I Lost Control

25. New Friend

SUMMER

Matt walks into the guest bedroom that Landon has been sleeping in as I'm packing his stuffed animal and a few of his favorite toys. He doesn't need much since all of his stuff is still at our house, but I'm a little nervous and doing something with my hands helps.

"Hey." Matt's voice is low, hesitant and I turn around to see him leaning against the doorway.

"Hey." I whisper back. There's a silence between us as we stare at each other and in that moment I miss him. I miss him so damn much. "I packed a few things, though he won't really need anything. Just his stuffed dinosaur and a few others. He ate dinner about an hour ago so he should be fine until tomorrow." Matt nods his head as he listens to my instructions and for once there's no tension between us.

"I think I'm going to take him to the beach tomorrow." Matt's shoulders raise and fall in a shrug.

"He'd like that. He misses you, Matt." The words leaves my lips and I hope he realizes what I really mean when I say that. That I feel the same way.

"I miss him, too. The house is so quiet without him." A soft smile pulls at the corners of my lips and I look down at my hands.

"Well, tonight will be good for you both." Matt makes his way into the room and brushes a finger across my cheek. "Just make sure he wears sunscreen tomorrow." My eyes close as the words leave my lips and I relish the feel of his skin against mine. Matt is quiet for a moment as he watches me, his hazel eyes filled with sadness.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to upset you by bringing up the past."

"It's okay." Matt goes to say something else but we are interrupted by Landon zooming into the room, slamming full force right into the back of Matt's legs.

"Daddy!" Landon shouts in greeting as Matt spins around and lifts Landon high into the air as the little boy lets out a fit of giggles.

"How's my favorite guy? How's the leg?" Matt holds his son in his arms as Landon tells him all about how his leg is much better.

"You're a great doctor, dad." Landon tells him with a cheesy smile.

"I think so. Maybe that's what I should be then, huh? A doctor?"

"Can Hannah still work for you if you're a doctor?" Landon asks. He's always loved Matt's secretary.

"Of course. Whatever you want."

"Okay!" Matt sets Landon back down and the blonde boy jumps up on the bed and starts bouncing.

"Ahem." I over exaggerate clearing my throat as I raise an eyebrow at my son.

"Sorry, mama." Landon stops jumping and plops down on the mattress.

"Thank you, sugar." I zip up the backpack and hand it to the five year old. "Promise to call me before you go to sleep?" I sit beside him and kiss the top of his head.

"Yes, I promise. Can we go now?" Landon asks Matt and I laugh.

"Sure thing, bud. Why don't you go wait downstairs for me?" I force Landon into a hug as he wiggles to get free and then he scurries out of the room, his backpack in tow dragging along behind him.

Matt comes over to me and kneels down to my level seated on the bed, his hands on the mattress on either side of me. He places a kiss to my forehead and gazes into my eyes.

"I'll see you later." He tells me before pulling away and heading towards the door. I say nothing as he exits and let out a deep breath when he's gone.