Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“Yes, you can. You got this!” I release him and off he goes.
He keeps at it grinning wide at his mom with the wind in his face. “I’m doing it! Dean, I’m doing it!”
I don’t take my eyes off him as he makes it to his mom and hits the brake. He wobbles not expecting the stop to come as it did. Jo hugs him as he remains upright but definitely a little nervous. We celebrate and then he takes off with a little steadying from me and rides again. We do this for a bit.
Then like most boys, he gets comfortable. He glances back over his shoulder at me and Jo standing in wait for him. The bike wobbles as he turns back around and, in an instant, he’s headed off the road and into the grass where he crashes.
I job over getting to him first. “You okay?”
“I fell.” He tells me frowning.
“Well, it happens to us all from time to time.” I explain as Jo joins us giving him a mom once over but not reacting. Adjusting his helmet, I continue, “ya know I was once told it’s not the fall that gets ya.”
Justice says, “huh?”
“Nope, it’s the sudden stop.”
Jo lets out a laugh while Justice studies me not getting the joke.
“Look how long you rode. I bet your legs are tired and your belly is hungry. Let’s celebrate the wins for today and get some pizza.”
His eyes study the distance he rode down the street. “I went pretty far.”
“Yeah ya did.”
“Bet my legs just gave out on me.”
I nod as he picks up the bike and climbs back on. “Yeah, I bet they did.”
“I’ll ride it back to the garage. Park her by Ruby.”
“Um Justice, you can’t take up space in Dean’s garage.”
Justice blows out a breath. “Mom, bikes are man things. Gotta give her a name and she needs to be in the garage. Can’t leave bikes out like that.”
“Might want to check with Dean, it is his garage.”
“Dean,” he looks to me, “tell Mom, Jubi needs to be beside Ruby.”
I smirk, “Jubi?”
“Yeah, I’m thinking she’s sparkly like Ruby and red, but mom’s middle name is Jubilee so Jubi. And she looks good beside Ruby.”
“I think you’re right. She has her spot so ride her on in.”
Jo playfully pats my arm as we watch Justice ride up and park the bike in my garage. “You spoil him.”
“Got one life to live. Get one chance to be innocent and free from the heavy. I’m happy to help him keep his a little longer.”
She nods and gives my arm a gentle squeeze as we approach the garage.
“I know I fell today, but tomorrow can we ride some more?”
“You wanna keep riding?” Jo asks.
“Oh yeah,” Justice tells her getting his helmet off.
We spend the day mostly outside with Justice riding his bike before I take us all out to dinner. By the time I pull into our driveway, Justice is half-asleep in her backseat. He went hard all day, and it’s caught up to him.
Jo glances over to me as I put the SUV in park, “thank you for today.”
I smile as I exit her car, rounding it, going to Justice, unbuckling him before scooping him up. He mumbles against my shoulder as I carry him inside and to his bed. Jo is right behind as I tuck him in.
She moves to slide his shorts off and shirt as he remains in a semi-sleep haze. The seasoned mom Jo is, gets his pajamas on while he settles in. I move to cover him once again with his blanket when he reaches out and tugs are my shirt sleeves. “Stay, Dean.”
I look to Jo, and she nods with a soft smile. I pick up the book on his nightstand while sitting beside him and begin to read.
Jo moves to the doorway turning around and leaning against the frame watching. I don’t look at her, but I feel her. I feel the connection of this something we are building between us. By the time I reach the end of the book, Justice is soundly sleeping. I stand and ease my way out of his room.
As much as I want to stay the night, I’m not going to. I turn to her at the front door. Brushing my thumb over her cheek before pressing my lips softly to hers, I whisper, “night, Jo.”
Her breath catches, “night, Dean.”
“I’m next door if you need me.”
I step back out of the door and walk straight over to my place knowing she’s standing there watching me. “Lock up, Jo,” I call out and hear her laugh.
“I have a neighbor who looks out for me,” she teases, and I find myself smiling.
“Always watching out for you, baby.” I respond as I turn to watch her fall back inside her house and know she’s locked the door as I get the alert on my phone for her alarm.