“We can see them tomorrow, buddy,” Jack promises as he reaches for my hand.
“Now!” Jacob shouts, squirming to get out of Jack’s arms.
“It’s dinnertime, and you need to go in the bath,” Jack explains as he drops my hand to contain a wriggling Jacob. “I’ll bring you to see them tomorrow.”
“No!” he shouts.
Jack sighs and looks across at me apologetically. “Jacob, we can’t see the horses now.”
He promptly bursts into tears, and my heart squeezes.
“How about tomorrow, if it’s okay with Daddy, you can ride one of the horses on your own?” I suggest, my hand resting on his back. My eyes flick to Jack as I realize maybe I should have run it past him first. He’s smiling, so I think I’ve gotten away with it.
“Ride now!” Jacob cries excitedly, and I grimace, hoping I haven’t made his meltdown worse.
“We can’t now, they’re sleeping,” I lie. I glance across at Jack and shrug, not having a clue what else to say to Jacob to stop his tears.
“Okay,” Jacob says, and as quickly as the meltdown started, it’s over. “Down, Daddy,” he shouts, and Jack lowers him to the ground. He removes the towel wrapped around him and runs toward the house in just his swim diaper.
“That was over fast,” I say with a chuckle.
“The terrible twos! Literally the week he turned two, the tantrums started.” He laughs and shakes his head. “They almost always stop as soon as they’ve started. Thankfully. he’s easily distracted.”
“I meant what I said about that ride tomorrow, if you’re not busy.”
“I’m not busy. I might be hungover, but definitely not busy.”
“Hungover? Planning a big night, then?”
He laughs. “Not really, but it’s been a while since I went out drinking.”
“Well, if Savannah has her way, I’ll likely be hungover too. Josh brought her some cocktail-making books, and every time we have a girls’ night, it’s a different cocktail. I needed help walking home last time.”
Sliding his arm around my waist, he pulls me into his side. “Hmm, I can’t wait to see drunk Aria,” he whispers, kissing the skin below my ear. I shiver as his stubble tickles my neck, and heat pools in my stomach.
“How is it you have me wet with just one kiss?” I mutter as I tilt my head to the side to give his mouth better access.
“Fuck, Aria. I think I should cancel guys’ night and make love to you all night instead.”
My eyes widen, and I can’t help but think friends with benefits don’t make love. That’s the second time he’s called it that. Maybe I need to take a step back.
“Don’t you dare. You deserve a night out.” I step away from him, trying not to notice the small frown that develops on his face as I move away. I go on ahead, scooping up Jacob and carrying him up the porch steps. Jack follows, and I pass him Jacob as we reach the entryway. “Have a good time tonight.” I go up on my tiptoes and brush my lips across his cheek. “Bye, little man,” I say to Jacob, who’s dropped his head on Jack’s shoulder.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” Jack asks, and I nod. “Have fun with the girls.”
I smile before turning and heading upstairs. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away from him, and I know I’m giving him mixed signals. I’m just trying to save my heart. Trying to save both our hearts. I don’t think I’m succeeding.
Jack
Ican’t help sighing as I stand in the entryway and watch Aria walk away from me. I know she has feelings for me. I can see it in her eyes, and I can feel it in her kisses, but she’s holding back. I get it, she doesn’t want to get hurt, and despite promising not to hurt her, I’m beginning to question whether I can keep that promise. Why couldn’t I have met her back home? Why does she have to live thousands of miles away? Maybe this “friends with benefits” thing is a bad idea. Maybe sticking to friends withnobenefits is the answer. I just don’t know if I can stay away from her.
“Come on, Jacob. Let’s get you in the bath.” He squeals with excitement, and I carry him upstairs to my bedroom. Setting him on the floor, I find him some cars to play with while I head into the bathroom and run the water. When it’s ready, he refuses to put down the car he’s playing with, and not having the energy to argue, I give in, letting him bring it into the bath with him. He drives it around the edge, making car noises as I quickly wash him. When he’s clean, I sit on the floor and play with him for a while. As hard and exhausting as it is being a single dad, it’s so rewarding. I might have to deal with all the hard times alone, but I also get all the good times to myself as well. All the cuddles, all the laughter, all the fun.
After I’ve dried Jacob and put him in his pajamas, he’s pretty much asleep on my knee. Carrying him across the hallway, I kiss him on the head before placing him in his cot. “Love you, little man,” I whisper as I turn on the night-light and close the blind.
“Love you, Daddy,” he whispers around his thumb, and my heart swells with love for him. Backing slowly out of the room, his breathing has evened out and he’s asleep by the time I reach the door. Closing the door behind me, my mind flicks back to Aria. I know I’m not going to be able to enjoy myself tonight unless I speak to her. Walking the short distance to her room, I knock lightly on her door.
“Aria, it’s me,” I call out. I’m met with silence, so I slowly open her door, finding the room empty. The bathroom door is closed, but I swear I can hear her singing in there. Crossing the room, I push gently on the door, chuckling as I listen to her singing badly to a song I don’t recognize. Despite her singing, she must hear me laughing as she pokes her head around the shower curtain.