Page 66 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)
CHAPTER FORTY
CHASE
“Which one do you want?”
Kyle tilts his head to the side as he eyes the stuffed animals the clerk pointed out that he can choose from, before turning to me, a trace of uncertainty on his face. “I want to get one for Mom.”
“You sure, buddy? She won’t mind you getting one for yourself.”
Kyle nods decisively. “I’m sure.”
“Okay then. Which one do you want to pick for her?”
Kyle turns his attention to the row of stuffed animals, squinting slightly at the offerings. I shift a little as I wait, burning tingles running down through my lower back and leg. Shadow sits next to me, her body brushing against mine in silent support.
“That one.” Kyle points at the prizes. I look up just as the clerk pulls out the stuffed dog from the shelf.
“Good choice.” The man nods, handing him the dog. “She’ll love it.”
Kyle grins at the man. “It’s like Shadow and Teddy. Now Mom has her own dog.”
At the sound of her name, Shadow comes to his side, nuzzling into his palm.
The corner of my mouth tips upward, but then I feel the hair at my nape prickle in awareness. Somebody’s watching me. Again. It feels like all eyes are on us since we got here, and I have to fight to shake the uneasy feeling away.
Pushing to my feet, Kyle slips his hand into mine, his attention still on the dog. “Do you think she’ll like it?”
Those big blue eyes find mine, waiting for an answer. Extending my hand, I ruffle his hair slightly. “I know she’ll love it.”
Looking up, my eyes lock on Rose’s immediately, but she’s not alone.
My muscles stiffen under the hard glare of the older woman next to her.
Her blonde hair is pulled into a low bun at the back of her neck, makeup tastefully applied; a set of pearls hangs around her neck, matching the silky shirt and knee-length skirt.
She looks like Rose, or well, Rose looks like her, but at the same time, they can’t be more different.
Because while Rose’s all about warmth and happiness, this woman seems like pure ice.
The woman’s sharp blue irises observe me carefully, and I can feel them linger on my scars.
I can see her cataloguing every little detail about me, probably noting all the reasons why I’m not good enough for her daughter. Rightfully so.
“Nana!” Kyle calls out, tugging at my hand. I let him slip out of my grasp, and he runs toward them. Rose’s mother lowers her gaze, some of that iciness melting the moment her eyes land on Kyle. A smile spreads over her lips, and she crouches down with open arms, giving him a hug.
“Where’s my favorite grandson?” she asks the moment Kyle pulls back, who giggles at that.
“I’m your only grandson!”
“But you’re still my favorite.” She gently jabs him in the side, which makes him giggle harder. “Are you having fun? Wanna go hang with Nana?”
Kyle shakes his head. “No, Chase promised me we’re going to do bumper cars next, and I can eat cotton candy.”
“Did he now?” Those sharp eyes shift to me, any warmth that was there disappearing as she stands taller. Then she spots Shadow, who’s standing by my side, and her lips press into a tight line.
She may be a whole foot shorter than me, but she lifts her chin as she zeroes in on me, making me feel like I’m a kid again as she raises her brow.
Not willing to let her intimidate me, I extend my hand toward her. “Chase Williams.”
Her eyes narrow even further, tension sizzling between us as the silence stretches. For a moment, I wonder if she’s going to ignore me, but in the end, she slips her hand into mine, giving it a firm squeeze. “Harriet Hathaway.”
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
She hums noncommittally. “You dating my daughter?”
“Mom!” Rose hisses, glaring at her mother as the heat rushes up her neck, but she doesn’t pay her attention. One of those perfectly shaped brows lifts slightly as if she’s daring me to answer.
“Yes, ma’am.” I nod, without batting an eye, just as Kyle chimes in.
“Chase’s mom’s boyfriend. He likes dogs, and he makes her smile.”
Mrs. Hathaway harrumphs, the doubt written all over her face. “Does he now?”
“He does.” Kyle nods. “I really love Chase, Nana.”
He grins at me, and it’s like I’ve been sucker punched. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the genuine acceptance and love only a child can put in you.
I’m not the only one surprised, either. Mrs. Hathaway’s eyes widen, nostrils flaring slightly. She presses her lips together for a moment, as if she’s at a loss for words, before finally nodding to herself.
She gives me the once-over. “Well, then… If my grandson likes you, I guess you can’t be that bad.”
“Mom!” Rose chastises. “Seriously?”
“What?” The older woman huffs, glancing down at her watch. “I have to get back to work, but I’ll see you tomorrow for family dinner.” That hawk’s gaze fixes on me. “All of you.”
