Page 13 of Fragile hearts

After a few minutes, when I’m sure he’s asleep, I try to pry my hand free. I don’t mind that he’s holding me, but I don’t think he knows it’s me he’s touching, and I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.

I slip my hand out of his hold, but he tightens his fingers, not enough to hurt me, but tight enough that I can’t let him go. He cradles our hands protectively to his chest, muttering something incoherent. His face marred with frowns.

“Okay, okay, I won’t leave.” His grip on my hand loosens. A ghost of a smile forms on his lips, as if my words bring him peace. I cross my legs, getting more comfortable as Colton rolls through the grass, his jeans filled with grass stains.

“Uncle Cars your friend?”

“I don’t know, buddy. We don’t know each other that well.”

“Hmm, you my friend?”

“Well, that depends.” I lower myself to his height. He’s staring up at me with furrowed brows. “Do you want me to be your friend?”

“Yes, you my friend. You and Killie my friends.”

“Killie?”

“Mhm, he gone now.” He pouts sadly.

“Well buddy, I’m your new friend, and I’m right here.”

My heart squeezes at the excited look on his face. He’s so happy to have a friend. It makes me sad to think he might not have many.

“Really?” he asks, his R sounding more like a W.

“Of course, buddy. Who else am I going to eat ice cream with?”

He smiles at the wooden sticks in the grass. “Ice cream yummy yummy.”

I chuckle lightly. “Yes, buddy, ice cream is very yummy.”

He sits next to his uncle, his head cocked as Carson snores, then he lifts his hand and gently rubs it through Carson’s hair.

“Colton!” a semi-familiar voice booms through the garden. An unfamiliar man peeks his head through the opening of the door. He is the almost identical version of the man who’s holding my hand. “Daddy!” Colton jumps, running toward his father. The man cocks a brow, catching his young son in his arms, and stares intensely at his brother, who’s still snoring away. “I made friend!” Colton squeals into his father’s ear, causing the man to wince. I move to sit on my knees as they walk over to me.

“This is Miss Sunshine, Daddy, my friend.”

Carson stirs. His eyes flutter open, meeting my gaze, eyebrows furrowing as he stares down at our hands. “What?” he mutters groggily, eyes flitting between his brother and me. I gently remove my hand from Carson’s grip, stand up, and hold out my hand toward the older man. “I’m Alexis, Carson’s neighbor.”

“Connor, this little guy’s father.” He smiles at Colton, who’s jumping up and down, talking about the ice cream he had.

“And this guy’s older brother.” Carson is staring at his hand as if it might have acted on its own, then raises his head at the sound of his brother’s voice. I feel Connor’s stare on the back of my head as I look at my neighbor.

I don’t know if he remembers having a nightmare or grabbing my hand, but from the way he’s staring at me with wide eyes, I’m guessing he does. “Sunshine, I’m—”

“Don’t apologize, It’s no big deal.” He opens his mouth to disagree. I quirk a brow. He shuts up immediately.

“Can I ask what’s going on here?” Connor asks curiously, his son cradled to his chest. His gaze flits between Carson and me as if he’s trying to piece something together. “I’m sorry,” Carson apologizes to his brother while staring at me.

“Colton wanted some ice cream, but I didn’t have any. Alexis offered him some. I must have fallen asleep.”

Connor raises his eyebrows. “I looked after him,” I say hurriedly.

“He ate his ice cream and played with the ball. Nothing bad happened, I swear.”

He nods, then stares over at his brother. “I didn’t know you had a new neighbor.”

“She just moved here.”