Page 46 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ROSE

“You didn’t have to come with us, you know?” I glance up to find my mother going through the rack of clothes next to the one I’m inspecting.

After I finished with my shift at the Reading Nook, I picked up Kyle from my parents, and it slipped out that we were going to the mall to do some last-minute school shopping.

With everything going on, the summer has flown by so fast, and in a matter of days, Kyle will be starting second grade.

Of course, when Mom found out about our plans, she had to join.

“And miss shopping? Nonsense.”

The corner of my mouth tips upward at her blasé attitude.

“Besides, your dad’s busy, and our cleaner has occupied the house, so it’s not like I had anything better to do at home. Oh, look at this.” She pulls out a pale blue dress shirt. “Kyle could wear it to church.”

“We’re shopping for school clothes, Mom.”

Mom waves me off. “One shirt never killed anyone.”

Knowing there is no sense in fighting with her when she sets her mind to something, I pull the last tee in the right size and put it over my arm. I spot Kyle wandering around the store. His gaze meets mine, and I wave him over.

“Let’s go try these.”

Kyle groans. “Do I have to try it on?”

“Don’t you give me that attitude, young man. We came here to buy you some new clothes before school starts. Or do you want to walk in pants that are too small?”

Kyle lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Okay.”

“Don’t forget about this.” Mom gives me the shirt she picked out, and from the corner of my eye, I can see Kyle’s nose furrow when he sees it. “I’ll wander around and see if I can find anything else.”

Nodding, I take Kyle back to the dressing rooms, where I hang up everything.

He insists that he can do it alone, so I leave him in the dressing room and wait outside.

Mom joins us halfway through, letting me know she’s going to check another store, and she’ll be back quickly.

A dozen outfits later, including the dang shirt, I’m at the register paying for the clothes.

“We still have to buy school supplies,” Kyle points out as we’re leaving the store. I swear that’s the only thing that the kid’s excited about when it comes to school—that and spending time with his friends.

“I didn’t forget. That’s our next stop.”

Pulling out my phone, I text Mom where we’re going, when Kyle’s words have me looking up. “Is Dad coming?”

Hitting send, I slip my phone into my pocket. “No, why would ? —”

“He’s there.”

My body freezes as I spot John on the other side of the courtyard.

Only, he isn’t alone. My lips press into a tight line as I watch him stand by the ice cream stand, his arms casually wrapped around Lucy Donovan’s waist, while hers are draped over his neck, fingers playing in his hair as she pulls him down for a kiss.

Kyle’s fingers grip mine tighter. Bile rises in my throat as I just stare at them as they pull apart and move closer to the stand.

Then I see it. The boy with them. Lucy’s son. I recognize him because he’s in the same class as Kyle. I think his name is David.

He turns around and asks something before placing his order at the stand.

John pulls out his wallet and pays. All of them moving out of the way soon after.

The boy smiles at John, holding the ice cream in his hand.

John returns his grin—something I haven’t seen in so long it feels foreign on his face—and ruffles his hair playfully.

My heart breaks a little at the movement.

He never did something like that with Kyle. Never showed him affection.

Kyle’s fingers are sweaty as he squeezes mine tightly, his gaze fixed on them. Watching. Observing.

“Ky?” I rub my thumb over the back of his hand, trying to draw his attention and offer him some comfort, but his gaze is fixed on the retreating group.

A family.

That’s what they look like.

The perfect little family.

John looks up, his gaze scanning the space as if he can feel us watching. In a matter of seconds, his eyes find mine across the room. He takes me in, his gaze falling on Kyle.

I hold my breath. Time seems to slow down as my heart beats wildly inside my chest while I wait. I’m not even sure for what, but in the blink of an eye, John’s gaze shifts past us and back to Lucy and her son as if we don’t even exist.

Fucking asshole.

“There you are. I thought I would miss you guys; I found this most amazing dress. It will be perfect for you—” Mom’s voice trails off when she comes in front of me, and she must see something’s off because her eyes narrow. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, still unable to form words and explain what just happened. Hell, I don’t even want to explain it if it’ll lead to another round of her trying to reassure me that John’s not so bad, and I should give him a chance.

“Dad’s here,” Kyle says, his voice coming out strained.

