9. Chapter 9
Edith
“Mom, I can stay home.”
“Don’t be silly, Edie, Mattie’s fine.” She waved me off.
“I don’t need to go out.”
Truthfully I didn’t want to go out, but my dumb ass promised Ronnie.
“Edith Rose Malone. I have raised four children.” Her hands were on her hips. “I think I can handle my grandson who wants pizza for dinner.”
Mattie came over and hugged me. “Are you going out with Aunt Ronnie?”
“I’m just meeting her to have a drink and some wings.” I ruffled his hair. “But I can stay home with you if you want.”
His face screwed up and looked at me like I had three heads. “Why can’t I stay with Nana?”
“You can.” I nodded. “I just didn’t want you to think I didn’t want to spend time with you.”
“Why are you dressed pretty?” He ran his fingers over the collar of my top.
“What do you mean?”
“Usually when you and Aunt Ronnie meet up at the brewers place, you just wear a tee shirt. Now you have on a fancy shirt and makeup.”
“It’s because there’s a boy that might be there that she likes.” My mom teased.
“Not helping.” I glared at my mom. “And that’s not it.”
“Why don’t you go out on dates like Aunt Evie?”
My heart fell to my feet. “I don’t need to date. I have a man in my life. You.”
“Oh.” He pouted and picked at his nails. “Well, I thought maybe having a dad might be cool.”
I looked up at my mom and she shrugged her shoulders. “Mattie, what brought this about?”
“I like having Uncle E and Geno, but Grady and Tyler have their Rich-dad. And I dunno where my dad is.” He shrugged and looked at me. “Isn’t dating where you meet someone and then if you like them, you get married?”
“There’s a little more to it, Matthew.” I tried to stop the tears from filling my eyes.
Of course he wants a dad. All his friends have one.
“Well. My new gym teacher doesn’t wear a ring. You could meet him.”
“I thought we were good, just us?”
“Yeah. But a dad would be cool.” He shrugged again. “And he could fix things that break and open jars.”
“You know what. How about I stay home, we order pizza, and I’ll bake some cookies.”
“You’ll never find me a dad that way.” He heaved a sigh and reached for Nana’s hand. “You should go out, Mom.
“He’s right, sweetie. You need to get out.” She pulled him with her. “C’mon, baby, let’s go order our pizza and find a movie.”
Matthew stopped walking and looked back at me. “Hey, mom?”
I paced in my chunky sandals that made me feel tall, trying to decide what I wanted. “Yes, son?”
“Why don’t I have a dad? Did you do that partial inseperation?”
I wasn’t sure if what he asked was as funny as I thought or if the blood rushing to my brain was making me delirious, but I barked out a laugh.
“No, baby, you were created the natural way.”
“Well? Where is he?”
He has the right to know. But I don’t want to do this now.
“Mattie, can we have this talk tomorrow?”
Fuck! If you don’t talk now, it’s gonna be harder in the morning.
His little shoulders slumped. “Yeah. I guess.”
Double fuck! This was not how I wanted to have this conversation.
“C’mon. Let’s go sit at the table.” I went over to the China hutch and took out a few pictures I had tucked there for this exact conversation.
I sat across from him and waited for him to look at me. “Your dad and I were young, and we’d dated for about three years. When we found out about you, a decision needed to be made. He really wanted to go to college, so he did.”
“And you had me?”
I nodded. “He felt we were too young, and I wasn’t going to force him to be in your life.”
Matt twisted his lips. “He knows about me?”
“He does.”
“Didn’t he want me?”
My heart cracked into tiny pieces. “I would say he wasn’t ready for you.”
“But you was.”
“ Were .” I couldn’t stop myself from correcting him. “And yes, I was.”
“What’s his name?” he tapped his fingers on the table.
“Greg Tillman.”
“Does he live in Port Stella?”
I nodded, and we sat there in silence for a moment.
Matthew looked over at me, shrugging. “He’s missin’ out.”
“I agree.” A huge smile spread across my face.
“Do I look like him?”
“No. You look like Uncle Geno.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because the girls at the game always think he’s my dad.”
