Page 8 of Fall With Me
I’m sure I’m missing a few things, but this is a great start. “Carter, when can we get together to hammer out a few details?”
“Glad it’s you and not me,” Dawson chuckles, shooting me a “good luck, lady” look.
But I don’t need luck. Planning parties is my jam. It’s too bad I don’t get to do it often for more than our family of four—five, if I convince Kate to come.
“Tomorrow at my place,” Carter says. “I’ll make you lunch in exchange for you doing this.”
I’d do this without Carter making me food, but I’ll happily accept his cooking. “Deal. How about nachos?”
Today hasn’t been the best, but with Carter asking me to throw a festival with his money? My night just took a turn for the better.
Chapter 4
Dawson
Finn’s out of gas. He’s slumped in his seat, his eyes drooping. I run a hand through my thick hair that needs a cut—something I haven’t had time to do since packing up our condo in Nashville and moving home. This was not the impression I wanted to make with my new boss.
I was already frazzled before we arrived late at the stadium. Finn didn’t want to come. He was worn out from starting at a new school this week and just wanted to play Minecraft. I had to bribe him with food and a promise to play soccer with him on Saturday to get him to come.
But maybe I should have asked Mom to watch him and invited Dad to this game with me instead. Except, I want to be the one who spends as much time with my son as possible. He’s my responsibility. Not his grandparents or aunts and uncles, who have offered to help out whenever I need—which is one of the biggest reasons we moved back to Utah. But I don’t want their assistance just yet.
Bringing Finn was the right decision, even if I’m mortified over him dropping his soda on Chloe and now having to leave early to get him to bed. “I feel awful about everything, man,” I say to my boss. “But I need to get Finn home.”
Carter swats my apology away. “S’all good. Don’t stress.”
Easy for the guy who doesn’t have a kid to say. I lower my voice so Chloe won’t overhear me from her seat. “Will Chloe be okay? She’s taking it way better than most people would.”
“Yeah, Chloe’s fine. You’ll know when she’s not.” He smiles like he’s said some clever joke.
“I hope it doesn’t ruin her night completely. Is there anything you’d think she’d like that I can get her as an apology? Churros or ice cream?” My offer to pay for her clothes was sincere. “New shoes?”
Carter smiles. “Nah. Seriously, don’t worry about her shoes, and she doesn’t eat a lot of sweets.”
My brows rise. “Oh. Okay.” Finn and I like brownies too much to stay away from sugar completely. And not even the fancy kind, just the boxed mix from the store. Give me a corner piece with a side of vanilla ice cream, and I’m in heaven.
“Yeah. She eats super healthy. Almost to the point of being annoying.”
There’s nothing wrong with eating well. But usually, by the time I think about what to cook every night, I’m exhausted. Our menu is simple things like apple slices, carrots with ranch, and a hot dog. “I will keep that in mind.” Not that I’ll have any reason to see Chloe again or feed her.
“Dad!” Finn tugs on my sleeve. “Look! Those girls are flying really high.” He points to the cheerleaders doing stunts during a break in the game.
“Whoa. Think they’re scared?”
Finn’s eyes get wide. “Probably. I mean, what if they don’t catch her?”
“They train for stunts like that a long time before they send anyone up in the air.”
“Oh. Can we go now?”
“Yeah, bud.” I’ll listen to the game on our drive home. Part of me is sad to miss the fourth quarter at the stadium, but it sounds like my life since becoming a dad eight years ago. Some things I used to do are no longer an option with a kid. Not that it’s a bad thing. Quite the opposite, actually. Out of all the horrible decisions I’ve made in my life, Finn’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Even when I don’t always get to do what I want.
I’ll take every inconvenience, because Finn is my life and I don’t want to mess up being his dad.
Chapter 5
Chloe
