I snorted, looking down at my feet. “That is the sappiest thing I have ever said in my life. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna need to do a few extra tackles to get my man-card back after that one,” I said, looking back up at Addison. She was smiling at me.
“If it’s ok with you, I’d love to hang out with him again. The invitation extends to you, too, obviously. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable or anything,” I said, trying not to sound desperate but knowing I didn’t really want to say goodbye to either one of them today.
The wide grin I saw when Addison first introduced herself came back. “I think he’d really like that. He could use a good male role model these days.” She turned and started walking toward Jaxon, with me right on her tail.
“Jax, it’s time to go, honey,” Addison said, walking the final few yards to where he was painting. “What are you doing?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, ma’am,” Eli said nervously. “He said you wouldn’t mind if he helped paint.”
“No, it’s fine,” Addison said with a smile. Eli visibly relaxed. “I just hope he wasn’t bothering you while you were working.”
“Oh no!” Eli said with a smile. “I’ve got two boys of my own and five grandsons. I’m used to working around little men. Besides, he’s a pretty good painter!”
I looked over at Jaxon who was still painting, his tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth while he concentrated.
“Hey, Jaxon,” I said, “Buddy, your mom said it’s time to go.”
“I know,” he said, “but I’m not done.”
I looked over at Addison who rolled her eyes. Clearly this wasn’t the first time he’d ignored her instructions. I walked closer to Jaxon and squatted down in front of him. “Hey dude, I’m about to teach you something every man should know, ok?” That got his attention. He looked right at me.
“Ok,” he said quietly.
“When mom says it’s time to go, that means it’s time to go. Right then,” I took the paintbrush out of his hands and put it on the tarp next to him. “See, they don’t like having us men come along with them on errands. So if they’re taking us with them, that means it’s really, really important.”
Jaxon looked directly into my eyes. “Do you go with your mom when she says it’s time to go, too?”
I smiled. “Every single time, buddy. Even if I don’t want to. I always obey my mom.”
I looked over at Addison who had her arms crossed in front of her chest, a smirk on her face.
“Sorry, Mom,” Jaxon said. “I’m ready to go.” I stood up and put my hand on his shoulder. “Bye, Mr. Eli. Thanks for letting me paint.”
“Yeah, thanks Eli,” I said. “Hope there’s not too much to fix now.”
Eli laughed. “Oh no! He’s a good painter. You come back any time and help, Jaxon!”
Addison waved goodbye to Eli and the three of us made our way off the field, past security and into the parking lot, Jaxon resuming his normal chatter.
When the car was started and Jaxon was safely buckled in, Addison leaned against the car door, arms crossed in front of her, feet crossed at the ankles, smirking at me. I got a vibe from her that maybe she was more interested in me than I originally thought.
“Well, you are coming in handy already,” she flirted. At least, it looked like flirting. “I haven’t had him break away from an interesting activity without a fight since, well, I don’t even remember when.”
I chuckled and moved next to her, leaning against the car door and mimicking her pose. “There are certain things every man needs to teach a boy. How to respect your mother is one of them.”
“Well, I really appreciate it. I really appreciate you wanting to be his friend,” she said softly. “Just . . .”
“Just what?” I asked.
“Just make sure if you really want to be his friend, you will always be his friend,” she said, looking up at me. “I don’t wanna have to watch his little heart break again if another important man leaves him. And yes, I know his dad didn’t leave him. But the heartache is still painful.”
“I promise,” I said. “He’s a special kid. I think we can be good for each other.”
“Good,” she said, shoving off the car door. “Now that that’s settled, I think a certain little boy needs to go home and take a nap. Look at him,” she said, gesturing to the window. “He’s already nodding off.”
I turned around and saw Jaxon’s eyes rolling into the back of his head and his head bobbing. He was trying so hard to stay awake, it made me laugh. I turned back to Addison as she started to open her car door. I knew in my mind that it had only been six months since her husband had died. But my gut kept telling me she might be interested in me. Now was as good of a time as any to find out.