Love me, love me not(EDITING)

Part Two: Chapter 9

            "Go! Go play, Dalton!" I nod, smiling at my three year old son.  

     He giggled, running to the playground, up to the stairs, down the slide. I grinned. He looked a lot like Gray. Brown wavy hair, and the most beautiful green eyes. Dalton was the only good thing that has happened to me, so far. He's so gentle, and so fragile.

  "Mommy! Please come push me!" He ran up to me, grabbing a grip on my hand.
  I nod, "Okay, Cmon!"
        We both run to the swings. I let Dalton win, obviously. I start to push him. I look around, grinning, seeing all the smiles and laughs on kid's faces. My son was my life. He was everything I had. Especially here.
     I glance at the benches, noticing a familiar face. I stopped pushing Dalton, the noises immediately being tuned out. I push a strand of hair that was in my face behind my ear, focusing on one face.
   Hope.
She had twins with her. I don't know whose they were, bur she had two of them. Still infants too. Did she find me?  She looked at me, I quickly looked away, noticing Dalton was on the ground, crying.
  "Come here", I say softly, picking him up.
The wood chips were all over him and one stabbed him in the hand. Blood was all over his small palm.  He rested his little head on my shoulder, while I rubbed his back walking back to the car.
  "Its okay, Buddy", I kissed his forehead.
He started to calm down. I cleaned him up, putting a Toy Story band aid on his hand. It barely even got him.  I looked up as I was putting on my seat belt. I had a black suburban 2015. It was the best car that a mother can have. I saw Hope, walking towards here, with her double stroller.
   I wrinkled my nose. Why is she even here? I backed out quickly, almost backing into another car. 
"Dalton, you okay, babe?" I ask. I hit the brake too hard.
       He nods, "I think so."
  We've been at the park for almost an hour, it was time to go home anyways. I had to pull back in. It was worthless anyways. They would have found me sooner or later. Hope strolled her way over here. Ugh.
    Hope had shoulder length hair, just a little passed, it was a dark dirty blonde now, but it did look pretty on her.  She had one boy and one girl. Who's the dad? I gulped as she stopped in front of us. She grinned at Dalton, then looked at me.
   "I saw what happened, are you okay?"
Her voice wasn't as bitter as I remember, it was a soothing sound.
   I nod, "Yes."
She nods, "Is your son alright, Chris?"
I'm surprised she remembered my name, but how could she forget?
  I nod again, "Yes.. He's fine."
How did she know?
"He looks just like you", Hope fixed a piece of hair that was out of place. 
  I gave Dalton a look, he knew what it meant. Stranger danger. It was silent for a moment.
            "How are your brothers?" I ask, clearing my throat in awkwardization.
  She shrugged, "Zain's dating someone, surprisingly. Con, he is too."
  She said it almost snobby like. The way she use to sound.
  "Good for them."
"Are they still In Miami?" I ask, curiously.
I haven't spoken to any of them since I left that night, three years ago. I suddenly felt the urge to drink, I haven't laid my hands on a drink since after I had Dalton. Okay, that was actually the last time I saw Gray is when I had Dalton, but I made Gray leave. It wouldn't work between us, and Gray didn't fight with me either. I think Gray knew I wouldn't be able to keep Dalton from him. I look down at the thought.
   "Um.." Hope hesitates.
    "Hope!" There was a male voice coming closer.
The clicking sound of heels followed. 
   "Con...", Hope laughs nervously.
I look up, getting butterflies. Oh god. No.. please tell me its someone else.
I haven't had this feeling in a very, very long time. It was silent, Hope looking at me, along with Connor, and his girlfriend. They were holding hands, made me a little jealous. Shut up, Chris. You can't be jealous. You're not allowed to be, you're the one who left. I had to look away for a moment.