“John?” Mom’s brows furrow. “But what is he?—”

She turns around, and I know the exact moment she spots him. Her lips part for a moment, eyes widening. I watch as realization dawns on her, and she presses her lips into a small frown, clearly unhappy.

“He just left,” Kyle whispers, his voice small as he looks up at me. I can see his mind working, trying to put together what just happened. See the sadness shining in his blue eyes as he connects the dots, but still forces out the words. “Why is David with him?”

I curse inwardly. A part of me wishes I can go after John and strangle him for putting this expression on Kyle’s face, but my son comes first. He will always come first. And he deserves an answer. An answer his father should have given him, but he ran away like the fucking coward he is.

“Is Dad Mrs. Donovan’s new boyfriend?”

Kyle’s question snaps me out of my thoughts to find his brows furrowed in concentration.

“Did Dad tell you something?”

Kyle shakes his head. “David said in school that his mom brings a lot of boys home.”

Seriously, these kids.

Crouching down so we’re at the same level, I look Kyle in the eyes. You know that your dad and I divorced, right?

Kyle nods silently. That’s why we live in separate houses.

Exactly. Well, I can’t be certain, but I think Dad and Mrs. Donovan are friends. And since David is her son, he’s with them.

Why didn’t he at least say hi? He saw us.

Because he’s a sorry excuse of a human who doesn’t deserve you. Who never deserved you. I wish I can say it, but I bite my tongue. I’m angry at John for how he’s treating Kyle, but I don’t want my anger to impact their potential relationship. It’s a fine line to walk.

I don’t know, Ky.

He likes David. He smiled at him. He never smiles at me.

If hearts could break, mine would shatter at the utter sadness reflected on his face. Kyle lowers his gaze, his throat bobbing. Slowly, I slip my finger under his chin and lift his head so I can look at him.

Your father is a troubled man, Kyle.

He probably likes him more because he can hear. He’s normal, not like me.

Dammit, John.

Listen to me, Ky. There is nothing wrong with you. Nothing. You hear me? You’re a beautiful and special boy, and if he can’t see it, it’s his loss, okay? I love you. Just the way you are.

Kyle presses his lips together stubbornly. You have to say that; you’re my mom.

I don’t have to do anything. I’m saying it because it’s true. You’re the best thing that happened to me, and I love you.

That uncertainty is still reflected on his face as he echoes the words back to me: I love you, too, Mom.

His arms slip around my shoulders, squeezing tightly.

I return his embrace, holding on for dear life.

Turning around, I press my mouth against his temple.

He’s growing so fast, and with me crouched down like this, he’s as tall as me.

Soon, he’ll think he’s too big for affection, so I intend to cherish every second I get.

Over his shoulder, I find my mother observing us silently. I’m surprised she hasn’t said anything by this point; then again, she had just seen firsthand what John can be like.

I rub my palm up and down Kyle’s back until he pulls away, rubbing at his face with the back of his hand.

Can we go home?

We still have school supplies to grab. Ready to go?

Kyle nods and takes my hand, but I can still see that his brain is processing everything that has happened as he tries to work through his feelings. Not that I blame him. This is a lot to take in for anybody, much less a child, and John just put him on the spot without any explanation.

Kyle’s quiet as he picks up his supplies, not a trace of the earlier excitement in sight. He just quickly picks out what we need based on the list we got and puts it in the basket.

Can we go home now?

Mom gives me a side glance, her worried expression matching exactly how I’m feeling.

I give him a tentative smile. How about we stop and grab a chocolate milkshake? It’s your favorite.

But Kyle’s mouth doesn’t even twitch. I just want to go home.

I nod slowly. Okay, buddy. I just have to pay, and we’ll go.

I stop by the register, and with half an ear, I listen to the cashier chat as she gathers our things in a bag. I pay her and shoot her a half-hearted smile as we make our way out of the mall and back to my truck.

Mom tries to engage Kyle in conversation as we head back to drop her off at her house, but Kyle remains quiet, his gaze fixed out the window.

I hate seeing him like this. Hate that there isn’t anything I can do to make him happy. Or maybe…

“This isn’t the way home.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling at Kyle’s confusion as I take the final turn and scan the place for an open space to park. I really hope I’m doing the right thing.

There are a few vehicles in the parking lot, including a familiar black pickup.

Chase’s pickup.