Page 58 of Wild Mistake
But I’m not as weak and hopeless as Jake told me I was.
I’m not as undesirable as he made me believe.
My mom is right. I deserve to let good things flow my way. Even if it’s terrifying to allow someone to get close enough to cause more pain.
“And I always liked Aiden Wilder for you.” She leans back into her chair and shrugs. “Just saying.”
“Mom!” My jaw falls open.
“Okay, I’ll stop. But I needed to get that off my chest.”
I can only imagine how the last few months have been for her. I hate that I cause her stress or worry, but I also understand that it’s not something I can control. It doesn’t matter how old Parker and Gabe are, I’ll always think about them. Want the best for them. “I love you, Mom.”
Her face softens. “I love you, too, sweetheart.”
Movement from the end of the drive pulls our attention.
Gabe and Parker trudge along the road, hoodies on and heads bowed.
Parker lifts his gaze when he reaches the end of the short driveway. His smile puts a temporary pause to all my worries. I can’t be the worst mom in the world if my kid still lights up like that.
“Hey!” I wave.
“You’re not working?” Parker bounds up the steps of the porch and walks over to give me and his grandma a hug before flopping into an open chair.
“Not today.” I smile, wishing I could be here every day when they got off school.
“Hey.” Gabe makes his way onto the porch much slower and distracted by the screen of his phone. He doesn’t offer hugs, but he’s never been as physically affectionate as his younger brother.
“How was school?” I ask them both. “Good week?”
“Better now that it’s over,” Gabe grumbles.
“For real,” Parker groans. “Our teachers didn’t give us a break, like at all. I had a test today in math, and a paper due for English. Isn’t that BS?”
I bite back a smile. “I’m pretty sure they’re just doing their jobs.”
“Yeah.” He sighs. “Oh! Thanks for having that guy drop by our favorite meals last night, by the way. That roast beef dip hit so hard.”
“It hit?” my mom repeats. “How can a sandwich hit?”
“Grandma.” Parker laughs. The sound is contagious. Even Gabe smiles as we cackle together.
“What?” She chuckles. “I need to know what the young people are saying these days! Next time I go to yoga I’ll tell the ladiesour class hit so hard. Did I say it right, Parker?”
Both Gabe and Parker burst out laughing.
It’s such a simple thing, sitting together and smiling, but it feels like it’s been forever. My heart warms over with the feeling we’re all going to be okay. That I haven’t fucked things up by bringing my boys here.
“Any chance you boys want to take a ride to Show Low?” I ask.
Gabe scoffs. “Um, no.” His immediate rejection stings. There goes that nice and fuzzy feeling.
“Sorry, Mom.” Parker winces when I turn to meet his gaze. “Zach invited me over to play video games. He’s picking me up in like an hour.”
“Zach?” I hate that I don’t know who Parker’s friends are here. Quite frankly, I wasn’t sure he had any.
“Zach Wilder.” Parker rolls his eyes. “We went to their party for New Year’s.”