I heard my mom’s laughter from the other room as she called out. “Your uncle has issues.”
“Hey, Mom?” Mattie got up and came around the table, hugging me. “Thanks for tellin’ me.”
“You’re welcome. If you have any other questions, I’ll answer them. I wasn’t trying to keep this from you, Matthew, I just wanted to wait until you were ready.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Matt.”
“I’ll see you in the morning. Have fun with Aunt Ronnie.”
And just like that, my little boy’s world was okay again.
That could’ve been worse.
“Have fun, my baby.” Mom smiled at me.
“I’ll try.”
“Edith?”
“Yeah, Mom?”
“It’s okay to have some fun. You’re young.”
“Thanks.”
Taking a deep breath, I left and drove to the pub. The music on the radio help distract me from thinking about Greg and his bitch wife, Lori.
When I got there, I parked and went inside to find Ronnie. She waved me over to the bar, smiling as I walked up.
“What?”
“You look amazing!” She searched my face. “What’s wrong?”
“Mattie asked about his dad.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Oh no, how did that happen?”
“Mom told him I was hoping to see someone here.” I nodded as her mouth dropped open. “And then he asked me why he didn’t have a dad.”
“You need more than a beer.” She chuffed out a laugh. “Jack and coke?”
“Please.” I dropped my head on the counter.
“You knew this day would come.” Ronnie poured my drink and pushed it into my hand.
Sitting up, I took a deep drink. “I know.”
“So what’d you tell him?”
I snarled. “That he wasn’t ready for him.”
“Oh Edie.” She wrinkled her nose. “What’s gonna happen when he finds out he has two half-brothers?”
I drained my glass and pushed it back to her. “Can I handle one crisis at a time?”
“Sure.” She nodded and refilled my drink. “Darts?”
“Yes.” I felt my eyes grow wide. “I can pretend the board is Greg’s head.”
We laughed and went across the pub to take our places. The drinks flowed, we laughed and relaxed and enjoyed the time together.
When Ronnie rolled into town, it was just after her mom passed. Her dad had passed away five years prior and caring for her chronically ill mama took a toll on her.
She wanted a new place to start over and landed here.
It was also the day I found out I was pregnant.
She told me I looked like I needed a friend and one look at her wrecked state; I told her so did she.
Ronnie rented the apartment attached to the laundry for the last eight years until Paul told her she was moving in with him.
And if I said I wasn’t jealous, I’d be lying.
Sure, my life was full. The diner. My son. Everyday life.
But the biggest thing missing was having someone to share it all with. Someone to come home to after a long day. You cook for each other, lean on each other, and share laughs.
My parents had a stellar relationship. All my friends from school found their someone. Vivian had Ethan. Miranda had Henry. Jolynn had Richard. Elena …
Okay, maybe not all of them. Lena was in the middle of a messy divorce.
I looked into my empty glass. “Barkeep!”
Ronnie laughed. “C’mon, let get another round.”
We made our way up to the bar, and Paul’s eyes narrowed. “Are you ladies, drunk?”
“Not yet.” Ronnie winked. “We’re working on it.”
My oldest brother took a seat beside me at the bar. “Nah, Edie’s not trashed yet.”
“Who let you out of the kitchen?” I snorted with laughter.
He tilted his head. “Maybe it’s time to slow your roll.”
“Pfft.” I picked up my fresh drink. “It’s my night ow-tah.”
Tom chuckled and handed Big E an unlabeled bottle. “Give it a try.”
“Are you two conspury … conspirit … con … fuck it. In cahoots?”
“Sit down, Edie, before you hurt yourself.” Big E laughed and tilted the bottle back. “Yeah, baby.” He nodded. “I love the hint of caramel.”
Big E, Tom, and Paul joined us, and we did a shot together, toasting to good health.
A basket of rolls appeared in front of me, and I picked at one while the five of us talked about random bullshit in life. And the best part for me was seeing my brother relax and have fun with his boyfriend.
I flipped my wrist and checked the time as the pub phone rang. Tom reached for it in mid laugh and then held it out to me.
