Back to Willow (Back Series Book 1)

FIVE

It’s not like I purposefully hide Dylan or this intimate part of my life. But ever since everything happened, I’ve grown to appreciate my privacy more than ever. Especially when it comes to my son.

There’s a protective side of me that was born at the same time he was. So, the fact that Johanna coincidentally just found me with him in the park brings some unease.

“Willow? Is that you?” I turn back to see Johanna and another girl in a set of workout clothes. Tight shorts and a sports bra barely cover her fit frame. Her friend, with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes, is dressed similarly.

Johanna is drop-dead-gorgeous with a hot body, and her friend is not far behind. If I didn”t have too much to worry about in my life now, I’d be jealous. So jealous. Between juggling work, school, and Dylan, all the free time I have left is meant for my son or sleeping.

“Hey, Johanna.” I try to smile at her. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

She has been nothing but nice to me ever since we met, and yet, I just can’t get completely comfortable around her.Not yet, at least. Once upon a time, there was a younger version of Willow Hanlon who would trust easily. Na?vely.

Not anymore.

“Yeah, I love to run, so I come to the park a lot. It’s also a good way for me to cure hangovers.” She chuckles. “This is my friend, Sofia. We always work out together.”

“Hi,” I greet, and so does she. She smiles at me, widening a white set of perfect teeth, putting me a little more at ease.

“How are you?” she asks, but before I can answer, Johanna cuts in.

“Oh my god!” Her hands flail chaotically around her, to match her excited reaction. “You’re the perfect person for—”

As if fate knew I was getting off too easily with something—anything—Dylan interrupts us by abruptly stopping by my side, eyeing both girls curiously. They look back at him, Johanna with a visibly confused expression on her face.

Is she going to judge?

“Who’s this little one?” Sofia is the first one to break the awkward silence, flashing him another megawatt smile. With an intrigued glance at me, she crouches down to his height, and Johanna weirdly follows.

“I’m Dylan,” he announces, his chest puffing in pride.

As if listening to him talk just broke a spell, she unfreezes, smiling at him for the first time, and greets him back, “Hi, Dylan. I’m Johanna. Nice to meet you, young man.”

Her hand extends to him with the obvious intention of shaking his hand, but my son, being the charmer he is, takes her hand and tugs it close to his face, kissing her knuckles. Johanna’s eyes widen in shock for a moment before she cracks up laughing. Sofia copies Johanna’s actions, laughing even harder when he does the same to her.

My cheeks set a flame, and I bury my face in my hand with a defeated shake of my head. This is what I get for letting my big brother be a bad influence on my son. Note to self: do not let Jacob Hanlon babysit Dylan. Ever!

“What a gentleman. Who taught you that?”

“My Uncle Jake,” he proudly admits, confirming my suspicions. “He says this is how a gentleman should greet pretty ladies.”

Seriously, what things has my brother been teaching my five-year-old kid? Jacob Hanlon is a man-child, that’s what he is. A hazard to all children around the world, the kind who’s not above using them as bait to seduce a pretty woman.

Jesus Christ.

Johanna clears her throat, catching my attention again. They’re both now standing, even though Sofia is still focused on Dylan’s cuteness. Johanna is looking at me instead with a curious glint in her eyes.

Then he, suddenly bored with the situation, says goodbye and happily runs back to where Nana and Abby are.

“Dylan is…” I pause, taking in a deep breath. “My son. I study, work, and raise a kid. There isn’t much free time.” I chuckle awkwardly.

Her mouth opens and shuts a few times, words evading her. Standing like a gaping fish, it’s safe to say she looks shocked.

“I didn’t know,” she comments.

“No, I know…” I trail off. It’s not something I like to talk about very often.

“He is so handsome, though,” Sofia comments, unfazed by the rising tension.

“Thank you.”

“Well,” Johanna claps her hands together, a clear sign of how uncomfortable she is. “I was going to ask, are you working for the next few days?”

“Yes, why?”

“I am going on a date with this guy I really like, but I’m nervous. If you wouldn’t mind, could we meet there? That way I’d be more at ease, with a friendly face around?”

