Love Unspoken

Maddox was helping Sprout, gently pushing him on the skateboard.

Quinn couldn't take it anymore and stormed over to the square.

"Maddox!" she yelled.

Maddox jumped and turned to see Quinn. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing?" she shot back.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm teaching him how to skateboard," Maddox said like it was no big deal.

Quinn's mouth twitched, and she took a deep breath. "He's only a year and a half old."

"I know, but he can start learning," Maddox said, full of confidence.

He picked up Sprout and tried to reason with Quinn. "What's the big deal? I'm right here. I won't let him fall!"

"Can you watch him every second? What if he sneaks off and falls?" Quinn argued.

"Why would he? Just hide the skateboard when you get home," Maddox replied.

Quinn was at a loss for words.

"You're being too overprotective. Boys need to explore and find their interests early," Maddox insisted.

As they argued, Sprout climbed onto the skateboard by himself. He grabbed it with both hands, shakily put his feet on it, and then let go, standing unsteadily. "Sprout," Brandy called out, worried.

Quinn pushed Maddox aside to get a better look. Just then, the skateboard's wheels moved, and Sprout fell backward.

"Sprout!" Quinn screamed, rushing over.

Sprout lay on the ground, wide-eyed, surprisingly not crying.

Quinn was still worried, but then Sprout let out a deafening wail.

Maddox scratched his head, looking guilty.

Quinn picked Sprout up and rubbed his head. "It's okay. It doesn't hurt," she cooed.

Brandy ran over and squatted in front of them, complaining to Quinn in her little voice, "He climbed up and fell right away." Sprout cried even harder, drawing a crowd, including Alexander.

"What happened?" he asked.

Quinn patted Sprout's back and glared at Maddox.

Maddox stammered, "Everything was fine until Quinn showed up. While I wasn't paying attention, Sprout climbed up and fell."

Alexander sighed and squatted down next to Sprout. "Let me see."

He checked Sprout's head. It was just a bump, nothing too serious.novelbin

"I'll call the doctor to check him out," Alexander said, pulling out his phone.

The doctor arrived quickly, examined Sprout, and said, "Use ice to reduce the swelling. Keep an eye on him. If there are no other symptoms, he should be fine."

Quinn sighed in relief and took Sprout inside. Kyle brought over some ice.

Maddox and Alexander stood nearby, and Maddox nudged Alexander. "It's really not my fault."

Alexander gave him a look. "Tell her that yourself."

Maddox was troubled. Sprout was fearless, with no sense of danger, ready to try anything.

'How did he even think to stand on it by himself?' Maddox wondered. 'Even adults fall off if they don't know how to skateboard, let alone a little kid who can barely walk.'