Page 107 of Hot Stuff
My gaze goes in the direction of the living room. “I can think of two reasons I’d get violent without thought.”
The theme song for the show Micky is watching echoes through the apartment. “Did you put that on continuous play?” Oakley asks.
“I think so. But let’s go check. You can sit with him while I get this stuff in the wash.”
“You don’t want to sit with him?”
“I think we need to let him get comfortable with me first.”
“He might not actually be afraid of you. It might be that you look like his dad. I’m assuming you and your cousin must have looked alike, considering Micky looks so much like you.”
“We did when we were younger. I have no idea if that carried through to adulthood though.”
“I’m thinking it did.” She pulls out of my arms. “You get the wash on and have a look in the kitchen to see if there are any snacks in there we can entice Micky with.”
“I think I’ve got popcorn. Wait. Can a three-year-old eat popcorn?”
Oakley grabs my face and holds me still. “Don’t panic. I’ll google what three-year-olds eat while you wash his clothes.”
“Okay. I’m okay.”
“Of course, you are.”
A thought occurs to me. “You realize if I am his guardian, we’re going to be parents a hell of a lot quicker than either of us imagined.”
“Do you think Shelby might want to take him?”
“What? No. Why would you ask that? She just finished college.”
“I know. And I hate to admit I even had the thought but she’s his…second cousin?…and a woman and…” She shrugs.
“Oh, right. Yeah, maybe. I guess I’ll give her that option if I can, but if Michael named me as his guardian, then it’s me, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” I nod. “Good.”
She watches me closely and whatever she sees makes her smile grow bigger.
“What?”
“You’re gonna be a great dad.”
“This is not how I saw that happening. But if I’m a dad, you’ll be a mom.”
“I…oh.” For a moment her face is blank then the most beautiful thing happens. Her eyes sparkle and her smile stretches wide. “I’ll be a mom.”
I cradle her face and bring our foreheads together. “Fuck, Oak. Can we do this?”
“We have to. There’s no choice. He’s not going back wherever he’s been. No one just drops a child off in the foyer of an apartment building and gets to have him back.”
The fierceness in her voice makes me smile. And then I think about what I’d like to do with whoever brought Micky here. The rage that rolls through me boils my blood and rattles my bones.
A few hours ago I wanted nothing to do with the kid, now I’ll do whatever it takes to keep that little boy.
Oakley
It’s six am and I’m sucking down my third cup of coffee. I’m going to need it to get through the day.
