Page 27 of All I Need

“Wow. And Grayson’s dad?”

“Mick. He’s in the picture and a great guy but he’s not here. He lived about three hours away until Grayson was six. The company he worked for transferred him to the east coast. It was a good opportunity for him but he struggled with the decision, not wanting to leave Gray. As it was, he didn’t see him as much as any of us would like. We made it work but it wasn’t ideal. By the time he moved, Gray was already spending the nights Willow worked with me rather than his dad. Not to say he wasn’t willing or there if Willow needed him but it was just more convenient.

“He’s a good man. Wants the best for Grayson and does the best he can. It’s not the same as being here every day but, again, they make it work. Gray goes to Mick’s each summer for at least two weeks—they try for longer but it depends on schedules—plus they alternate holidays. Of course, they FaceTime a few times a week since Gray is basically attached to his phone. For as little as he’s here, he’s here, if that makes sense.”

“I get what you mean.”

“Yeah. So anyway, like I said, he usually flies out to his dad’s for two weeks every summer but this year Mick’s coming here. He wants the chance to meet Grayson’s friends, hang out with him and see the day-to-day life that he misses. He’s staying for a while, will work from here.”

“What does Willow think about that?”

“Mick being here?”

“Yeah.”

“She seems… indifferent, I guess. It’s not as if some guy she was in love with is suddenly back in the picture. He’s always just kind of, I don’t know how to say it…” I pause as I gather my words to not make Mick sound like a prick. “He’s kind of just been a guy in Grayson’s life. I’m not saying he isn’t a good man, or doesn’t do the best he can. But it’s not as if he’s ever made any grand sacrifices to stay in his life on a daily basis. Sure, Willow could have moved to him, but he never asked for that. So yeah, I’m not his dad, obviously, and don’t claim that title but he hasn’t missed out on a dad figure in his life. If he has questions or problems, I’m there but he also has his dad. It might seem weird to people that I’m as close as I am to him, but…” I shrug, not wanting to say that I really don’t give a shit what people think of me. It sounds harsh and callous and I don’t really know how she’s going to take everything I just told her.

In the past, my relationship with Grayson has been a bit of a turn on for women. They see a man who’s good with kids, willing to spend time with them and give up a part of his life for their well-being. But then it quickly shifts to a strong dose of jealousy. Whether it’s because I’m not giving enough of myself to the relationship or they see a future—one that I don’t see—and they don’t want me to focus on anyone else’s kids but our own. Which, sadly, is the reason my last relationship ended.

“Wow, so you’re kind of like a second father to him, huh?”

“I am.”

“That’s… wow. I’m in awe of that, Walker. Not many men are willing to step up that way.”

Her response allows me to take in a deep breath. “Yeah, well, he makes it easy. Not that he’s perfect because good grief—he’s a teenager and they’re their own special kind of strange—but Grayson’s pretty awesome. He’s come first in my life since the day he was born.”

She doesn’t hesitate when she says, “As he should.”

“He’s my nephew,” I remind her.

Her eyes scrunch in confusion. “And? I don’t have siblings or cousins, but if I did, I can’t imagine not wanting to be there for them in every way possible.”

I scrub my hands on the material of my shorts. “Well, I’ve been told he’s just my nephew.”

Her eyes widen with understanding. “Then they don’t deserve to be in either of your lives. We don’t get a choice in what our hearts choose to be filled with. Loving a nephew like he’s your own son isn’t a fault, Walker. That’s one of the things that makes you a good man.”

I want to kiss her.

I want to share in Miss Polly’s excitement that we get to keep her.

Scratch that.

I want to keep her for myself.

“You know, when I first saw him sitting in your pickup, I thought he was your son. He resembles you.”

“We hear that a lot. Probably helps that Willow is my twin.”

“I wondered. So, what types of things is he into?”

As much as I love talking with her, I can tell she’s avoiding any conversation that leads back to her. I don’t call her on it, though. “Wrestling. Girls. Hanging with his friends. And girls deserves repeating.”

She throws her head back laughing. “Sounds like a typical fifteen-year-old boy.”

I smirk.

“He’s a wrestler, huh?”

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