Chapter 35
Miles
The evening starts to wind down, the music softer now, the buzz of excitement fading into the background.
Mindy and Greg have already slipped away, no doubt heading off somewhere more private.
John and Maria are chatting with Eric, about something that clearly dates back to when Vivian’s mom was still around.
I overhear snippets of their conversation and smile, sensing the deep untold connections they share.
I look over and spot Riley, still on Vivian’s lap, clearly telling her all about the candy she’s devoured tonight.
The sweet innocence of it is enough to warm anyone’s heart, but it’s the kind of thing that’s so familiar, so comforting.
I know this is a moment that Vivian cherishes, just as I’m beginning to.
Mya left not long ago, citing business she had to handle, and though I’d miss her sharp, no-nonsense attitude, I could see how the night was winding down, and the focus was shifting elsewhere.
I stand there for a moment, realizing just how much this evening has exceeded my expectations.
Sure, I spent hours on the dance floor, and maybe felt a little ridiculous at times, but it didn’t matter.
Not when I was surrounded by these people—laughing, dancing, and just being. It’s more than I could’ve asked for.
I walk over to Vivian, who’s watching her daughter with that quiet, adoring gaze. I smile and sit down beside her.
“So, what’s the plan, Bambi?” I ask, keeping the mood light.
Vivian’s gaze turns to Riley, her voice soft and warm. “I think soon we’ll head home,” she says, but I can tell she’s trying to prolong the moment, maybe wishing she could stay just a little longer.
But Riley, ever the bundle of energy, has other plans. She crosses her arms and pouts, her bottom lip sticking out as she looks up at Vivian. “No! Grandpa said I could go on some rides!” she protests, her eyes wide with the excitement of one last adventure before the night ends.
I glance over at Vivian with a smile, “Looks like Grandpa’s got her wrapped around his finger.”
Vivian chuckles softly, then looks back down at Riley, her voice still kind but firm. “All right, honey, I need to head home and get ready for work tomorrow. You’re staying with Grandpa tonight, remember?” she asks.
Riley nods enthusiastically, her little face lighting up with happiness. “Yes, Mommy!” she says, throwing her arms around Vivian for a quick hug.
Vivian gently lifts Riley to her feet and brushes a soft kiss against her cheek. “Okay then, sweetheart,” she says, smiling as she takes Riley’s hand.
We begin walking toward Eric, John, and Maria.
I notice Vivian’s movements, purposeful but not rushed, her eyes warm with affection as she watches Riley skip beside her.
She’s going to be just fine, and so is Riley.
I can tell that this kind of balance, this small sacrifice, is part of the rhythm of their life.
When we reach them, Riley gives a quick wave to Miles and me. “Goodbye, Miles!” she calls out, her voice sweet and high-pitched. “See you soon!”
I wave back at her, grinning. “Take care, kiddo,” I call, feeling a soft warmth spread through me. She’s been a part of this night, and I’m glad I got to share it with her.
Vivian leans down and kisses Riley’s cheek one more time. “I’ll see you tomorrow, baby,” she says softly.
Riley nods and hugs her tightly, the connection between them simple but strong.
“I’m going to head home now,” Vivian says to me, her voice gentle but tired. “But thank you for tonight. It really meant a lot.”
I give her a smile, my chest swelling with something I can’t quite put into words. “Anytime, Bambi.”
She looks up at me, her gaze lingering for a second too long, a quiet understanding passing between us. With a small, appreciative smile, she turns to Riley and Eric. “Stay close to Grandpa, all right?” she tells Riley, who nods enthusiastically.
With one last glance at me, Vivian walks off, leaving me standing there with a strange sense of calm mixed with the faintest flutter of anticipation.
“Vivian, wait!” I call after her, jogging to catch up, my breath a little uneven.
She turns, her whiskey-colored eyes meeting mine, a flicker of surprise and something else in her gaze. “Yeah?” she asks softly, her voice warm but guarded, as if she’s trying to read me.
The moment hangs between us, and I’m not sure what’s about to happen, but I can’t ignore the pull I feel.
“Can I see you in a bit?” I ask, my voice low, softer than I meant. The words feel important, but I can’t quite place why.
She glances around, her fingers nervously fidgeting with her nails, a subtle sign of hesitation. My heart skips a beat, waiting for her answer.
“Yeah,” she says, her smile gentle, the kind that makes me feel like I’m the only one she sees in the crowd. “I’d love that.”