  "Chris..." His voice was as quiet, a very sexy sound. Sexier than I remember.
No. I cant think like that, not again. Not ever.
I look at him, giving a warm smile, "Hi, Connor."
  I desperately wanted to call him Con, like I use to. He wouldn't lay his gorgeous eyes off me. He didn't change, besides he was taller, more muscular, and his wasn't as long. He had a type of quiff haircut. Mhm. His hair was a dirty blonde, lighter than Hope's.
     "Are you okay?" Conner asks, raising his eyebrows as I get out of my car.
   I nod, chuckling, "Yea, just wasn't paying attention."
   Dalton was observing the people I never wanted him to meet while I helped him out of his car seat. Connor looked at Hope, whispering something. Hope nods, taking her kids and his girlfriend.
   I kiss Dalton's forehead, "Go, and stay with mommy's friend, okay? I'll be right there."
   Dalton nods, sighing, and running to Hope. Connor and I finished everything up, wth the police, and other things. Soon, the parking lot was just full of non-emergency vehicles.
   "That must be your son?" Connor asks, folding his arms, leaning back on his black truck. I nod, leaning on the hood of my car.
           He nods, "He looks a lot like Gray."
I close my eyes slowly, looking down, my arms crossed. Is it just me, or does he sound sad?
  "Does Gray know?"
      I nod again. I missed them all so much, I have hardly any close friends here, but I only chose to stay because Dalton absolutely loves it in Seattle. I tried not to cry, but it all came out.I know I left Miami because I hated it there, but me seeing them made me homesick.  Connor wrapped his arms around me, tightly, my hands on his chest. He smelled the same, i could feel his abs pressing against my hands, from behind his black shirt.
   I calm down quickly, I cannot get attached again. Every time I get attached, I run away, or they leave. Like my brother. I haven't even talked to Vanessa. I don't want too. Or Jennifer. I can't, I ran, and cant go back. I won't go back.
  "Connor....", I pull off his chest, "I can't do this."
"You have to be comfortable around me, you have to let your feelings out. You were always bad about that."
   I blink, looking away, "Why are you even here Connor?"
   "Hope's fiancée was on a business trip. She wanted to tag along, and so did I."
  "Do you still live in Miami?"
"I moved to Miami Springs."
    Which is close to The University of Miami. Huh.
  "Oh", I look over and see Dalton hanging out with Hope on the bench.
"I better get back home...", I say all in one breath.
    "Let me take you and your son home", Conner offers.
   I shook my head, "No, thank you. I backed into someone, I didn't run into a pole."
  He sighs, and nodded.
    "Good to see you, again", I say calmly.
"You too", his voice was quiet.
     "Dalton! Come on!" I holler.
Dalton slips off the bench and comes running. I nod and wave at Hope. Connor's girlfriend and Hope come over towards my car. I was fixing to lift up Dalton, until Connor swooped him up from me.
  "I got him", he grinned at me, opening the door.
  I smile warmly, starting the car, then closing the door. After Connor got Dalton buckled,  I leaned on the side of the car.
  I hesitated, "How about you guys come over for dinner tonight?"
"Sure", Connor says right away.
     Hope nods, "Yea, totally."
  "Whatever", the girl scoffed.
___
  Later, Dalton and I just got done cleaning.
   "Go get dressed", I tell him, walking fast to my bedroom.
    They're suppose to be here at 6, its almost 5.
  It felt like forever, until like I was actually done getting ready. Dalton was watching a cartoon, thats how long I took.
  I was reaching for my small, dark polished piece of wood, jewelry box. I open the top, revealing a small mirror, and my most valuable things I carry. Well not like, money, but the precious things I hold dearly. I carefully lift up a gold one. It was just simply, a gold feather. I smile a little, Connor gave this to me, ages ago. Two week anniversary, I think.
