“Nothing. I just need a night out with my bestie. Are you in or not?”
“I’m always in. I’m on call, but let’s go out anyway. I’ll pick you up in an hour.” She hangs up, and I toss my phone onto the counter.
I have no intention of being here tonight.
Garrett
Present
Villanova, Pennsylvania
Age 27
“KAI’S SOUND ASLEEP,” PEGGY SAYS as she settles on the couch in the den. Max is away on vacation, and Peggy jumped at the chance to stay and help out. She’s actually planning to spend the night tonight, hoping I’ll be successful with our plan.
“Did you see her?” I ask. She dropped by her house earlier today with Kai so Sam could spend some time with him. It’s been a while since she’s seen him, and I know Peggy takes him as much as she can. I don’t mind this at all and wish they would do it more often. Sam was such an integral part of the first six months of his life, and it would kill me to know that Kai didn’t get to see her. I know he misses her.
“I did,” Peggy responds. “She got to see Kai crawl. As soon as I put him down on the floor, he took off right into her arms. You should have seen how happy he was to see her.” The vision of this hurts more than I expect. I want my son to be happy and to be with Sam. Hell, I want to be with her. Picturing him crawling and throwing himself into her arms drives deep into my chest. It’s what should be.
“Well?” I ask, knowing I sent a note. This was all Peggy’s idea, and I’m worried it’s going to blow up in everyone’s faces. “Did she read it?”
“Oh, I don’t know. We left before she could open the bag. I’m not sure, actually.” She smirks and lifts her Kindle onto her lap. “I’m sure she’s read it by now,” she says and begins to read.
Shit.
“I can’t just show up there if she hasn’t read my note,” I say and start pacing around the room. “I haven’t seen her in three months, Peggy. I wish you had stayed long enough for her to tell you it was okay for me to come.” This was a really bad idea, and now I’m regretting even suggesting we get together.
“Relax, Garrett.” She glances at the clock. “You should head over in a few minutes, otherwise you’ll be cooking that pizza at midnight.” She grins and looks back down at her Kindle.
I huff. “This is a mistake.” I swipe my keys from the counter and head out.
When I pull up to their house, it’s dark. Sam’s car is in the driveway, but it looks like there’s nobody home. I park my car next to hers and hesitantly get out. The front porch light isn’t on, and I wonder if she’s trying to tell me something.
Fuck it.
I didn’t come all the way over here just to wonder ‘what if.’ I reach the front door and ring the bell and wait. And wait. She isn’t answering. I ring again and nothing. I knock loudly and peer through the window pane. Either she’s hiding in there or she’s not even here.
Yes, this was a mistake.
I sink down onto the front step and kick my legs out in front of me. What was I expecting? That she was going to open the door and fly into my arms? Tell me how much she missed me? Declare her undying love for me? I’m an idiot.
I pull out my phone, about to hit her speed dial, when a car pulls into the driveway. The lights flash toward me and I lift my arm up to shield my eyes. The driver’s window lowers, and Cassie’s voice screeches across the yard, “Hey, Garrett! How are you?”
I can’t see her because of the blinding lights. “I’m good,” I say and stand up. The passenger door opens and Sam emerges.
“Sam was just telling me all about Kai’s visit today. I can’t believe how big he’s getting,” she says. “Take care!” Her window closes and she backs out of the driveway, leaving Sam standing in place.
Neither of us moves for what seems like forever. She eventually takes a step toward me then stops. “What are you doing here?” she asks, and her arms fall to her sides.