Chapter 11
eleven
Carolina
“Good morning, sweet boy,” I whispered as I rubbed Luke’s back to rouse him from his deep slumber. He slept like a wild child, one foot off the side of the bed with the upper half of his body sprawled across his twin-size bed.
He grumbled and groaned for a few minutes, before he sat up and rubbed his hands across his eyes.
“Why do we have to get up so early?” he whined as he climbed into my lap and wrapped his arms around my neck. His head burrowed into my neck as he tried to steal just a few more minutes of sleep.
I wrapped my arms beneath him to carry him across the room and sat him on his dresser as I grabbed his clothes for the day.
“Because it’s morning, and I have to get you ready so I can go to work,” I explained, as I booped his nose with the tip of my finger before I picked him up and carried him into the bathroom to coax him to get changed and ready for the day.
He may be a little too old to carry, but I knew my days were numbered the older he got and I wasn’t ready to let go of the little boy who needed me still.
I sat him on the toilet and instructed him to get changed and to brush his teeth while I got dressed, and to meet me in the kitchen when he was done.
Quickly, I changed out of my pajamas and into a pale blue scrub set. I pulled my hair back into a low ponytail and put on some mascara to try and liven myself up a little before I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and set off to the kitchen.
My phone pinged with a notification as I waited for the kettle to boil to make Luke’s oatmeal. It may be extremely hot outside, but Luke had a hyper fixation on oatmeal with honey and chunks of apples, and who was I to complain since he wanted something healthy.
I picked up the phone, and Leo’s name illuminated the screen. My heartbeat picked up before I took a deep calming breath.
Before I could check to see what he’d sent, Luke ran into the kitchen.
I sat the phone down with the message on the back of my mind.
“Can you comb my hair, Mama? I can never get it right,” Luke asked with the comb held out to me in one hand and a spray bottle of water in the other.
I walked over and took the comb. “Do you want a side part or spikey hair today?” I asked because he always liked options.
“Side part, please,” he requested as he handed me the spray bottle.
After I made sure his hair was wet enough, I combed his hair to the side just the way he liked it.
“Can you put these back in the bathroom for me while I finish making your oatmeal? You’ll have fifteen minutes to finish before we have to leave,” I warned because giving him a time limit always made sure we left on time.
After I made his oatmeal, I sprinkled a bit of cinnamon on top and took the bowl over to the table.
“Milk or OJ, buddy?” I yelled as I opened the refrigerator door to await his response.
“OJ,” he screamed back as I heard him running back down the hallway.
“What do you say?” I asked as I took the OJ out and grabbed a cup from the cabinet, pouring it half full.
“Please,” he said just as he walked into the kitchen and sat down, taking a big bite of his oatmeal.
“When can I see Dad again?” Luke asked with a mouth full of oatmeal.
My breath caught in my throat at hearing Luke call Leo dad.
Sure, he’d called him that before when we discussed Leo, but this was the first time, aside from their initial meeting, that he’d referenced Leo as a person in his life now.
“No talking with your mouth full, remember?” I warned, not sure of how to answer his question. Leo hadn’t said when he’d be over to see Luke again. Just that he wanted to be in his life as much as he could.
After Luke swallowed, he repeated the question.
“Let me ask him, and I’ll let you know,” I replied, hoping that response would appease his inquisitive mind.
“Remind him we have to put the Legos together,” Luke replied, his voice sounding so hopeful about his next visit with Leo.
“What did you think about your visit with him?” I asked to try and change a bit of the subject.
“He seems nice, and he got me the coolest Legos. I can’t wait to tell Grandpa,” he replied so innocently. If only the world were simple and adult problems could all be solved with cool Legos and firetrucks.
“You ready to go, buddy? We need to leave or else I’ll be late to work,” I reminded him as I packed his favorite cup in the backpack that was on the barstool.
“Yeah, I’m all done, see,” Luke said as he shuffled the last bite into his mouth and turned the bowl on its side to show me it was empty.
“Put your bowl in the sink, and I’ll go grab your blanket,” I said as I went to his room.
After I tidied his bed, I grabbed the blanket and walked back to the kitchen to see Luke tying his shoes by the front door.
I grabbed my bag as well as Luke’s backpack and threw the blanket over my shoulder.
