Shaylynn

Once we’ve finished unloading the truck, my dad, of course, invites Matt to stay for dinner to thank him for his help and Matt, of course, agrees…as if seeing his muscles flexing and his skin covered in a light sheen of sweat for the last few hours wasn’t already driving me mad!

It’s official…I’m thinking like a sex starved lunatic!

While dad mans the grill, the boys and I sit with Matt while they fill him in on their lives before coming here.

Bryce even surprises me by talking about some of the activities he enjoyed in our hometown, though I did notice how his voice got a little quieter…his tone a little sadder.

“Dad said he was gonna teach me to play football, but he didn’t, right mom?” Poor Cody honestly noticed so much more than his dad ever gave him credit for and it truly breaks my heart.

While I was able to cover for some of their dad’s absences, it seems the ones I couldn’t, haven’t gone unnoticed.

“I know, baby. Your dad was really busy with work and it probably slipped his mind.” I hate covering for him, but I never want the boys to feel like they weren’t a priority and I never want them to think they did something wrong in all this.

“Busy working over Aunt Sarah in his office.” Bryce mumbles the comment, but I hear it and, judging by the shocked expression on Matt’s face, he heard it too.

“I could teach you. I meet with a few of the guys from my squad every other week to play a few pickup games and I coach a few of the kids from the youth center a few days a week who would be more than happy to have you join us too.” His words hit me like a freight train as I realize what he said as well as what he’s offering.

“You were in the military?” He smiles and nods, seemingly unbothered by my question.

“Army. eight years and five months of service before being medically discharged almost thirteen years ago.” And just like that, he suddenly has Bryce’s undivided attention again.

“Doesn’t that mean you got hurt?” Matt nods again, but his smile is now somewhat strained.

“I did. We were traveling to a small town where we were stationed and the Humvee in front of ours hit an IED. The force of the blast hit our vehicle and the one behind us hard enough to send ours rolling and the other ended up on its side.

“My leg was pinned and the injury ended up being bad enough to require several surgeries to fix. I’m good as new now, as long as you don’t count the scars, but I couldn’t return to service, so I was medically discharged.” Bryce’s eyes are wide while Cody just looks curious.

“Does it hurt still?” Cody’s soft voice, filled with innocent concern, seems to soothe the tense expression on Matt’s face.

“Sometimes, but not too bad.” Cody nods his head and glances at me before looking back at Matt.

“Do you have kids?” Matt smiles and shakes his head.

“No, but I always thought I would have them someday.” Bryce smirks when he sees the thoughtful look on Cody’s face, clearly amused with the questions he knows are coming.

“Do you have a wife?” I open my mouth to put a stop to it, but Matt beats me to it.

“No, I don’t. I almost did once, but things didn’t work out.” Bryce gives Matt a tense look while Cody looks to be appeased by his response.

“Mom knows all about things not working out, don’t you mom?” While I know it’s his anger toward his father making him speak out like this, his words still cut deeply.

“Hey, your mom loves you and is no doubt doing what’s best for you. This whole thing has been hard on her too, so show her a little respect, Bud.” Matt’s tone isn’t scolding, just level and firm.

Bryce stares at Matt for a moment with a mixture of regret and shock in his eyes before giving a single nod and turning to look at me.

“Sorry, mom. I know it’s not your fault that dad’s a bastard.” Cody nods his silent agreement, and though I would usually scold Bryce for talking about his dad that way, right now I don’t have it in me to care.

I know it’s wrong, but part of me is thankful they don’t blame me for our lives being upended and our family falling apart.

“I know, sweetheart. I love you both more than anything and I’m sorry this has been so hard for you both. I promise that we’ll get through this together.” Bryce gets up and walks around the table to give me a hug then kisses the top of my head before walking over to the grill to help his grandpa.

“You’ve got some pretty great kids. How old are they?” Before I can answer, Cody decides to answer for me.

“I’m six and Bryce is thirteen. Right mom?” I nod and give him a warm smile.

“That’s right, baby. Bryce actually just turned thirteen three days ago and Cody here turned six last month.” Matt seems surprised as he keeps looking back at Bryce then back to me.

“No way are you old enough to have a thirteen year old.” My brow raises and I give him a playful smirk.

“I assure you, I am. I had Bryce when I was sixteen then had Cody when I was twenty-three.” I can tell he’s thinking then his eyes widen slightly.

“So, you’re what, twenty-nine?” I nod and turn in my chair to check on my dad and Bryce.

“I am. Good to know I don’t look old enough to have a teenage son though. Thanks for the boost of confidence.” We both chuckle and he shakes his head while running his fingers through his hair.

“I thought you were closer to twenty-two or three.” I can’t even help my smirk, but I won’t lie, his unintended compliment hit me pretty hard.

Ever since I found out about my ex-husband’s affair, I’ve felt like maybe I just wasn’t pretty enough, that I didn’t look young enough…that I simply wasn’t enough.

It’s nice to know that I at least don’t look old.

“How old are you?” He gives me a soft smile and leans forward with his elbows resting on the edge of the table.

“I’ll be forty-two in a month.” I…wasn’t expecting that! He doesn’t look older than thirty-five, but I guess he kind of acts older…more mature.

“Well, I thought you were a little closer to my age, so I guess we’re even. You act with the maturity of your age, but you certainly look younger.” He nods and, thankfully, smiles.

I’m honestly glad I didn’t manage to offend the poor guy!

The rest of the evening is spent with us discussing things the kids can do around town and with Matt telling the kids about the youth center where he volunteers on Saturdays.

Before Matt leaves to head home, he gets the boys to convince me to take them to the youth center tomorrow so they can play football with the other kids, not that it was a hard sell when anyone could see how excited they were.

The boys and I help my dad clean up the mess from dinner then head to bed.