Page 27

Chapter twenty-six

Just friends, really really good friends

Jake

W hen I finally reach the box, the sight that greets me is enough to make everything else fade away. Meadow is perched on Charlie’s lap, both of them chatting away, while Noah is excitedly chatting with Tamara and Zoe.

Charlotte stands when she spots me, gently setting Meadow down. Her eyes scan me, concern flashing. I smile, closing the distance between us.

“You okay?” Her voice is worried as her hand rests on my chest.

“Now I am,” I reply, pulling her into a hug and pressing a kiss to her temple. “Just a little knock, nothing serious.”

Her hand lingers, fingers moving to my face as she looks me over, searching for any signs of injury. The casual intimacy makes my heart surge. I love you.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” I murmur, keeping a hand on her hip.

“I wanted to surprise you. Noah’s been begging to watch you play.”

“I’m glad you’re here.” My hand squeezes her slightly.

For a moment, her eyes lock on mine and she leans in like she’s going to kiss me, but then they flicker with awareness. She pulls back, cheeks flushing as she glances toward the kids.

Meadow’s wide, curious eyes are fixed on us, and Noah watches too, his expression thoughtful. It hits me that this might be the first time they’ve seen us being so openly affectionate. We’ve been careful, keeping things light and e asy, but I wonder if they’re piecing it together.

“Jake okay, Mama?” Meadow asks, clutching Charlotte’s leg.

Charlotte forces a smile, bending down to pick her up. “Yes, honey bee, Jake’s just fine. See? He’s right here.”

Meadow surveys me, her bright eyes taking in every detail. Damn, if it doesn’t nearly break my heart. I lean in to plant a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I’m fine, Princess. Your unicorn picture kept me safe.”

She beams, while Noah, who’s been quiet until now, looks up at me with a serious expression. “You were really good out there, Jake,” he says, his tone almost adult-like in its sincerity. “But you got hit. Did it hurt?”

I crouch to his level, giving him a reassuring smile. “Thanks, buddy. And yeah, it hurt a little, but it’s part of the game. I’m okay, though.”

Noah nods, accepting that. Then he glances between Charlie and me, brow furrowing. “Are you and my Mum… together?”

Before I can answer, Charlotte jumps in, her voice slightly strained. “We’re… friends, Noah.”

What. The fuck.

But Meadow’s not satisfied with that. She tugs on Charlotte’s sleeve, her brow furrowed. “Is Jake a boyfriend?”

Her innocent question makes my heart ache with a fierce need to tell her yes, I’m here and I'm not going anywhere. That I want to be the man they can rely on.

But before I can respond, Charlie cuts in again, her voice a little higher than usual. “We’re, um, friends. Really good friends.”

She stumbles over the words, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. She’s trying to protect them, to keep things simple for them, but it stings that she didn’t just say yes.

Noah, still observing, suddenly pipes up. “Are you guys in love?”

I hear a laugh that turns into a cough and glance over to see Zoe and Tamara suddenly very engrossed in their phones, both trying not to smirk. My eyes narrow at them.

Charlotte’s eyes widen, and she glances at me, searching for wor ds. But before she can respond, I kneel in front of him, wanting to be on his level for this. This moment could shape everything, and I need to get it right.

“Your mom and I care about each other a lot.” My eyes flick to Charlotte’s, hoping she hears what I can’t say, then I look back at Noah. “We’re still figuring out what that means, but we’re very close. And I want you to know that you guys are really important to me.”

Charlie exhales slowly, clearly relieved that I didn’t dive in too deeply. But Noah watches us both, his expression still serious.

“So, you’re not in love?” His tone is skeptical, like he’s not buying it.

I hesitate, glancing at Charlotte, who’s chewing her lip like she’s about to draw blood. “We’re… really good friends,” she says yet again, her voice wavering slightly.

The fuck we are. I’m not in love with my friends, Charlotte.

Noah considers this, his eyes narrowing, but he eventually seems satisfied. Meadow, who’s been trying to follow along, looks up at Charlotte with a frown. “ Best friends?”

