Page 102 of Whiskey Wednesdays
Titus scowled. “You’re talking to him, but you won’t talk to me?”
“Jackson explained and then apologized. I also confided in you, but you didn’t say anything.”
Jackson raised his hand. “Although I’d love to stay and watch you hand Titus his balls, I’m taking off.” He hugged me. “Give Connor a chance. I don’t want to lose you either.”
He walked out, and Titus stepped in front of me. “First, Connor is also my friend. I told him to tell you, but he said he didn’t want to lose you. That was his call. It was a fucking stupid call, but still his to make. Second, you two are good together. You know it, he knows it. Even your dad knows it. And he’s divorced now, so if you think he’s worth it, cut him a break. God knows, the man needs one. Even if he’s a fucking idiot sometimes.”
I stared at Titus and thought about my life before Connor came into it, and how alone I’d been. My choice had mostly been about school, but now I loved having him and Elodie around.
“He was married for five years, and he didn’t tell me. I don’t know if I can trust him again. And does he really want to be in another relationship so soon now that he’s free?”
Titus cocked his head and studied me. “It’s been years since he’s been in an actual relationship. Amelia isn’t a relationship, she’s a fucking tragedy. He was alone for a long time, and then you came along. Think about that.”
The rest of the week dragged by. It was cold and flu season, and we had a rash of kids come into the pediatric clinic. I called my dad to make sure Elodie was okay.
“She has a little sniffle, but nothing to worry about. Now what’s going on with you and Connor? He looks like he hasn’t slept in a week, and you sound like your dog died.”
“I’ve never had a dog, so how do you know what I’d sound like?”
He sighed. “You know what I mean. Now what’s going on?”
I cleared my throat. “Connor and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“I suspected something like that. Are you okay? What happened?”
“Up until about a month ago, he was married. I found out on Monday.”
Dad sucked in a sharp breath. “What? Who in the world was he married to?”
I told him what I knew. “The thing that hurts the most is he didn’t tell me.”
“If I’d known, I never would have encouraged him.” Dad sighed. “He and I are going to have words.”
“You don’t need to defend me. I can do it myself.”
He ignored me. “I don’t understand. He doesn’t even like Elodie’s mom.”
“He said he married her so Elodie would have his last name, and he’d be in a better position to get custody. But it doesn’t change the fact that he was married when we met, and he never said a word.”
“Why didn’t he just tell you?” Dad sounded baffled.
“Because he’s an idiot?”
“I can’t argue with that. It’s a damn shame because you seemed to make each other happy.”
“I miss seeing you every day. And I miss Elodie.” I missed Connor too, but I also wanted to scream at him.
“Maybe Elodie and I can meet you at the park, or for lunch sometime. She asks where you are. She misses you too.”
“Let’s meet at the park. Give her a big hug for me.”
The next afternoon, Dad brought Elodie to the skate park closest to Connor’s house so we could hang out together. She had her own helmet, pads, and a sweet little SkateXS board with a purple and green flower design.
Elodie jumped up and down when she saw me. “I have my own stuff now. And you know what?” She put her hands on my cheeks. “I practiced with Daddy. And I only fell off four times the last time.”
My heart squeezed when I thought of Connor patiently working with her on her little skateboard.
“Are you wearing your helmet and pads every time?”