Then before I can say anything more, she leans in, pressing a quick, tender kiss to my cheek. It’s unexpected but welcomed, and it leaves a warmth on my skin that lingers even after she pulls away.
“See you soon,” she adds, turning and walking away, her figure fading into the crowd, but that small moment of connection still hanging between us.
I stand there for a second, feeling a mix of relief and longing.
The evening has been good, but it’s also left me with a gnawing feeling I can’t shake.
I turn and spot a group of guys standing nearby, Noah among them.
I notice how they’re looking at her, laughing and whispering, and something about it doesn’t sit right with me.
I feel my blood start to simmer. She doesn’t deserve that. Not from them.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus, remembering who’s here but the tension builds as I hear Noah’s voice cut through the air.
“Miles, when you’re done with her, pass her onto me?” His vulgar tone and snarky laugh makes my skin crawl as he talks about Vivian.
My hand clenches into a fist, and I step toward him slowly, my eyes locking onto his.
“What did you say?” I ask, my voice low, warning him to watch his words.
He just smirks, oblivious to the anger simmering beneath my skin. “I’m just joking, man,” he sneers. “I’m just saying she’s a milf, I’d—”
Before he can finish, I grab him by the collar and slam him against the wall, my chest rising and falling as I hold him there.
“You would fucking what, exactly, Noah?” I growl, my voice barely a whisper but dripping with enough menace that he knows better than to push further.
The crowd around us has stopped, watching intently, the weight of the situation sinking in. I feel an arm land on my shoulder, squeezing it, asking me to release him.
“Enough, Miles.” John’s voice is steady, but there’s a firmness to it, a warning that hits home. He’s not backing down, and neither should I.
I breathe in, feeling the anger start to simmer down, but it’s not enough. It never feels like enough when it comes to protecting her.
I slowly release Noah, watching him stumble back as he brushes himself off like he’s the one who had the upper hand. The arrogant smugness still hasn’t left his face.
I turn around and find Eric standing with Riley next to Maria behind John, all of them watching me with concern in their eyes, especially Riley.
Her wide eyes meet mine, and I know then I’ve made my point. I’ve scared her, and that’s the last thing I ever want to do. No child should be exposed to this kind of violence; no child should witness that side of me.
I should know better. I lived through it.
I turn and walk away, my fists still clenched at my sides, trying to shake off the anger. John pats me on the back, his touch grounding me.
“That’s it, son,” he says quietly, guiding me away from the scene, his voice like a steady hand pulling me back into control.
Noah continues to brush himself off, still acting like he had a chance.
As I walk away, I glance over my shoulder at Riley one last time.
Her small face, still so full of uncertainty, catches my attention.
But then, without hesitation, she holds out her arms to me, her little eyes looking up at me with that quiet, innocent trust. It hits me right in the chest how pure, how unguarded, she is.
I let her wrap her tiny arms around me, her warmth grounding me in a way I didn’t expect. She’s small, but she has this presence that somehow makes everything feel just a little bit lighter, a little less complicated.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” I say softly, hoping she understands.
She pulls back just enough to look me in the eye, her face serious but kind, and then she grins.
“It’s okay,” she says, her voice innocent, with that pure, unfiltered honesty that only a child can give. “You were protecting Mommy, like Thor and Daddy does in the sky.”
To her, it’s so simple, so straightforward, her world is full of heroes and protection, and in that moment, I realize I’ve become one of those heroes to her.
I smile down at her, feeling a rush of affection. “Yeah, kiddo. Something like that.”
She nods, like she completely understands, before she buries her head in my chest again, her small arms tightening around me just a little. It’s moments like this that make me realize what truly matters.
Riley, with her soft, unshakable trust and her boundless capacity for love, has a way of making everything feel right.
I stand there for a moment, just holding Riley, her small body pressed against mine.
In the quiet of it all, I realize something: if I can protect her, even just from a fleeting moment of fear, that’s all that matters.
That’s enough. She’s everything, and I’d do whatever it takes to keep her safe, keep her feeling secure.
That’s the part of me that’s solid, unshakable.
But tonight? It’s different. A tight knot of anticipation settles in my chest as I realize what’s coming next. The words I’ve been holding onto for so long, they’re no longer staying buried inside.
I’m about to see Vivian, and this time I’m not going to hide behind distractions or words unsaid.
Even if it scares me. Even if it scares her.
The thought of it has my pulse quickening. I’m not even sure what it is I’m afraid of, but it doesn’t matter. This—us—it’s something I can’t keep pretending isn’t there. Not anymore.
I won’t wait any longer to tell her that I love her.