American Bad Boy(56)

“Well,” I press up against him, “I guess I do have the time off now.”

“You do.”

“And Chris is pretty excited to go.”

“He is.”

“So, I guess we can do that.” I agree.

Mack kisses me and I melt into his arms. I love how the same man that can drag so much chaos into my life can also make me feel so protected from it. How does he do that?

I pull away and look back into his eyes, “But Mack?”

“Yes.”

“You have to promise that you won’t have anymore outbursts or anything else for that matter. Ok? I don’t want Chris seeing you get like that; it’s too upsetting for him.”

“Cross my heart,” he smiles and crosses a x over his chest.

I can’t help but laugh. Mack will never really grow up, but that’s what makes him so much fun to be around. A few days together as a family will be nice. Family. That word just fits so well. We’re finally all together again.

As a family.





31





Mack





2014




“Mom! Did you see us? It was crazy!” Chris bounds up to Lauren excitedly.

“Way to go, little man! That roller coaster is crazy! I would’ve died if I went on that.” Chelsea holds up her hand to Chris and he high fives it.

“I did see you, was it fun?” Lauren looks down at him with a smile.

“It was amazing! Can I go again? I just need to go pee first, but you can hold my place in the line and then when I get back you can go on it with me this time,” he instructs Lauren. You gotta respect a man with a plan.

“No, hun. I’m with Chelsea on this, I would never go on a ride that fast. We’re not all like Captain America over there,” she winks at me. “The Ferris wheel is about as daring as I get.”

“That’s right, not everyone can be a hero,” I tease her.

“Yeah, yeah. I think you’ve played that card already,” she shoots back at me, busting my chops. God, I love her. “Besides,” she looks back down at Chris, “your aunt and I are getting hungry. Don’t you guys want to eat?”

“Yeah!” Chris jumps, instantly forgetting how much he wanted to get on the Brain Drain again.

“I’ll tell ya what, bud,” Chelsea looks down at him, “how about you go with your mom and find a bathroom. I’ll head out with Mack to get us some pizza slices. That way we’ll cut our time standing in line down. Ok?”

Lauren looks over at her sister with question marks in her eyes. “Doesn’t it make more sense for you and I to get the food and for Mack to take Chris?”

“Nah,” Chelsea waves her off casually. “It’s not like you’ve gotta take him in the bathroom or anything, he’s a big kid. Besides, it’ll be a good chance for me and the Captain here to have a chat.”

Lauren searches her sister’s face and then mine, “Okay,” she answers slowly. “I guess we’ll meet you guys over at the picnic tables,” she puts her hand on Chris’s shoulder lightly and guides him away, shooting her sister one last look of suspicion before walking away with our son.

“Let’s go get some pizza!” Chelsea smiles at me and gives my arm a tap to bring me back from watching Lauren’s perfect ass swing away.

“Sure,” we walk past long lines of exhausted parents and their endless pits of energy for kids and make our way over to the food trucks.

“Hey, this was a great idea, by the way. I think Lauren needed some down time and Chris is having a blast,” Chelsea seamlessly threads her way past the oncoming crowd. I’ve gotta admit, being surrounded by so many people has been tugging at my nerves all day. Now that it’s noon, the park is packed and I can feel my blood pressure going up as the free space shrinks closer around me.

I’ve never loved huge crowds, but Afghanistan solidified my contempt. Over there, being surrounded by groups of people meant that extra diligence was needed. Constant surveying of the markets or busy streets for signs of danger or hostility. Over there, heavy crowds meant watching your men get attacked in a cowardly ambush. Over there, too many people swarming around meant death.

“I’m happy that they’re happy,” it’s not a lie. It’s the reason I’ve been fighting my instinct to get the fuck outta here every time another gaggle of strange faces has put me on edge.

“Yeah, I can see that. It’s good that you’re trying to make her happy, Mack. I mean, Lauren has had it rough for a long time now. I’m sure you’re aware.” She shoots me a pointed look that instantly pulls me from my battle with claustrophobia and makes me feel like I’m not towering over her. Damn, that dirty look must run in the family. Her and her sister have it down pat. “I mean, because when you took off on her ten years ago, it didn’t seem like you were really thinking about her happiness then,” she continues. Twist the knife, why don’t ya?