Checking the counter to make sure I shut off the kettle, I saw my phone sitting beside it.
After I grabbed it, I pulled up the camera app on my phone.
“It’s picture time, bud,” I told him as I held up my phone.
He looked up at me and smiled; his fingers wrapped around the shoestrings as he was midway to tying his shoe.
I snapped the photo, smiled at his toothless grin, and dropped my phone into my bag.
Ever since Luke was little, I had this urge to always take a photo before I dropped him off at daycare.
I couldn’t explain it, but I needed to have a current photo of him in case anything ever happened to him, I could show the officers exactly what he had worn that morning.
Shaking my head to ward off those thoughts, I slid on my tennis shoes and opened the door.
Luke went out first and I followed, twisting the doorknob to ensure I locked it before closing the door. My eyes instantly went next door, finding the driveway void of any vehicles. I don’t know why I even looked. They were all at the ranch before the sun rose.
Letting out a sigh, I walked down the porch to my SUV.
After I buckled Luke in, I rounded the SUV and climbed inside.
I pushed the button to start my vehicle and looked over to the house next door as I put the SUV in reverse. It was still so strange to me that of all places we could’ve moved it was right next door to the man who shared half the DNA with my son.
After dropping Luke off, my mind kept replaying Leo meeting Luke for the first time.
He was so gentle with him albeit a bit nervous.
But back when we were younger, I knew Leo would be a good dad.
He was so good with his younger siblings and all the kids who came to the ranch.
He never lost his patience and always encouraged everyone to keep trying when they failed at something.
But seeing him with Luke last night, there was no denying that he loved our son.
I just needed to figure out a way to keep my heart out of the equation because the way it melted at the sight of him tucking Luke in for the night, there was only a matter of time before I felt more for him than I already did.
I found a parking spot and pulled in, putting the SUV in park. I toyed with the necklace around my neck before I tucked it back inside my scrub shirt.
I needed coffee as soon as possible.
Checking the time, I had thirty minutes before I was due at the office. Hopefully Cafe Latte wasn’t too busy so I could get there and get situated before the start of the day. Grabbing my bag and checking that my phone and badge were inside, I exited the SUV and locked the doors.
After looking both ways, I ran across the street to the other side to find someone holding the door open for me.
“Thank you,” I said as I walked inside. The smell of coffee immediately assaulted my senses. I loved that smell.
The line wasn’t too long, only three people were ahead of me. I browsed the menu and decided I’d treat myself to a blueberry scone this morning and another cinnamon roll latte.
The line moved quickly, and the barista greeted me with a smile. It was the same girl as the last time I came here.
“Good morning, Carolina. Welcome back to Café Latte. What can I get started for you today?” she asked with a bright smile. I was taken aback at her remembering my name, and my face must’ve shown my shock.
“I remember names well,” she replied.
“No worries,” I replied as I gave her my order, trying to shake off the nerves that hadn’t settled just yet.
She gave me my total and after I paid, I stepped aside to wait for my order.
Pulling my phone out of my bag, I had another text notification from Leo.
Leo
How’s Luke this morning? I’d like to see him again tonight, if that’s okay.
Leo
If not, we can make it tomorrow. Just let me know.
I loved how thoughtful Leo’s texts were.
It was awkward being around him after all this time, but my feelings didn’t matter in the situation. The only person who mattered was Luke, and I’d do what was best for him. Always.
Luke’s already asking when he can see you again. You can come tonight around the same time if that works for you.
For good measure, I sent him the photo of Luke I’d taken this morning, trying to remain positive about our current coparenting situation. Hopefully if all continued to go well, Leo would never think about taking Luke from me. It was my biggest fear in life, someone taking my son from me.
I was checking my emails when I overheard two women next to me mention Leo’s name. I kept scrolling, pretending to read as I listened in on their conversation. My interest piqued.
“I’ve been messaging Leo, but he hasn’t responded yet. I can’t forget that night we shared a few weeks ago after leaving Whiskey On The Rocks,” the first girl said.
“You know he’s got a reputation, right?” the second woman replied.
Reputation? What did she mean by that?
“I know, but I need another night with him. Maybe I could convince him to give us a go,” the first woman said.
I looked over to her and she had stars in her eyes, as she leaned against the wall.