Page 65 of The Fadeaway
He rubs a hand over his scruffy jaw and around to the back of his neck. “Yeah. Think I might need another cup of coffee or two, though.”
“That I can do.”
“Now, can you answer a very important question?” I lift the pizza box out of the fridge. “Cold or hot?”
“Cold.” He takes the box and I grab plates and napkins and lead him to my bedroom.
“I’m gonna grab the coffee,” I say as I place everything on the end of the bed.
“Not so fast.” He grabs my hand and draws me to him. “Are we good?”
As if I could stay mad at him, but I do need him to understand that there are rules for being around Christian. “Yes, but no more showing up drunk.”
“Got it.” He looks embarrassed as he nods. “Anything else?”
“Just don’t make Christian any promises you can’t keep. He likes you.”
“I like him too.”
“I’m serious. He’s not used to having someone show up like this and—”
He stops my sentence by bringing his lips to mine. I pull back just a little. “You didn’t let me finish.”
“I got it, Kitty. I’d never do anything intentionally to hurt either of you.”
I believe him, but intentional or not, the chances of him hurting me or my son seem high.
At my silence, Joel captures my mouth and cups my face possessively. He tastes of coffee and alcohol and the faintest hint of peppermint. The way he kisses me reminds me of his words earlier.I really want to have sex with you.God, me too.
Christian’s footsteps register as he runs into the room and I pull back as he jumps on the bed with his stuffed animals in tow.
“Alright.” I try and clear my head as Joel and Christian take their places on my bed making the king-sized mattress look small.
The three of us eat pizza and watchThe Secret Life of Pets. Christian starts the movie at the foot of the bed, while Joel holds me against his chest, but eventually Christian wiggles his way between us and the only places I’m touching Joel are shoulders and legs.
“He’s out,” I whisper as the credits roll. Christian’s snuggled against Joel’s chest, mouth open and eyes closed. “I’ll just move him.”
“I got him.” He stands, holding Christian securely as I pull back the covers. Joel sets him down and I bring the covers up around him and tuck his favorite stuffed dog next to him.
I motion toward the door and Joel follows me out to the living room where we take our spots back on the couch from earlier.
“Does he sleep through the night?”
“Yeah. He goes hard during the day, but he sleeps well.”
“He’s a great kid.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t talk about Christian’s father. He around much?”
“He was visiting about once a month when he was going to school in Phoenix, but he’s moved closer so I’m hopeful Christian will see him more now. It’s been hard for him to see Christian regularly, but Christian looks forward to their time together just the same. It works for them.”
“And does that work for you? You’ve got a lot to handle on your own.”
“You sound like my mom.” I groan. “I made my choice to go to college like I’d planned before the pregnancy knowing I’d also be raising a kid. That’s on me and I don’t regret it.”
“Still, it’s gotta be hard to juggle it all.”
