We recently watched the episode that revealed his name. Noah was a stickler for it now.
My son fist bumped Jayce with his good hand before he was settled again on the bed.
“Knock, knock.
”
A new male voice caught my attention and I looked up as the doctor entered. “Hey there. I’m Doctor Mills.”
“Hi,” Noah greeted, staring at his white lab coat.
“I’m afraid I don’t have the best news. You’ve broken a bone in your arm,” he announced to Noah. “Thing is, I’m rather good at putting on a cast. Just have to keep it clean and dry but all your friends can sign it at school.”
Noah swallowed hard. “Will it hurt?”
“Not much. I’d say your pain was already as bad as it’s going to get, Noah. Your nurse has some medicine for you that will make it better.”
“Okay.” Noah sat up a little straighter. “I’m brave enough.”
“You sure are. I’m sure your mother is proud.”
“I’m super proud of Noah. He’s very brave,” I agreed as my voice faltered.
A broken arm? My poor baby!
A strong arm slipped around my shoulders and I sank into the embrace, immediately feeling a bit calmer. It was the oddest sensation but having Jayce there suddenly felt like it was completely normal. The doctor left and Nylah returned, giving Noah some chewable Tylenol and water. She left again to gather supplies for the cast.
“He’s gonna be fine. You’ll see.”
The words were whispered close to my ear and I noticed that Jayce’s mouth was close enough to feel the heat of his breath on my skin. A slight shiver snaked across my skin with a seductive whisper in response. Turning my head, I nearly pressed my lips to his.
“Oh,” I gasped. His beard tickled my skin before my gaze shot upward and I caught the flash of desire in his eyes.
“Santa, are you still watching over my mama?”
Noah’s innocent question caught me by surprise. “What’s that?”
“Santa said he was watching you at the house.”
A low chuckle left Jayce’s lips. “I sure was.”
Heat blossomed in my cheeks. “You’re not supposed to tell him that.”
Jayce shrugged and I caught the way his mouth twitched as he suppressed a grin. “Nothing wrong with the boy knowing I’m watchin’ and keepin’ you both safe.”
Narrowing my eyes, I gave him a slight push, but he didn’t budge. “Is that what you’re doing?”
“Sure, little mama.”
“We’ll see about that,” I responded with attitude when he lifted a hand and his knuckles brushed along the skin of my upper arm.
“Honey, you’re gonna see about a lot of things.”
Three hours later we were home and Noah was tucked into bed. He finally drifted off after the pain medicine kicked in. He was super excited to share his cast and exciting story of how he crashed and broke his arm. Jayce and I both signed it already and I was certain Noah planned on having everyone he knew at school do the same.
“He’s a strong kid. Fearless, too.”
I plopped down on the couch in the living room and Jayce joined me, sitting close but not enough to make me feel uncomfortable. At least not yet. I had a feeling he’d pick up where we left off at the Urgent Care and I didn’t want to get distracted before I had a chance to find out how he knew Noah. I’d warned my son about strangers since he was a toddler. Struck me as odd that he latched onto Jayce so quickly.