Chapter 29
Leo and I exchanged numbers and I reluctantly leave Henry Leo's.
Meeting her again. Seeing her again. Her smell, her eyes, her…everything. It was so overwhelming. God, I fucking missed her. One hour in her presence, even a presence that seemed to hate me, for which I have no clue why, was healing on a magnitude I couldn’t even describe.
Even with her anger toward me rolling off her in waves, I still felt lighter. My chest not so heavy, a small light fending off my darkness.
I don’t know what I did, but I will fix it.
Am I angry that she kept Rune from me? Yes.
But is there any other woman out there for me?
Fuck. No. Leo is it. She has always been it for me.
We have some fucking shit to work on, that’s for sure, both of us, me for whatever the fuck I did to make her pissed and her for hiding my son from me.
But we will get through it. Together. Now that I’ve found her again, nothing will stop me.
As I think more and more about the way she acted towards me, I feel like I am missing something.
Leo was never an angry person, but I could feel it.
She…hated me. But I know how to get to her.
Not with my voice, but with my words, inked onto a page.
I’ll let her open up to me like she did the first time, allowing her the space and power to do this according to her rules and timeline.
So I pull out my old shoebox from the top shelf of my closet and take my notes out. Then I send a text.
Look at us, evolving.
Still meeting at Henry Leo’s at 9 am right? Does Rune like football?
I see the three little dots appear and then go away. Appear and then go away. And I am hoping that she is not thinking of how to tell me this was a bad idea and she has changed her mind.
Finally, my phone pings. But I don’t need the auditory alert because I haven’t taken my eyes off it since I sent the text five minutes ago.
Pretty Bird:
Yes
All that waiting for one word. I shake my head at her, even though she can’t see it.
We are going to have to work on using your words. From what I remember, with the right motivation, you know how to use them.
This time, it doesn’t take her as long to reply.
I know how to use them, I just don’t want to…with you.
I chuckle at her response.
Liar.
I pack a basket with a blanket and a football. If Leo will let me, I want to take Rune to the park to throw the ball around a bit. The image of me playing ball with my son… It’s mind boggling in the best way. I can’t believe that I found her and that I have a son.
As I am leaving my apartment, Gage calls me. I press ignore. He calls me again. I press ignore. Then a text.
Best Bro:
Come on, man. You have to talk to me eventually. We share a dog. Muffin misses you.
Shit. With everything going on, I totally forgot about Muffin.
I found Muffin two years ago when he came up to me while I was sitting on a bench in Boston Common.
I had just finished a run, and the way he looked at me, water dripping out of the corner of my mouth as I chugged the clean water.
Man, I felt like shit. I poured some into the lid, and he came up eagerly to lap it up.
He was filthy—what I thought was a light-brown coat, turned out to be a white fluffy fur ball.
I took him to the vet. She said he was a mixed breed, probably a lab and some kind of shepherd, and was about four years old.
I took him home and struggled with what to name him.
When I made breakfast muffins one morning, he somehow got up on the counter and ate them all.
I called him a “muffin thief,” and that was shortened to Muffin.
But because of my work schedule, I couldn’t leave him alone for sixteen to twenty-four hours at a time. Gage stepped in as “stepdad” and takes him when I’m working.
Sitting in my car, I throw my head back against the seat in frustration then text him back.
It’s not cool to use Muffin against me to get me to talk to you.
But it worked. Plus, you said you would pick Muffin up. I’m going out of town, remember?
Fuck. He’s right. With everything going on, I totally forgot. I send a quick text to Leo, praying she won't be mad at me for being late.
I’m going to be ten minutes late. Had an errand to run. See you soon, pretty bird.
Don’t call me that.
Did my sweet girl develop a saucy side? I love it. I can see the look on her face right now, trying to be tough, but she never could hold on to it long with me. Because deep down, she knows I’ll always have her. And I’m going to prove it again.
I get to Gage’s quickly and go up to his apartment.
When I knock, he opens the door, dressed in his black sweats and hoodie, ready for the airport.
A suitcase is next to the door. Muffin runs up and greets me.
His ears and tongue flop about, and I bend down to scratch behind said floppy ears, his favorite spot.
