"You're not mad I stole that fry from that lady, are you?" Braxton asked, sitting down by his father. Wade chuckled softly, reaching over to ruffle his brown mop of hair.
"No I'm not mad about that, Brax." He was just feeling down about things. It had only been a year and a half since that night. The night that changed everything. "Why don't you head on over to Uncle Lavon's." Braxton nodded, walking to the door.
"I know I'm only 8, but Dad are you okay?" Wade looked over at his son.
"I'm okay, nothing for you to worry about, okay?" He asked his son. Braxton nodded and run out the door, leaving the screen door to slam shut.
"Thanks, Wade. But you didn't have to do that. I don't want you in trouble over me," a 13-year-old August told him, looking at the green grass.
"Aggie, you're my best friend. Just because they think August is a weird name, doesn't mean it is. I think it's a pretty name for a beautiful woman," Wade said, caressing her rapidly growing pink cheeks. The force of gravity or some string pulled them closer. A bright light sparked the second their lips touched, sending a current rushing through their veins, ending at their rapidly beating hearts.
Wade smiled remembering the first kiss he shared with the girl that grew to slowly steal his heart piece by piece. Getting up he shoved the door open jumping sightly when it slammed shut behind him. For a split second he was happy to look back on past memories but then that awful night would creep up on him and he felt worse than anything. He couldn't wallow around in self pity with a son to look after. 'This isn't your fault, Wade. It's meant to be. We can't fight fate. I love you and don't change a thing about you Wade Kinsella. Take care of Braxton and be happy, because you deserve that and more.' Pushing the last words she had ever spoken to him out of mind he entered the main house, hearing Lavon go on about him sharing the generator. He grabbed a beer and headed to check on his, he looked confused for a moment seeing the little girl playing with Brax. A smile crossed his lips seeing the new doctor in the little girl. A small flicker of something Wade wanted to disappear ignited within him and he suddenly felt sick with guilt that he could so easily like another woman that wasn't his Aggie. Without saying a word he stepped outside.
"I don't know where her father is or if he'll ever grow up to realize that he's missing out on everything. I feel so guilty that I let that guy be her father," Zoe sighed, sitting next to him on the porch. Wade looked over at her.
"It's not like you knew he wouldn't step up and be the father that she deserves to have."
"I should have. You have a cute little boy," Zoe commented, looking down.
"Not really my doing on that one. The attitude that's all me," he smirked, remembering his own childhood.
"Being a single parent isn't easy but she's my life, ya know?" Zoe asked with a bright smile. Wade found himself being pulled into this magic spell, his lips curving into a smile.
"It's hard but rewarding," Wade replied, spinning the gold band on his finger. "She was my best friend. I couldn't love her any more than I did. Braxton was just an accident, but the best accident around." Zoe placed her hand on his arm. She could sense the nerves that were laying on the surface for him.
"Wade, you don't have to explain things. Only share what you're comfortable with. I don't need your life story. We're barely friends. So far I'm just the new doctor in town, who happens to be your new neighbor. Who your son stole a fry from," Zoe told him with a smile, causing Wade to smile.
"That can't be easy on you. Being new to town. The whole town of Bluebell talking about you being Harley Wilkes illegitimate daughter."
"No," Zoe sighed. "But if I would have known, I would've been here sooner. I just learned the truth and my life seemed like it would be better spent here learning who my father is and giving Ariel the chance to know who her grandpa is. A chance to start over, ya know?" Zoe asked. Wade nodded taking a drink from his beer.
"We should probably get back in there before Braxton convinces Ariel to uh help tie Lavon up and get into the candy before dinner." Zoe laughed, getting up. That would be something Ariel would do without any convincing.
Dinner had went without any problems. Wade was shocked that he his son had built such a strong bond with Ariel. He was always getting into trouble because he didn't like the other kids. So for him to make a friend it was a relief for him. Watching his son and Zoe laughing and goofing off gave him butterflies, but the guilt was there eating away at him. Ariel was such a cute little girl, but she wasn't afraid of getting dirty with them. He had this sudden urge to keep her safe. That alone scared him.
"But dad," Braxton whined, his eyes closed, as Wade pulled the covers over him.
"But nothing," Wade whispered, kissing his sons head, before retreating to his own bed. Today had been different but in a good way. He smiled thinking about his new neighbors, only his guilt settled back in. Who was he kidding? He lost his love and he needed to focus on Braxton. Nothing could ever come before his son. Though what would it hurt to be friends with his new good-looking neighbor?
I'm sorry for the shortness with this chapter. I know I said the town would be in this chapter but as you see it didn't work out that way. I hope you all are happy that Vivian isn't the mother nor Wade's wife. There is still more to come with August and with Justin in future chapters.
Thank you for all the awesome and kind reviews on the first chapter. I hope you liked this chapter just as much. See you next chapter.
