“Let me say goodbye to Immy, she’s been taking Cam’s death harder than I thought.”
Nodding, I let him go, walking over to Monroe and Wells. They both instantly surrounded me, giving me their focus.
“Hey, Kitten, how are you feeling?”
“Okay. There’s been a lot going on, but I think this will be good. You guys headed back?”
“Yeah, I have a sparring session with Nicco.” Wells blushed and I couldn’t help but take the opportunity to tease him.
“Oh, is that what you call it? You wouldn’t happen to need a backdoor diamond, would you?” I teased.
Wells’ eyes smoldered as he stepped closer, grabbing my hips. “Next time, I get to be the one to have you wear it. Understand?”
Licking my lips, I nodded, caught up in the sexual tension to care about anything else. “Yes.”
“Okay, before this goes to far and I say fuck it, I was wondering if you wanted to take the kids to that movie in the park tonight?” Monroe asked.
Blinking the lust away, I turned my gaze toward him, his words beginning to penetrate my thoughts. “Yes, that would be lovely. I think the kids would enjoy that. Maybe we should see if Lily wants to join us? I think it might be too late for Olivia.”
He smiled his golden smile, effectively making me fall for him all over again. “I can call Maren and see if that would work. Maybe we could do a sleepover since it will be late afterward and it would give her a night off. I heard things are going well with her and Ryan.” He wiggled his eyebrows, making Wells and I laugh.
“You’re such a gossip,” Wells teased, looking at him fondly. He turned to me, making me look at him. “We’ll take care of it. You go and have lunch with your father’s secret lover.” Wells winked, blowing me a kiss in such a manner that was like Nicco, I was stunned to the spot for a second. When I glanced over at Monroe, he laughed, nodding.
“Yeah, I see it too. They’re hanging out a lot. It’s kind of cute though.” Monroe pinched Wells’ cheek as he tried to get away.
Feeling better, I walked over to grab Jude and headed to the car. It felt weird to be driving somewhere, but I’d wanted to for this. I didn’t want to explain why someone chauffeured me around or why there were multiple men watching me. I knew they’d be there, but acting normal felt like a safe bet for this occasion. Jude was quiet on the drive over and I kept glancing at him, checking to make sure he was okay.
“I’m good, Mom.” He smiled over at me, the term making me melt into a puddle of goo.
“It’s okay if you’re not.”
“You take your own advice?”
Sighing, I smiled. “You’re right. It’s just easier to take care of others. I’m… dealing as best I can. I guess you understand how it feels. I didn’t get to know the real version of who my father was until it was too late. I bounce between anger and sadness, not knowing which one I feel the strongest most of the time. I’m hoping that Marcus can give me a better glimpse of the man I never got the chance to know.”
“I hope so too. I want that for you.” He paused and I could tell he was thinking something over. “Can I ask a random question?”
“Always, kiddo. Ask away.”
“Do you think I could learn how to drive? I know I don’t really need to with all the people who drive us and the L-train, but…” he shrugged and I glanced over, catching his cheeks pinking. “I think I’d like to know.”
“Absolutely. Though, I’ll admit, I might not be the best teacher. I’m sure Wells or Monroe would be great at it. Wells is more patient than people give him credit for, and Monroe has that sense of being about him that just makes you calmer. Either alone or together I think they’d be great teachers and I know they’d love to teach you.”
“Awesome, I’ll do that.” He smiled brightly, and I was glad to give him something to look forward to.
“So, my turn to ask a random question.” He nodded as I pulled into the parking lot, placing the car in park. Turning to him, I looked at him seriously. “Who’s your favorite Daddy?”
Jude’s face was frozen for a second before he burst out laughing so hard he had tears running down his face. “Oh, wow, I wasn’t expecting that. And I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?” I huffed, getting out of the car.
“Because. It’s my game, my rules. It takes all the fun out of it if they think they can find out from you.”
“I wouldn’t tell!”
Jude gave me a side-eye, clearly not believing me. Grabbing his arm, I walked into the restaurant with him, smiling over nonsense and feeling like maybe today wouldn’t be as bad, that the grief would lessen some, and I’d be able to breathe a little easier.