulder and made me jump. I took in a deep breath and willed myself to relax.
“Seven sound good?”
“Perfect . . .Shit!Are you serious?” Bianca dug her phone out of her bag and sucked in her teeth as she glared at the screen.
“Travis again?” I grimaced as we strode back to our cars.
Bianca huffed. “He’s ignored his wife and son for years, but now that the divorce is almost final he wants to talk. Not happening. Whore of the month probably threw him out.” She sighed as she shoved the phone back in her bag. “I’d shut it off if Dylan wasn’t away. Anyway, see you later.” She turned and strode back to her car. “Make sure there’s wine, please,” she called behind her before shutting her car door.
I plopped into my car and dropped my face to my hands. No letting myself get upset, I would hold it together and not crumble. Jack would be fine—my little boy in the woods—without me. My phone buzzed in my hand as I plugged it into the charger. I swiped the screen and found a selfie from Nick of him and Jack. Both sported a huge grin and held a thumbs up.
Nick: No worries, Mom. Having a great time already.
Less than ten minutes ago, he was about to burst into tears, and now he was laughing and posing for pictures. Either my kid liked to screw with my head, or Nick had magical powers.
Nick sent countless pictures and a couple of videos of Jack hiking, fishing and having fun, as he promised. I was a terrible hostess, smiling at my phone the entire night instead of paying attention to my guest, but I didn’t care. I was so relieved that Jack was having a good time and I could trust that he was in good hands.
“Wow, I wish the den leader had a thing for me and kept me informed like that.” Bianca raised her eyebrows as she sipped her wine.
“Stop,” I groaned. “Nick probably is sending messages to other parents too.” I shrugged as I rose from the table.
“He sent all the parents a group text saying they arrived safely at the campsite. No pictures, no videos. And don’t think I didn’t catch the little moment between the two of you before the bus took off. Him holding your hand and whispering in your ear. Tell me again how nothing is going on between you.”
“Nothing is. Not really—”
