Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
GRANT
Why did I think hanging wallpaper would be a good idea? This is about as far from a good idea as it gets.
I wanted to do it for Georgia while she is at work. The paint splashes are finally gone, now a light beige color. It’s going to match the border I have perfectly. If I can manage to get this up straight.
Luke was trying to help, but we only got irritated with one another, so I let him go play video games. With the baby furniture set to arrive next week, I want to make sure this is done and ready to go.
Because after that, things will be moving quickly. I don’t know how much longer Georgia is going to work with how uncomfortable she is, but if this is done, that’s something she doesn’t have to worry about.
She’ll be more concerned with making sure her students are covered at the ranch, while I’m thankful I have the time off during this offseason to spend the first few months at home with Georgia and the baby.
Who I’ve aptly started calling Potato—only to annoy her. Sometimes, she makes it too easy.
I chuckle to myself, wiping the sweat from my brow as I line up another section of wallpaper.
“Hey, Dad. Can I talk to you?”
Luke is standing in the doorway, looking nervous.
“Sure. What’s up?”
“Can we talk about maybe me going back to LA?”
“Is something wrong? I bought your plane ticket for Thanksgiving next week.”
As much as I hate that he won’t be here with me, at least I’ll have Georgia.
“I mean, maybe staying longer. Like moving back permanently.”
“What?” My stomach drops. “Why?”
He shrugs, leaning on the doorframe. “I’ve been talking to my friends back home, and now that Mom isn’t traveling, I want to go back.”
“I thought things were going well here,” I say.
“They’re fine, but it’s not home.”
“You have friends here.” I scrub a hand down my face. “You’ve been happy.”
“I could go back to my old school. Be with my old friends,” Luke says. “I already talked to Mom, and she said she’d pay you back for my flight.”
For fuck’s sake, Kari. She couldn’t even give me a heads-up this was coming?
“I’m not worried about the money. You live here. With me.”
“But the whole reason I came here with you was because Mom was traveling,” he says, fidgeting with his hands. “I know people at my old school. What’s wrong with wanting to go there?”
“Nothing, but…” I blow out a breath, not quite sure what to say. “I want you to be happy, Luke.”
“And I’ll be happy in LA.”
“That means you won’t be happy here?” I argue.
“Well, it’s not like I wouldn’t be happy, but I’ll be happier at home.”
Home. He keeps calling LA home. I thought I made a lot of progress. Between making friends and hanging out at the ranch, I thought he was happy.
I guess I was wrong.
“Besides, you’ll be busy with the baby,” Luke says.
“Is that what this is really about?” I ask. “You’re not getting replaced. You know that, right?”
“I know. But you’ll be busy and he’ll be crying and fussy. You don’t want me around to worry about.”
“You’re my son, Luke. I’ll worry about you whether you’re here or in LA. I’ll worry about you every day of your life.”
Luke picks at a stray thread on the hem of his hoodie. The fact that he isn’t looking at me tells me everything I need to know. He wouldn’t have come to me without a plan. Without his mind being made up.
“You really want to do this?” I ask. “Picking up and changing schools right before the semester ends?”
“I do.” He nods.
“Let me think about it. I want to make sure we’re doing what’s best for you, okay?”
“Okay.”
He darts off and runs back downstairs to his room.
Fuck.
This is the last thing I thought I’d have to worry about right now. The baby is going to be here in less than two months. My attention is split between a million different things every day. Hell, every hour.
The Loggers.
Luke.
Georgia.
The baby.
Getting the damn nursery ready and making sure Georgia loves it.
I forgot how much prep goes into having a baby. I’ve been trying to spend as much time as I can with Luke so he doesn’t feel neglected, but apparently I suck at that.
God, this is probably why he wants to go. I know he said it wasn’t about the baby, but how could it not be? I feel like I’m failing him as a parent. If I can’t raise a kid I’ve known for fourteen years, it doesn’t bode well for Georgia and me to raise this baby together.
Everything I was planning for all of us is getting blown up in the span of one conversation.
Luke wants to go back to LA. Can I really let him go by himself? I should trust that my ex can manage things, but all of a sudden, she’s willing to have our son home when she flaked out on his fall break trip.
Grabbing my phone, I pull up her contact and call her. It goes straight to voicemail.
“Kari, it’s me. Call me. Luke just told me about wanting to go back to live with you and I want to discuss some things. I’ll be up for a while. Call me back.”
I end the call and throw the phone back down, scrubbing a hand down my face.
This fucking sucks.
Just when I thought everything was coming up roses, it implodes.
I guess nothing in life comes easy.