Page 75 of Golden Ruin

“Sure. Thanks.”

She nods like it’s nothing, but moments like this never feel small to me. This is the exact kind of thing that makes leaving for Spain feel impossible.

“I let him stay up past bedtime because he insisted on you tucking him in. He’s already had his bath and a story, so if you want to take him up, your food should be ready when you get back.”

I nod, still trying not to stare too much. “Yeah. I’ll do that. Be right back.”

She smiles a little, already unwrapping the food.

“All right, bedtime, sir.”

“Already?”

“Yes, already. Mom let you hang out a whole extra hour.”

Pouting, Jax sets the controller on the coffee table. But when I pick him up, he yawns in my arms, which means he’ll be asleep in ten minutes or less.

I carry him up, then put him in his bed. He rubs his eyes as I kiss his forehead.

“Night, kiddo. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

His voice is already fading as he turns toward the wall, then goes silent. I close his door halfway before heading back down. I could get there and find a warm plate in an empty kitchen, but with any luck… I won’t be eating alone.

***

Lexi

He forks the last bite into his mouth, and I already have his plate in hand, walking it to the sink.

“Was it okay? I can’t take Jax’s word for it.”

“Better than okay,” Sterling answers, and I smile a little.

He’s seated at the counter behind me, sipping the iced tea I poured as I wash his plate and fork.

“So, I’m assuming Benny talked your ear off?”

He laughs. “Nah, he was just dropping wisdom. The usual.”

I smile because that’s exactly how I’d describe talks with Benny.

“How many rounds did you and Jax race tonight?”

I count in my head. “Ten, and I won seven of them. Bet he won’t say I can’t stay on the road anymore.”

“So fucking competitive,” Sterling chuckles, and I spin to face him after turning off the faucet.

“I’m competitive? I seem to recall you being the one who made me stay up until three a.m. once because you wouldn’t go to sleep until you beat me in checkers.”

He shakes his head and pops a mint into his mouth. “I don’t remember anything like that.”

“Yeah, I bet,” I tease. “Tell you what. Put your money where your mouth is.”

He arches a brow at me. “You’re seriously challenging me to a race?”

I nod. “Best two out of three wins.”