Wide Open Spaces (Shooting Stars #2) - Aurora Rose Reynolds Page 0,58

but I still hated every bite.

“Mom, Steven asked if I could go over and play video games for a while,” Hunter says, coming into my room, where I’ve been hiding away reading since we cleaned up after dinner.

“Where’s your dad?”

“He’s upstairs. He said he’s going to be working, so he’s okay with me going for a couple hours if you are.”

“Come sit down a minute. I want to talk to you about something,” I say, patting the bed next to me, and he comes over, taking a seat. Setting down my Kindle, I wonder how exactly I should go about this, since I’ve never done this before and really don’t know how to begin.

“What is it?” he asks, looking toward the door like he wants to run for it, making me smile.

“Well, with your father being here, I’ll probably spend the night with Zach, unless—”

“That’s fine,” he cuts me off, standing. “Can I go now?”

“Are you sure?” I question, searching his face, wanting to be positive he’s okay and that I haven’t in some way traumatized him.

“Yeah.” He shrugs.

“You know if you need me for any reason you can call my cell or come get me.”

“Mom, I know.” He takes a step closer to the door.

“Well then… can we talk about the new water filtration system they are putting in town?”

“Mom,” he groans, leaning his head back, and I laugh.

“Okay, go on. I’ll probably be over there in a few,” I say, and he races away, leaving me sitting there wondering if that was too easy.

“Hey.” Zach smiles, opening the door. Leaning in kissing me quickly as I step into his house.

“How’s it going?” I ask, hearing the sound of the boys upstairs yelling while loud bangs go off.

“Good, Aubrey and I are getting ready to watch a movie, and the boys are upstairs playing a video game,” he replies, taking my overnight bag from my hand.

“Oh, well I can read awhile, so you and Aubrey can watch your movie,” I offer, not wanting to intrude on their time together. I love how close they are, and I know it’s important for Aubrey to have all of her dad when he’s around. I don’t ever want her to feel like I’m taking him from her.

“You’re not intruding, baby. She’s been asking when you were coming over since Hunter showed up twenty minutes ago.” He smiles, kissing me once more, then holds out my bag. “I’m gonna go put this in my room.”

“Are you sure this is okay?” I whisper, latching onto his arm to stop him, and his smile turns into a grin.

“I told you this afternoon that the kids are cool with it,” he whispers back, and I bite the inside of my cheek. He did tell me it was okay. He called the bank this afternoon to tell me he talked to the kids, and insisted they were okay with me sleeping over while Max is in town, but this still feels strange.

“Did you tell Hunter you were going to sleep here?” Tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, I nod and let out a breath.

“Yeah, he was cool with it too.”

“See? It’s all good, baby. Stop stressing about it.”

“Yay! Shel, you’re here,” Aubrey cries, carrying a bowl of popcorn in her hands out of the kitchen, followed by Penny, who is probably hoping the contents of the bowl will fall on the floor so she can get some.

“Hi, honey.” I smile at her then bend down to give Penny a rub when she comes to me.

“You’re gonna watch a movie with us, right?” Aubrey asks, and I tilt my head back to look at her then nod. “Yay, we’re watching The Hills Have Eyes.”

She grins a grin that looks identical to her father’s, and I look at him, raising a brow. “Isn’t that a scary movie?”

“Something to learn, baby. Bre only likes scary movies.” He smiles proudly.

“Do you like scary movies?” Aubrey asks, and I stand back to my full height and slip off my jacket.

“I haven’t watched a scary movie since the first time I watched It,” I admit, and her head tilts to the side and her nose scrunches up.

“Is that a scary movie?” she asks, and Zach chuckles, probably remembering my reaction after seeing that movie.

“It’s the scariest of scary movies,” I tell her, and she looks at her dad like he’s been holding out on her.

“We haven’t watched that one.”

“Don’t watch it,” I cut in, and her eyes come back to me.