Page 119 of Fake Out Hearts

“Got it. Anything else we should know?”

“I’ll be back no later than ten. His bedtime is nine, even on a Friday, so don’t let him fool you. Because he’ll try.”

I chuckle. “So typical kid stuff. No problem. Have a good time with your friends tonight. You deserve it.”

“I’ll try my best.” He nods, then steps over to the couch to say goodbye to Jake. “Alright, buddy. I’m leaving for a little bit. You be good for Uncle Theo and Aunt Becca, okay? I won’t be home until after you go to sleep, but I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay,” Jake says. “Love you, Daddy.”

“You too, bud.”

Sawyer kisses him on the top of the head and musses his hair before he leaves. When the door closes behind him, I don’t know what to do with myself, but Becca swoops into action.

“Have you eaten dinner yet, Jake?” she asks, and he shakes his head. “Are you hungry?”

“He’s a growing boy, so he’s always hungry. Right, Jake?” I chime in.

This time he laughs at my joke, grinning and nodding.

While Becca’s on entertainment duty, I go to the kitchen and open the fridge to look for the leftovers Sawyer mentioned. Several sealed containers sit inside but it’s hard to see what’s inside them, so I grab a few and spread them out on the counter to investigate. It’s just like Sawyer, all serious and dad-like, to leave steamed vegetables and perfectly portioned cuts of meat for his kid. What kind of uncle would I be if I gave the poor kid this?

I open the freezer to check the microwave meals and see a few of them in there that look infinitely more appealing, even if they are carb-conscious versions.

“What Dad doesn’t know won’t hurt him, right?” I mutter and pull out one of the loaded macaroni and cheese dishes, then unbox it and peel off the plastic film before throwing it in the microwave. Sawyer won’t be happy, but if he asks, I’ll tell him I ate it.

The microwave dings a few minutes later, and I pull out the steaming dish. Its smell fills the room, and Jake must notice because he calls from the other room.

“Are you making mac and cheese?”

“Uh, kind of!” I call back as I try to avoid burning myself transferring the contents from the plastic dish to a plate.

A series of little footsteps pounds against the floor, and he appears in the kitchen entrance. “That’s my favorite! How did you know?”

“Uncle’s intuition,” I answer and carry the plate to the small wooden table up against the window. There are only two seats, which I guess makes sense because there’s only Sawyer and Jake, but the sight makes my heart twinge. Jake yanks out one of the chairs and climbs into it while I search for a fork, and when I come back with one, he’s sitting on his knees and practically drooling.

“Daddy never lets me have these.”

I hand the fork out to him, but when he tries to take it, I don’t let go. “This will be our little secret then, okay? If he asks, tell him I ate it.”

Jake giggles and nods. “Okay. Thanks, Uncle Theo.”

I let him take the fork, and he digs right in. Becca leans against the doorway to the kitchen and fixes me with a look that’s somewhere between amused and disapproving. I grab thecardboard box for the macaroni off the counter and fold it up, then tuck it in my back pocket.

“We’ll burn the evidence. Sawyer will never know.”

Becca laughs and shakes her head before joining Jake at the dinner table, so I go back to the leftovers to make something for us to eat.

“Are you guys married?” Jake asks with his mouthful of macaroni, and I freeze, but Becca handles it gracefully.

“Yes, we are.”

“Why?”

Becca chuckles, and I glance over at her face to see she’s flustered. She gathers herself and smiles at him. “Well, because that’s what adults do when they love each other.”

“How did you know you liked her, Uncle Theo?” he asks, putting me in the hot seat.

I stop scooping veggies on a plate to turn and face him. “I mean, look at her, buddy. What’s not to like?”

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