It’s like she’s daring me to contradict her. To give her a reason to tell Rose I told you so. Well, she’ll have to try harder than that.
“Maybe we’re busy?” Rose asks, but her mother’s whole focus is on me, so I nod. “We’ll be there.”
“Perfect!” She smiles and turns to Kyle, kissing him goodbye. “Have fun today, buddy.”
She disappears in a blink of an eye, leaving us alone once again. Rose is watching after her, a frown between her brows as she shakes her head. “So pushy, I swear.” She turns to me. “She was so rude, I’m so?—”
“It’s fine. She’s worried about you.”
I don’t give a rat’s ass what she thinks of me. I won’t say shit as long as she’s nice to Rose and Kyle. I know Rose had disagreements with her mom when it came to her divorce, but I feel like she genuinely cares about her.
“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
Raising my hand, I slide a lock of hair behind her ear. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Her teeth graze over her lower lip, but she finally gives me a small nod.
“Okay then.”
She blinks, as if she’s surprised by my quick agreement. As if anything else is an option. “That’s it?”
I shrug. “As long as you want me there, I’ll come.”
“Even if my mother is being pushy and rude?”
I slide my hand to the back of her neck, rubbing at the tense muscles. My thumb slides over her pulse point, feeling the way her heart speeds up at my touch, so I continue caressing it in small circles, feeling the softness of her skin under my touch. “I can deal with your mother, sweetheart.”
Her tongue slides out, running over her lower lip. My gaze follows the movement, but before I can lean down and kiss her, Kyle tugs at our arms.
“Chase, we didn’t show Mom what we won for her!”
Rose and I exchange a long look, a silent promise of all the things I’ll do to her once we’re alone, before she shifts her gaze to Kyle, giving him her full attention as he shows her the stuffed dog and tells her about the game as if she wasn’t there watching us.
Shortly after, we’re joined by the rest of our group.
Becky’s blonde friend and her husband came at some point, so Kyle switches his attention to their son, the two of them discussing something animatedly in sign language before he turns to me.
“Can we go to the bumper cars now?” Kyle pleads. “Levi and his dad are going, too. It can be us against them. Please?”
“You know it.” Leaning down, I press my mouth against Rose’s neck, feeling her shudder at the touch.
“You want me to go with him?” she asks softly, but I just shake my head.
“Nah, I’ve got him.” Shadow starts to get up. “Stay. Watch over our girl until we get back.”
A stroller comes into view, and when I look up, I find my sister watching me with a knowing smile. “Come, Rose, let’s go grab drinks, and we’ll meet them there. Gotta keep an eye on them, so they don’t cause too much ruckus.”
“Dammit, I’m too old for that shit,” Blake Walker mutters as we get out of the bumper cars.
Not that I can blame him. My limbs are protesting after being crumpled into the small space.
Every time the cars bumped into each other, my whole body jostled, making those tingles from earlier turn into full-on jabs of pain now, but Kyle’s been loving it.
A wide grin spread over his face, his laughter ringing in my ears as we drove into the others.
And seeing that reaction? It was infectious.
I’d take any pain if it meant I get to see him so happy, so carefree.
“Just admit it.” Miguel smirks at his friend. “You’re simply too old. Period.”
“Fuck you, Fernandez.” His friend shoves him away, but there is amusement dancing in his eyes.
“That was so fun! Can we do it again?” Kyle beams at me, the excitement shining in his eyes. “Please, please, please?”
“Fine. Let’s go.”
“Yes!” Kyle fist pumps in excitement.
There is a sound behind me, almost like somebody’s choking. I turn around to glare at Miguel and Blake, who are following after me, smirking knowingly, but before I can say anything, Kyle’s arms wrap around me in a quick hug. “Thank you, Chase.”
Just as quickly as he hugs me, he pulls back and waves at Levi, the two of them running in front of us so that they can get back in the line for the ride again.
I watch after him, my hand rubbing at the middle of my chest where that pressure is growing by the second. No matter how many times he’s done it in the past, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. The way this boy puts his trust in me so easily. So fully.
Not that I deserve it.
The knot forms in my throat, making it hard to breathe.
Kyle lifts his hand and waves at Rose, who’s standing by the fence with her friends and little ones. “We’re going one more time!”
She waves back, giving him a thumbs up before her gaze meets mine from a distance. She tilts her head in a silent question, and I just wink at her.
“He’s so smitten,” my brother-in-law teases, nudging Blake with his elbow. “They have him wrapped around their little fingers.”
I don’t even bother protesting; there’s no denying the truth.
“You know,” Miguel muses. “You’ll have to tell him no sometimes.”