We say bye, and I get back into the car.
“He still wants you,” Tane says when we’re almost at his house.
“We’re just friends,” I reply. He’s my family. How do I explain that? I won’t ever turn my back on Levi. He and Gage were there for me when no one else was. Such loyalty and friendship should never be taken for granted.
“Will you stay the night?” he asks as we pull into his driveway.
When I hesitate, he adds, “Just to sleep.”
“Okay,” I reply. We’re already at his house. It makes sense, right?
Tane carries Parker as I take his keys and unlock the front door, then tuck him in bed.
“Do you have a t-shirt I can sleep in?” I ask him a little shyly. He smiles and pulls me by my hand into his bedroom. I look around as he digs into his drawer, finally pulling out a worn blue t-shirt that I recognise instantly.
“I can’t believe you still have that,” I say, pulling it from his hands. It used to be my favourite t-shirt of his, back when he was seventeen. I lift it to my nose and smell it. “I love this shirt.”
“I remember,” he says, chuckling.
I’m caught off-guard when he leans down and kisses my lips.
Wow.
My eyes flutter closed, but the kiss is finished before it began. The touch was brief, chaste, and sweet.
Tender.
It leaves me wanting more, but also feeling slightly dazed.
“You k … kissed me.”
“I did, and I hope I can do it again soon,” he says, eyes dancing with amusement. At my reaction, maybe?
I could get used to kissing Tane every day.
“Get changed. I’ll make us some hot chocolate,” he says, smiling at me before walking away.
I bring my fingers to my lips.
Then I smile.
*****
I lay in bed next to him, his arms wrapped around me and smile.
It’s the best sleep I think I’ve ever had.
*****
I’m happy I don’t have to wait until next week for the next date. Two dates in two days is breaking the agreement, but I don’t even care. I can’t hide the fact that I want to spend more time with Tane. Things are moving slowly, which is what I need, and I find myself thinking about him more and more.
Today he takes Parker and me to the water theme-park. It’s hectic, people are everywhere, but I’ve never seen Parker have so much fun. He insists that Tane and I each hold one of his hands because that’s what families do. It makes me so happy to see him so excited about having Tane in his life.
We take Parker on every ride. He even goes down the steepest water slides, though he refuses to go without Tane. Seeing Tane climb awkwardly onto the slides is hilarious; they definitely aren’t designed for such a big body. After having lunch on the grass area, we go for a swim. Now we’re chilling out eating ice creams.
“This was the funnest day ever,” Parker calls out, face bright and excited.
“Funnest isn’t a word,” I try to explain, as he jumps up and down.
Tane laughs. “Told you he would love it. But I don’t think this counts as a date.”
“Why? Are you trying to get out of your question?” I ask, grinning at him. He’s standing in front of me wearing nothing but a pair of black board-shorts, sitting low on his narrow hips. His body is lean and toned, like an athlete. He’s caught me staring at him a few times but hasn’t called me out on it … yet. My eyes once again roam over his smooth, tanned chest and his broad shoulders.
Fuck.
I clear my throat and look away and down at my ice cream. Much safer option.
“Are you ready to go home, buddy?” Tane asks his son.
“Dad! One more ride? Please?” Parker begs, using his puppy-dog eyes to his best ability.
“Okay,” Tane says, smiling, before he looks to me. “Do you want to come or shall I quickly take him?”
“You can take him,” I tell him, pointing at my melting ice cream.
His smile is warm. “We’ll be right back.”
I watch their retreating backs as they walk side by side, and I know I’ve made the right choice in letting Tane back into our lives.
Chapter Fifteen
Tane
We get home around seven o’clock, and Parker is beat.
“I’m just gonna put him to sleep. Make yourself comfortable,” Giselle tells me with a smile.
“Do you mind if I do it?” I ask tentatively. I want to get used to doing these things.
She looks a bit surprised, but nods.
“Come on, little man,” I say to Parker, who’s standing there, rubbing his eyes. He comes and takes my hand and I lead him to his bedroom.
I change him into his pyjamas, not worrying about a bath since he had a rinse-off after the swim. I tuck him into bed and sit down on the small cushion next to it. I’m sure Giselle could sit comfortably on it, but for a man of my size it’s a bit of a challenge to stay on.
“Daddy, are you going to come live here?” Parker asks, surprising me out of my balancing act. I fall off the cushion and look over at him.
I have no idea what to say.
“Why do you ask, Parker?” I bide my time, thinking of a way to answer. I don’t want to give him false hope, but I don’t want to crush that dream either.
“Bobby Pritchett’s dad lives with him. I’d like you to live here. Then we could do fun stuff all the time, and you and mama could tuck me in,” he says, the words rushing out of him.