Page 31

KELLER

The four-day weekend Jace had was full of fun and adventure.

The same couldn’t be said for myself. I still had to work, which meant he was with my parents on Friday and Monday.

It definitely sucked having to wake him up entirely too early to drop him off, only to head into work for twelve hours.

On Saturday and Sunday, I made up for my lack of being with him the other two days.

Jace loves the zoo, and even though it’s not my favorite, that’s where we went.

He walked around talking about which animal was which, what they eat and what country they’re native to.

I’m not sure if he learned that at school with Alana as his teacher or all the National Geographic shows he watches anytime we’re at home.

What sucks is now that Leena knows something happened between me and Alana, she’s firmly shut me down on helping in any way possible when it comes to Jace and school.

That doesn’t mean I won’t call in reinforcements if there’s a need.

Marlie, my brother Tanner’s woman, would never shut down the idea of helping me or hanging out with Jace.

Fuck, my brother found the right woman the first time, it seems. The opposite of me.

“Dad, if we don’t get out of the truck, I’m going to be late for school, and that will ruin my perfect attendance.” He has his seatbelt off, backpack on, and is standing in the backseat of my truck telling me this.

“I guess we can’t do that. You ready to rock and roll?” I snap out of my stupor, knowing I’ve got to make sure things with Alana are kosher, to say the least.

“Duh, that’s what I’ve been saying, Dad,” Jace tells me in his voice that means business.

“I hear you, kiddo.” I hop out of the truck, open his door, and give him a once-over.

I got lucky with Jace, my easy-going boy who is smarter than smart.

So smart they’ve been talking about moving him up a grade level next year.

And in the looks, let’s just say he doesn’t have much of his mother in him either.

Apparently, my gene pool won. Not that his mom wasn’t pretty in her own way.

All I can say is beauty goes only skin deep.

What’s inside someone is what matters most.

“You got your lunch box?” I ask.

“Yep, it’s right here.” Jace lifts his arm, nearly knocking me in the face with it.

“Alright, time to go. Though the longer I keep you with me, the better off I am. It makes your uncles work more.” I wink.

He throws his head back, laughing in that childlike way, with complete abandon and innocence.

If there’s only one thing I do right in this world, I hope it’s being Jace’s father.

“Is Uncle Asa picking me up today?” For fuck’s sake, my brother is going to be the death of me.

I swear to Christ if he teaches Jace something else, I’m going to kick his ass.

A couple of weeks ago, my son was telling me pickup lines.

The little coward that is my brother was cowering in the corner, laughing, until I charged after him and he ran like a little girl to hide behind my mother’s apron like a scared little boy.

“He is. Try not to let him talk you into something, okay?” I lift his body into my arms, sneaking in as many hugs as I can get, knowing it won’t be long until he thinks he’s too grown for them.

“What if I talk him into ice cream and the toy store?”

“You do that, but I’m thinking you don’t need any new toys, Jace.

” I set him on his feet. Jace’s hand wraps around mine as he leads me into his school.

The main reason he’s at this school and not the one closer to our house is because of the curriculum and the way Jace is treated like a person and not just a number.

The other plus is that you get to walk them to class and pick them up the same way.

“I don’t, but I’m thinking about a telescope. We’ve been learning about the constellations with Miss. M and it’s very fascinating.” Well, when Jace goes big, he goes big, not that Asa will ask for money back for what Jace wants, but usually, payback will come in a different form.

“Alright, but if Uncle Asa says no, don’t push. We’ll work out you helping me with a few chores around the house to pay for it, okay?”

“You got it.” We walk inside the school. Other kids are being walked in with their parents; some are older and don’t want to be walked in, and damn if that’s not another thing that’ll slice me wide open when it happens with Jace.

“Good morning, Jace, Mr. Hart,” Alana greets us at the door with her usual smile in place, looking pretty as ever. Knowing that it’s soul fucking deep doesn’t help matters. Even though I wish it did, I know there’s not a chance in hell I’m going to bring someone into Jace’s life, not ever.

“Good morning. Bye, Dad, love you.” He squeezes my hand and is off to start his day.

“Love you, bud.” My eyes don’t leave Alana’s. Her long reddish-brown hair is up in a ponytail. She’s got high cheekbones, crystal blue eyes, and full lips that I know what they taste like.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Alana says. My hand moves to hers, holding it for the barest of seconds only to release it once she looks down at where we’re touching.

“Alana, hold on a second.” I swallow and then add, “Please. I’d like a chance to talk.”

“This isn’t the time nor the place. I think you’ve said enough already.” She walks away, leaving me standing in the doorway with only myself to blame.