“Sorry I scared you the other day, my man.”
That pulled Ledger’s attention back to him. “Buy me more cotton candy. It was yummy.” He rubbed his little pot belly.
“Ledger, that’s a bribe. And no, you’re not getting more cotton candy. You were wired for at least an hour.”
Ledger’s forehead puckered. “What’s that mean?”
“You had a lot of energy. Do you want to sit next to Zeke?”
“Why?”
Kyra answered, “To get to know him.”
“Why?”
She opened her mouth, then shut it.
Zeke decided to wade in. “How ‘bout I take you to get somethin’ to eat?”
Ledger’s face lit up. “Cotton candy?”
“Your mommy said no cotton candy. How ‘bout a burger and fries?”
“Mac and cheese.”
Was his kid negotiating? “Damn, you drive a hard bargain, lil dude. Okay, how ‘bout mac and cheese?” He glanced up at Ky. “Guess you haven’t introduced him to Bangin’ Burgers yet.”
“He prefers chicken nuggets.”
“Chicken nuggies!” Ledger yelled, jumping up and down while yanking on her shorts. “Mommy, I want chicken nuggies!”
“Then you’re gonna get chicken nuggets, kid.” He glanced up at Ky. “You good with that?”
Even though she shrugged, her face told him otherwise. Good thing she didn’t want to disappoint their son.
And neither did Zeke.
Chapter Eleven
Zeke had mademental notes when he walked Ky and Ledger out to her car. His son had to sit in some sort of car seat. He asked if it was required and she informed him that it was.
He guessed his son wouldn’t be riding on the back of his sled anytime soon.
At the diner, Ledger sat in a booster seat across from him and next to Ky.
Their son chatted about everything and nothing as he ate. Zeke never saw so much chewed chicken in his life.
Zeke hardly got a word in edgewise. He sat back and carefully watched mother and son interact. How she constantly instructed him. To use his napkin. To not speak while his mouth was full. To use his inside voice. How to sit still so he wouldn’t knock over his lemonade.
Goddamn, being a parent was hard fucking work.
Ky had picked at her meal.
Ledger scarfed down most of his, then let out a big belch, making Zeke grin and Ky frown.
Zeke was too busy feasting on Ky when Ledger wasn’t pulling at his attention.
Was this what his life was going to be like? Chicken nuggets, booster seats, playgrounds, minivans, and runny noses?
