Page 78 of Wild Mistake
The boys give each other a look and shrug. Some sort of unspoken communication passes between them and I wish I knew what it meant. I hold my breath, waiting for one of them to share.
Parker swallows a mouthful of food. “He was cool.”
“He wasn’t the worst,” Gabe says dryly.
I can work with that. “Does it bother you that I’m seeing someone?”
“It’s kinda weird.” Parker nods, glancing over to his brother.
“Yeah, old people dating is kinda gross.” Gabe bites back a smirk.
“Hey!” I scoff. “We are not gross. And I’m not old!”
“It’s cool,” Gabe says, his gaze on the screen of his cell phone. “We met Dad’s girlfriend over break. We figured you’d start seeing someone eventually too.”
Parker had already told me about Jake’s girlfriend. Still. I was nervous introducing my boys to Aiden. To be honest, I am surprised by their nonchalance. I guess I expected more pushback. I’m glad they’re on board with me dating.
“This is all new to me. Okay? I want you to know that if Aiden ever says or does something you don’t like or that makes you uncomfortable, you can tell me. You’re the most important men in my life. You’ll always come first.”
“It’s cool, Mom,” Parker says.
“Yeah, we’re not little kids anymore. We want you to have a life outside of us.” Gabe bugs his eyes.
“Okay, then.”This really can’t be so easy. Or can it?
“Aiden’s cool.” Parker sets his dish in the sink. “But Mom, we don’t really care who you date as long as he treats you right and makes you happy.”
Gabe doesn’t even look up from his phone. “What he said.”
“That might be the sweetest thing you’ve said to me.” I blink back the surge of emotion. Sometimes these two completely knock me back with their maturity. This is one of those moments. “You’re going to make me cry. Can I hug you? I want to hug you.”
Parker is closer so I hug him first. “I love you,” I say as his arms band around my waist. I have to stand on the tip of my toes to kiss the top of his messy hair. They both might be taller than me, but these boys will always be my babies. Even when they have families of their own or rock full-grown beards, in my mind’s eye I’ll always see them as my little men.
I release Parker and cross the trailer to Gabe. His frown doesn’t deter me from wrapping my arms around his chest. As much as he pretends to hate my displays of affection, I get the feeling he doesn’t. We all need a good hug every once in a while.
“Don’t make it weird, Mom,” he grumbles, but he doesn’t pull away.
“I’m always going to make it weird.” I squeeze him tighter before letting go. “I love you. So much. Okay, I really have to go.” I walk over to grab my purse and jacket. “Make sure you both check in with your grandparents. We’re supposed to get snow at the end of the week and I know Grandma has a list of things that need to be done before that.”
“Yeah, we know,” Gabe says. “I don’t know anyone who talks about the weather more than Grandma.”
“Did you know she has three different thermometers?” Parker snickers. “And she pays for the app on her phone. Not the free one.”
“Don’t pick on your grandma.” I point a warning glare their way. “We all have our hobbies and special interests.” Weather just happens to be one of my mother’s.
“I’m excited to play in the snow.” Parker shrugs. “I just hope school’s canceled.”
“For real.” Gabe holds his fist out for his brother to tap his knuckles against. “Hey, Mom?” he says before I’m out the door. “Is it okay if I borrow the car on Friday?”
I mentally check my schedule. “Oh, um, I think I work that night.”
“I could drop you off? And pick you up?” Gabe doesn’t volunteer for anything.
My interest is piqued. “What do you need the car for?”
“He’s going on a date.” Parker grins.
“Fuck off.” Gabe glares at his little brother.
