Page 74 of Chaos
Not knowing is hard.
“There’s a big kid zone in the casino next to where you work. I thought we could go there?” Jax slides his seat back and stretches his legs out.
“Okay.” This thing drives so smoothly. I don’t have to slam the shifter into reverse twice to make it stick.
There aren’t any warning lights on in the dash, either.
It is a lot better than my car.
I’ve barely parked when Jax hops out and opens the back, pulling out a new stroller that fits the car seat.
“That’s fancy.” I sold the one I had to move to Vegas and haven’t had the money for a new one.
He grins as he pushes Maeve. “Only the best.”
I’m overwhelmed when we get inside by the whirring lights and tinny music playing from every arcade game.
Jax buys a fistful of tickets and pushes us through the crowd to a merry-go-round.
I’ve heard about this place, but have never been here before. It’s too expensive on a waitress’s salary.
Maeve is one lucky little girl.
Watching her legs kick out in joy as he holds her on top of the bobbing horse makes my heart feel full.
She’ll have everything she wants.
It’s uncanny how much they look alike. Same curly brown hair and eyes. Even their smiles are identical.
I do feel a little more at peace now that they are in each other’s lives.
Whether or not I’m in his doesn’t matter.
“Hey, check it out!” Jax weaves Maeve through a group of people and stands triumphantly in front of a punching game. “I’m gonna win you a prize.” He tugs the rings off of his right hand and shoves them into his pocket before handing the man working the booth his ticket.
Jax gives me a wink, pulls his arm back, and hits the bag so hard it sounds like a gunshot.
Maeve startles and starts to fuss, so I hoist her out of her pink ride and hug her to my chin.
A loud buzzer and lights erupt from the top of the machine, pushing her into a full-blown meltdown.
Cradling her teary face into my neck, I coo her as Jax rushes over.
“Shit. I mean, dang it. I didn’t think of it.” His brow furrows as he rubs her shuddering back. “I messed up. I’m sorry.” He clenches his jaw when she pulls away. “Is she okay?” he asks softly, dropping his hand.
“She’ll be fine. She’s just tired. Nap time comes often when they’re little.” My lips press against her temple.
Maeve rubs her nose into her hands and across my collar until her sobs lessen into small whimpers.
Jax watches, a look of helplessness on his face.
“Sir? You won. Did you want to pick your trophy?” A bored looking older man with a thick beard calls out to Jax.
Jax reaches out and strokes Maeve’s head before walking over to the operator.
Who proceeds to pull down the biggest teddy bear I’ve ever seen in my life.
It’s taller than Jax. His sheepish smile peeks out beneath the giant fluffy nose. “Think this will make her happy?” He raises one oval paw in a wave.