Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
~WILLA~
“ T ell me everything,” Jenna hisses next to me. We’re at yoga the morning after my date with her brother, in the back where we always are during class.
“Take a deep breath, everyone,” Fallon McCarthy, our yoga instructor, says from the front of the classroom. There are maybe ten of us here today, including Brooke and Maisey Henderson, Jillian King, and Lauren Sullivan. “And exhale. Beautiful. Reach way up…”
“It was a first date,” I whisper loudly. “Literally. He recreated our first date from back in the day.”
“Oh my God, that’s sweet,” Brooke says. “Sorry. I’m totally eavesdropping.”
“We all are,” Jillian replies with a laugh. “Max and I have been friends for years.”
Fallon glances back at us, but just when I think she’s going to yell at us for chatting during class, she just smiles.
“I don’t care if we chat about Willa’s love life, as long as we do it while we yoga,” she says, making us laugh. “Let’s do some cat and cow poses, ladies. Let’s strengthen those cores and backs.”
“So, tell us about the first date,” Lauren says.
“We had dinner at Ed’s. We shared a chocolate shake and each ordered burgers and fries. Just like before.”
“Damn, I’m trying to shed some of this baby weight, and she’s talking about burgers and fries from Ed’s,” Lauren mumbles.
“And then we went to his house to watch Pirates of the Caribbean . We watched it at the drive-in back then, but it’s a bit cold for that now.”
“Does he really have his own movie theater?” Maisey asks.
“Yeah. It’s gorgeous,” Jenna replies. “We’ll have a girls’ night over there sometime and watch a bunch of chick flicks.”
“I’m in,” Maisey says with a smile.
“Downward dog,” Fallon instructs us.
“I bet Max knows all about downward dog,” Brooke says, making me choke on my own spit. I fall to my knees and cough, trying to catch my breath.
“That’s disgusting,” Jenna says. “He’s my brother, Brooke.”
“He’s not our brother,” Jillian says with a laugh. “And Willa would know all about his downward dog abilities.”
“Can’t breathe,” I stutter, laughing and coughing at the same time.
“Gross. Ew. Tell them you’ve never seen my brother naked,” Jenna demands, but all I can do is shake my head as I take a deep breath.
“It’s been a long time, but yes, I’ve seen him naked.”
“Just think about how much better it’ll be now,” Lauren says thoughtfully.
Oh, trust me, I have.
His body is so different. He grew a couple of additional inches after he graduated from high school, and man, has he filled out! The muscles are ridiculous. I couldn’t help but try to touch him everywhere last night when he was kissing the life out of me.
And that groping was over the clothes. I can’t even imagine how good he’ll look and feel naked.
“Oh, no, she’s thinking about it.” Jenna snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Willa. Wake up.”
“Sorry. It’s hard not to think about it. But, no sex with him yet.”
“Or ever,” Jenna says, scowling.
“On your backs,” Fallon says, “and into the happy baby pose.”
We grab our feet and let our legs fall wide.
“Now, I can’t stop thinking about sex and yoga poses,” Maisey says. “Is it just me, or is this very sexual?”
“Yoga helps with sex,” Fallon offers with a smile. “Being more flexible and open to feelings makes intimacy incredible.”
“I’m coming to yoga every day,” Brooke says, making us giggle.
“Fallon, you’re the best,” I say as I stretch my legs out and lay flat on my back. “Most instructors would yell at us for being immature during class.”
“You’re all fun,” she replies happily. “This is a space for acceptance and rejuvenation. If you reach that by being a little silly with your friends, who am I to say that’s wrong? Take a deep breath, now, and sit up into meditation pose, legs crossed.”
We breathe some more, and are finally quiet for a few moments.
“That’s class for today,” Fallon says cheerfully. “Have a wonderful Saturday. Namaste , friends.”
“ Namaste .”
“Good luck, Willa,” Jillian says with a smile. “Not that you need it. Max has been gone over you for years.”
“He looks at you like you’re a new computer,” Lauren agrees. “And that’s pretty great, because he loves his computers.”
Jenna and I laugh, waving goodbye to the others, and gather our things to head out.
“What’s on tap now?” she asks me.
“I have to go pick up Alex from my mom’s, then take him home and get ready for his party. He invited eight little boys to come over, and they’re going to build snow forts.”
“Fun,” she says with a smile. “Your property is perfect for it.”
“It really is. I’ll have a hot chocolate bar set up for them because that’s one of Alex’s favorite things, and cake, of course.”
“Max is excited to come,” she says with a wink.
“He’ll have a rude awakening when he has to watch me wrangle nine little boys.” I shrug. “I guess he has to see the not-so-sexy sides of my life too, huh?”
“I don’t think he’ll find you being a good mom unattractive,” Jenna replies. “I know that he admires you very much for being a good mother.”
“He said that last night,” I agree with a sigh. “And then I was stupid and cried over it because it surprised me.”
“I’m sure he didn’t think it was stupid.”
“He looked mildly terrified,” I admit and shrug. “He never knew what to do with me when I cried.”
