Page 42 of Second Chance Fate

Growing up, she was ahugeKyle Austen Reed fan. The idea that she’d ever meet him, much less live in the same town, or even crazier, be invited to his house for a book club, was preposterous enough. But the real insanity lay in the fact that she was seriously contemplating skipping the book club, which was atKyle Austen Reed’shouse, so she could go home and get some sleep.

Caleb and Owen were at the community center for a weekly pickup basketball game. If she went home now, she could get an hour, maybe two hours, of sleep. The couch was calling hername, but she’d agreed to come, and shehatedgoing back on her word. For so many years, she’d wanted to have friends, co-workers, and a community, and now she did.

She’d been invited to the book club by not one, not two, not three, but over half a dozen people—seven to be exact. Kyle’s wife, Aurora, invited her and told her that she had something she’d like to speak to her about. Audrey and Viv had both insisted that she come. Lauren, whom Taylor rented the cottage from, and who, unbeknownst to her, was Caleb’s cousin, texted her the time and place, and also said not to worry about reading the book because it wasn’t a requirement. Tiana, who owned the yoga studio on Main Street and was a regular at the coffee shop, offered Taylor her extra copy of the newest Abby Jimenez book, which was the book of the month, although reading it wasn’t a requirement, but Taylor had already read it. Adriana, who was Owen’s friend Jonah’s aunt and guardian, asked if Taylor wanted to carpool because the boys were at the community center playing basketball. And lastly, Frankie, who was new to town, asked Taylor topleasego so she wouldn’t be the only newbie.

A yawn claimed Taylor, and her eyes filled with water behind closed lids. Her entire body ached and felt heavy. If she didn’t know better, she would swear that she was actually sinking into the seat. She didn’t understand why she felt so depleted. There was absolutely no reason why she should be so tired.

It had been about a week and a half since Taylor and Caleb met at Sue Ann’s, and since then, a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She felt lighter than she had since…well, maybe ever. She’d been sleeping better than she ever had in her entire life. Eight, sometimes ten hours a night, but somehow, she was still tired. No, not still tired, more tired.

Thankfully, Caleb had been around to pick up the slack with Owen. He’d helped him with his homework. Showed up withtakeout for dinner. Hung out with him, Gabe, and his new friend Jonah at the MMA gym while Taylor worked at the coffee shop. He’d even taken him zip-lining with the church youth group last Saturday.

Taylor hadn’t been thrilled about the activity, but she did find it easier to say yes, knowing that Owen was with Caleb. Even though he’d only been in Owen’s life a short period of time, he’d taken the responsibility of Owen’s healthveryseriously.

The day after their first dinner together, Caleb texted her and asked if she would feel comfortable sending him a list of medications Owen was on and what each one was for, besides not becoming a zombie, super strength, and his cloak of invisibility, of course. She LOLed his message and then sent him not only the list of medications but also Owen’s medical records. She trusted Caleb. When he was around, she felt safe, and more importantly, she knew that Owen was safe with him. That was more than she ever thought was possible.

Taylor knew it was time to tell Owen the truth. If she waited any longer, she worried he would feel betrayed. She just wasn’t sure what the protocol was. There wasn’t a handbook for a situation like this. It’s not like she could go to the library and check outHow to Tell Your Son Who His Father is For Dummies.

It was strange to miss something you never had, but in moments like these, she did. She wanted so badly to pick up the phone and call her mom for advice. Just like she’d wished she had a mom to call when she found out she was pregnant. When she went into preterm labor. The first year of Owen’s life, when he was in and out of the hospital and the doctors didn’t know exactly what they were dealing with.

In the absence of a maternal figure, Taylor created one. Some kids had imaginary friends; she had an imaginary mom. Whenever her life felt chaotic or out of her control growing up,which was most of the time, she’d play out scenarios in her head. Her mom braiding her hair before bed. Her mom putting a Band-Aid on a cut after cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide. Her mom helping her with her veil and telling her she is the most beautiful bride in the world on her wedding day.

Her imaginary mom was very specific. She had short, brunette hair. A round face. Kind eyes. Soft hands from using lotion that smelled like vanilla. And she even had a nickname that she called Taylor, Sweet Pea.

It had been years since she’d summoned her imaginary mom, but she did now. In her mind, Taylor picked up her cell phone and calledMom. I.M. (imaginary mom) answered, using her nickname. Taylor explained that she thought it was time to tell Owen the truth. I.M. told her there was no right or wrong time, necessarily. She just needed to trust her gut, and no matter what happened, as long as Owen knew that she loved him and everything she did was out of that love for him and trying to protect him, then it would be okay.

A sharp tapping sound startled Taylor, and she felt like she was falling. Her body jerked as her eyes flew open. The world was blurry and unfamiliar. For a second, her mind was spinning in a disorienting sensation.

She looked around to get her bearings. The window was fogged, but she could see Viv standing outside her car. Taylor felt something on the corner of her mouth and lifted her hand to discover that drool had pooled there. She quickly swiped it away.

"Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty. We were just about to send out a search party for you,” Viv’s voice was raised so Taylor could hear her through the glass window.

Taylor had no idea how long she’d been out for, but she’d obviously fallen asleep. She opened the door and inhaled the crisp, clean, pine-scented air, then shut the door behind her. “Sorry, I only meant to rest my eyes.”

“Is someone, I mean something,keeping you up at night?” Viv quickly corrected.

Taylor knew she was referring to Caleb. She’d been asked by several people about the nature of their relationship. When they were direct questions, she answered honestly; they were friends. When they were indirect, with innuendos, she pretended to be oblivious.

“No, I’ve been sleeping more than I usually do, which is why it’s so weird that I’m so tired.” This response fell into category two; pretend to be oblivious.

“I can’t wait to sleep on my stomach again.” Viv rubbed her ever-growing belly as the two women walked up the driveway past two Range Rovers. One black and one white.

The front door was open, and Taylor followed Viv as she led the way to the kitchen in the back of the house. Twenty or so women were gathered around an enormous island with a terrazzo countertop featuring waterfall edges. It was covered in multiple charcuterie boards, artfully displayed fruit, a variety of cheeses, and Taylor counted at least seven different kinds of crackers.

When they entered, Viv announced, “Found her!”

Taylor felt her cheeks heat as all eyes turned her way.

Audrey, who was at the other end of the island, smiled and began typing on her phone. “Oh, good. I’ll let Josh know.”

“Why would she tell Josh?” Taylor whispered to Viv.

“Because he’s playing basketball with Caleb, and Audrey was tasked with texting Josh the second you arrived so Caleb would, and I quote, ‘remove his head from his ass and get it in the game,’ end quote.” Viv smiled widely, then popped a cracker in her mouth and wagged her eyebrows.

“I’m so glad you made it!” Aurora, Kyle’s wife and hostess of the book club, held up two bottles of wine, one white and theother red. “Can I get you a glass? Or we have mineral water, lemonade, kombucha, soda?—”

"Water would be great," Taylor cut her off.

Aurora handed Taylor a water, and within five minutes the group migrated to the living room, much to Taylor’s relief. She’d been on her feet all day at the coffee shop, and now, she just wanted to be off of them. The seating options consisted of an L-shaped sectional, several armchairs, a bench, and two oversized ottomans. Taylor managed to snag the cloud-soft armchair tucked in the corner, half in shadow, making herself nearly invisible even without Owen’s ‘cloak of invisibility.’

---