Chapter 129 Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Nine
“I’m so bored.”
Rosie’s announcement cut through the comfortable silence that had settled over the living room.
She was sprawled dramatically across the armchair by the window, her red hair hanging upside down as she stared at the clouds drifting past outside.
We’d spent the last few hours gathered around the dining table, working through the football reports with varying degrees of success.
Jace had spent most of that time trying to distract me; first he stole my pen so I had to go all the way upstairs to my room to get another one.
Then he started making ridiculous comments, stretching his long legs out under the table until his foot brushed against mine.
Because I was so mature and professional, I’d spent most of that time trying to ignore him, although I managed to fail spectacularly at it.
But eventually, somehow, we’d gotten it done. The reports were finally complete, the mess was cleaned up, and now everyone was exhausted.
Jace was sprawled on the couch, his eyes half-closed, lazily tossing a football to Martin, who was sitting on the floor catching it and throwing it back with equal laziness.
The rhythm was hypnotic; toss, catch, toss, catch until I started to get cross-eyed from watching them do that for so long.
“Do you want to take a nap?” I asked, checking my phone. “It’s around four. It’s getting a little late, so maybe we should—"
“No!” all three of them chorused immediately.
Jace looked up from the ball, his gaze finding mine. “We could go out? Maybe to the park or an ice cream place around here.”
Martin frowned a little, “There are usually a lot of people there. Do we have to?”
I knew he never liked crowds or being very social so the park wasn’t his scene.
“Ice cream!” Rosie shrieked, suddenly very un-bored. “Come on Martin, it’ll be fun, I promise.”
“Alright. I guess I’ll come with you. But you know I can’t have any other flavour except—” Martin started.
“Vanilla,” Jace finished for him, grinning. “I’ve got you, bud, don’t worry. And besides, your girlfriend Rosie does have a point, I think it’s going to be fun.”
Martin blushed bright red and covered his face with both hands and said through gritted teeth, too embarrassed for words, “I told you, Jace she’s not my girlfriend.”
Meanwhile, Jace started laughing, “My bad, bro.”
Rosie looked away from where she’d been distracted staring out w the window, “Huh? Did someone call my name?”
“I was just telling Martin that going outside isn’t a bad idea,” Jace told her with a smile, and that seemed to satisfy her.
“But what if your mom asks where you are?” I asked, even though I could already feel myself caving.
Jace tilted his head, that infuriating smirk playing at his lips. “Are you going to tell her?”
I opened my mouth, then I closed it and shook my head no.
“Okay,” I conceded, trying to sound reluctant even though the kids’ excitement was infectious. Someone had to step in and be the adult in this situation, and if it wasn’t going to be Jace then…
“You guys do deserve it as a reward for working so hard. But I’ve already had lunch with my friends today, so I’ll just stay here and finish up some work or something—” I tried to refuse.
“Won’t you come with us?” Jace’s voice was softer now, tempting me.
Before I could respond, he turned to the kids. “Don’t you guys want Lena to come?”
“YES!” Rosie launched herself at me, grabbing my hands. “Please, please, please come!”
Martin joined her, tugging at my other hand with surprising strength. “Please, Lena?”
I looked at Jace, who was watching this scene unfold with smug satisfaction. “Wow. Using the kids against me, very clever,” I told him flatly. “You just love to get your way, don’t you?”
“Always,” he said without a hint of shame. “It’s one of my best qualities.”
“Actually no, it's a horrible quality and it’s really starting to get on my nerves.”
“Agree to disagree.”
For whatever reason, Jace had taken his mother’s car and was driving a lot slower and more carefully than I expected him to.
I didn’t think about it too much, assuming maybe he did it because there were kids in the car.
When we finally got there, I was happy to see the park looked so beautiful in the late afternoon light, full of golden sunshine and long shadows.
Families dotted the playground, little kids just like Martin and Rosie were shrieking with laughter as they climbed and swung and ran about.
The air smelled like cut grass and summer, it was a nice change of pace from being stuck inside all day.
I hated to admit it, but Jace was right. This really wasn’t a bad idea.
“You kids go on and have fun. I’ll be right back.” Jace walked off toward the ice cream cart near the entrance while I found a bench with a good view of the playground.
Rosie immediately claimed the spotlight, running up to a group of kids and introducing herself with her characteristic volume and enthusiasm. “Hello! My name’s Roselyn but my friends call me Rosie! What’s your name?”
Meanwhile Martin hung back, standing stiffly to the side and watching the other children with an anxious expression while he tried to figure out how to interact.
He started to tap his train on his thigh in a rhythm, one two three, one two three, looking really lost.
I felt my heart squeeze in sympathy. I’d never seen him anywhere outside the house before, this was the first time.
I saw the way he wanted to join in but didn’t quite know how, and how social situations could overwhelm him so quickly.
I was already wondering if maybe I should go do something when Rosie noticed him in the corner.
She skipped back to Martin, took his hand gently, and pulled him toward the group. “This is my best friend Martin!” she announced to her new friends. “He’s really smart and he knows everything about trains!”
Martin smiled cautiously. He never left Rosie’s side after that, but he was smiling, actually saying a few things to the other kids while she did most of the talking.
I was thankful for whatever stroke of luck or destiny had let those two meet, there was nothing Martin needed more than a friend like her. Hopefully, their friendship lasted forever.
“One ice cream cone, as promised.”
I jumped in surprise, nearly falling off the bench.
Jace had suddenly appeared beside me on the bench, holding out what could only be described as an architectural marvel of frozen dairy; at least six different flavours stacked shakily on top of each other, dripping in the heat, topped with sprinkles and a wafer and what looked like gummy bears.
I couldn’t help it, I just had to laugh. “This is ridiculous. What am I supposed to do with it?”
“Eat it,” he said, like it was obvious. “It’s hot outside.”
“Well, you should’ve thought of that before bundling us all out here.” I eyed the ice cream cone warily. “Besides, there’s probably way too many empty calories in that thing.”
Jace sighed heavily, his expression turning serious. “Damn. I hope I don’t have to spend the rest of my life convincing you to eat, because I will if I have to.”
I blinked. “Rest of your life?”