Chapter 8 Kane
CHAPTER EIGHT
Kane
“Are you excited to go hang out with your friend tomorrow?” I ask Oliver, realizing I don’t even know his friend’s name.
He swallows his bite of taco, giving me a nod. There’s a slight smile peeking through as he chews.
I know next to nothing about his friend, but if Oliver’s reaction is anything to go by, he must be good people. Hell, if someone can bring a smile out of my kid, then they’re okay in my book.
Wyatt bumps his shoulder against mine. “Are you ready for your playdate with his mom?”
Linc snorts with laughter from the opposite side of the table.
I just roll my eyes. I’m not even going to dignify that with a response.
“Ahh… come on,” he continues. “I have caught you smiling at your phone a lot this last week, and I know that has nothing to do with the bar or the club.”
Wyatt and Linc have been nudging me to find someone here, to start a relationship. Even though they seem content with their single lives, they think I’d be happier with a partner.
I keep telling them there’s no way I would do that right now because we’ve finally found a good balance for Oliver, but they have persisted.
A few weeks ago, when Linc and I were both in the garage working on our bikes, he broke the silence by saying quietly, “I know you love Oliver more than anything, but remember that you matter, too. Just because you do something for yourself doesn’t mean you aren’t doing the right thing for him.”
Linc rarely says that many words at the same time, even around me and Wyatt. I get what he means, but I just don’t think it’s the right time. Maybe in a couple of years.
I have enjoyed talking to the mystery mom this week, but I’m under no illusion that there’s something going on between us. She’s just easy to talk to.
My mind drifts to the last person I fell into this easy back-and-forth with. Abby.
It briefly crossed my mind that the mom on the other end of the line could be her, but I dismissed it quickly. From what I remember, her son was a year younger than Oliver, so they wouldn’t be in the same grade.
There’s also the fact that I don’t think she lives in Aspen Springs anymore. Clearly, it’s just my mind’s way of hanging on to the last remaining thread of that one night.
That’s why I haven’t asked her name yet, but I probably should before we meet up tomorrow afternoon.
Wyatt’s laugh brings me back to reality and the dinner we’re eating together.
The conversation has obviously continued around me while I was lost in my thoughts. Oliver is laughing quietly about something Wyatt said that I didn’t catch. Linc is shaking his head, like he can’t believe he’s related to his brother.
We finish dinner and get everything cleaned up. Oliver and I play a few rounds of UNO before it’s his bedtime.
He and I listen to a few chapters of an audiobook he chose for us last week. This one is a fantasy book with dragons and a make-believe land.
He sits propped up on his pillows with the book resting on his lap, following along as the narration plays out. I lay at his side with my hands tucked behind my head.
“Good night,” I tell him, giving him a hug when he starts to get sleepy. He holds up his hand, giving me the sign for “I love you.” I miss hearing his voice, but I’ll take this, too.
For the first few months after Jess died, he was completely shut down. So, every smile, laugh, and communication is precious to me.
Even if I never get to hear him speak another word, I’ll be okay. He’s here, and that’s all that matters.
His door clicks closed behind me, and I make my way down the hall and into my room. I flop onto my bed, holding my phone in front of my face.
My fingers hover over the keyboard. I can’t make myself ask the question, but I know I need to. I really don’t understand my hesitation.
Just as my thumbs are about to start typing, a new message from her pops up.
Mystery Mom: I just realized we don’t even know each other’s names. My name is Abby, and my son is Maverick.