“After experiencing your baking, that doesn’t surprise me.”
That had James jerking his head up. “Hey! The cake ended up being good.”
Jacob nodded with a small smirk forming. “I am an excellent baker.”
James rolled his eyes. “Fine. Whatever.” Dipping his spoon into the bowl, he filled it before bringing it up to his mouth.Immediately flavor exploded on his tongue. He quickly dipped his spoon again.
“Good?” Jacob asked with a laugh.
“So good,” James replied around a mouthful.
“Swallow then answer,” Jacob chastised.
“Yes, Daddy,” James teased. Or it was supposed to be a tease. Like when James joked around with Cal. He glanced over at Jacob as panic started to fill him.
“Hey.” Jacob grabbed the back of his neck. “You’re fine. Nothing to worry about.”
“Sorry.” Now that James had committed to his exploration, it felt weird. A little freeing but weird.
“Finish eating,” Jacob ordered.
“Okay.” That was something that he could do. Everything else? Yeah, no idea what he was doing there.
Too soon his bowl was empty.
“Would you like some more?” Jacob asked, sliding the bowl toward himself.
James wanted to say yes just to put off what would come next. Instead, he shook his head. A full bowl of soup and three slices of bread were his limit. “No, thank you.”
“Let me clean up really quick, then I’ll take you to the playroom,” Jacob said.
Why was it easier with Jacob telling him instead of asking. “Okay.”
Jacob washed the bowl and spoon James had used. Replaced the soup in the fridge then washed the pan. He wiped down the table where James had eaten. It hadn’t even taken five minutes.
Crossing the room, Jacob held out his hand. “Ready?”
Was he? James slipped his hand into Jacob’s. “Yeah.” That might be the biggest lie that James had ever told in his life.
The hall wasn’t even that long but with each step closer to the room that James knew existed seemed to take forever.
They passed the living room with a lamp on beside the couch.
Just as many blankets as last time. What was up with that?
James didn’t have long to worry about that as they reached the entrance to the playroom.
“You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want,” Jacob assured him.
“I don’t know what I want,” James replied. And that was frustrating.
“I know,” Jacob said. “That’s what I’m here for.” He drew James into the room.
The room was almost separated into sections. Or at least as if by age ranges. James ignored the toys that looked like they were meant for a baby. He walked over to the shelf that held a collection of green army soldiers.
Jacob stayed by his side, holding his hand the entire time.
“Ever play soldiers?” Jacob asked.
