Page 21 of The Parent Playbook
I turn to face him, my cheeks hot in a way that feels too much like high school butterflies. “Guess I need to watch where I’m stepping.” The words tumbling out as I try to get my feet under me.
His eyes crinkle in the corners as his arms hold me like I’m worth the world. “Or maybe I need to stick around to be your personal safety net.”
My heart is racing—more from the sudden closeness than the fall, but I’d rather wrestle Edgar than admit that. I laugh despite myself, because that’s better than the alternative of saying something I might regret. Such asWhy don’t you hold me like this forever?
“Say, we only have a few hours before the day really begins. Don’t you have hockey things to do?”
Scotty smiles as he picks up a stray screwdriver from the ground. “Sure, but it can wait. Seems like you’re the one slip-sliding today.”
“Ba-doom-ching,” I air-play the drums.
We finish tidying up, but there are these small touches—the brush of his hand as he passes me a tool, the quick smiles—that go on a little longer than necessary. It’s a bit awkward, my breath is shallow, and I’m both loving and hating every second.
“I’m gonna have to get going,” Scotty says in a voice that does not at all sound like he has to get going, but he gathers up some tools into the box and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’ll make my way out.”
“Thanks, Scotty,” I say, meaning it more than I probably should. “For everything.”
He nods with an easy-going smile in the light of the new day. “Anytime, Angel. You know where to find me.”
As he walks away, I’m left with a strange tightness in my chest that feels suspiciously like regret, like I should be saying something more. Or it’s just exhaustion. Either way, I watch himgo, the memory of his quick reflexes—and quicker smile—lingering like the last notes of a song that’s ended too soon.
Oh, no. The man has made mepoetic.
I touch my chest, feeling my heartbeat slowly return to normal, and cackle to myself. “Get it together, Angel. You need coffee, not complications.”
If only I believed that.
Dragging my weary body back to the house after bidding Scotty goodbye, I’m bracing myself for the usual morning scramble of getting Andy out of bed. However, today is running by a different script. I push open his door, only to find him already up, standing in front of his mirror, meticulously brushing his hair.
“Well, this is a new development.” I lean against the doorframe with a raised eyebrow. Here’s my chance to test the waters. “What’s the occasion? A girl you like?”
Andy shoots me a look in the mirror, one eyebrow cocked in a perfect mimic of my usual expression. “Seriously, Mom? I’m twelve. It’s not about that.”
I stifle a laugh, pushing off from the doorway to walk over and ruffle his already smooth hair. “Okay, okay. So what’s the special event?”
He dodges my hand, smoothing his hair back into place with a sigh of exasperation that seems too mature coming from him. “I’m picking up Lil for school, and I’ve got a presentation today.”
“Oh?” I perk up, both intrigued and amused. “On what, rooftop aerodynamics for pigeons?”
“No, Mom.” He rolls his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching in a reluctant smile. “Soil preservation. It’s important.”
“Of course, the soil,” I nod solemnly. “Much more grounded. Pardon the pun.”
Andy snatches his backpack, slinging it over one shoulder. “Gotta go. Can’t keep Lil waiting. You don’t know how she gets about tardiness.”
Watching him dash out with a newfound sense of responsibility, whispering only to myself. “Guess you’re not such a little boy anymore, huh?”
The thought makes my knees weak and I lean against the wall.
“Hey, Andy!” I call out, just before he’s out the door.
He pauses, half-turning.
“Knock ’em dead with the soil talk. And Andy?”
I don’t know why I feel this need to keep him around, if only for a little longer. I can suddenly imagine him being grown up, living his life and trying to change the world somewhere far from Maple Falls.
He turns around, eyes wide. “Yeah?”