“Sure.” I smile tightly. “Let me know when it is so I can make sure I’m working. Yeah?”

“I’ll text you.” She beams. “Alright, we’re going to continue our workout.”

“Of course, girls.” I nod. “Have fun.”

They say their goodbyes and run off on the park’s pathway, disappearing into the distance. It’s only when they’re out of my sight that my body finally starts to relax a little.

Just when you think the bad luck streak has ended, it comes back to bite you in the ass. Not literally, of course, but things have been running smoothly. Despite the professor that hates me for no apparent reason, things have been going rather great.

Of course, something had to give.

Dylan has been feeling sick for the last two days. And even though Shilah has given me two days off to take care of him, school is trickier.

My body protests against my brain with every step that I make. Or is it the other way around? In the end, I’m at war with myself. The thought of not being able to tend to my baby is making me sick. Physically. My hands are clammy and shaky with nervousness, and my stomach is funny, too, churning heavily more often than not.

Beads of sweat are profusely running down my forehead by the time I get to school. Even if Nana has promised me everything will be alright and that she’ll call me right away if something changes, my head’s not in it today.

Still, the phone stays with me today. Just in case.

Halfway through the day, Nana has already reassured me a ton of times that everything is still the same. I have been glued to the tiny screen all day, worried sick. In the end, it is my downfall. Literally.

My body is knocked down by a sturdy wall, making me fall flat on my ass.

“Is there gold on that screen, Ms Hanlon?” Professor Adell’s voice rings loudly in my ears, warming them—and the rest of my body—with his words alone.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter as I stumble on myself to stand up.

His strong hand grabs my elbow, helping me up. His hold is gone as fast as it was on me, grunting a “watch where you’re going next time” and leaving me here, dumbfounded.

“Good morning, Willow.” I hear Johanna’s voice to my right and see her approaching me.

Right behind her, Ethan and Hazel are walking in my direction, too. Like every other day, Ethan seems happy and good-humoured while Hazel seems to be grunting something at him, an annoyed expression etched on her face. They’re complete opposites but seem to understand and respect each other’s differences.

“Hey, girl,” he greets when the three of them reach me.

“Good morning, everyone,”I greet them all.

Hazel grunts something before turning her attention to her phone, suddenly finding it more interesting than the world around her.

“How are you?” Johanna asks. “You look tired!”

I sigh. “Dylan spent the night with a tummy ache. I barely slept with worry that he would wake up, and we’d have to head to the hospital in the middle of the night. Thankfully, he was better this morning, but he still stayed at home with Nana. But yeah…tired.” I chuckle and she winces.

“Who is Dylan?” Ethan asks, a curious glint in his eyes.

“M-my son,” I stutter.

He breathes out, smiling softly. “Damn, that’s rough. I hope he gets better soon.”

He’s always so kind. I quietly thank him just as Johanna’s words take over the conversation.

“God, I can’t imagine how hard it is. You work, study, and have a son to raise on top of that? Damn, girl, you’re like Wonder Woman.”

A shy smile appears on my face in response those words. As much as I appreciate her praise and admiration, I feel anything but that. Especially considering how everything came to be.

“I am not because if I was, I wouldn’t be tired.” I chuckle.

“Well, if you need anything, just let me know.” She winks at me before extending her arm around my shoulders.

I’m a petite woman in comparison to others. Especially around her fit and taller frame. I’m only five-two and Johanna might be around five-six or more, but it’s enough for her to use my shoulders for support. I don’t mind, though; she might be becoming a good friend to me, or so I hope.

“I second that,” Ethan adds while Hazel keeps ignoring us.

I laugh, thanking them, but Johanna speaks again before I can say more, “Wait! We could schedule a friend’s dinner night at my apartment around next week. What do you guys think?”

“I’m in.” Ethan shrugs, a lazy smile on his face. “Hazel, too.”

“No, I’m not,” she cuts in for the first time, not even glancing up.

“Shut up,” he counters back.

“I’ll have to work around my schedule at the diner, and I’ll let you know. If that’s alright with you guys.”

