Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“Should I be sorry for the latter?”
“No,” Aria grumbled. “It was hot.”
I shook with laughter, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “I am sorry. I’ve just … all of that shit has been building over months, and it spilled out in the least mature way I could think of.”
It was her turn to laugh as she pulled back to grin up at me. “It’s okay. But just so you know, we will always need you, North. When you leave, you take a piece of me with you, and that empty place that’s left inside aches until you’re home again.”
“Fuck,” I murmured, clasping her beautiful face in my hands. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
I brushed my lips over hers and we sighed into each other’s mouths. After a few moments of just soaking up each other’s presence, I said, “Do you think we can take Mad out of school early today?”
“No,” she replied instantly and sternly, making me chuckle. “But you can be there to pick him up after school. He’ll be so over the moon to see his dad.”
“Aye?”
“You’re kind of his hero, you know?”
“Really?”
“Yes.” She squeezed me. “He thinks you are very cool. And I’ve been told by those in the know that you should enjoy this time, buddy, because in about five years, he’s going to think you and I are the definition of not cool.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “Got it. Enjoy the cool while we can.”
A few hours later, after unpacking my luggage, a quick shower, and food, I drove to Ardnoch Primary. The place was packed with parents picking up their kids, and I ignored the wide-eyed looks of recognition and made my way through the crowd toward familiar faces. My best mate, Theo Cavendish, stood at the school gates with my sister-in-law, Allegra McCulloch. He and Allegra were also related by marriage as Theo was married to Sarah, Allegra’s husband’s cousin.
Theo’s daughter, my pseudo niece, Rose, was six years old, and Theo or Sarah collected her and Mad from primary school every day to help us out. Ally’s son, my nephew Collum, had just started school, and Allegra was about four months pregnant with her and Jared’s second child.
“Look at these two troublemakers,” I announced my presence.
Ally whirled around, eyes wide, and then immediately threw her arms around me. I gave her a tight hug and pulled back to note her slight bump.
“How are you feeling?” I asked. “Doing well? You look happy.”
“I am doing well and I’m extremely happy.” She nudged me. “So … are you sticking around for a while?”
My eyes met Theo. “My friend here offered me a part I couldn’t refuse.”
His lips curled. “I take it that’s your way of accepting the role?”
“Aye, if you still want me.”
“I’m not sure anyone wants you, old boy, but yes, you are rather perfect for the part.”
I shook my head at his drollness, my attention moving to the school as the bell rang. My pulse picked up speed. “How is my boy?”
“He’s great.” Allegra rubbed a soothing hand over my back. “Mad will be so excited to see you.”
“Aye. I can’t wait to see him.”
Conversation passed between my friend and sister-in-law, but I wasn’t paying any attention. I strained to see Maddox.
Then there he was.
Strolling out of the building, his backpack too big and bouncing off his back as he skip-walked while chatting with one of his wee pals. The day we picked him up, he’d been shyly hiding behind his social worker. I’d held out my hand to him, at once terrified of being a parent, but also determined to love him as hard as any father had loved a son. Our eyes had met and at that moment, I’d claimed him. My wee boy.
Maddox had looked warily at my hand for a second and then, as if he knew I was his too, he released his hold on his social worker and slowly reached for me. As soon as my fingers curled around his tiny hand, I’d promised to never let go.
All that love swelled up in me, and I pushed past parents so Mad could see me.
His friend saw me first, hitting Mad’s shoulder as he pointed at me.
Maddox’s head jerked around.
His entire face lit up with surprise and delight. “Dad!” he yelled.
I swear I had to stop myself from bawling like a baby as he ran through the other kids to get to me, beaming from ear to ear.
I didn’t care if he was eight and too old for it. I swooped him up into my arms, mine slipping beneath his backpack to hold him close. Maddox wrapped himself around me like a monkey, laughing with joy that I was home.
“When did you get home? Are you staying? Can you cook the chicken wrap thingies I like? When do you leave?” He blurted out all his questions at once as I carried him back toward his aunt and uncle.