CHAPTER 9 #2
Riggs looked ready to burst, and I couldn’t meet his gaze, or I would laugh outright. Thankfully, Jackson and Holden didn’t truly understand what was going on, and I counted that as a win because…dear God.
We piled into my car, and Riggs leaned across the center console to kiss me. I froze, as we didn’t usually do this in front of the kids. Mariah just clapped, and Holden and Jackson smiled widely so I went with it.
“Hi,” Riggs said.
“Hi,” I added. “I guess we’re doing this.”
“Okay, I guess so.”
Then I pulled out of the driveway and headed to the soccer game for my kids, my boyfriend right beside me.
* * *
“Go, Jackson!” Riggs called out, clapping his hands. He paced the sidelines along with Holden, my middle child echoing every gesture Riggs made.
It was adorable, and I had already taken a couple of photos. I couldn’t help it. My kids were falling for my boyfriend. And it was one of the best moments of my life.
I sat with Mariah on my lap as she watched the game. She had been sitting next to me before but decided that she liked seeing better from my vantage point. When Riggs and Holden came back, I leaned into my boyfriend and smiled.
“Have fun?”
Riggs grinned. “Yeah. Having a lot of fun.”
“I still can’t believe you’re here.”
“Got to be here for my man, Jackson.”
And that was it. I loved him. There was no turning back now. We focused on the game, cheering for Jackson as he came out.
Then everything happened all at once.
A bigger kid pummeled Jackson, tripping him.
The ref already had his red card in hand, but I was on my feet in an instant, running to the field despite the other parents’ warnings.
I had handed Mariah to Riggs, knowing without words that he would keep my kids safe as I ran to my eldest on the ground.
The coaches were there as Jackson held his arm.
“It hurts,” Jackson whined, clearly trying not to cry.
I fell to my knees, cupping his little face. “It’s okay, buddy. We’ve got you.”
Riggs was behind me, keeping both kids a little bit away, and I met his gaze. Fear crashed into me, but I told myself that this was okay.
Everything would be okay.
It had to be.
* * *
Another hospital and ER visit later, Jackson was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his radius but would be fine soon. Children healed quickly, and the break wasn’t that bad, but it still hurt.
While they got Jackson set up to go home, I figured I could leave him alone for just a moment, knowing he would be fine. I kissed the top of his head but stopped on my way out the door so I could head to the waiting area. “What can I get you?”
“I’m good. Say hi to Riggs. And tell the others I’m okay. I know Mariah was scared.”
“You’re a pretty great kid, Jackson,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“Yeah, I try. Love you, Dad.”
I swallowed hard and then walked on wobbly legs as tears threatened.
Riggs gave my face one look and ran to me after telling Holden to watch Mariah. “What’s wrong?” he asked, cupping my face.
“Jackson just called me Dad.”
Riggs blinked. “Wow. That’s something.”
“Don’t know if he’ll do it always. He doesn’t have to. Hell.”
“Hell,” Riggs repeated, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I whispered.
“Of course, I am. Jackson got hurt. I love those kids, Clay.” He swallowed hard. “And I love you.”
This time, the tears did fall. I leaned forward and kissed him softly.
There were only a couple of people in the emergency room, and they weren’t paying any attention to us.
We could still have eyes on Mariah and Holden, but I stood there, needing to breathe.
“I love you, too, Riggs. It scares me. In the best way possible.”
Riggs winked. “We’ve got this.”
“Okay. We do. Wow.”
Riggs grinned and then looked over at Mariah and Holden. “Are we taking Jackson home soon?”
I shook out my worries and bubbles of emotion over what’d just happened, telling myself to get in the game. “He’ll be fine. We are taking him home in a minute. I’m going to go get him now.”
“Yay,” Mariah said. “I don’t like him hurt.”
“Same here,” Riggs said as he picked up Mariah again and set her on his hip. He was getting good at that. “How about we clean up our mess over in that corner and get ready for them?” Riggs said. “That way, we can get Jackson and be ready to go home.”
“Okay,” Holden said, rocking back on his heels. “I wasn’t scared.”
I looked at Holden, nodding. “Really?”
“No. Because you were there for him, and then Riggs was here for us. It’s like we’re a family.” He shrugged and then walked away as if he hadn’t just dropped that bombshell.
Riggs met my gaze, but there wasn’t any fear in his eyes. Instead, I saw a sense of purpose as he leaned down, kissed me again, then pushed me towards the double doors. “Go get our boy. I’ve got the others.”
And he did. I trusted him.
I had fallen in love with my high school crush, and I hadn’t meant to.
I had told myself that I didn’t have time for love or anyone else, but it seemed fate had time for me.