“Of course!” she squeals, definitely excited. “Oh my god, it’s going to be so fun!”

We walk together towards the classroom we share this morning. We arrive on time, and it goes smoothly. As well as the second one. Exhaustion starts to creep into my brain, and by the time we sit down to start Professor Adell’s class, not even the two espressos I had before are enough to help me fight it.

When the bell rings, I am already sitting down in my usual spot with Johanna by my side. The classroom is already filled since everyone knows better than to get on Professor Adell’s nerves.

He enters the room, and I sigh.

“Good morning,” he grunts while crossing the classroom from the entrance to his desk.

Placing all of his backup material on the table, his gaze travels all around the class. I would swear he lingers a second longer on me, but I could be imagining it, right? Just then, he starts to teach.

Has he always been like this?

Probably not. No one has always been like that. Life does it, it changes us. I, of all people, should be familiar with that fact. And this man right here... Something turned him bitter; I just know it.

The lesson’s rolling, and it’s a struggle. My line of thought keeps steering away from what I should be focusing on, my eyelids feeling heavier by the second. It”s a battle just to stay awake. His gaze sweeps over me a couple of times, but thankfully, he ignores me as I try to focus all of my energy on this class.

But it’s no use.

“And with that, I’ll want you to…” I zone out of his voice again.

Half an hour later, when half the class has already gone by, the unthinkable happens. My phone rings loudly, and everything freezes. Literally.

I innocently look around and feel all eyes on me, as well as Professor Adell’s. Then, I look at my phone and my heart pounds in my chest for a second before I spring into action. I collect my things and start to rush towards the door saying, “I am extremely sorry to interrupt your class, but it’s a family emergency, and I really need to—”

“Miss Hanlon, if you leave through that door, don’t bother coming back this semester.”

“Wha—” I interrupt myself. “Can you even do that?” My voice comes out clipped, my patience slipping away.

I need to go. My motherly side is screaming at me to just leave him stranded, but my educated side keeps my feet planted on the ground.

“I won’t tolerate students trying to bail my classes on whims,” he retorts.

Whims? It’s my son!

“You know what, Professor Adell?” I snark back, for the first time in my life. I’ve finally had enough. “Do what you want. I’ll answer to whoever I have to for ‘bailing’ on your class as you put it. It just won’t be to you, that’s for sure. I’d say to have a nice day, but with that bitter heart, I doubt that’s even possible for you!”

I hear a few gasps to my side, but I am beyond caring at this point. I turn on my heels and rush outside, finally calling Nana back while I rush to my car.

She fills me in on how the pain developed into vomiting and fever, and the only emotion I can feel is panic. It feels like electric shocks run through my body with every hasty step I take.

Just when I am arriving at the parking lot, my shoulder bumps into someone’s arm, almost sending me flying to the ground. The person mutters a curse word, and I say sorry, not giving them the time of the day.

“Whatever,” he speaks, a deep voice rushing to my ears.

I need to get to Dylan.

I barely get my balance together before continuing to walk back to my car at a fast pace. I can’t be of use if I fall and break something, can I?

However, a familiar scent stops me in my tracks. My heartbeat races and my eyes widen as I turn around to look at the male figure walking away. He’s already far, but his tall frame with broad shoulders is clearly defined. The sun shines on his short locks, making me stagger back.

It can’t be him.

He is three hundred kilometres away from this city, probably already starting his work as a doctor, as he always wanted. It’s just someone who looks and smells like him from the back…

Dylan.

Deep down, in my mother’s heart, I knew something was going to happen. I’ve kept my worries at bay because I knew Nana has been watching over him, but still, a mother always worries.

My brain doesn’t register the signs of the changing season. The yellowish-brown leaves fall over the ground, often covering parked cars, the slightly chilled air that blows once in a while, or the way the sun is not as high in the sky as it used to be during summer. It all fades into the background as my brain focuses on driving to my destination.

Arriving at the hospital, my mind is still a deep mess due to the poor attempts at understanding why it is that my life always has to be so problematic, alongside the rush of getting to my baby boy and meeting him at the ER with Nana, in hopes that it’s nothing serious.