Free AJ's Salvation by Sam Destiny Page A

don't need a friend, Aly. I need you to do what you've been doing the last ten years. Take care of my son and move on," he whispered, still feeling the need to cover himself. She obviously saw him eyeing his shirt and grabbed his chin so he'd look at her.
    "Since when have you ever been ashamed around me? When you were like twelve, you and Greg ran around butt naked," she reminded him, her eyes sparkling with humor, but he couldn't even get himself to smile.
    "Stop, Aly," he pleaded and disappointment shadowed her eyes. She got to her feet, and he followed her example, wanting to say something when she pressed her hands flat against his chest and then rested her lips against his skin for a few seconds in a soft kiss.
    "Fine, I understand. You don't wanna tell me, and it's fine. But you know what has healing properties? A child. Your child. Come and spend the evening with him. Watch his routines, cuddle in bed with him, and read him a story. It eases the tortured soul," she promised, and Jam saw the plea in her eyes. She wanted him to make it up to his son.
    She stepped away from him, waiting, but he didn't say anything. Finally, he pulled a t-shirt and a hoodie on, thinking that only then could he think freely again. "Let's go," he then whispered, and she breathed a sigh of relief. 
    Coming down the stairs, Alessandro didn't look impressed. He checked his mom's face, looking for whatever, but Aly just gave him a wide smile.
    "Guess who's reading a story to you tonight?" she asked, and Alessandro gave Jam a look that came as close to his mother's icy stare as possible. 
    "Why? He's leaving."
    "Tomorrow, not tonight. I can still tuck you in if you want to," Jam offered, holding his breath even as he saw excitement flare in his son's eyes. Alessandro covered it well, though, by carelessly shrugging. 
    "Whatever," he said and then leaned in to hug Dorly tightly. "Bye, Auntie Dorly. We have to go fishing again soon. Tom told me he caught a huge fish with his uncle the other day, and I wanna catch a bigger one." With that, the little guy walked out the door and Aly leaned in to kiss the older woman's papery cheek.
    "Talk to you soon. Bye and thank you." Dorly just nodded as Jam gave her a sheepish smile. 
    "She goes fishing with him?" Jam asked in a hushed voice once they were outside.
    "In case you didn't notice, I don't exactly have a father figure in the house. I hate fishing and Dorly loves to sit with him on the bank. She prepares a picnic, and he tells her everything about his day and school. I don't think he’s ever brought anything back, though. He can't get himself to kill the fish. He hates blood." She smiled while watching her son. Alessandro held the door open for her.
    "Lady?" he said, and she giggled, stepping inside. Jam wanted to follow, but his son picked up a brow. "Are you a lady?" Jam couldn't help but laugh, nuzzling his son's head before letting him enter first.
    Aly told him to get ready for bed and then vanished in the kitchen. Jam felt a little lost, not sure what he was expected to do now, so he followed Alessia and stood in the doorway to watch her. She had turned on the radio, humming along to some pop station. She took a cucumber out of the fridge and cut it into little slices. She placed it on a plate then she prepared a sandwich with wheat bread, swaying her hips slightly. Jam wanted to go over and kiss her neck before he'd walk up the stairs to take care of his son.
    "Stop staring at her," his son fussed the next second when he appeared next to him. Aly looked up in surprise, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. They settled down at the table while Alessia took some milk out of the fridge.
    "Hot or cold, babe?" she asked, and Alessandro shrugged. 
    "How does Dad drink his chocolate milk?" 
    Aly met his eyes, and Jam saw the chance to get into his son's good graces. "Double chocolate, marshmallows on top, and just exactly drinkable." He grinned, seeing how Aly gave him a dark look while his son