“Jesus, these women are like sharks,” Roman snickers as he plants another pointed kiss on my lips.
“Tell me about it.” I roll my eyes. “I had no idea I was going to have so much competition from the carpool posse.”
Roman lets out a sharp laugh, his hand sliding around my neck as he locks eyes with me. “Trust me, Maddie. There is absolutely no competition. In fact, when you’re around, it’s like everyone else disappears completely.”
A furious heat courses through my body, and I have to catch my breath.
“Hello? Ice cream?” Ty throws his hands up, just to the side of us.
Chuckling, Roman backs away, lacing his fingers with mine as we walk. “You got it, buddy.”
“Can we take our ice cream to the park? I want to show dad the weird ducks.”
“Sure, we can!” I grin, taking Ty’s hand as we walk to the car.
Roman arches an eyebrow at me. I haven’t told him about the little trips Ty and I have been making to the park because I wanted Ty to be able to ease into it, and I can tell he’s leery.
“The park?”
I nod. “We’ve gone a couple of times while you were at work. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course, that’s okay. I couldn’t even get him to drive by it a few weeks ago.” He smiles, slinging his arm around my shoulder as we walk to the car.
“He doesn’t ever want to play, but he likes the ducks there.”
“Hey, any progress is good progress. I’m just glad to see him excited about something like that again.” Roman opens the door to the car for me before going around helping Ty into the back.
It’s a short drive from Ty’s school to the park, and we take turns picking music on the way. Surprisingly, Roman and I have similar tastes and all three of us sing along with the windows rolled down.
The mood shifts a little when we pull into the lot, like it does the other times I brought Ty here. Even being in the vicinity of the playground makes him nervous. We aren’t even at the same park where the shooting happened, but it’s the idea of it that has him so hung up.
Ty unbuckles his booster seat as soon as we’re parked. “Did you bring some bread?”
“Oh shoot,” My brow creases. “We forgot to stop for some on our way.”
Ty frowns, dragging his feet as we walk down to the lake.
“There’s a grocery store right up the street,” Roman suggests. “Why don’t I go get some?”
“Yeah! Maddie and I can wait here,” he says, lighting up.
Roman ruffles Ty’s hair and then gives me a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.”
He jogs back up the hill and climbs into the car, driving out of the lot. I see Ty’s set on the playground like they usually are when we come, and I have an idea.
“So, what do you want to do while we wait for your dad?” I ask him.
Ty shrugs. “I don’t care”
“Actually, I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
“Sure! What is it?” he says excitedly.
“Well, truth is, ever since that day in the park, I’ve been kind of scared to play on the playground.”
Ty looks up with a funny expression. “You like to play on the playground?”
“Of course, I do. I love to climb. But lately, I feel weird. My chest gets tight and I get shaky and I don’t feel like I can do it.”
