22. Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
“That is so not funny.”
Abe knew he was being an ass, but he didn’t want Maggie to know how badly he’d screwed up. To get away from his brothers, he walked down to the water’s edge and stared gloomily into the dark water. Was it just a few hours ago that Kai was giggling and throwing pebbles not far from here?
A fish slapped the water nearby, and the sound made the frogs stop croaking for a moment.
When they resumed a few minutes later, Maggie pulled up in the truck.
Abe sighed. There was no getting away from it.
He tugged at the bottom of his T-shirt and ran a hand through his hair.
Then he took his hat from his back pocket, where he’d stuck it, and put it on, turning it backward.
He joined his brothers as Maggie left the truck and approached them. “Is someone going to explain to me what’s going on?”
Wes glanced at Abe, who shrugged, then turned to Maggie. “Abe is suffering from some self-doubt tonight. He thought maybe he could find his confidence in the bottom of a few beers.”
Abe scowled at him. “Thanks, man.” He looked at Maggie. “I’m fine.”
“Hmm. You look a little discombobulated.”
“Yeah. That. That’s what I am.”
“Where’s Kai?”
Justin looked at Abe. “He’s with Mom. He was running a pretty high fever, but it’s down now. He’s going to be fine.”
Maggie held up a hand. “Okay. Um…so the bike?”
“Yes, the bike. Thanks for coming, by the way.”
Wes nodded. “Yeah. Above and beyond, for sure.”
Abe cleared his throat. “I told them not to bother you.”
“It’s no bother, Abe. I’m glad I could help.”
Justin nudged Wes. “We’ll get the bike loaded.”
Abe returned to the table, and Maggie sat next to him. “Are you okay?”
“Hmm. No. Embarrassed. Stupid. I let him down.”
She put a hand on his knee. “He knows you love him. He’s got his grandma right now. He’s fine.”
“I…it was…scared the hell out of me.”
“I’m sure it did.”
“Do you know what a febrile seizure is?”
“Yes.”
He shook his head. “Of course you do. Apparently, I’m the only person in the world who doesn’t.”
“I’m sure there are one or two other people in the world who don’t know.”
He smiled. “I hope so.”
“So, how many beers did it take to find that missing confidence?”
“I don’t know. Never found it.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
He stretched his legs out in front of him. “We were doing so well.”
“Abe, you still are. This was a blip. A tiny little blip. Every parent has one from time to time.”
“I don’t think my parents ever did.”
“Trust me, they did.”
Abe exhaled loudly with a groan. “I don’t want to face my mom tonight.”
“She’ll understand. But if you want to come home with me, you can.”
He turned to her. “Really?”
“Yes. We could handle that, right?”
“I think we’re pretty safe with my confidence level still down in the bottom of some as yet to be drunk beer.”
Maggie laughed. “You need to quit feeling sorry for yourself.”
“I’m not. I…are you sure you wouldn’t mind me crashing on your couch?”
“I’m sure. Will your mom be okay staying the rest of the night?”
“She was planning on staying.”
Wes walked over to them. “All loaded. Justin got a call, so he’s taking off. Maggie, if you wouldn’t mind this guy sleeping on your couch tonight, it might be a good idea.”
She glanced at Abe. “We were just talking about that.”
Wes looked at his brother. “Or you can stay with me, but I leave for school at seven-thirty, which would mean I’d need to take you home before that.”
“Um…that’s a hell no. Will Mom be pissed if I don’t come home?”
“She actually suggested it when she called me earlier.”
“Because she’s pissed.”
“She’ll get over it. But you should probably go talk to her in the morning. Just don’t go home looking like you’re hungover from drinking a six-pack.”
“Four and a half beers. Not six.”
Maggie got to her feet. “I’ll take care of him.”
“Thanks, Maggie.”
Wes turned and headed for the parking lot, but stopped when Abe called out. “Thanks, Wes.”
“I’ve always got your back, brother.” With a wave, he headed for his car, then drove off.
Maggie watched the car drive away. “I like Wes.”
“Yeah, yeah, everybody likes Wes.”
She held out her hand. “Let’s get you home.”
Abe took her hand. “You’re a good friend, Maggie.”
“Come on.” She pulled him to his feet and then steadied him as he wobbled for a moment. “Are you sure it was only four and a half beers?”
“Yeah. But I drank them in about an hour.”
“That’ll do it.” She took his arm, and they walked slowly to the truck.
He nudged her. “Can I drive?”
“Wow. That is so not funny.”
Abe’s eyelids were heavy as he sat quietly in the passenger seat. When they closed momentarily, he jerked and sat up straight. When they arrived at Maggie’s house, she got out of the truck and came around to his door as he opened it. He stepped out, and she took his arm.
“Almost there.”
“Is Donovan going to growl at me?”
“Probably.”
They went into the house, and she steered him toward a chair. “Sit here so I can make the couch up for you.”
He sat down and watched her remove the cushions from the couch and set them on the floor. “I’ll go get a blanket and a pillow.”
While she was gone, Donovan came running into the room and skidded to a stop when he saw Abe. He backed up, bared his teeth, and growled.
“A little late, buddy. I could’ve robbed the place and been gone by now.”
Maggie returned with the bedding and snapped her fingers at Donovan. “Go lie down.”
The dog gave Abe the best evil glare an eight-pound dog can give, then went to his bed and lay down with a grunt.
“Has he forgotten that I saved his life a month and a half ago?”
“He has a very short memory. He’ll come around.” Maggie made a cozy bed for Abe on the couch. “Would you like me to tuck you in?”
“Can we talk for a few minutes?”
“Of course.” She sat on the couch.
“I really only meant to have one beer. I wanted to get the image of him…” He sighed. “Things like this are going to happen. I need to be ready for them. I need to be…stronger. Smarter. More capable.”
Maggie leaned forward. “You’ve been a father for about a month. I think you’re doing a great job.”
“I think you’re slightly prejudiced.”
“Even if I didn’t feel about you the way I do, I’d still think…oh, sorry. I just broke the rule.”
He smiled. “The we’re just friends rule?”
“Yeah, that one.” She looked at him for a long moment. “I can’t help it. I...” She shook her head.
“You what?”
“I don’t want to add any more pressure to your life.”
“The fact that I have Kai doesn’t change how you feel?”
“No. It’s made it worse, actually. Or better. I don’t know.” She sighed. “You know what I mean, right?”
“Is it the single father vibe thing?”
Maggie laughed. “No. It’s the Abe Buchanan thing.”
He leaned back in the chair. “What if I told you that um....”
“You, too?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s not because you’ve had four and a half beers?”
“The beer may have made it easier to say, but no, it has nothing to do with how I feel.”
“Well, what are we going to do about this, then?”
“I guess we need to figure out how one goes about dating with a toddler in their life.” He yawned. “But I don’t think I’m going to be able to figure that out tonight.”
Maggie stood, then went to him and pulled him to his feet. “I’ll tuck you in.”
He sat on the edge of the couch and took off his boots, then set his hat on the table. He smiled at her and then lay down.
Maggie covered him with the blanket, then sat next to him. “Would a goodnight kiss be appropriate?”
He took her hand. “I don’t want our…” He thought for a moment. “Third, maybe it’s the fourth…first kiss to be while I’m slightly intoxicated.” He kissed her hand. “But tomorrow morning, we’ll reassess.”
“Are you going to be able to sleep?”
“I’m already halfway there.”
She got to her feet. “Goodnight, Abe.”
“Is Maggie short for Margaret?”
“Magdalena.”
“Cool. I love that. Goodnight, Magdalena.”
“Goodnight, Abraham.”