I job over getting to him first. “You okay?”
“I fell.” He tells me frowning.
“Well, it happens to us all from time to time.” I explain as Jo joins us giving him a mom once over but not reacting. Adjusting his helmet, I continue, “ya know I was once told it’s not the fall that gets ya.”
Justice says, “huh?”
“Nope, it’s the sudden stop.”
Jo lets out a laugh while Justice studies me not getting the joke.
“Look how long you rode. I bet your legs are tired and your belly is hungry. Let’s celebrate the wins for today and get some pizza.”
His eyes study the distance he rode down the street. “I went pretty far.”
“Yeah ya did.”
“Bet my legs just gave out on me.”
I nod as he picks up the bike and climbs back on. “Yeah, I bet they did.”
“I’ll ride it back to the garage. Park her by Ruby.”
“Um Justice, you can’t take up space in Dean’s garage.”
Justice blows out a breath. “Mom, bikes are man things. Gotta give her a name and she needs to be in the garage. Can’t leave bikes out like that.”
“Might want to check with Dean, it is his garage.”
“Dean,” he looks to me, “tell Mom, Jubi needs to be beside Ruby.”
I smirk, “Jubi?”
“Yeah, I’m thinking she’s sparkly like Ruby and red, but mom’s middle name is Jubilee so Jubi. And she looks good beside Ruby.”
“I think you’re right. She has her spot so ride her on in.”
Jo playfully pats my arm as we watch Justice ride up and park the bike in my garage. “You spoil him.”
“Got one life to live. Get one chance to be innocent and free from the heavy. I’m happy to help him keep his a little longer.”
She nods and gives my arm a gentle squeeze as we approach the garage.
“I know I fell today, but tomorrow can we ride some more?”
“You wanna keep riding?” Jo asks.
“Oh yeah,” Justice tells her getting his helmet off.
We spend the day mostly outside with Justice riding his bike before I take us all out to dinner. By the time I pull into our driveway, Justice is half-asleep in her backseat. He went hard all day, and it’s caught up to him.
Jo glances over to me as I put the SUV in park, “thank you for today.”
I smile as I exit her car, rounding it, going to Justice, unbuckling him before scooping him up. He mumbles against my shoulder as I carry him inside and to his bed. Jo is right behind as I tuck him in.
She moves to slide his shorts off and shirt as he remains in a semi-sleep haze. The seasoned mom Jo is, gets his pajamas on while he settles in. I move to cover him once again with his blanket when he reaches out and tugs are my shirt sleeves. “Stay, Dean.”
I look to Jo, and she nods with a soft smile. I pick up the book on his nightstand while sitting beside him and begin to read.
