Spin My Love (My Love #1)(44)

“Next Thursday,” he says, his expression equally as forlorn. Nine days away.

I move closer to him, pressing my chest against his. “I’m going to miss you,” I tell him as I wrap my arms around his neck.

“I’m going to miss you more,” he says, bending down to press a kiss against my neck. “Both of you.”

I let out a long regretful sigh. “This sucks.”

“I’m so sorry, baby,” he says. He looks forlorn, and it makes me feel bad. I don’t want him to feel guilty for doing something he loves. I knew what I was getting into.

I muster up my best smile. “Don’t be,” I say, giving him a gentle kiss. “We’ll make it work.”

“You’re amazing,” he tells me. I run my hand through his hair, cupping him at the nape.

“No, you’re amazing. You’re the most amazing thing that’s happened to Parker and me,” I tell him earnestly. His eyes get glassy, and it makes my heart melt. This man is incredible.

I hope he knows how much.

*****

Tane

The loud music blares from the speakers as I bob my head to the beat. I look around the packed-out nightclub, watching people dancing. Drunken men laughing, and women who must be f*cking cold, considering how little they are wearing, are scattered throughout the establishment. I used to love this environment, but now I'm not sure if I want to be here. I want to be with my family, with Giselle and Parker, not back in the same atmosphere that nearly killed me last time. My mind roams to the conversation we had yesterday, and the questions he asked me.

“Daddy, will you be going away again?” he asked.

“What do you mean? I have to go to work, but I will be back soon,” I tried to explain.

He shrugs his tiny shoulders. “But I don’t want to have no daddy again.”

My heart broke with those few innocent little words.

I take a sip from my water and stare at the dance floor over the rim of my bottle. Nothing has changed.

I change the song, mixing it into The Aston Shuffle's “Comfortable”. People cheer, letting me know it was a good choice. My lip kicks up at the corner at their reactions and their fist pumps. A few women hang out by the DJ booth. Nothing new there, except this time I don’t pay them any attention. I smile politely but decline their offers to join them in their beds after my set is over.

I lay in my hotel bed that night, missing my family.

One week to go until I see them again.



*****



Giselle

“When’s Daddy coming home?” Parker asks me, not for the first time.

“In a few days,” I reply, serving him his dinner.

“How many days?” he asks, staring down at his plate.

“Three.”

He sighs heavily, not happy.

“Time will go fast, don’t worry,” I tell him.

He doesn’t reply.

“So, what did you do at kindy today?” I ask him, trying to get him talking.

“Painting,” he replies. “I painted a picture of me and Daddy surfing.”

Annnnddd here we go again.

We eat the rest of our dinner in silence as I watch my son sulk.

“Shall we get ready for bed?” I finally ask.

“Okay Mum,” he says, sipping his water and then sliding off his chair.

I puff out a breath and follow him.

It’s going to be a long few days.

*****

“He’s in Sydney, not on the other side of the world,” Levi says to me as I sit on his couch watching TV. Parker and Justin are fast asleep, tired from the day’s events. A usual Saturday for me, minus Tane.

“I know that,” I reply, taking a sip from my wine before putting the glass down on the coffee table. “I just miss him.”

“You know,” he starts, “I’m off for the next few days.”

I turn to stare at his profile. “Okay?”

He looks at me, grinning boyishly. “You could go to Sydney and surprise Tane for his last two nights. Have a little fun. Gage and I will keep Parker.”

My mind races. Is this a good idea? I don’t want to get in Tane’s way while he works, but the thought of seeing him …

“I don’t know …”

“Parker will be fine. You know he loves it here with us,” he says, watching me, waiting for me to say something.

“Of course he does. He’s just been sulking since Tane left and …”

“He wasn’t sulking today. He was too busy having fun.”

That was the truth.

My phone beeps with a text.

Tane: Miss you so f*cking much.

Miss you more, I reply.

“I guess I could go away for two nights,” I say to myself.

Levi wraps an arm around me. “You should go. Have a little break.”

I lean my head on his shoulder. “You’re way too good to me.”

“Well, with Gage always with his girlfriend, Parker and Justin have become my only friends,” he jokes.

I make a scoffing sound. “What happened to your double date?”

He clears his throat uncomfortably. “It was fun, but it wasn’t …”

“Permanent?”

“Oh, come on, Giselle, don’t make me talk to you about these things,” he begs.