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DEVYN
JACKSON HANDS ME A glass of water with some Advil after I step out of the bedroom wearing dry clothes. “I thought you could use this.”
I grab the glass and use the water to swallow the pills. “Thanks.”
He flips on the fireplace as I take a seat on the leather sectional. “Are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
I sigh. It’s bound to come out sooner or later. “That’s Riley.” I meet his eyes and gulp. “Nathan’s father.”
Jackson’s ears redden. That’s his tell when he’s irritated. “I see.”
Jackson is the only person who kn
ows about my history with Riley. I never mentioned his name because I got so used to avoiding it, but he knows the whole story. He knows how close we were in college, how heartbroken I was when he went to Boston. He also knows how I pined away for almost two years waiting for him to magically show up and tell me that he loves me too. Jackson helped picked up the pieces that Riley left behind.
Shortly before Nathan’s second birthday, I had a moment of weakness and called him. Some guy named Dave was the new owner of his phone number. After that, I decided to take the hint and cut my losses. I changed my phone number too and didn’t look back. Jackson came into my life shortly thereafter and waited patiently for me to be ready to move on. It took six months before I’d even agree to a single date with him. He’s so understanding about everything. He even helps me deal with the guilt that constantly plagues me from not telling Nathan about his dad. Nate’s never really asked but I still feel the weight of it as he gets older. He’s bound to wonder one of these days.
I groan. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
He joins me on the couch. “I didn’t realize he was in Seattle. When did that happen?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I just discovered it on Monday when I found him hanging out with my brother.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You’ve known since Monday? Well, that explains the whiskey I smell on you.”
I hang my head. “Ugh, don’t start. Please.”
He grabs my hand. “I’m just trying to understand, Devyn. How do you feel about this? How did he take it when you told him about Nathan?”
I swallow hard. “I haven’t told him yet. I haven’t really had the chance, nor would I even know where to begin.”
He squeezes my hand. “What can I do to help?”
I lean my body against his. “You’re already doing it, Jackson. I just need time to figure it out. I don’t even know how to reach him. I’m going to come clean with Drew and see if I can track him down through him. They seemed to be pretty friendly.”
He puts his arm around me. “That sounds like a good starting point. You look exhausted. Why don’t we get you into bed?”
“Okay.”
RILEY
I’M SITTING AT THE coffee shop across the street nursing a wicked hangover. Last night, I visited with Jack, Jim, and that Dos Equis guy until I passed out on my couch. I haven’t drunk like that since college and I’m paying for it.
“Unh,” I groan as I thunk my head on the table.
Something starts pulling at my sleeve. “Mister! Hey mister, are you dead or somfin’?”
“No, buddy! Leave that poor man alone.”
I look up through slitted eyes and see a little blonde boy standing next to my table. “Oh good, you’re awive.”
I smirk. “Yep, I sure am.”
A woman runs over to him and grabs his arm. “I’m so sorry; he has no sense of personal space.” I meet her eyes and she glares. “You! I take back my apology. I don’t say sorry to assholes.”
It’s the redhead from Monday night that came into the bar with Devyn. “Rainey, is it? Nice to see you again.”
“Uh huh,” she scoffs.
