Jonah hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her in front of him until her back rested against his chest. He’d attended everything for Cord and Holden when they were younger. School plays and concerts when they were little, sports games and competitions through the years. Jonah had missed nothing. However, this was a first. When Cord had gone to prom and dances, he hadn’t even thought of taking pictures, and Cord certainly never asked. It wasn’t a thing.Until now.
“Yeah, well, most of the parents have almost fifteen years on us.”
It was a fact. There may have been a few in their early forties, but there was a clear divide.
“Do you know any of them?” she asked.
Jonah snorted. “No.”
He’d had an introduction or two with a few when Holden started hanging out with their sons, but it was nothing more than a quick greeting.
“Not even from school?” Roxanne asked.
“Not really. We didn’t move back to the area until about two years ago.”
Roxanne turned in his arms, and he released his hold, but she stayed close.
“And Holden was okay with that? Moving in the middle of high school?”
Jonah understood her confusion. Moving right before his junior year in high school would’ve been his biggest nightmare. Cord’s too. But Holden was built differently. He’d always beeneasygoing, moving in the direction of the family. He saw everything as a new adventure. There had been reasons for the abrupt move, but Jonah wasn’t willing to share them with Roxanne just yet. It was too personal. It would’ve led to a more in-depth conversation he wasn’t ready for.
It was perfect timing, watching Holden rush over to where they stood. He was obviously excited. Jonah motioned toward his brother.
“Does it look like it bothered him?”
Roxanne chuckled, shaking her head. “Nope, not in the least bit.”
Holden stopped a few feet away, hooking his thumb over his shoulder. “They're doing pictures on the gazebo.”
Roxanne waved her hand. “Lead the way.”
It took them a while to get set up. Jonah stayed off to the side watching the shitshow. It was worse than wrangling a group of toddlers. When they got most of the kids in one spot, one or two would wander off. After fifteen minutes, even Jonah was losing his patience. Fortunately for everyone, so did Roxanne.
“This is ridiculous,” she said and rushed toward the gathering. Within minutes she had all the kids lined up, making a few move to form a perfectly curated photo.
Most parents stood back, just watching. He caught a few mothers whispering, but no one interfered. They all seemed happy when Roxanne stepped back and everyone rushed forward to snap pictures. When the group dispersed, Roxanne waved Holden and his date back onto the gazebo for single shots.
Jonah walked over but remained a few feet away, watching his younger brother. He didn’t get nostalgic about many things, but it was amazing to see the man Holden was becoming.And I get to take a little credit for that.
“Jay,” Holden glanced over at his date. “This is Arianna.”
Jonah smiled and held up his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” She turned to Roxanne, smiling. “Thanks so much for taking the pictures. My mom had to work late, so she couldn’t come. But she really wanted to.”
There was no missing the slight sadness in the girl’s tone.
Roxanne slid her hand over Arianna’s arm. “I’m going to make copies of all of them so your mom can have a set.”
“Really? I’d love that. Thank you.”
“Yeah, thanks, Rox,” Holden said.
Roxanne smiled, pointing across the park. “Looks like they’re getting on the party bus. You two get going so you can get a good seat. Have fun.”
Holden and Arianna rushed across the grass, and he watched her grab his brother’s hand.
“Oh my God, they’re the cutest,” Roxanne squealed.
