Page 29 of Home in the Country
“Yeah! It’s a dinosaur book.”
“I can’t wait to read it with you at bedtime.”
Briggs smiles from ear to ear and then chatters on about the rest of his day. We hadn’t planned on stopping by to see Jake and Cheyenne, but I was so happy when she called to ask us to come over. I’d missed a lot of time with her, and it was nice to be able to swing by on a moment’s notice instead of planning cross-country travel accommodations.
Cheyenne had given us dinner to take home—which Briggs thankfully ate without complaint—and a bottle of wine for after bedtime.
I learn all about velociraptors from his book from the library, and my heart melts a little each time he points out a sight word he learned at school. He never fails to amaze me, even if we’ve transitioned into the phase of testing boundaries at an exhausting rate.
With Briggs tucked into bed, I pull the bottle of wine from the fridge and pour myself a small glass before heading into the living room and calling Cheyenne.
“How was dinner? Did Briggs like it?”
I laugh and relax against the cushions. “He loved it and thank you again. It was an amazing surprise.”
“Not as amazin’ as seein’ Otto, I guess.” I hum in response and she laughs. “Don’t think you’re getting out of this.”
“Seriously, who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
“Mama calls it findin’ my voice.”
I sigh. “Okay, well,”—pausing, I take a sip of the fruity white wine and bask in the faux decadence—“I asked him if we could have a friends with benefits arrangement.”
“Good for you, askin’ for what you want. How did he respond? Things looked tense out there.”
“Were you spyin’ on us?” I tease.
“Most definitely.”
“You’re terrible.”
“How can you blame me? He couldn’t get out of here fast enough, and then you practically chased him to the door.”
“I did not!” I gasp and her giggle fills the line.
“You most certainly did.”
My cheeks heat, and I press the cool of the wineglass to my skin. “I just…I can’t stay away from him, Cheyenne. Like, I want to and I know I need to not get wrapped up in him, but my whole body lights up anytime he’s within shoutin’ distance.”
She whistles low into the phone.
“I didn’t realize it was so serious.”
“I’m trying to set boundaries, for both of us.”
Otto’s gruff words still echo in my head.“You don’t know the first fuckin’ thing about what I want.”
He’d been angry when he said them, but I blocked it out because if I dare hope… Shaking my head, I push everything out of my mind. I’ve grieved too much to add Otto to the list before I’ve really had him.
“So how did you guys leave it?”
“He told me to come over on Friday. I need to ask my parents to take Briggs overnight.”
Guilt gnaws at me for dumping my son at his grandparents all so I can get laid.
“Do you think—” I’m about to voice the thought when Cheyenne cuts me off.
“Why don’t you drop him here? Jake and Waylon are going to pick up some equipment or barn wood; I can’t remember. I’ll invite Marlee over and we’ll spoil our favorite nephew.”
