He licks those perfect lips of his, making my heart rate sputter.
“Hey,” he says.
It’s so simple, but given the last several days, his greeting is enough to warm my chest and settle my nerves.
“Dax,” my dad calls to him.
“There’s the man.” Dax’s smile grows wide, and he tries to take a step around me but stops.
His shirt is twisted in my fist on his chest.
I drop my hand quickly and clear my throat.
He moves to shake my dad’s hand, and they hug each other like they’re having a reunion, even though I know they go fishing together often.
My mom and dad were close with Dax’s parents. Once Dax lost them, mine stepped in to help as much as they could. It’s what family does—we show up for each other, just like Dax did today for Jacob, despite what’s going on between us.
“How are you, Mr. Bridges?” Dax claps my dad on the shoulder, standing just an inch taller than him. “How’s that gorgeous RV of yours? Take her anywhere lately?”
“See? A man who gets it.” My dad makes a show to Izzy and my mom, who roll their eyes.
I finally find my voice and say, “Why don’t we move the party outside? You know, with the rest of the guests?”
“I’m done with the candles. Let’s do the cake.” My mom rounds the counter with the Minecraft cake. The candles are all lit and provide a soft glow on her face.
I bought this cake with Dax’s help to make sure I got it right. He and Jacob have been building a sports stadium together on that game, so I wanted to create a replica for his cake. It turned out perfectly, and I all but bounce outside with my family, ready to show it to Jacob.
We walk in a big group singing “Happy Birthday,” and Jacob rushes toward us, his mouth hanging open. “Whoa!” He shows off his cake to his friends like he would a rare coin collection.
It puts the biggest smile on my face.
He blows out the candles as we all clap for him, and I move forward to start cutting the cake. My mom separates the plastic plates for me and helps pass out the slices to everyone.
After everyone gets a piece, I stand back to absorb it all. Grayson and Luke playfully fight over the largest piece of cake while Sidney stands to the side taking pictures with her phone. More of Jacob’s classmates are here, their parents, Willow and Zach, Sienna—my new family here in Sunnyville.
It’s definitely home.
Yet, there’s a knot in my stomach. I’m unable to stop myself from thinking about how proud Mitch would be of Jacob. How much I wish he were here to see him grow up.
Get married.
Have kids in the distant future.
And I know on days like today, during Jacob’s milestones, I’ll miss Mitch even more than usual.
“You okay?” Dax appears by my side, his hand tentatively on my lower back, offering comfort.
“Yes. It’s just been a crazy day.” I peer up at him, searching his blue eyes, raking my gaze over his clean-shaven face, my hands itch to feel his smooth skin. “You came.”
“Of course, I did.” He nods, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“I didn’t know if you would.” I shrug, watching him expectantly.
“I told you—shit.” He squeezes his eyes closed and pulls his ringing phone out of his pocket. “Shit,” he curses again, then holds one finger up at me. “I’m sorry. I’ll only be a second.”
“Go. Do what you need to do.”
I watch after him as he goes inside, his body taut and tense. Right then, Brooks and Staci round the corner into the backyard with two gift bags. They’re walking shoulder to shoulder, and Staci even giggles at something Brooks says. That’s a first, I think to myself, inwardly smirking.
“Dax isn’t leaving, is he?” My mom touches my shoulder, shoving a plate of chocolate cake at me.
“Thanks.” I take the plate from her. “He just had to take a call. He’ll be right back.”
“That boy works so hard.”
I stuff cake into my mouth, watching Dax as he paces on the other side of the sliding door of the kitchen.
I rub my mom’s arm. “I bought some dairy-free dessert for him in case he came. Join the party, and I’ll go get it for him.”
I slightly push her toward the rest of the crowd and notice Sienna talking with Brooks and Staci. Sienna touches his arm as she throws her head back and laughs.
Before I turn, I catch Staci cringing, her arms crossed. For someone who insists there’s no spark, she looks awfully upset at his exchange with Sienna.
“Mom!” Jacob barrels into me with a big hug, almost pushing me over. “Thank you for the cake. It’s awesome.”
“I’m glad you like it, bud.” I lean down to squeeze him with one arm, holding my plate of cake up high, careful not to drop it. “You having fun?”
“Yeah.” He takes off to be with his friends, leaving my heart so full that he’s happy and healthy and full of life.
I set my cake on a nearby table, then open the door to the kitchen.
Dax paces on the other side of the counter, one hand on his hip. His jaw is set, and his eyes are devoid of any humor—nothing like the Dax who was just running around with Jacob moments ago. It’s like a mask he pulls up and down.
I didn’t notice it as much when I was away. He was only ever Dax when we spoke on the phone, but being around him every day and considering his feelings for me, it feels like I’m getting to know Dax all over again.
He hangs up and exhales. “I need to head out.”
He steps onto the back porch and waves to his sister, then says goodbye to Jacob, apologizing for leaving early, but he promises they’ll hang out again soon.
“Like he’ll miss me during this party.”
