Page 19 of Cross My Heart
They ended up getting it together enough to help unpack some more boxes. Although that didn’t stop them from giving me the side-eye on their way out.
As he is walking through the door, Trevor pulls me in for a hug. Stepping back, he gives me some advice. “Just let things play out. She seems like a trustworthy person. I think your instincts are right about her, but we will still check in every day you are gone.”
“Thanks, man. I think she will be good too. Maybe I just needed you guys to back me up. Single parenting is fucking hard.” I say like we don’t both know the truth of that statement first hand.
He gives me a sad smile. I know we are both thinking about our single parents as he claps me on the back on his way out. “You’re one of the good ones, you know that, right?”
“One of the good ones?” I ask.
“Yeah, one of the good ones. A good man and a hell of a good dad. Things will get easier, and we are always here. Don’t be a pecker next time, though.If Lanie goes running for the hills, call us immediately,” he says, punching me in the arm.
“I will, thanks,” I reply and mean it.
Trevor says, “I don’t think she’ll be running away, though.”
I smile at him because I don’t think she will either.Shutting the door, I hear water running, so I head for the stairs. I pass Tate’s room first and notice his light on, so I step in.
“Hey, King Tate, how’s it going?” I ask, walking into his room.
He shrugs his shoulders and my heart cracks a little more. I miss his voice.
“What do you think of Lanie?” Talking with him lately is more of a one-sided conversation.
He looks up at me and smiles.
“You like her?” I keep talking.
He nods twice.
“Tate?” I question until he lifts his eyes to me. “I love you more than anything. You know that, right?”
He just stares at me.
“I will always be here for you. Always. When I have to go on these work trips, I will always, always come back.” I’m thinking of the London trip.Fucking hell.
He nods his head again, signaling he knows, while I pick him up in a hug.
“Listen, buddy. Remember how I have to go on a work trip next week? I’m going to be away for almost two weeks, but I promise I will call you every day, okay?”
His eyes glisten but he doesn’t speak.
I didn’t think my heart could hurt anymore. “I promise I will come back. I’ll always come back.” I peel away from him and look down to sad eyes. “Tate, I promise.”
He nods his head again, and I feel a tear fall down my face.
How could she do this to him? How could she do this to us? I hate Anna with a new passion today.
“Lanie is going to be here with you while I’m away. Uncle Trevor, Loki, and even Preston are going to stop in every day to check on you. If something’s not right, you tell them right away. They will stay with you guys and I’ll be on the next flight home.” I pause, pulling him in for another hug.“I hate that I have to leave, but it’s important for work. I’ll come home early if I can. Okay? Please let me know you’ll be alright with Lanie?”
In a whisper so soft I’m not one hundred percent sure I haven’t made it up, he says, “I like Lanie, Dad, we will be okay.”
I study him and know he said it, but the knot in my throat is too big to swallow down. I nod my head to him and squeeze him a little tighter.
Smiling, I kiss him. “Get your jammies on and climb into bed. You can read for a little bit while I go check on Lanie and the girls, alright?”
He nods his head and turns to his bathroom to change.
Maybe Lanie is going to be a good thing, after all. I leave Tate’s room and head toward the sound of water splashing.
