Page 43 of Steel

Laughing, I had to admit I was glad I could spend a little time away from his constant overshadowing. “He’ll get bored soon enough.”

“From your mouth to God’s ears, but the team is keeping busy with the other calendars. Now, how is Missoula? How are the hot men? How is the weather, perfect for getting candid shots? Did you find any perfect spots for the shoot? Have you met all the hot guys yet?” Her giggle caused me to shake my head.

“You’re almost as animated as my kid. I’ll do the same thing with you I did with him. Beautiful. I have no idea yet. Excellent. A few. Sadly, no. Did that answer everything?”

“What?”

Chuckling, I made a turn, finally leaving Main Street. I could honestly see myself living here.

“Mom. I’m thirsty. Can we stop and get a drink?”

“Hold on, little man. Aunt Brenda is on the phone.”

“How is the best kid in the world?” Brenda had been my best friend for years. She’d heard every horror story about Kenny and his parents over wine and Doritos. She’d comforted me after one of Damon’s meltdowns. She’d countered my frustration with myself with pointed reasons I should consider myself a decent mom.

“Do you want to tell Aunt Brenda what you found?” I held up the phone so he could tell her without shouting.

“I found a puppy! Mom said I could keep him. Yay!”

I cringed both emotionally and physically since I knew what my bestie would have to say. Rightfully so. “Don’t say it,” I whispered.

“Say what? That you’ve spent the last eight years and eight months of your life chastising yourself for the single night in your controlled life that you allowed yourself to have some fun? Or that when I’ve tried to get you to relax your strict rules regarding your son, you’ve told me in very colorful detail that you refuse to paint a picture of the world as perfect or rosy in any way, preferring to… and I quote, ‘challenge him with the horrible dynamics of navigating through a maze-like jungle of corruption and evil.’ Unquote. Did I miss something? Did you suddenly walk through a door ending in the Twilight Zone or maybe you simply found your sense of humor along the trip to Missoula.”

“Ha ha. The puppy was tangled in some rope. Damon rescued him. What could I do?”

“You could have taken the dog to a local animal shelter.”

“You should see the little furball. I’ll send you a picture later.”

“Girl. You’re setting yourself up. You’ll be the one calling and crying over the phone when you finally do drop him off at the shelter. You know that.” Brenda’s sigh was exactly like the handful leaving my lips over the last twenty-four hours.

As I twisted my hand around the steering wheel, I wanted to crumble seeing the way Damon and Zorro were together. Was it possible that if the calendar did well, I could finally afford to put money down on a little house? Maybe. As long as it was matchbox-sized and nothing terrible happened with the car or any health-related issues since my insurance sucked.

For as large a company as Brightworks was, the benefits truly were unremarkable. Especially when you had a child to care for.

“Wasn’t it you who told me to live a little?” I could try to counter reality all I wanted to and that wouldn’t change a thing.

My bestie could snort with the best of them. If there was a competition in some honkytonk bar, she’d win hands down. “The comment was for you. As in go out one night and have a little fun. Don’t you dare go down the same road I’ve heard about a million times. You’re a young woman. Soon to be old, but still young. You deserve a night on the town.”

Damon’s little happy laugh and the puppy romping all over him pulled my attention and reminded me that he was my world, my joy, and all the fun I needed. He was my everything. “Did you call for a reason or to hassle me about my lack of dating life?”

“Oh, that.” Now her voice fell into the different pitch, the one she used just before dropping some bad news on the team from one of Eric’s hardcore emails. I’d found it hysterical he used her as a go-to, terrified of what I’d say in return.

“Yes, that. What’s wrong?”

“Well, you know who is already asking if you’ve gotten everything set up, including a photoshoot schedule.”

“What? Is that piece of…” I sucked in my breath. I did try not to curse around my child, but days like today made my conviction extremely difficult. “Does he know I just arrived in town yesterday? As in late yesterday?” In times like this, fibbing was crucial.

“He thinks you’re superhuman.”

“Did he actually say that?”

“Well, words to that effect.”

“You can tell our… boss that I’m working on it, but I need a little more than twenty-four hours to do so. End of the week. I thought I was clear with him. Evidently not.”

“I’ll tell him. He won’t be happy.”