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I shoot a glance at Lucas, who is obviously being nosy. I turn toward the window slightly because that’s clearly how privacy works. “Ted is taking me somewhere for the night and it sounds like this one is just the two of us he’s planning for.”
My dad agrees, and we end the call as Lucas parks in front of the coffee shop. He sits there for a minute but doesn’t get out of the car.
“What?” I ask him, wondering why he is stalling when we are already ten minutes late to the drop-off at Jadon’s school.
“I could watch him,” he offers.
“Umm, no. I don’t think either of you are ready for that just yet.” Not to mention, Jadon is supposed to learn about this tonight. We don’t even know how he’ll take it.
Shit. I haven’t even told Ted.
“What if I came over Friday night and then came back Saturday and took him for a few hours?”
I think about it for a bit before nodding my head. “Fine, but you’ll have to follow his lead on things. Don’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to do. He’s okay with most activities, but if he says ‘no’ he means ‘no.’”
He is an overall simple kid, but he knows how to set boundaries. Ted forgets those sometimes, and Lucas will, too.
“I think I can handle it, Allie. I was a kid once, myself,” he says.
“Fine,” I say. I know he’s going to eat those words he just said.
“Fine!” Jadon yells in the back.
Finally, he goes in and gets our drinks. He hands Jadon his kiddie cup, which took all of eight seconds for him to spill on the seat. I gave Lucas the look that saidshould have taken my car, but no, and he just shrugs again.
“It’s fine. I have a detailing kit at home. I’ll just get it out later.” He says, like it’s nothing. Maybe he’s had girls spill their drinks in his car before and he knows the secret to removing tough stains.
Yeah, whatever. He’s taking it fine for now. Wait until he colors onyourwall with a sharpie, buddy. Then we’ll see if all is fine in stupid pretty Lucas world with the freaking scent of the damn gods.
Seriously, is it just a strong body wash?
He takes a sip of his drink and does this lip-smacking maneuver and makes one of those satisfied “hmmm,” sounds.
“What?”
He smiles. “You were right. It’s pretty good.”
Chapter17
Lucas
We get to the school and I’m somewhere between nervous and excited. It’s cute to see all the little kids with backpacks on. I’m not sure why they have them since it’s not actually a school, but they’re adorable.
Allie gushes when she sees them, and I watch the corners of her mouth shift into a genuine smile.
“How sweet.” She pats my leg and we both stare down at her hand before she snaps out of whatever moment that could have been and rips her hand away. “Sorry.”
We park to the side and get Jadon out. Allie takes his hand while they walk up to the front door together. She signs him in with the digital check-in counter and we walk with him to where the other little ones go.
Here’s the thing about the mother of my child. He’s a beautiful child and gets that from her. But she has him dressed in penny loafers and khaki shorts. He’s outfitted somewhere between middle-aged dad and dressed his Sunday best with the sweater vest over his short-sleeved collared shirt. Kids aren’t old enough to make fun of him just yet, but they will. Nature will force Jadon into the chess club or something, regardless of whatever he winds up wanting to be. The bullying is bound to start soon, so she needs to learn how to dress this kid appropriately.
Immediately, Jadon takes off running to the other kids, getting caught up in a game they’re playing. I look over at Allie and notice the tears in her eyes that she’s trying to wipe away. It makes sense. I mean, he’s her world, and this is a big change for both of them. He left her behind without a second thought. I decide to walk over to Jadon and kneel down to his level.
“Hey buddy, you wanna go say bye to Mommy before she leaves?”
“Oh yeah!” he says and runs to her with his arms open. Allie sees him and immediately drops to her knees to hug him. I catch Allie squeezing her eyes shut while she fights more tears from spilling over. She adjusts his collar, and we watch him go back to playing with the same kids.
“You ready?”
