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“The same. We talk on the phone when he’s out of town. We hook up when he is in town, but none of this is sustainable. I’ve been home during the day because of my leg. When I’m back to work, I won’t have any time to see him.”
“So you make time.” Patty shrugs. “Even if it’s in the bathroom late at night.”
She waggles her brows.
I smile and feel my cheeks turn hot. “He’s sweet, and he’s been so supportive. Crew keeps asking about him.”
“You do realize you’re complaining about his good traits?” she says like I’m nuts.
“I just feel like things are spinning out of control, and it’s scaring me,” I admit, holding my palm up to my forehead.
“You’re stressing because I think you’re falling for him all over again, and it’s scaring you,” Patty surmises, making sense out of my mumbled thoughts.
“Yes, I’m scared. I have every right to be. How does this play out, Patty? I go to games and be a doting girlfriend until one day Carter gets wind of me being with Liam and emerges from whatever crevice he’s in. I can’t afford for that to happen.”
Patty frowns. “He’s such a jerk. Just the thought of him being close to Crew makes my blood pressure rise.”
Patty was there the day Carter disregarded me. She watched as he shoved me away and I fell to the ground.
Crew walks into the kitchen, so we end our little talk. He’s got on the thermal clothing he wears under his hockey uniform.
“Wow, you’re all ready?” I say to my son.
He nods and grins. “Can we leave now?”
“We have about half an hour,” I say to Crew. “Let Mommy go get dressed, and then we’ll get going.”
“Are you coming, Patty?” he suddenly asks.
I turn to look at Patty. “If you’re busy, don’t worry about it.”
“Seriously? I’d love to come,” she gushes, and then Crew is smiling from ear to ear. “I’ll go get dressed too.” Those two have a special relationship, and it makes my heart warm that my son is surrounded by so much love.
“You know you don’t have to come,” I say to her when Crew is out of earshot.
“I know, but the little guy is so excited about hockey. I want to watch him play. I’m his aunty Patty,” she swoons. She is so good with Crew. I always wonder why she doesn’t consider settling down herself, but I know it’s a subject Patty doesn’t like to discuss.
“I’m paying for the Uber though,” I say.
“Actually, I have news,” she beams. “It all happened so fast I didn’t get to mention it,” she says, looking super excited.
“What is it?”
“Daddy bought me a car for my birthday,” she says.
“I thought you didn’t want a car,” I say.
“I never did want to drive in this awful city, but lately, it began to make more and more sense. I spend a lot on Ubers going into the hospital, and they have their own underground parking. It’s supposed to make my life easier,” she explains playfully, rolling her eyes.
“Congrats. I’m so happy for you.”
“You and Crew will be my first passengers today,” she explains. “I was drinking a bit last night, so I didn’t take her for a spin.”
The way she says those words makes me wonder what kind of car her dad got her.
“I’m excited to see it,” I say. “I’ll bring Crew’s car seat down.”
“Good,” she says. “The little guy is going to freak when he sees the car.”