“Edie” He shook the receiver.
My heart dropped to my feet. Panic rose in me as I took the phone. “Hello?”
“Hey, hey, Edie.” Evelyn chirped.
“What is it? Is it Mattie?”
“Calm down. Nothing’s wrong.” She sighed. “I am calling to tell you I am taking your kid home with me.”
“You couldn’t text that?” I sat back, irritated with her.
Seriously. This could’ve been a text.
“Nope.” She popped the p.
“Why not?”
“Because I know your anal-retentive ass would’ve called me to see if something was wrong when I’m being a good sister and doing you a solid.”
“What do you mean by doing me a solid?”
“Well, first of all, I heard how you were dressed, so maybe I dropped that information for a certain someone to watch your ass in those jeans.”
“That’s the solid?” Confusion filled me.
“Oh. No. This is. Answer me this, how many jack and cokes you got in you?”
“I dunno. Maybe three.”
“She’s lying, Evie!” Tom leaned over, yelling into the phone.
“You shush.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
“And I bet you’ve barely eaten anything.”
I looked at the partially picked at roll. “What’s your point?”
“If Mister Hunky Marine wants to rock your world, you know what you need to say?” I’m silent as she giggled. “That’s right, Edith. You say yes, because I don’t know anyone who needs to get laid as bad as you.”
“You asshole.” I growled. “I do not need to get laid.”
“Trust me on this.” She laughed harder. “You absolutely do. Matt is coming home with me and tomorrow we’re going shopping. So your place is empty.”
“Oh. My. God.” I felt someone at my back.
“Love you, big sister.” The line went dead, and I handed Tom the phone.
Strong, large hands massaged my shoulders and neck, making me moan. From the scent, I knew it was Frank.
“That feels amazing.”
The hands slowed, and he nuzzled my ear. “You okay?”
Nodding, I felt him shift and sit next to me. “I’m okay. Just not used to being out.”
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
Frank moved in closer and pulled me to him. “Dance with me?”
I nodded and let him lead me to the dance floor. He wrapped his arm around me, pressing our bodies together, and I let my head rest on his shoulder.
Fuck. He smelled like leather, sin, and sandalwood.
I ran my nose against his neck, inhaling his scent, and felt his erection press into me.
“Baby, if you keep nuzzlin’ my neck like that, we’re gonna get in trouble for public indecency.” His voice purred in my ear.
“Frank?”
“Yes, beautiful?”
“I like dancing with you.”
“I like dancing with you, too.” He cupped my face, running his thumb over my lips.
The hand on my back caressed the lowest area on my back, above my ass.
Even with me loaded. He’s a gentleman.
I swayed my hips into him, rubbing against his erection, but he remained a gentleman.
My lips whispered at the nape of his neck and still nothing.
What the hell does it take to make this man break?
Frustrated, I broke his hold and went back to the bar. He followed and watched me.
“Gimme another.”
“You don’t need another.” His deep voice made me shiver.
“You ain’t my boss.” I tapped the bar. “Make it a double.”
He excused himself to the bathroom and Ronnie popped up beside me. “What’s wrong?”
“He doesn’t want me.” I pressed my lips together. “The one hot guy that I rubbed one out to changed his mind.” I turned to look at Enoch. “Take me home.”
“Edie, I think you …”
“Big E.” I grabbed his shirt. “Take. Me. Home.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He looked back at Tom. “I’ll be back.”
My brother helped me walk to my car and poured me into the passenger seat. After he closed the door, I closed my eyes, stunned when the door flew back open.
Ronnie grabbed my face, pressed her mouth to my ear, and growled. “That man wants you. But you kept pushing him away. Stop being a dumb bitch and tell him you want him too.”
She gave my cheek a pat and then closed the car door, leaving me wondering what she was goin’ on about.
When the driver’s door opened and I didn’t smell the diner, I turned my head to see Frank adjusting the seat.
“He’s having a good time.” His low voice washed over me as he adjusted the mirror, never looking at me. “I’ll drive you home.”
“Pfft. Whatever.” I leaned my head back against the seat and fought the tears that threatened to fall.