That’s how I know I have it bad. I’ve never once wanted to take a woman out for coffee, but Cam said he met Kelly for coffee on their first date. Then they went for dinner and ice cream. That sounded kinda nice. Sweet. Fucking wholesome, you know? Something I want to do with Rox.
But first we have to get through this stupid week to “count the cost.”
Personally, I don’t know why we can’t just dive in and see how things play out. We’re already good friends. We know we have insane chemistry. We enjoy spending time together. Why can’t we do that naked? It’s not like I can knock her up again.
After I take a quick shower, I’m about to pass out when my phone rings. I hope that’s Roxy.
When I see the name on the caller ID, disappointment washes over me. It’s Jake.
“What’s up, man?” I ask as I toss off my towel and reach for some boxer briefs.
“I need a favor.”
The man never asks for favors. He’s a fucking island of stoic self-sufficiency. “Okay…” I say hesitantly.
“I need someone to watch Asher.”
“And you thought I was the best candidate to babysit?”
“No. Not at all.” He chuckles. “But I need to drive to Dallas to meet with an agent first thing in the morning, and Charlotte’s sick. She has a stomach thing, and it would suck for her to have to watch Asher when she isn’t feeling well. I need to take off tonight, but I should be back by noon tomorrow. Can I drop him off with you? I’d say you could just come over here, but Charlie’s still puking. I think she had a bad corn dog or something.”
“Yeah, I don’t wanna go over there. You’re sure Asher’s not sick?”
“He’s not sick.”
Hell, why not? It’s just one night. “Why don’t you drop off the little dude? I’ll watch him.” This is the perfect time to prove that I have what it takes to date a soon-to-be single mom.
But a few hours later, when Ash leans over the toilet and hurls for the fifth time, I start to wonder if I’m cut out for this.
“I want Daddy,” he cries. His lower lip is all quivery, and his eyes are bloodshot.
I take a towel and wipe his face. “Sorry, bud. He’ll be back tomorrow. How about we wash out your mouth, and I’ll change your sheets.” Again. He was sleeping on the small couch in my bedroom when he flew intoExorcistmode and spewed chunks everywhere.
“My tummy hurrrts.” Ash stomps on the floor, pissed. I’m pissed for him too. Poor guy.
“Let’s go see if we have a ginger ale or Sprite or something bubbly. Then we can watch a movie.” We have ten thousand channels. Surely, there has to be something the kid will enjoy.
That seems to brighten him up a little. I carry him downstairs, where we rummage around in the kitchen. “How about some crackers?” I ask. He shrugs. “We could add some jam.”
His lips twist, like he’s deep in thought, and then he nods.
I make a picnic in the living room with crackers, jelly, some bananas, and Sprite.
We’re midway throughThe Lion Kingwhen I realize that giving a kid with a stomach bug some crackers with jam is a terrible idea.
“Oh shit.” Cam and Kelly walk in just as Ash pukes all over me.
Oh shitis right. I look like a fucking crime scene with regurgitated raspberry jam splattered all over my white t-shirt.
Maybe I’m not cut out for kids after all,I think just before the smell of the vomit makes my dinner come up.
11
ROXY
When I reachthe gymnastics room, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I love how this room smells. Like sweat and mats with the faint hint of chalk we use so our hands aren’t slippery.
You wouldn’t think that scent would be appealing, but I love it. I grew up doing gymnastics and wanted to be the next Simone Biles or Laurie Hernandez, but that meant leaving my parents and relocating to a camp that trains Olympic hopefuls. I loved my parents and my dad’s football teams too much to take that route. Cheerleading was the next best thing.
