Page 100 of Saddle Storm

“Can I still come even if you’re not Mom’s boyfriend anymore?”

The room stills.

When I find my breath again, I flip around. The movement too fast with water spilling around me. “What?”

Silas’s eyes lock on mine. He seems calm but doesn’t take this one. He waits for me.

“What do you mean?” I ask more gently, though probably failing at hiding the shakiness in my voice.

Max shrugs, like it’s obvious. “That you’re Silas’s girlfriend now. But that it probably won’t last.” He looks at Silas. “I still want to go to games when you play. Can I?”

My heart tumbles in my chest and I swallow. Silas sits beside Max on the couch, eyes on his lap like this is a territory he doesn’t know how to address.

I should say something. Now would be a good time to say something.

“Max you’re always welcome at my games,” he says quietly. “You’re one of my favorite kids, and that’ll never change. But . . . where did you get this from?”

Max’s expression saddens momentarily. “It’s cool.” He reaches for my phone on the coffee table. “Jeremy, one of the kids I met in the lounge today, had a phone and showed me on Instagram. There were a lot of posts saying you’re his new girlfriend.”

My heart is in my throat when he flips the phone around to me.

My stomach drops when I take the phone and see myself on nearly every feed as I scroll down. A few splits of me in his jersey looking in his direction and him mine.

Holy shit, we were clear as day, weren’t we?

“Everyone knew because she was wearing your jersey and sitting in your seats. And you were watching her a lot.”

Silas exhales, setting his own phone down after scanning it. “Max, you shouldn’t believe everything you see or read on social media.”

“So Mom’s not your girlfriend?”

Silas gives me one look and I read him loud and clear on it. He doesn’t intend on lying to my kid. I give him a nod and his lip quirks with relief. “No, she very much is. But why do you think it probably won’t last?”

Max frowns. Looking at Silas’s phone like he’s remembering something. “What’s a hiatus fling?”

Silas’s jaw ticks and he licks his lips. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.” His hand gentle on Max’s back. “But what is true, is that your mom was my first best friend. And that makes her very special to me.” Silas grins.

Max looks at me like I’m suddenly cool. “Really? Who was your second? Was it Chase?”

My stomach sinks.

Silas’s brows twitch as his eyes flick to the side, then he shrugs. “It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that my first was your mom. When I really needed someone like her.” He looks up at me. “And no matter what happens, she’ll be my last.”

This makes my kid smile, my stomach knot, and everything fall loosely into place.

“So,” Silas perks, poking Max lightly. “That pretty much makes you my buddy for life. And if you think I’m letting any of my friends miss my first game back on the ice, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Max frowns. “Like what?”

“Duh, season tickets. Front row seats. All the ice cream your mom will let us eat.”

Max chuckles. “But I can keep the jacket, right?”

“That’s yours, buddy. Just don’t go replacing it with whatever Chase got you at the gift shop today. I’ve been wearin’ this one since my rookie year.”

My grin slips. And he’s giving it to my kid?

Max stands and hugs Silas, who seems taken aback by the embrace. Still, he doesn’t miss a beat, his big arms wrap around this boy in a soul-crushing way. “Thank you.” Then he twists and gives me one too. “Thanks, Mom.”