The next morning was an unusually bitter cold day in Atlanta. He’d talked up the Ferris Wheel so much, there was no getting out of it. The ride was about to close due to the weather when they showed up, but Beckham convinced them to keep it open for one more ride. They froze. Leo gasped when the ride started and the air felt even colder. He looked at his mom for reassurance, but when she cuddled him closer he smiled the rest of the ride. It was worth it.
When they got off and walked to the Jeep, Leo started squealing and pointed to his nose. Apparently his nose had started to run and froze mid-stream. Leo looked terrified, but when Beckham and Roxie laughed hysterically, he nervously chuckled too. Roxie pulled Kleenex out of her purse and got the gross icicle off, making him give his nose a good blow while he was at it.
They’d picked up Beckham’s mom together, despite Roxie arguing all the way that he needed to go get her alone. Under his breath, he made a deal with her to not say a word about Leo, but said the deal was off if she’d heard about it on TV.
Leo was a hit with Sophia. Actually, she was immediately taken with both Leo and Roxie. Beckham realized his mistake in bringing Roxie as soon as his mom’s eyes lit onto the three of them together.
By that night, Leo had managed to tell the whole crew about his ‘icicle boogies’ and was still getting laughs out of everyone he told, so he made the rounds a second time.
Beckham noticed how Roxie always kept an eye on Leo, even when she let him roam around a room. She knew where he was at all times. It was obvious from how they interacted with one another that she was a really good mother. As angry as he was with her, deep down he knew she was protective of her little boy. Looking back on his history, all the things she’d probably heard in the press, he could somewhat understand why she’d want to keep Leo from all of that. He’d never completely understand why, but when he saw her with Leo, it almost softened him toward Roxie again. Almost.
He just knew Leo was his. There could be no other explanation for the bond Beckham felt with him. It had been immediate and he only felt the connection growing.
Somehow he’d have to work past the former feelings he’d had for Roxie and the new mixed-up ones and move forward so Leo would have the best possible upbringing. Beckham was determined to make up for the years they’d lost. He was thankful Leo was still young enough that he wouldn’t hold it against Beckham for not being around before now. At least that’s what he hoped.
As for why Roxie would continue to insist that Leo wasn’t his, he couldn’t figure that out. Maybe she was afraid he’d try to take Leo from her, but every child needed both parents—he had to remind himself of this at least a hundred times a day since he’d found out about Leo. As much as he wanted to steal away with him, he knew he could never take his son from his mother.
A couple of days went by and Beckham thought for sure they’d have the results back by the time they arrived in Washington, D.C., but no such luck. Nate called and told Beckham to let him know the minute he knew anything. Cleveland and Boston went by, and still no word.
They arrived in New York and would only be in town a few days for two shows and the late night circuit. Then they’d all fly to L.A. for the Grammy Awards for a couple of nights. Without a concert every night and staying in a hotel, it would almost feel like a break, even though it’d still be hectic.
He tried to get Roxie to come to the hotel too, with Leo and Chloe, but she insisted on staying on Anthony’s bus. She was so stubborn.
He stretched out on his bed for about an hour and slept. As soon as he got up, he felt restless. The hotel room felt claustrophobic. He missed them. Leo. He missed Leo. He swallowed his pride and called Roxie.
She answered on the second ring.
“Roxie? Hey.”
“Hey, Beckham. What’s up?”
He couldn’t tell for sure if she was any more annoyed with him than usual.
“I was wondering—would you guys meet up with me at the Rockefeller ice skating rink?”
It was quiet on the other end.
“You still there?” he asked.
“No.”
“Sounds like you’re there.”
“Well, yes, I’m here, but no, we’re not going skating with you.”
“Rox, I promised Leo I’d show him a good time while he’s on this trip. Let me do that.”
“He’s having a great time, believe me.”
“Lighten up, okay? It’s just one afternoon.”
“Don’t tell me to lighten up! Beckham, look … I know you won’t believe he’s not yours until you have proof, but that being said—I don’t have to hang out with you. And I don’t have to make sure Leo is around you all the time right now either. When you hear what you need to hear, you can come find me and give me the apology I deserve. Until then, I’ll see you onstage.”
There was a long pause until he said, “Come on, Roxie. Just come skate with me. I’m sorry I’ve been such a jerk. Truce for a day?”
She was quiet. Finally: “You’ve been an asshole, Beckham.”
He laughed in spite of his embarrassment. “Fair enough. I’ll dial back my asshole for the day.”
Silence.
“Roxie?”
“Okay. I guess.”
She hung up on him and he scrambled around the room, throwing on a shirt and sweater. He pulled on a knit cap, sunglasses, and took off, not sure when she was even coming.
He skated about twenty minutes before he saw them, getting on the rink. They both were wearing bright blue and looked like a vision. Leo was talking and Roxie was laughing at whatever he was saying. Her hair was down, the long waves looking like gold against her blue jacket; it always took his breath away when she wore it like that. Her smile faded when she saw him and he felt a sword jab directly into his heart.
His body and heart kept betraying him where Roxie was concerned. Giving his hat a tug, he groaned and plastered on a smile. Just have fun, he thought. Don’t let her suck you in and don’t even look at her lips. Or ass. Or hair.
“Hey, you two! Thanks for meeting me out here!” he said. Funny, he felt extremely happy to be with a girl who was twisting him in knots. “Leo! You’re looking pretty good—you look like a pro already!”
“Mom and I go skating a lot,” Leo said proudly. “She’s really good. I don’t do the fancy stuff like her, though.”
Roxie and Leo’s cheeks had two red circles in the center of them. It made their eyes even brighter. Beckham stared at them for a moment and thought: This is exactly what I want. Right in front of me. Both of them.
To his mortification, he felt a knot in his throat. His eyes watered, but he hoped he could attribute it to the brisk air. What the hell is happening to me? He cleared his throat and gave them both a lopsided grin.
“You gonna show us whatcha got?” Roxie said lightly.
He could tell she was trying hard to be polite and he was relieved.
They did a lap around.
“Do a twirl, Mom!”
“Oh no, that’s okay.” She laughed. “I’m not really feeling the twirls today.”
“Come on, I wanna see!” Beckham pointed to the center of the rink. “Right out there.”
“I’m hungry already,” Roxie said.
“No changing the subject!”
“Oh, okay,” she huffed, “but just a couple. I’m not kidding about being hungry!”
She began skating to the center of the rink. Leo and Beckham stopped, both watching her every move.
“She’s beautiful,” Beckham said to Leo. “You know your mom is beautiful, right?”
Leo nodded solemnly. “I know. I see her.”
“I see her too, buddy. You’ve got a good one.”
They looked at each other, having a moment. When they looked up, Roxie was going around the rink, turned backwards and did a double axel. They both clapped hard.
“That was perfect!” Beckham yelled. “Do another one!”
“One more,” she said, “and then food!”
She gathered up speed and as she turned to go backwards, someone skating by sped up and bumped into her, knocking her down. There was a sickening thud as Roxie fell hard. Beckham and Leo rushed over to her, along with a few other people.