“Hey big guy. Who's a good boy? You? Yes I know. Did you have fun with Gage this week? Did you snuggle and tell him how much Daddy hates him right now?”
Gage gives me an annoyed look and then grabs Muffin’s leash. Clipping it onto his leather collar, he hands it to me.
“Look, I know I fucked up, Everett. But you’re my best friend, my fucking brother. Just, please try to see it from my side.”
The hurt in my chest caused by Gage’s betrayal literally makes it hard to catch my breath. I don’t have the strength, nor the desire, to forgive him right now. Honestly, I don’t know that I will ever be able to fully forgive him for this, but I can try to move forward.
“I’ll text you my schedule for the next month so you know when you’ll have Muffin.”
It’s all I say as I walk away with Muffin prancing at my side.
As we get into the elevator, I look at Muffin, who is looking at me with those big brown eyes. “Well, boy, you ready to meet the love of my life—your future mama—and your new brother?”
He doesn’t respond. Just continues to stare at me, tongue out, panting. But I know what he is saying. “Heck yes! I can’t wait to give her kisses.”
Me too, bud. Me too.
I park a few blocks down from Henry Leo’s and walk with Muffin to the front door. As I walk past, I notice a saying on the front door, under their logo. “I only care about coffee and you.”
I remember Ski saying that to Leo one time. I love how she has infused so much of him into her shop. His name, his words. At least she didn’t forget about him.
When I walk in, I see Leo at a table, chatting with Rune. She makes eye contact with me as I walk in, and Rune catches the movement. He turns and greets me with a beaming smile.
“Dr. Giraffe!” He jumps up and runs to me, and I bend down and wrap him in my arms.
“What's up, buddy! Fancy meeting you here.” I look to Leo and give her a wink. She just shakes her head.
“Is this your dog? Can I pet him?” He is already petting him, but I still answer him.
“Yeah, this is Muffin. He loves when you scratch right here.” I reach down and scratch Muffin behind his ears, and he lifts one leg and starts kicking at his underbelly then loses balance and almost falls.
Rune just laughs and then grabs my hand and drags me over to Leo.
“Mom! This is Dr. Giraffe! See, I told you he was tall.”
Leo stands, but she doesn’t reach out her hand or come in for a hug. Both of us are unsure how to greet each other.
“You were right. It’s…nice to meet you, Dr. Giraffe.
” I think she realizes she isn’t acting like she just met me, so she reaches out a hand and I take it, bringing it to my lips and kissing her golden skin.
Then letting my thumb trail inside against the delicate skin of her inner wrist, feeling her pulse hammer beneath my thumb.
“Please, call me Ev.” I flash my dimples at her, knowing they make her weak in the knees.
She pulls her hand away, and a sharp inhale makes her pouty lips open just a tad. Fuck, do I want to kiss those lips. Want those lips wrapped around my—
“Can he have coffee with us? Pleeeeaasseee!” Rune interrupts my dangerous thoughts.
Before she can answer, I pull out a chair and hook Muffin’s leash over the top edge then bend down eye level with Rune. “Are you drinking coffee, young man?” I say like I am scolding but also with a smirk so he knows I’m not.
“No, silly goose. I drink hot chocolate. Do you want one? I think I have a few dollars—”
He reaches into his pocket like he is going to pay for my hot cocoa, and I put my hand on his, stopping him. “How ’bout I get this one, and you can get the next?”
“The next? Are you going to go on coffee dates with us all the time now?”
Oops. Probably shouldn’t have insinuated that…
Leo is glaring at me, her lips pursed.
“Honey, why don’t you stay here and pet Muffin, and I will go with Everett to order his drink?”
“I thought your name was Ev?”
Smart boy. He caught Leo’s slip. I introduced myself as Ev because that’s what I need Leo to call me. She only called me Everett when she was screaming my name, and I don’t like the way she says it now, so cold and detached.
“I…uh—he… I looked him up after he treated you in the ER. His name is Everett. I just… Can I call you Everett?”
“No, Ev is good. I’m your Ev. Only ever your Ev.”
She is flustered, trying to come up with a fib to cover her ass.
I am flirting with her shamelessly. I don’t give a fuck who hears, even Rune. We are going to be a family one day. He might as well get used to it now.