   I slowly put it on.  I straighten my black blouse. The sleeves went down to my elbows, but it was see through, the design flowers, just for the sleeves.
  "Dalton?" I raise my voice a little, putting in my earrings as I walk around the house.
  "Dalton reporting to duty for mommy", he says, standing up straight, his arms neatly places to his sides.
   I smile, squatting down, fixing his dark blue button shirt, "Awe. You look so handsome."
  I fix his collar, then tie his little tie.
   He grins, "You look pretty too."
I kiss his cheek, right then, there was a knock. Well, like three knocks.
  I open the door with a grin, "Come on in."
  The guests, walked in. With a smile.
"Hi", Connor says as he walks in.
"Hi", I reply.
  I could hear the smacking of Connor's girlfriend's gum, along with the sound of her pumps.
  "Courtney?" Hope raises her eyebrows at the lady, and her snaggy thigh length gold dress.
"Hmm?" She looks at her nails.
"Can you stop smacking your gum before I slap you?"
Courtney gives her a snobby look and throws her gum to the exposed trash can.
  Courtney had blonde hair, it was long, but not that long, medium length. Her eyes were a a pretty blue. It fit her personality, which would be annoying. What did Connor see in her?
   She snapped, "Whatever."
Right at that moment, the door knocked, again.
  I open the door and It was Cassie, the babysitter, and my best friend.
  "Hey! Sorry Im late", she pants as she walks in.
  I shook my head, "Its okay."
Cassie has been there, well forever. I called her my Oreo, yes, it may be racist, but she doesn't mind. Her mom is white and her dad is a black. Her parents are both very amazing people.
   "Where's the little guy?"
"Dalton!" I yell.
  "Who are you guys?" Cassie asks, looking at the Smith's, and Courtney.
  I clear my throat, "Thats Connor, his sister Hope, and Connor's girlfriend, Courtney."
   Cassie nods slowly, then says, "Oh", with all the panting, enthusiasm, nothing. Just, stern, I guess.
Dalton comes running down the hallway, with his overnight bag.
   "Thanks again, Cas", I sigh.
She smiles, "Anytime. I enjoy the company."
  "Hi Aunt Cassie", he grins at her.
She waves.
  I pull Dalton into a hug, kissing his warm cheek, "Be good."
He nods, "You too."
  "Bye", I stood up as they walked out.
"Sorry", I apologize to them and shut the door.
  "It's okay", Hope smiles.
"There's salad and spaghetti", my thumbs point towards the kitchen.
  "Ladies first", Connor lets Courtney and Hope go first.
"Guests first", I raise my eyebrow at him.
"Ladies first", he argued playfully.
"Guests first", I cross my arms, arguing back.
He smiles at me, "Fine."
I smile back, blushing a little, "Fine."
I go first and sat down. It was a four seat table.
Connor sat next to me. I got butterflies, so I crossed my legs. It usually helps.
I leaned back in the wooden chair, "So..Uh.."
  I picked at my food for a minute, "How is everybody?"
   Hope and Connor exchanged a look.
"Great", Hope answers.
I raise my eyebrow, uhm okay. That didn't seem so truthful to me.
"You really should consider coming to visit back home. Take a break", Connor says, then takes a bite.
  I took a deep breath in, thinking about it.
"Doesn't rain as much as it does here", says Courtney, nodding.
  "Fine", I finally say.
"Wait, really?" Hope sounded surprised.
I nod, "Yea, really. It would mean a lot to Dalton to finally meet his father."
Connor nodded in agreement, "We can leave in two days."
  "It'll have to be later. I need to get packed, buy plane tickets-"
  "We'll take the old fashion way... The bus", grins Connor.
  I raise my eyebrow, "Seriously?"
   Is that a joke?
Hope rolled her eyes, "For god's sake, Connor, Austin has a private jet. We can take that."
  Courtney squealed, "I love the jet!"
"Fine", Connor growled.
"Fine, tomorrow night", Hope finalizes.
I sigh, "Okay."

___________

Okay su i was actually to lazy to make a new book, so im just addimh onto this book, soo
I hope you guys like it
-TayC