Page 58 of Don't Lie to Me

“I know. Like I said, I’ve had a lot going on this week.”

I watched Logan happily drift off and explore his new surroundings while trying to find something less stupid to say.

“Where do I sleep?” He asked Marcus, his eyes wide with excitement.

Marcus smiled and ruffled his hair. “Right this way, buddy.”

Instantly, tears burned the back of my eyes. That was my nickname for Logan and no one else used it. Ever. I didn’t know if I was pissed or sad that he was getting someone else to call him that now too. Some irrational part of me wanted to scream that it was my name and he couldn’t use it. Fortunately, the rational side of me was still in somewhat control so I bit my tongue. Not soon enough for Marcus to miss the anger in my eyes.

He frowned but turned back to Logan. “I made a room for you. Do you want to see it?”

“Yeah!” Logan yelled and clapped his hands, jumping up and down like only a little kid can and hopped off down the hall. I followed, my curiosity piqued.

My jaw dropped as soon as I stepped foot in the doorway. It was amazing. Perhaps I’d need to bring up the ‘don’t spoil the shit out of your kid’ speech earlier than I thought. With wide eyes, Logan and I both glanced around his new room in utter awe.

A bed, that looked like a tree house was on one wall and underneath were two shelves of books. Hundreds of books. Over a dozen Lego sets sat in their boxes on one of the shelves, completely unopened. A bucket overflowing with cars sat in one corner, and a stack of board games and puzzles sat on another shelf. And on the dresser, sat his very own television, complete with a new gaming system and a stack of games.

I was too terrified to look in the closet. Toys R Us had showed up and vomited all over the place. It was too much.

Logan didn’t think so as he squealed and jumped. “Look mom! Daddy bought me Legos…all of them!”

“I may have overdone it,” he said, smiling sheepishly. We left Logan in his room to enjoy the insanity.

“You may need to reign that in a little bit.” Marcus frowned and I felt bad for chastising him, sort of. “I get it. You haven’t been around him and you want to make up for it. But I guarantee you – the only thing that kid in there wants – is your love.”

Marcus nodded and walked me to the door. “So what are you doing tonight?”

“I’m meeting Macy, Tate and their friend Dean out for drinks and dancing.”

Marcus chuckled and ran his hands through his hair. “I can’t believe you and Macy are still friends. That girl was crazy in school.”

I laughed at what I can only imagine the memories Marcus was re-living. Macy had been wild and crazy in school. She ran from party to party, boy to boy, with sometimes a girl thrown in to shake things up a bit, and still managed to make the Dean’s List every single semester. I often wondered why she ‘settled’ on working for Jack in the first place since her finance degree, grades, and sparkling personality could have gotten her a job anywhere. Not to mention that her dad was loaded and she probably had a trust fund and didn’t need to work. But she was all about making it on her own while having fun in the process.

“She’s calmed down…..some,” I admitted with a small smile as I grabbed my purse. “You have my number if he needs me. He hasn’t slept away from home very much so if he gets scared, just call me and I’ll come get him. I’ll be here in the morning to get him. I don’t want you to have to bring him back.”

“Emma,” Marcus put his hand on my shoulder. I didn’t realize I had been rambling until I forced myself to take a deep breath. “We’ll be fine. If I need help, I’ll call. I promise, okay?”

I breathed again and nodded. “It’ll be fine.”

He laughed as if he didn’t believe a single word I said. I’m not sure I did either.

“Go.” He made a waving motion with his arm towards the door and I threw my hands up in defense.

“I’m going, I’m going.”

I heard his laughter after the door closed and smiled. Maybe Marcus wasn’t so bad after all. Besides, this co-parenting thing could be good. I’d get free nights out alone every once in a while which could only help my social life, and my monthly income would increase if I didn’t have to pay Penny so much. Not that I ever had to worry about that before, but suddenly focusing on my lack of income caused my mood to plummet.

By the time I reached Sips, the club where I was meeting Macy and the guys, my mood had shifted from wallowing to planning. I had enough money saved where I’d be okay for a few months on my own, and I’d always considered going back to school. I could do this without any help from Jack. Logan and I would be just fine. At least that’s what I was going to continue telling myself. Hopefully, it would sink in.

“Drink up!” Macy ordered as she slid me another shot. I threw the vodka straight back and grimaced while the alcohol burned its way down my throat. I coughed and took a swig of my vodka tonic, which didn’t help much.

Macy smiled and Dean looked at me wide-eyed, concern etched all over his face.

“You had enough yet?”

I shook my head. My head had begun reeling of thoughts of Jack and the other night as soon as I saw the looks of pity on my friend’s faces and I was determined to keep drinking until my mind was completely blank. I was numb….just not blank yet.

“Nope,” I said, popping the p.

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