“About ten minutes ago, actually.”
I open the messaging app on my phone and send a text to Adam asking for an ETA but hear nothing in response. “He’ll probably be here soon.”
Ky nods and takes a long swig from his water bottle. There’s tension in his face due Adam’s impending arrival.
“You don’t have to wait with me if you want to go with the others to the gym,” I tell him hoping to ease his mind a little. Instead, he huffs out a laugh.
“And leave you in the house alone with that douche canoe? No thanks.”
“You won’t be leaving me alone in the house. He’s picking me up and we’re going to a meeting, remember?”
“Whatever. I’ll still wait with you until he shows.”
As it turns out, Adam doesn’t show up, despite my attempts at trying to reach him. The start time for the meeting has come and gone and I’m still waiting for him in our living room. Eventually, my phone signals a new message.
Adam: Sry, change of plans. Mtg postponed.
I respond quickly and tell him I hope everything is okay but hear nothing further. I’m a little annoyed he’s kept me waiting around, but with every cloud there’s a silver lining and with my morning now free, and Kyler still sitting on the couch with the house to ourselves, we find other ways to entertain ourselves until we need to leave for Lacey’s party.
“Look, momma, look what Uncle Ky gave me!” Lacey runs over to her mom carrying her new hockey skates. When she opened them, she squealed so loudly it was hard not to be swallowed up by her excitement. She wanted to put them on straightaway, but Ky managed to talk her out of it, saying the best time to try them out would be at the skating lesson he’s taking her to in a few weeks. I think she squealed even louder when she heard that.
“They’re real nice, baby,” Ally tells her daughter, sending a look of gratitude and mouthing a “thank you” in her brother’s direction. Even though Ally and his mom depend a lot on Kyler for various money-related matters, it’s always his choice to go the extra mile where Lacey is concerned. It’s evident in the party he’s helped to put on for his niece. He’s hired out a local soft play center, which has not only catered for the party but also given them party bags for the guests. There’s even a two-tiered birthday cake, complete with a tiny little girl in a hockey uniform sitting on the top—not a princess in sight.
“She really dotes on him, you know?”
Ally’s voice sounds out before she reaches me. We haven’t officially met before now, and I’m glad for the opportunity to get to know her.
A smile forms on my lips as I watch the birthday girl and her friends on a small inflatable castle, clambering all over Kyler. To his credit he’s taking it like the sportsman he is, without any complaint.
“And he really adores her.” Turning to Ally, I take the opportunity to introduce myself to her. “I’m Thea. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you too. I’ve been bugging Kyler to introduce us when he couldn’t stop talking about you all those months ago, but he always found a reason not to. It’s good to see him happy.”
Her words stick in my mind. The fact Ky told his sister about me before we started dating is like a comforting hug of reassurance working its way through my body, especially as for those first few months, he was a closed book.
“He makes me happy too,” I admit to her. “This is a great party.”
Ally sighs, “I wish I could take the credit, but this is all Kyler. I don’t know how I’ll be able to keep this up when he’s not here to help.”
“He’ll always be here to help, Ally. You’re his family.”
A sad smile forms on Ally’s lips, as if she’s holding on to a secret she’s not yet ready to share. “I hope you’re right.”
“Right about what?” I feel Ky’s arms around me before I see him, and I wonder if he’s taken a timeout from being a human climbing frame because he’s curious about what we’re talking about. Up to now, the only member of his family I’ve met is Lacey, and part of me can’t help but think he’s kept us at a distance because he’s worried about how his mom and sister would act around me.
“About you being the best uncle in the world,” Ally replies, quickly changing the subject, so as not to alert her brother to her worries. “I can’t believe you managed to hire this place. Lacey was beyond excited when she got here. Thank you, Ky.”
“She deserves to have what we didn’t.” My boyfriend doesn’t mince his words with his reply.
“Yes, she does. And on that note, I think it’s time to cut the cake.”
As Ally leaves us to rally up the kids, I take a hold of Ky’s hand and bring it to my mouth, lightly kissing each of his knuckles. “You know she’s right. You’re the best uncle Lacey could have. You’re definitely going to be rewarded for your efforts in your next life.”
A mischievous smile forms on his face and his other hand cusps my neck, bringing me toward him. “I’m more interested to know how I’ll be rewarded in this life.”
His lips meet mine and with a sweep of his tongue, I grant him access. Our kiss starts off chaste, but quickly turns into something little eyes should not be witnessing in broad daylight. Before we get too carried away, I break off and duck my head into his chest. Ky’s chuckle reverberates through me, and he plants a light kiss on the top of my head. “To be continued,” he whispers.
Before I can answer, something catches Ky’s eye and I feel his body tense as he quickly looks up toward the entrance and curses, causing me to turn around. I immediately see the reason for the change: walking toward us is Adam.