Stay(64)

Braden shook his head, not willing to let himself think that way. He reached over and grabbed his phone.

U awake? He texted Wes.

Yeah. What if I wasn’t, though?

U’d be awake now

Haha.

His fingers hovered over the screen, trying to figure out what else to say, or why he’d texted in the first place.

Jess ok?

He hoped like hell she wasn’t having a night like she had Christmas Eve.

It took Wes a minute to reply.

Yes.

Ah, so it’s just u who missed me.

What? You texted me.

Exactly.

There was another stall, but he didn’t regret hinting that he missed him. Finally, Wes replied, and Braden hoped he wasn’t pulling back again.

I’m glad I’m here.

Braden smiled into the dark.

Me too.

***

Today was their last full day with Braden’s family. They had plans to go into Denver to an indoor mall with ice-skating, and other Christmas activities with the kids. Jessie was excited as hell to go. Wes could see Braden favor his ankle each time he stepped, and knew he was ignoring it for Jess.

“Hey. Maybe we should sit this one out,” he told Braden as everyone was getting packed up to go. Like Wes knew he would, Braden shook his head.

“Nah. It’s cool. She’ll be heartbroken if we can’t go. I’m fine. I’ll just ice it and put it up tonight.”

It was little things like that that showed Wes more and more than he wanted this man in his life. Wanted to keep him there. He took a step closer. “Braden—”

“Do you want us to take Jessie?” Emmy approached them. “Sorry, didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Okay maybe just a little. But I wouldn’t mind, if you think she’ll be okay with it.”

His immediate response was, “No, that’s okay. Thanks, though.” He didn’t feel right with Jessie going with them if he and Braden weren’t there. The only time she hadn’t been with him since Chelle died was when she was in school, with Lydia, or Braden. Thinking of her in Denver without them made his stomach sour.

“Are you sure?” Emmy asked. “I know Brady won’t stay unless someone forces him. Plus, we’d love to have her.”

“Grandma and Papa spoil all the kids.” Braden’s sister Yvonne smiled as she walked by, her hand on her pregnant belly. Her words almost knocked him on his ass. Jessie wasn’t their granddaughter. The poor kid didn’t even know what it was like to have grandparents. He suddenly wished she did.

Emmy reached up and touched his cheek. “We’ll take care of your girl, Wes.”

The funny thing was, he didn’t doubt it. Still, he wasn’t sure...

Wes met Braden’s eyes. “It’s your call. You want to go, we’ll go. If you think she’ll be okay without us, we’ll stay, and I’ll make you take care of me.” Braden winked.

“Shh. None of that in front of your mama. You let me know what you want to do, okay?” Emmy walked away.

“I’ll be good if you wanna go.” Braden leaned against the wall.

And he did...but he wanted to stay with Braden, too—to be here for him the way Braden was there for them. Yeah it was a silly, a sprained ankle, but walking around all day wouldn’t help it. Skating would definitely be a no-go for him.

“Let me see how Jessie feels about it.”

Braden nodded and Wes went into the living room, where Jessie was running circles with...he couldn’t remember the little boy’s name.

“Jess, come here for a second. I want to ask you something.”

She made a beeline for him and wrapped her arms around his legs. Wes laughed before untangling her and kneeling down. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for Braden to walk around today because of his ankle. How would you feel if Emmy looked after you today and I stayed here to help Braden?”

She tried to roll her eyes but really just moved her whole head. “Silly, Uncle Wes. I’m a big girl, ’member? I want to go now. Can you ask Emmy if we can go now? I like her.”

Well...that was easy. “Are you sure?”

She gave him another eye roll. Wes kissed her on the forehead. “Let me help you get into your jacket and everything. You guys are leaving in a minute.”

She followed him to the hall closest where their coats were. Braden happened to be standing there, too.

“You guys don’t get to have any fun today.” Jessie tugged on his shirt.

“I’m sure we’ll figure something out. Will you drink a cup of hot chocolate for me?” Braden asked her. Jessie nodded her head. Fifteen minutes later, the clan of Roths plus Jessie filed out the door and climbed into a couple different vehicles. Through the front window he watched while Emmy fastened Jessie into a booster seat, and then they were gone.