“No, Max isn’t good with tears. So, he’s coming to the party today, but do you know when you’ll get to have more one-on-one time with him?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “That’s the tough thing, Jenna. I have a kiddo, and I like spending time with him. I’m not willing to farm him out to my mom all the time because I want to go on dates.”
“I don’t think it needs to be that extreme,” she says with a frown. “Max likes Alex. But maybe you could farm him out a couple of evenings a month so you can have an adult dinner with a handsome guy.”
“True. Last night was fun, and if I’m honest, I needed it. Not having to worry about someone spilling their soda or wiping their mouth was a nice break.”
“Max rarely spills his soda,” Jenna agrees. “And if he ever has an issue with spending time with both you and Alex, well, he’s not the guy for you.”
“You’re right.” I nod, feeling better. “You’re absolutely right. So, time will tell. Because Alex is wonderful in small doses, but when real life hits? Fevers and exhaustion, and not getting his way? They’re not often, but they do happen, and it’s not fun.”
“Like you said, time will tell,” she says. “I’m just happy to see you dropping your walls with him.”
“I’m not doing that,” I insist. “I can’t do that, Jenna. The walls are there for a reason. If he wants to get inside of them, he has to make the effort, and I will admit that he’s doing a good job of making an effort. I’ve done my share of resisting.”
“Are you going to keep resisting?”
“It’s hard not to. It’s just been me for so long.”
“I know. I reminded him of that, too. Just remember, if Max offers to help you in any way, it’s because he wants to. He doesn’t do much that he doesn’t want to do.”
“I’m slowly remembering that.” I take a deep breath and pull Jenna in for a hug. “Thank you, for being an amazing best friend, despite the fact that I make drama with your brother.”
“Oh, honey, this isn’t drama. Have you seen The Bachelor ? That’s drama. I love you. Tell Alex I’ll bring him his present in a couple of days.”
“Will do. See you later.”
“We made the best fort!” Alex exclaims as he runs into the house, followed by three of his friends. Their cheeks are rosy, and their eyes are shining in excitement.
All of the kids will sleep well tonight.
“We made six forts,” Pierce, Alex’s best friend, reminds him. “And we have to build a road that connects them.”
“Can I get my sled out so we can drag it over the snow and pack it down?” Alex asks. “That’ll be the road.”
“You can do that after cake and presents,” I reply with a smile, tugging his stocking cap off and smoothing down his hair. “Go let your guys know to come in for a while. And shed all of the gear in the garage. I’d rather not have a wet mess in the house.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Alex says excitedly. “C’mon, guys!”
They hurry back outside.
“We have about ten minutes to finish this up,” I inform Max, who’s standing next to me, watching the boys outside with longing in his eyes. “You can go play with them if you want.”
I bump his hip with mine as I move to uncover the cake and put the candles in it.
“I’m happy in here, helping you.”
My cell phone rings.
“That’ll be Jean and Dan. They always FaceTime in so they can watch Alex with his cake and presents.”
“That’s awesome,” Max says with a grin. “I haven’t talked to them in a while. I’ll take the phone, and you finish this.”
“Thanks.” I offer Max a grateful smile as he accepts the call.
“Hi, Ms. Monroe,” Max says to Jean. “I am answering so Willa can finish getting the cake ready.”
“It’s wonderful to see you, Max. How are you?”
“I can’t complain at all.” Max walks out of the kitchen, his voice fading with him.
“I’ve always liked Max,” my mom murmurs next to me as she unwraps paper plates and cups with dinosaurs on them.
I just smile at her.
“He’s handsome, too.” She winks at me.
“I’m not having this conversation in the middle of my child’s birthday party,” I whisper, making her laugh. “Is the hot chocolate gone?”
“Oh, yeah, they blew through that in the first thirty minutes,” she says.
“Perfect. They can have juice with their cake.”
We set about pouring juice into the cups and setting the dining room table—currently covered in a vinyl Star Wars tablecloth—with the plates, silverware, and drinks. There’s a sack full of party favors for each guest, and in addition to the cake decorated by Maisey, I have cupcakes, just in case we need extra.
I learned early to always be prepared going into a child’s birthday party.
Alex’s place is at the head of the table, so I set the cake there so he can blow out the candles.
“It’s going to be so cool,” a little boy named Zane says as the boys start to pour into the house. They shed their winter gear in the garage like I asked and come running to the dining room.
“You can sit anywhere you want,” I inform them. “Are you ready for some cake?”
“Yeah!” they exclaim.
Goodness, nine-year-old boys can make a lot of noise. My ears may never stop ringing.
“Alex, you’re up here, buddy.” My kiddo joins me, sitting in his chair, and I light his candles. “Say hi to Nana and Papa.” I gesture to Max, who’s pointing my phone at us.
“Hi,” Alex says, smiling and waving. “I’m going to blow out the candles now.”
“Okay, boys, let’s sing.”
The birthday song may not be perfectly harmonized or even in the right key, but it’s heartfelt and makes my boy feel like a million bucks. And when the song is over, he scrunches his eyes closed tightly to make his wish and then blows all nine candles out on the first try.