Charlie nods quickly, trying to keep her tone light. “Yeah! Best friends.”

Frustration twists in my gut. This conversation is slipping away from what I wanted. She’s holding us at arm’s length when all I want is to pull her and the kids closer. I know she's trying to keep things simple for them, but every time she says friends , it intensifies my need to show her just how much I’m not her fucking friend.

I especially don’t want Noah to be confused. It’s important to me that he understands that I’m committed to this, that he can rely on me. Something I never had.

“I’m going to be around, and I’m going to be here for all of you.” I look Noah in the eye, hoping he understands.

He seems to accept this for now, though I can tell he’s still processing. Finally, he nods. “Okay. But you better be good to my mum.”

His words are so earnest, so full of unspoken worry, that it tugs at my heart. I reach out and ruffle his hair gently. “I promise buddy, you have my word. I’ll be the best to her, and to you and Meadow.”

The tension in the room eases, and Charlie gives me a small, grateful smile . But I can see the uncertainty lingering in her eyes.

As we gather our things to leave, I feel a mix of emotions. The game was tough, but these questions from the kids were tougher. The whole evening stirs something deep. But despite it all, I’m over the moon knowing they were here cheering me on.

Outside, the crisp night air bites at my skin, mingling with the lingering adrenaline from the game. I glance at Charlotte holding Meadow, Noah by her side.

I force myself to keep some distance, to act like we’re just friends , though all I want to do is wrap Charlotte and the kids in my arms and take them all home.

When we reach the parking lot, Charlie gives me a small, apologetic smile. “Thanks for tonight, Jake. The kids had a great time.”

“Yeah, it was really good,” I reply, voice tight with the effort of holding back as the kids clamber into the car. “It meant a lot to have you all here.”

She nods, her smile growing. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”

“Definitely.”

I crouch down to wave to the kids as I close the car door, then turn back to her with one more smile. Leaning in, I press a light kiss to her cheek, my lips lingering by her ear as I murmur, “See you soon.” I love you.

On my way back to my car, I hear footsteps. Charlotte's rushing over, her car only a few spots down. She crashes into me, pulling me down the side of my car, out of view of her own.

“You forgot something.”

My hands slide to her waist. “What’s that?”

She stretches up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine with a soft urgency, her smile curling against my mouth as her tongue flicks along my bottom lip. The taste of her, the warmth, pulls a groan from my chest. I pull her closer, the kiss turning needier.

But just as fast as it starts, it’s over. She pulls back, her cheeks flushed from the chilly air. “Talk later?”

“Among other things, yes.” I swat her ass playfully a s she walks back to her car, and she grins over her shoulder.

God, the chokehold this woman has on me.

As I watch them drive away, a familiar determination settles in my chest. We might be taking it slow, but there’s no slowing the way I feel about them.

Later that night, after a long hot shower that barely eases my restlessness, my phone buzzes with a text.

Charlotte: I’m surprised you didn’t melt the ice out there tonight ??

Me: Oh yeah? Liked what you saw?

Charlotte: Liked? I was worried that they’d need to bring out the Zamboni early

I chuckle, her playful teasing bringing a smile to my face.

Me: I love it when you hit on me, Lady Lightning.

Charlotte : Just stating facts ?? You sure you’re okay, though?

Me: I’m fine. Just wish my “best friend” was here to see for herself.

Charlotte: Ouch, I deserve that. But seriously, you’re okay?

Me: Want me to come over and show you?

There’s a pause before her next message arrives.

Charlotte: Tempting, but you need rest, not another workout

Me: Resting? I was thinking more along the lines of recovery... with you as my masseuse

Charlotte: Smooth, Brooks. You’ve got an away game to win in 2 days, though. Someone has to keep you focused.

I let out a frustrated sigh, knowing she’s right but not liking it.

Me: Fine, I’ll stay put. But tomorrow, you’re mine ??

Charlotte: I better be ??

Me: Night, beautiful

I set my phone down, still feeling the ache of wanting her close, tempered by the promise of tomorrow.