All his text says now is that he’ll call this morning. I set my phone down and rub my eyes. Just as I sit up, Jacob yells from downstairs about breakfast.
Sighing, I get up and meet him in the kitchen. “What do you want today, bud?”
He sits up straighter at the counter, his young eyes heavy and tired. “Surprise me.”
“You got it.”
I get to work on a simple bacon and eggs breakfast and make a note on the pad next to the refrigerator to get more eggs.
We move around the kitchen in silence, a heavy tension settling between us.
I sat alone while Jacob’s game started last night. At halftime, still no sign of Dax. Afterward, once the buzzer rang, and the game ended, Jacob didn’t even care that they won. His eyes scanned the emptying gym one more time before he led the way to the car, pouting.
He was so disappointed, and it gutted me.
I tried explaining that Dax is very busy saving lives. Usually, this works. It makes Jacob think of Dax like a superhero. But something was different last night. The conversation didn’t have the effect on him like it usually does, and it made me feel worse.
“You played very well last night.” I set the steaming plate of breakfast in front of him. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Thanks,” he mumbles as he pushes his eggs around. He rests his elbow on the counter and takes a slow bite.
I exhale and fix my own plate.
Dax’s disappearing acts aren’t new, but we weren’t together then. I didn’t have to worry about how Jacob would be affected by it.
But now? Knowing Dax will miss stuff like this will be hard to keep brushing off. I don’t know how I’ll keep apologizing to Jacob. How I’ll keep justifying it to him when I can’t grapple with it myself.
The rest of the morning continues in silence.
After I drop Jacob off at school, I call my office to confirm the site address for our shoot this morning. It’s at the local gym for a piece on staying fit and healthy as a working mom of two. It’ll be the perfect distraction to keep me occupied.
To stop me from thinking about the fact that Dax still hasn’t called like he said he would.
On my way into the office to work on editing the shots I just took, I start to worry about Dax, so I give him a call. His voice mail picks up through the speakers of my SUV, and I sigh in frustration. “Damn it.”
Once I park, I send him a quick text to check in and head into the office.
As soon as I sit, my phone goes off, and Dax’s bright smile lights up my screen. It’s a picture we took together in town one afternoon. His arms are wrapped around me from behind, and I’m laughing at a ridiculous argument we had over the best Friends character. He said it’s Chandler, but I argued it’s Ross, even though they’re all great.
I walk out into the hallway to answer his call. “Are you okay?”
There’s a pause, and I hear clicking of keys on his end.
He clears his throat, and when he speaks, he seems distracted and formal like I’m one of his colleagues. “I’m fine. How are you?”
“Good. I didn’t hear from you. And Jacob’s game last night—”
“I’m sorry, but something came up at work.”
“Okay. I was worried.”
“I’m fine.”
There’s a pause, and I imagine he’s rubbing his eyes the way he does when he’s stressed, which is often. I wish I could take it away from him.
I also wish I could have Dax right now to reassure me that everything’s fine. Instead, I have Dr. Pearson on the phone. I sigh. This is his job, and I don’t want to make it harder on him.
But this stings. Jacob’s frown has weighed heavily on me all day, and he’s all I can think about right now.
“Maybe you can come over for a late dinner tonight? I’ll make spaghetti,” I offer.
“I’ll do my best. I’ll—” His office phone rings and interrupts us. “I need to go. I’ll call you later.”
I start to tell him I love him, but the line goes dead.
I blow out a frustrated breath.
“I’ll do my best.”
That could mean many different things, and I have a sinking feeling it’s not a good thing.
Thirty-Eight
Dax
She opens the door before I have the chance, and my shoulders release their tension at the sight of her.
She greets me with a small smile and wraps her arms around me.
Closing my eyes, I bury my face in her hair, letting her floral perfume soothe me.
“Hi,” I whisper and take a whiff of the spaghetti that’s waiting for me, making my mouth salivate. “I’m starving, and that smells way too good.”
“It’s all ready for you.” She kisses my lips softly.
“I thought you guys said you’d save the kissing for your special time.” Jacob appears behind Clara with his hands over his eyes.
I chuckle. “Okay, man. Sorry about that.”
“Come in and eat already.” He waves me over, and I follow him to the kitchen.
I give him a high five after he hands me a plate. “How was school this week? You learn any more about fractions?”
“Yeah, but they’re boring. I mean, when will I even use fractions?”
“Ah, it’s a little too soon to start asking those questions, don’t you think?” Clara asks Jacob and winks at me.
“I’m just saying.” He shrugs and takes a seat at the table.
“Thanks for dinner.” I kiss Clara’s cheek when Jacob’s looking the other way, then take a seat across from him. “Tell me about your game last night.”
“We won.”
“Oh yeah? And how many points did you score?”
His lips twitch. “Four.”
“Amazing. I’m sorry I missed it, big guy.”
He makes a noncommittal sound, but his frown speaks volumes. “I know you were saving lives.”
I flinch, considering the life I couldn’t save yesterday. “But I wish I could’ve been there.”
“I know.”
He doesn’t meet my gaze,