Max passes my phone to Alex so he can talk to Nana and Papa while I cut the cake, and my mom passes it out to the boys, who all dig in like rabid dogs.
There’s not even one drop of juice spilled—a miracle in and of itself—and within fifteen minutes, every crumb of cake has been devoured, green and orange icing is on every kiddo’s face, and the plates have been cleared away.
“Present time!” my mom announces. She walks over to us, holding her phone up to take photos. Ken and Max are still on the other side of the room, talking with Jean and Dan.
This might be the best birthday party I’ve ever thrown for Alex.
I purposefully save my present for last. When all of the other gifts have been opened, I drag a huge box out of my bedroom, wrapped in Star Wars wrapping paper.
“Holy cow, Mom,” Alex says, his eyes wide. “It’s huge!”
“Do you need help opening it?”
“Heck, no,” he says. My eyes find Max’s, and we share a smile. Alex tears into the paper, opens the box, and frowns. “A dog bed?”
“What else?”
I peer into the box with him as he pulls out more dog supplies.
“A leash. Some dog toys and treats.”
“I wonder if this present came to the wrong house?” I ask, frowning in mock confusion.
“Mom.” Alex takes my cheeks in his little hands and looks me dead in the eyes. “Don’t play with my emotions.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Does this mean I get a dog?”
I can tell he’s holding his breath, waiting for me to answer.
“We go pick him up later today,” I confirm. Suddenly, my nine-year-old has launched into my arms, holding on tightly. He doesn’t even care that all of his friends are watching.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he says, squirming while hugging me fiercely. “This is the best birthday ever. ”
“You’re welcome.” I kiss his cheek. “I love you, Bubba.”
“I love you too, Mom. Guys! I get a puppy! What should I name him?”
The boys start throwing out names like Rocky and George, and I start to clear the mess off the table.
“You guys have one more hour to finish your forts,” I inform them, and they scramble back to the garage to put on their gear and get back out to play.
“Well, that went perfectly,” Jean says when I get on the phone with her. “He’s so excited.”
“I am, too, honestly,” I reply. “I always had a dog growing up. It’ll be good for him.”
“Thanks for letting us join you,” Dan says and blows me a kiss. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“And send us photos later of our boy with the puppy,” Jean adds.
“I definitely will,” I promise.
“Where is the puppy?” Alex asks from the backseat of the Range Rover, bouncing in his seat.
“It’s not too far away.”
Max is driving, and I’m in the passenger seat as if we’re just a normal family going to pick up their new puppy.
It’s an odd sensation, and one that I like a little too much.
“We’ll be there in about six minutes,” Max says.
“What kind of a puppy is it?” Alex asks, making me laugh.
“Hang in there for six minutes, and you’ll see for yourself,” I reply.
“I can’t stand it,” Alex says. “I’m just too excited.”
“I know. But we need to talk. Remember what I said before.”
“Mom, I totally understand. I have to be responsible and take care of him and love him always.”
“Why am I potty training in the winter?” I ask Max, suddenly horrified. “And why didn’t I think of this before?”
“Because your son’s birthday is in the winter,” he says with a shrug. “It won’t be so bad.”
“You won’t be the one outside with it at five in the morning with a wind chill of negative forty.”
I sigh and drag my hand down my face.
“I’ll do it, Mom.”
No, you won’t. Because I won’t allow it.
Max pulls into a driveway, and when we reach the house, he cuts the engine.
“You wait here,” I insist. “I just want to make sure they’re ready for us.”
I hop out and knock on the door. I can hear barking inside, some from adult dogs, and some from the babies, and it makes me grin.
“Willa,” Sandy Gustafson, my former eighth-grade history teacher says as she opens her door. “I have the little guy ready for you.”
“Do you mind if Alex comes in to meet him?” I ask.
Sandy smiles. “Not at all.”
I wave for both of the guys to join me. Alex runs up the steps as if he’s escaping the zombie apocalypse, coming to an abrupt halt at my side.
“Alex, this is Mrs. Gustafson.”
“Hi,” he says shyly.
“Hello there,” Sandy says, holding her hand out for his. “Would you like to come and see the cutest puppies ever?”
“Yes, please.”
I smile up at Max as we follow Sandy and Alex inside to the back of the house, where she has an entire family room gated off for the dogs. She has five pups now, and the mama in the room with them.
“Oh, wow!” Alex breathes. “Which one is mine?”
“The one with the blue bow tied on his collar,” Sandy says, pointing to the little fella who’s playing with his sibling, biting on her ear.
Being Basset Hounds, their ears are long and droopy, their legs short. They are also incredibly adorable.
“Oh, I love him,” Alex whispers. “Can I go in?”
“You bet.” Sandy opens the gate, and Alex carefully walks inside, approaches his pup, and sits on his butt, laughing when puppies immediately crawl all over him, snuggling and playing.
“Mom!” Alex laughs again and kisses the cheek of a puppy. “They like me.”
“Best birthday ever,” Max says with a grin. He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “You did good, Mom.”
“Yeah.” I wipe a tear of joy from my cheek. “Who cares about early morning potty training in the snow?”