Chapter 5
“I could have got an Uber,” Steve said as he and Dex climbed in Dex’s truck. It was eight-thirty, Saturday morning and they were on their way to retrieve Steve’s truck from Jerry’s.
“I’m heading to the Farm, so it’s no big deal.”
“On a Saturday?”
“Yeah, Sam wants to meet.”
“New op?”
“Probably. How’s the head?” Dex glanced over at him.
“It’s good,” Steve lied. Four painkillers and a gallon of water had yet to help ease the throbbing.
Dex grinned, obviously not believing him.
“Thanks for last night, Dex. Sorry I screwed up your evening.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He turned into Jerry’s parking lot. “Just don’t make a habit of it.” Steve glanced at him, seeing he was being serious.
“I forgot hangovers get worse as you get older. I won’t be doing that again for a while.”
“Glad to hear it. You got a plan?”
“Other than going to breakfast with my daughter? No, not yet.”
“I don’t know when we’re spinning up, but in the meantime, call me or any one of the guys before you’re tempted to get shitfaced again. Got it?” Dex had stopped beside Steve’s truck.
“Yes, boss.”
Dex held out his fist and they fist bumped. Fuck, he was lucky to have a team leader like Dex and be in Onyx. If he’d still been in SEALs, he would have been in serious shit for his behavior last night if it had got back to their CO. Dex took things like this in his stride, though, and wouldn’t even mention it to Sam. It didn’t stop the shame rolling through him again that Jerry had felt the need to call his team leader in the first place.
Steve started his own truck and opened the glove box for the bottle of water and aspirin he kept there. Slugging back another two tablets, he prayed like hell his head would ease by the time he reached his in-laws’ place. He checked his phone to see if there was a message from Diane, not surprised when there wasn’t. He hesitated just a moment before sending a text.
Hey Angel. I’m sorry about what I said yesterday. I love you and I don’t want to lose you. I’m taking Megan to breakfast at the Sunshine Diner. Please come and join us. No drama I promise. Just Saturday morning breakfast with our daughter. Xx
He knew she wouldn’t come, but at least he had extended the olive branch. He wasn't proud of his behavior yesterday. He needed to apologize. He loved Diane and would not give up on his wife. Ever.
The diner was busy. Normal for a Saturday morning, but they didn’t have to wait long for a table. Megan had been ready and waiting for him and was out the door running down the front path before he’d even put the truck in park outside his in-laws’ home. He just made it out of the truck in time to catch her in his arms and swing her around. A move he wished he hadn’t made when his head started spinning.
Megan hadn’t stopped chatting since, telling him what she’d got up to yesterday. Grandma and Grandpa had taken her to the movies to see some animated film with talking dogs, then they’d gone for pizza. He was forever grateful to have such good in-laws. They understood what he did, and never questioned or complained about taking Megan. His own parents were the same, though they were currently vacationing in Europe. Without all of them, he and Diane would have struggled to juggle parenthood and their careers.
Megan clambered into the booth as Steve glanced around. Several families were still waiting for tables. As he slipped into the opposite side, he locked eyes with the man sitting alone in the booth behind them. The man smiled and Steve nodded before sitting down as their waitress greeted them.
“What can I get you, sweetheart?” The waitress smiled at Megan.
“Three chocolate chip pancakes and a chocolate milkshake, please.” Megan said politely.
“Right you are. And for Dad?”
“Black coffee, lots of it. And a breakfast special.”
“Coming right up.”
“Mommmmmmy!!!!!” Megan jumped out of the booth.
Steve turned in time to see Diane appear from behind the waitress. Though regretting the sudden movement, he stared. Diane bent down to receive a hug, and her gaze met his over their daughter’s head. She smiled gently. He smiled back with renewed determination to make this a nice family breakfast.
“What can I get you, mom?” The waitress had paused waiting for them to finish their hug.
“Just coffee, please.”
Diane sat opposite him, beside Megan.
“Not hungry?” he asked with a touch of concern. She looked tired.
