Love Is All by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Xio Axelrod LLC

Six

Raindrops dotted the windshield as Gabriel turned the delivery van into the community center’s parking lot. He glanced at Jack. “We need to get the cake inside as fast as possible.”

“I know. Water and sugar aren’t a good combination. I’ll hustle.”

He parked as close as he could to the entrance. “Let’s go.”

The three-tier dinosaur-themed cake for six-year-old Connor was one of Gabe’s favorites. Sebastian had done an amazing job making the dinosaurs roaming the cake.

Gabe met Jack’s gaze. “Keep it level, just like we did when leaving the bakery.”

“I won’t tip it or drop it. I swear.”

They moved inside without issue. The smile on Connor’s face was the best reward. He excitedly pointed out dinosaur after dinosaur. Another boy, a little bigger than Connor, ran to the table. With a smirk, he dragged his finger through the Happy 6th Birthday Connor message, smearing the letters.

“Hey!” Connor’s lip trembled and his eyes filled with tears.

The older boy ran away laughing as his mother screeched, “James, no video games for you for the rest of the week.”

Connor’s father crouched by his side, voice and expression firm. “Stop crying. Crying is for babies. Big boys don’t cry.”

Anger rose, hot and fierce, roaring through Gabriel like a dragon’s fire. Damn it. Connor’s father could have been his own. How many times had he heard the same toxic bullshit message over years? He couldn’t say that to a six-year-old, but he could repair a cake.

He rooted through his bag of emergency supplies then approached Connor with a smile. “Hey there, Connor, we can fix it.”

Red-faced, the boy sniffed and wiped away the streaks of tears. “Really?”

“Yeah.” He carefully filled in the swiped icing, adding thickness to the script to even out the letters. “What’s your favorite dinosaur?”

“T-rex.”

“What to help me make one?” He handed the kid the bag and guided his hand as they piped a small green T-rex. Then he added a C to the dinosaur’s chest. “There. All fixed.”

Connor beamed at him. “Thank you.”

“Happy Birthday.”

Jack was quiet until they’d returned to the van and were driving back to the bakery. “You were great with that kid.”

“He reminded me of myself at that age. What his older brother did is something mine would have done too. And how his parents reacted is pretty much the same too. Most holidays turned into screaming matches at my house. I hated it.”

Once they parked, Jack’s arms came around him. With a sigh, he relaxed into the embrace. It had been years since he’d spent any time with his family, but the old hurts never truly went away.

After a long while, Jack pulled back and brushed his hand through Gabe’s hair. “Want to come home with me? I forgot to get groceries, but we can order something.”

The offer was sweet. But being surrounded by the horror memorabilia wasn’t how he wanted to unwind. “You haven’t been to my place yet. Let’s go there. I have chicken that needs to be cooked today anyway.”

“Sounds good. More character inspiration too.”

Gabe unlocked the front door and gestured for Jack to enter first.

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