CHAPTER 34
We’re Back
Bentley
“Higher, Dada, higher,”Aaron squeals as I push him on the swing in the backyard of Zahirah’s house.
This place is nice, but I’m going to give them something nicer. I already have Garret narrowing down our options. I plan to sign my new contract on Monday.
It was rough and a ton of emotions came up, but Zah and I spent the night talking and saying what we felt. I think we made a lot of progress.
There’s still something she held back, I could feel it, but time got away from us and we both passed out. I’m letting her sleep in this morning. I brought Aaron out here to play.
I love the sound of his voice and laughter. He’s been proving all morning how smart he is. He’s so polite and sweet.
I’m going to find a football to toss around with him as soon as I can. There’s so much I want to do with him. I still have so much to learn about him.
“Hey, there you two are. I thought I heard squealing,” Erica says as she comes around the side of the house.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I came to make sure my favorite boy wasn’t standing over two bodies crying,” she taunts. “Good to see you made it through the night. Where’s Zah?”
“I’m letting her sleep in.”
“Cool. Are we good, bro?”
I tug my sister into a hug. “Yeah, we’re good. Just don’t ever do anything like that to me ever again.”
“I won’t. I hated every minute of it.”
“Come on. Let’s go inside. I’ll wake Zah and make her breakfast.”
I grab Aaron from the swing and toss him up into the air. He squeals happily and begins to giggle as I tickle his stomach. His little giggles make my heart swell with pride.
“You’re great with him already,” Erica says.
“I love him already.”
We walk into the house as Zah comes out looking like she had a fight with the bed. I bite my lip to hold my laughter in. She looks at me and rolls her eyes.
“I need coffee. Lots of coffee.”
“Mommy. We play. Come back outside, Dada.”
I laugh. “I’ve got you, buddy. Let’s feed Mommy first. You want an apple?”
“No. Raisins, please.”
“He’s talking about granola,” Erica says.
“I know, Zah already gave me a crash course in Aaron speak.”
The doorbell rings as we all head to the kitchen. Zah frowns and turns to answer it. I stop her and hand Aaron over.
“I’ll get it.”
She shrugs. “It’s probably one of the moms.”
