Page 84 of The Single Dads Club
“Do you think she’ll still look after Grier for you?”
Oh hell, that possibility hadn’t even occurred to me. What if Corrigan never wants to see me again after I made her comfortable?
“I really hope so,” I say truthfully. Even if there’s zero chance of us dating again, I still want her in my life. I’ll take being “just friends” any day. I have very few of those in this town after being gone for so many years.
Mom presses her lips together. “I’ve been turning it over and over in my mind, Lex, and I think Grier needs a mother, not a nanny.”
I heave out a sigh and glance over to where Grier’s now playing with the lace doilies on the coffee table. “Mom, we’ve talked about this. I don’t have the time and energy to devote to a girlfriend right now, and I definitely don’t want to use one as free childcare. That’s just where my life is now.”
And after everything Corrigan has told me about how my dumbass behavior has made her feel, on top of how things went with Grier’s mother, I’m starting to doubt whether I’m even cut out for long-term romantic relationships at all. The evidence would point tono.
Fuck.
“Lexington.” Despite the fatigue in her voice, Mom’s voice sounds the sharpest I’ve heard from her in years. She rests her hand on my arm, locking eyes with me. “Get your act together. Take your time, do things right, but remember you have a daughter to think about.”
I stiffen. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. She always comes first. That’s why I—”
Mom yawns hugely. “Oh dear, pardon me. I’d love to talk more, but I’m afraid I’m fading ... naptime really sneaked up on me.”
I nod, my jaw muscles tight. “That’s fine, Mom. Rest. We’ll see you again soon. Tomorrow, if you’re feeling up to it.”
She nods once.
I pick up Grier and head to the door, glancing at Dawn, who is putting on a very convincing show of being totally absorbed in her book. I feel angry all over again at airing our dirty laundry in front of a stranger.
At the last moment before I go, I turn back to say, “Feel better soon, Mom.”
She nods and raises her hand in an attempt at a wave. “Thank you, sugar.”
My mind buzzes with somber thoughts as I drive home, too many things crashing over and over one another and making my blood pressure rise. I don’t know what to think anymore. Trying to figure my life out by myself isn’t working. I need someone to talk to. I’m not sure if what I need is a distraction or a serious hashing-out session or what, but I needsomething.
Shit—I realize I’ve hardly talked to Dak since I came here. I completely forgot to follow up with him, let alone hang out. And if anyone can give me an insider’s perspective on Corrigan, it’s her brother.
When we get home, I get Grier set up with her favorite toys and call Dak. It only rings a few times before he picks up.
“What’s up, Lex?”
“Hey, man, sorry I took so long to get back to you. I was wondering if you wanted to come over for a beer.”
“Sure, I’m not doing anything right now. Or if you want, we can have a few rounds on the house at Dak’s Place—I know the owner pretty well.”
I snort. “I have to watch Grier. I can’t take a toddler to a bar, even if it is yours.”
“That’s cool. I wanted to see your new place anyway. You free now?”
“Yeah.”
“Be there in twenty.”
“Cool. See you soon.” I hang up.
By the time I’ve cleaned up the kitchen and picked up the mess of books Grier’s dumped into the middle of the living room floor, there’s a knock on the front door. Grier toddles over with Flapflap in tow, but when I open the door to Dak, she glues herself to my leg.
He sets down his six-pack and squats, smiling at her. “Hey there, sweetie. You must be Grier. My name is Dak.”
“Hi,” she says in a tiny voice, then immediately hides her face.
“It’s all right, love bug. Dak is Daddy’s oldest friend.” I stroke her hair soothingly. “Do you want to watch Totoro?”
