Was his brother right?

Had he known that Savannah had the hots for Ash when he dumped her? Had he pushed her away for those reasons and not because he couldn’t commit? Did his commitment issues stem from what happened in the past? Quite possible. Likely. Or ridiculous?

It didn’t matter. All that stuff Ash had said about risk made sense. He needed to put it all out there and then let Edith decide.

Gage rounded the corner. He could see the two of them up ahead. Jacob and Edith. Jacob was hugging Edith. Held her close, one hand rubbing up and down her back, the other threaded in her hair.

He bit back a growl. Green was not a good color on him. It was his own damned fault and it didn’t mean anything.

He kept walking, neither of them noticed him. Then again, he was still a good distance away. Edith wiped a hand across her face as she pulled away. Had she been crying?

Probably.

He was a bastard.

Such a fuck up!

When Jacob cupped her cheeks, he came to an abrupt halt. Gage’s heart beat so hard, he was sure it might snap a rib. He wanted to charge them head on and take Jacob out. Friends didn’t touch friends in that way. Fuck that! He was close enough to hear what the asshole-pup was saying. “You need to know that you are amazing. One in a million.” The male paused. “You deserve to be loved and cherished.”

It was true.

So true it hurt.

"I appreciate that." Her voice was a soft murmur. Edith didn't pull away. Just stared into his eyes. She said something else that he didn't register.

Gage had seen enough. “I mean it wholeheartedly,” he heard Jacob say as Gage turned and high-tailed it the fuck out of there. He’d been there, done that and had the bloody t-shirt and war wounds to prove it. Not again!

If Edith wanted Jacob, she could have him. He wasn’t going to be part of it. Fuck that!

* * *

One week later …

There was something that could be said about weariness. Absolute and utter bone shattering tiredness. It crept up on you, day by day. It settled in your limbs, weighing you down. Grabbing at you, every part of you. Holding on like it was never going to let go.

That’s how he’d woken up this morning. So tired he wanted to pull the covers over his head and never get out of bed. It was a good thing he had a play date with a certain young cub, and so he’d forced himself to get up, to get dressed and to turn up with a smile on his face, whether he felt like it or not.

“Ready?” Gage asked.

Ethan nodded, his eyes bright and wide. Gage pulled back his arm and threw the ball. Ethan caught it, dead-center in his mitt. “This is getting too easy for you,” Gage yelled at his nephew.

Ethan threw it back, his throw wasn’t as strong, so Gage had to run forward to catch it.

“Let’s make this a little more difficult. Are you ready?”

“Yes!” Ethan yelled, punching his mitt a few times.

“Good.” Gage loosed the ball, aiming just to the right of where Ethan was standing.

The little tyke caught it like it was nothing and threw out a giggle. One he felt in the gut. He loved this child with all of his heart. Gage had found himself wishing that the boy was his on more than one occasion.

Ethan threw the ball back. “Again, Uncle Gage. Again, again!” He jumped up and down.

“Okay.” Gage threw slightly wide a second time, to the left this time.

Ethan caught the ball with one hand, laughing all the while. The little guy was growing up.

“No.” Gage feigned shock. “When did you get so good at this?”

“I’ve been prac … prac … pra-ciss-ing.”

Gage bit back a grin. “You’ve been practicing, huh?”

Ethan nodded in an exaggerated way, as only a four-year-old could. “With daddy.”

“Well, I can tell.” Gage nodded once.

Ethan beamed.

“How about we take a little break and have a snack?” He mussed Ethan’s hair and his nephew giggled.

“Yes, please.” He clapped his hands.

They went and sat on the grass. “Let’s see what fun stuff your mom packed for us.” Gage opened a backpack and pulled out a couple of juice packs, handing one to Ethan. Then he pulled out some sandwiches wrapped in grease-proof paper. “Ham and cheese?” He raised his brow. “One with mustard and one without. I’m guessing you’re the mustard fan.” He tickled Ethan, who squeezed his juice box, spraying some of the contents all over Gage’s shirt. “Hey!” Gage pretended to be angry.

Ethan laughed and laughed. It came from somewhere deep in his belly. Gage couldn’t help but join in.

“I don’t eat mustard," Ethan announced when he finally calmed down enough to talk.

“You don’t? Oh well then, this one’s for you.” He handed the sandwich without the mustard to Ethan.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the food. Then Ethan turned and looked at him, a serious expression on his face. “Why are you so sad, Uncle Gage?”

“Who, me?” Gage shook his head, he even smiled. “I’m not sad.” He didn’t like the worried look in Ethan’s eyes. The kid was too young to feel those kinds of emotions. Especially where he was concerned.

“Yeah, you are.” Ethan looked at him some more, this time he really looked at him. “Even though you’re laughing and smiling, you’re still very sad inside. I can tell.”

From the mouths of babes. “I’m just working through some things. It’s not a big deal.”

“I don’t like it when you’re sad.” Ethan shook his little head, scrunching up his nose.

“I’m going to be fine.” He mussed Ethan’s hair again, but the little boy didn’t react this time, his whole expression still serious. “Sometimes people get sad.” Gage shrugged. “They can’t help it. I guess I am a bit sad right now, but I’ll get better.”

“Will you take medicine? Humans take medicine when they are sick. Mommy told me all about it. She’s a human,” he added, just in case Gage wasn’t aware. It was so damned cute.

Gage chuckled. “Medicine doesn’t work for being sad. You see, it’s my heart that’s not feeling so well.”

“Your heart?” Ethan’s eyes were wide. Then he nodded as if he fully understood. “What about a Band-Aid? If I hurt myself, Mommy puts a Band-Aid on and kisses me better. You should put one on your heart.” He rubbed his chin, looking like a four-year-old professor. “I also think you need someone to kiss you better, Uncle Gage.” Ethan looked up at him with such innocence.

“It’s not as simple as that, buddy.” If only. He’d fucked up so badly.

“Yes, it is.” Ethan nodded, so sincere it was scary, but only because the little guy was right. “One kiss and you’ll be all better.”

Gage didn’t doubt it. “Maybe you’re right, buddy.” He hugged the little boy. "You're a clever sausage; you know that?"

“I’m not a sausage.”

Gage laughed. For the first time in days, it felt real. He felt lighter.