A confused chuckle breaks past my lips as Jackson and Rigsby approach us. I’m beginning to think Jackson’s kidnapped Rigsby because he has him all the time. It pulls at my heartstrings to see someone who’s not even this kid’s dad show up time and time again. “Babysitting again?”
Jackson’s easy grin finds me, and he maintains eye contact. “I’m trying to do my part to help out with the new baby. Tom had a work meeting, and Jackie didn’t want to bring the baby out with all these germs. It’s only for an hour anyway.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder toward the games. “Do you guys want a shot at the candy wheel?”
Bella’s gaze slams back to the entrance, her cheeks a rosy hue. “Ah, you guys can go ahead.” I gesture. “We are waiting for Bella’s dad. It’s his night with her, and he should be here any minute.”
“Oh, okay.” Jackson says casually as Rigsby snatches his wrist, attempting to drag him forward. “We’ll be around for a while if you change your mind.”
“Sounds good.” Bella’s hyper focused on the door, and I can’t stop watching her. Every hard swallow hits me right in my mama heart.
“Is it okay if I text you later?” Jackson digs his heel in, holding Rigsby while he adds, “I was going to try to get ahold of you anyway.”
“Sure.” I’m quieter than normal. I hate to make plans, because when it comes to Chase, I never know what’s going on.
“Hurry, the candy wheel is filling up,” Rigsby insists, giving Jackson another tug. They both go flying forward. Laughter rushes as Jackson’s jaw drops into an expression seeped in happiness. I’m left frozen, staring at his giant smile.
I never really thought about the kind of man I wanted to father my kid before it happened. I was young, dumb, and so naïve. Seeing Jackson willing to be dragged around an elementary school gymnasium by a seven-year-old—who isn’t even his child—sort of makes me feel like I’ve been missing out on something. Every second I spent with Chase, he carried himself like he was doing us a favor.
“Do you think he forgot?” Bella’s expression is so strained, a blue vein by her temple—that I’d hardly noticed before—thickens. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think seven-year-olds should have stress veins.
Placing my hand behind her back, I’m gentle as I pull her close. Her feet are cemented to the spot, and she’s not moving. “Baby, let’s go play a few games. As soon as he gets here, we’ll meet up.”
Before she can reply, a small crowd of kids pass behind us, all laughing and smiling as if it’s the best day ever. Bella looks at them, and her lips tighten. I run my hands through my hair. Maybe it’s a bad idea to wait inside. I search for the exit. Standing here, is just making her see all the fun she’s missing out on. She won’t participate until her dad is here, and once again,he’s not here. I’m so white-hot with anger that I force my limbs to freeze, afraid I might throw some sort of a fit. It’s one thing to be late for a child transfer, but this is at her school and in front of her friends.She doesn’t deserve this.“Baby,” I try again, but I’m weary because I know she’s not going to enjoy herself, even if I can distract her with a game.
“Bella!” Rigsby jogs up beside her, his arms filled with at least a dozen king-sized boxes of candy. “I won the jackpot!”
She pulls her gaze from the exit and studies his loot. He’s got gummies, chocolate, and sour candies. Jackson stands back, as if purposely keeping his distance, but I’m grateful for the distraction. Anything to get Bella to stop staring at the door.
“What kind do you want?” Rigsby goes on, fanning them out for her to see. She steps forward, and a tiny curve tips on the edge of her lips as she grabs a box of chocolates. She starts to turn back to the door, but Rigsby beckons her. “Come on! You have to try it. You could win all this.”
His smile fills his whole face. I hold my breath, hoping she takes the bait. Anything to take her mind off Chase. She glances at the door for a fast moment before looking at me. “Can I go Mom?”
“Yeah.” I give my largest nod. “Of course. Let’s win some candy.” I’m already moving, not taking a chance to lose this momentum. Bella takes small steps, but they are in the right direction. Rigsby hangs by her side, pumping her up the whole way over to the candy wheel. I hastily dig in my purse for some dollar bills and press them into her palm. Rigsby takes Bella to the front of the line, and I stand back, watching it all unfold. She’s smiling. Not a big grin, but it’s genuine when she selects her number.
I let out a sigh of relief. The hard part is over. Now that she’s playing games, we have something to do to pass the time. Chasewill eventually show up. He always comes when it’s convenient for him.
Jackson moves to stand next to me, his face expressionless and he says, “I didn’t know if I should come over, but Rigsby couldn’t handle seeing her so sad. I hope we aren’t making it worse.”
“No.” I adjust my purse higher on my shoulder, which seems so much heavier than normal. “I appreciate it. Sometimes I don’t know what to do. He’ll come eventually, and this will keep her from crying.” My eyes sweep across the gym again. I just can’t believe he’s this late. Wait, no, I can believe it. I’m just disgusted. I slope my gaze back to Jackson, standing solid without even a fidget, like he’s happy to be here. There’s something to be said for men like Jackson. I mean, truly I barely know him, but he’s at a school carnival for a kid who isn’t even his. “How’s the new baby anyway?” I ask.
“Good.” He lifts a shoulder. “Not that I know anything about babies, but everything seems to be normal. The parents are tired. The baby has his days and nights mixed up, but I hear that happens. The laundry is piling up.”
“Yeah.” It’s my turn to shake my head as I remember those days all too well. “That sounds normal.”
“Dad!” Bella’s shrill cry of happiness slices through the air. I pivot. My heart actually crawls all the way up my throat. Chase looks as if he just crawled out of bed, wearing dirty jeans, and a T-shirt.
But he’s here.
Bella runs over, and smashes into him. It stings that instead of bending over and scooping her up into the biggest hug, he stands there, merely reaching out and ruffling her hair while she holds a death grip on his leg. It’s moments like these where I have this super ability to let all the background noise fade, and all I see is her beautiful smile. He’s listening to her talk, or at least doing agood job at pretending to listen, as she proceeds to pull him to the candy wheel.
I swallow back my disgust and watch them pick a number. He doesn’t even reach into his wallet. Instead, he points to the few dollars she’s still holding from the ones I gave her. She puts one down on the counter, beaming a smile up at him.
This is not the life I wanted for her.
Jackson’s soft words pull me out of my trance. “I kind of feel like Rigsby’s intruding on Bella’s time with her dad. I can grab him.”
“Oh no. He’s perfectly fine there.” I wave my hand, dismissing his concern. “Chase will care more that I’m here. I should actually be on my way. Now that he’s here, they’ll be fine. I wouldn’t like it if he loitered on my time.”
Jackson twists his wrist, peeking at his watch. “Well, we’ve already been here an hour. I think I’ll give Rigsby a last call and get him home. I don’t want to barge in too late and risk destroying the bedtime routine for the new baby.”
