Page 194 of Saving Soul

I tried not to smile as I shook my head.

“Oh, he’s getting up!” Adam grabbed my hand as he watched my son step up on the block.

“Do you have a bet on this race or something?” I asked when his anxiety surged through his touch.

“What? No.” He scrunched up his nose. “I want him to do well. Even if he just beats his PB.”

My eyebrows pulled together. “You know his PB?”

“Don’t you?”

“Well, yes, but—”

“It’s about to start,” he interjected, refocusing on the race.

The blowing whistle stole my attention, and Finn was off. As he resurfaced meters into the pool, I sprang to my feet, screaming his name.

Adam tugged me down with a chuckle. “Stop embarrassing the poor kid.”

“I’m sorry. I get so excited.”

“Don’t be sorry. I love hearing you scream.”

I smacked his side as the ladies surrounding us gasped. “Come on, Finn,” I whispered as my heart pounded against my rib cage. He was neck and neck with another boy.

“Come on, Finn!” Adam yelled, leaping out of his seat. “You’ve got this!”

I tried to tug him down, but when he wouldn’t budge, I joined in to unleash all my competitive demons.

When Finn’s hand grazed the end of the pool, Adam and I fist-pumped the air before throwing our arms around each other. Laughter escaped my mouth as he lifted me in the air, but when my lips hovered over his and his pounding chest vibrated through mine, my smile faded.

As if reading the caution in my eyes, Adam eased me back to the ground, and we both turned to find Finn beaming up at us, clearly witnessing our close encounter.

After Finn accepted his trophy and went off to change, Adam and I lingered outside the swim center.

“That was some race,” Adam said, clearly feeling the need to fill the awkward silence with awkward conversation.

I searched my handbag for my car keys. “It sure was.”

“Hey.” He stepped closer. “Listen…”

“Finn!” I cried out as my son exited the building. He held up his trophy with pride, and my heart swelled. “Congratulations, baby.” I hugged him tight.

“Congrats, bud.” Adam patted his back. “I think we need to celebrate with some ice cream.”

Finn’s grin took on another level. “That sounds awesome! Can we, Mom?”

“We really need to get home and pack.”

Adam’s face fell. “Where are you going?”

“We’re moving back home,” Finn answered, blissfully unaware of the tension between us.

His gaze shifted to mine. “To LA?”

Finn nodded when I didn’t respond. “We’re going to live with Aunty Tash and Uncle Bryce until Mom finds a job, and then we’ll buy our own house.”

“Rent,” I corrected.