Her eyes widen, telling me to shut up without actually using the words.
Then Rune says the best thing I’ve ever heard. “Everett? Sometimes my mommy says that name while she is sleeping or having mommy time when she thinks I’m sleeping.”
I curl my lips in, holding back a laugh. “Does she now?”
Leo buries her face in her hands for a moment then removes them, placing them on her now very flushed cheeks. “Okaaayyy, let's go get that coffee, Dr. Giraffe.”
It doesn’t go unnoticed that she won't call me Ev and now she is too embarrassed to call me by my full name. The one she has been moaning out apparently. God, the thought of that makes me fucking elated.
As we approach the counter to order, I look at her beautifully flushed cheeks. With the golden skin, her blush is like a deep pink rose color. Fucking stunning.
“So. Mommy time?”
“Please stop talking. And don’t make any more comments about a next time. Oh, and stop flirting with me!”
I let out a roaring laughter, unable to hold it in any longer.
I see Brooke behind the counter, and Leo stiffens slightly.
“Hello, Brooke.” I give her a polite smile and begin to pull my wallet from my back pocket.
“Everett, right? Nice to see you again. What can I get for you?”
“A Leo please, honey on top.”
“You got it. So are you and Leo like…together?”
“No,” Leo says with a bit too much enthusiasm for my liking, and I just stare at her. She won't make eye contact with me. She glances back to Rune, checking on him, and I pay for my drink.
“I’ll have that out for you in just a second.”
“Thank you.”
I walk down to the other end of the bar and wait. Leo goes back to sit with Rune, who is sitting on the floor, rubbing Muffin’s belly. Muffin looks like he is in heaven.
Grabbing my to-go cup from Brooke, I notice her number scribbled on the side. I look at her, and she winks at me then walks away.
Bold. I respect it.
I go and sit across from Leo, next to Rune.
I sip from my cup, and Leo’s eyes widen in shock. I thoroughly enjoy it as I watch those blue eyes turn green with envy. I see her chest expand as she takes a deep breath in, her breasts pushing up, stretching the V-neck shirt she is wearing. Fucking perfection.
She takes the cup from my hands, making me have to catch the small amount of coffee that didn’t quite make it into my mouth as she pulls the cup away and walks to the trash and drops it in. Then she goes behind the bar and begins making me a new cup.
I fucking love her jealousy. Her irritation at seeing Brooke’s number on my cup tells me that she does still care. A spark of pride and hope lights in my chest.
“So Rune? Do you like football?”
He sips his hot cocoa, coming back with a little chocolate mustache. “Yeah. My dad used to play, so I wanted to be like him. But I’m not very good.”
My smile drops. My chest caves in. “Your”—I have to clear my throat—“dad?”
“Yeah, I’ve never met him, but Mom talks about him sometimes. She likes to tell me little things about him. I think she thinks that it makes me feel less alone, since I was raised by all girls. I just like to know about him. One day I want to meet him.”
“Did your mom say why he isn’t around?” My curiosity is piqued. Maybe I will get more answers out of Rune than Leo.
“Hmmm. She said something about them being young and he had big important dreams. That he would have wanted me if they were older.” Rune’s face is sad. Like he thinks his dad didn’t want him or thought he would be a burden.
But that’s not true. I would have wanted him. He would have become my new dream. How could Leo think any differently?
“I’m sure your dad wanted you, buddy. Who wouldn’t? You’re pretty awesome.”
He is nodding, looking at me with pursed lips and narrowed eyes, a cool guy face on. “Yeah, I am.”
“So what else did Leo say about your dad?”
“Hmm…” He stares up to the ceiling while simultaneously patting Muffin's head, who is just sitting next to him with his head in Rune’s lap. Suck-up.
“She said that he really likes breakfast food, his favorite number is seven, he hates spiders, and that he—hey, you hate spiders too huh? I remember that video of you—”
Leo walks up with a new coffee in hand as Rune begins laughing so hard, he can’t even get words out anymore.
She puts the coffee down, and I lift my eyebrow at her. I turn my cup, and turn it, and turn it. My heart deflates when there isn’t a note from her.
No worries. Good thing I wrote her one. I take out the folded note and slide it across the table.