Page 70 of Wild Mistake
“I will not push you to do anything you’re not ready for. Okay? I mean that. But I wanted to let you know my intentions. I’m not going anywhere, Sarah. Not this time. And those aren’t just words. I’m going to prove it. However long it takes.”
My chest squeezes with hope. Maybe I can learn to trust again. Maybe this time will be different. We aren’t two young kids. We’re grown adults who know what we want, and what we deserve. I want to try.
“Maybe we could do something next weekend?”
“You sure?”
“I don’t work Saturday.”
“You think they would be okay meeting the man their mom is dating?”
Dating.I love the sound of that. More than I should.
“Yeah. Just so you’re aware they don’t know about their father’s infidelity, but they met hisnewgirlfriend over the Christmas break.” I roll my eyes.
“Damn. Did he ask you about that? Or at least give you a heads up?”
A humorless laugh escapes my lips. “No. We didn’t have the best communication when we were together, so I guess it’s not a surprise it’s the same now that we’re separated. Sorry. I am sure the last thing you want to talk about is my ex-husband.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m glad you trust me enough to share this part of your life.”
“You might regret that.”
“Never.” The smile on his lips brings one to my own. “I’m looking forward to spending time with you and your boys.”
My heart melts a little more. At this rate I’ll be a puddle of goo.
“Don’t look too excited. Parker is polite and agreeable, but Gabe isn’t easy to win over. He’s kind of a dick the majority of the time. Especially when I talk or suggest anything. They’ll probably hate whatever we do.”
“That’s fair. But don’t think it’ll scare me. I spent twenty years in the Army. Met and worked with some tough SOBs. I’m kind of the guy who wins everyone over, eventually.”
“Well, you haven’t met a teenager who is angry at the world,” I challenge, though I hope I’m wrong. If anyone can connect with my boys, it’s Aiden. He’s steady. He’s considerate. He’s capable. And for now, he’s mine.
23
ONE MONTH BEFORE SARAH’S HIGH SCHOOL PROM
Dear Aiden,
You are over the halfway point of your first deployment! I don’t know if that brings you any relief, but it sure does for me! I made one of those paper chains. You know the kind we used to make to count down the days until Christmas morning? Each day when I rip off one of the paper circles it’s like I breathe a little easier. I just want you home, safe, with me. I miss you so much sometimes I can hardly function. It’s hard to care about things when you and other brave service men and women are out there literally fighting for our country.
Prom is next month and my parents are on me about going. They keep saying they don’t want me to look back and regret not having these experiences. I get it. They’re just worried about me. It’s my senior year and I’ll never get this time back, but it’s not the same without you. I always imagined we’d go together. It feels wrong to go with anyone else, even as friends.
What I wouldn’t give to dance with you, wrapped in your arms, right now.
Fuck. I’m sorry. I hope you can read this. My tears are hitting the paper and blurring the ink faster than I can wipe them away.
Do you miss me this way? Does it feel like a piece of you is constantly missing? I can’t wait to be whole again. I need my person.
Love you forever,
Sarah
24
AIDEN
PRESENT DAY