“No. I just wanted to stop in and say hi.”
Before going to work. On a Saturday. He refrained from saying that aloud, though. Instead, he smiled. “I’m glad you came. I’m sorry about yesterday. What I said.”
“I’m sorry, too. You look a little pale, are you OK?”
A surge of warmth spread through him at the tenderness in her voice. “Yeah. Serves me right. Self-inflicted.” Taking a chance, he reached across the table and squeezed her hand. She smiled and he relaxed a little.
The three of them chatted, Megan telling them all about the movie, then describing in detail what was on her pizza.
“Why didn’t you get anchovies on your pizza?” he asked, knowing his daughter hated anchovies.
“Yuck! They are slimy and horrible and should never be on a pizza.”
“You have no idea what you’re missing,” he said. “Anchovies are the best. Maybe I should have them add some to your pancakes.” He raised his hand as if to call for the waitress.
“No, Daddy, no! Don’t you dare!”
Steve put down his hand as the three of them laughed. It was good to see Diane laugh. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard that sound. Guilt reared its head again. Why had he let this go on so long? It didn't matter how they had got here, or whose fault it was. They just needed to get past it.
Their waitress arrived with the food and he and Megan ate, while Diane drank coffee. They chatted easily about school, softball, and Megan’s upcoming birthday. Anyone looking at them would see a happy, loving family enjoying a lazy Saturday morning.
“Can we still have a party at the trampoline park?” Megan asked. Steve didn’t miss the flash of worry across Diane’s face before she masked it with a smile.
“Of course, we can have a party. We should get the invitations out to your school friends.”
“And my adult friends, too?” Megan asked. Steve threw Diane a confused look. A spark of fear lodged in his stomach.
“What adult friends, Pumpkin?”
“Uncle Dex, Aunty Kelly, and the rest of your work people, Daddy.”
Steve relaxed.
“Well, of course, we can invite them, if that’s what you want. But it will depend on if they are working or not,” Diane said gently.
“Will you be working, Daddy?”
It was always a possibility, and he was grateful both Diane and Megan understood that. He’d missed a few birthdays over the years. He reached out and squeezed Megan’s hand.
“I’m going to do my very best not to be, OK?”
“OK!” Megan beamed, accepting his answer without complaint.
A phone pinged and he watched Diane take hers out. Her smile faded and her face paled.
“Angel? Is everything alright?”
She looked up, a forced smile in place. “Yes, but I need to go.”
“Diane?” Something was wrong. It was written all over her face.
“It’s this client. I have to go. Sorry. This was great.” She reached over, placing her hand on his arm. “Thank you for texting me.”
He nodded, not wanting to say anything else in front of Megan. Diane hugged and kissed their daughter and promised not to be home too late.
“Hey, Pumpkin, wait here for me, OK? I’m just going to walk Mommy to the door.”
“Yes Daddy.”
“Steve, there’s no need,” Diane protested.
He ignored her and placed his hand at the small of her back, guiding her out.
They stopped right outside the door, so he could still see Megan who happily munched on her pancakes.
“I’m really happy you came this morning,” he said softly, not wanting to push things.
“Me, too.”
He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips; she smiled.
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong? You seemed upset by the text message.”
“No, it just brought me back to reality, that’s all.”
He pushed a strand of hair off her face. “We need to change that reality.” God, she was beautiful. Ten years and she still looked the same as the day they met. Except the tiredness in her eyes. “We still need to talk.”
She nodded. “I know and I promise we will. I love you.”
His heart melted to hear her say it again. They loved each other, so whatever was going on they would find a way through it.
“I love you, too, Angel.”
“I have to go, Steve, but I’ll do my best to get home for dinner.”
“Well in that case, maybe I’ll cook.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.” She kissed him gently on the mouth before walking to her car.
Fuck, he loved her, so damn much. But that uneasy feeling in his gut was getting stronger. She was holding out on him about something. He knew it. And it was starting to scare the shit out of him.