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“Dad?” Hayden asks after a moment of quiet. “Do you want to play with me? I think this game has two-player mode.”
“Sure.” I pick up a controller from the TV cabinet and take a seat next to Hayden.
I’m still not used to him calling me Dad, but I have a feeling I could adapt to this new life quite happily.
* * *
After Hayden is shown to his room and is tucked into bed, I turn to Jenni. “Would you be okay with coming to my house? I’m not sure I can sit at home alone right now.”
“If you want. Let’s just say goodbye to your mom first.”
We head to the living room where she’s sitting with a cup of tea by the fire. She looks up at us. Amanda’s already retired to her room, so it’s just the three of us. My dad was away on business in Singapore, so he missed the entire thing.
“Have you told Mr. Keith he has a new grandson?” Jenni asks, sitting next to her.
Mom shakes her head. “I haven’t even had a chance yet. It’s been an overwhelming night.”
“I can’t imagine getting a call like that.”
“I don’t know if he’ll be happy or angry that Hayden has been kept from us all these years.” Mom’s keeping her voice low, because it wouldn’t do to have Amanda or Hayden randomly show up and overhear what we’re saying.
“I’d imagine both,” Jenni says. “I’m angry for you.”
I’m angry too, but the fact that Hayden is in my life now is overpowering that anger.
Mom sighs. “Yes. But there’s no point in being angry now. The best thing we can do is love that boy.”
“That’s how I feel too.” My heart swells at her words.
Jenni’s face softens. “You’re absolutely right.”
“And support Langston all you can.” Mom reaches over to grab my hand. “This will be hard for you.”
“We’re headed over to his house after this to help him process all of this.” Jenni looks over at me with “love” in her eyes. I know it’s an act for my mom, but strangely, I want it to be real. It’s nice to have her support through all of this, even if it’s just pretend.
Do we even need to put on an act anymore? Would it be possible that Mom would want me to get back together with Amanda to help her through her illness and for the sake of Hayden?
Mom gives Jenni a giant smile, like this news makes her happy. “Now, don’t you two get too carried away.” She shakes a finger at me. “You’d better behave yourselves.”
Whatever she thinks Jenni and I might be doing tonight will never happen. There’s no way Jenni would allow it. I smile back at her. “Yes, ma’am.” Because that’s a promise I can keep.
Right? Surely Jenni’s warmth toward me is just an act still.
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, doubt and nervousness creep in, circling around me until my heart begins to race and my palms dampen.
Jenni and I almost kissed this morning. If we’re together alone at my place, who knows what might happen? But there won’t be anyone to convince, and likely nothing will happen.
We say goodbye to my mom and head over to my place.
And I’m nervous. It’s not a big deal. I’ve hung out with Jenni plenty of times. There’s nothing to be worried about. But there was something real between us this morning, and I didn’t imagine that. And with the upheaval of the night and seeing how wronged I was by Amanda, I need Jenni’s support.
It’s hard to know how she really feels about all of this.
When we get to my place and climb out of our cars, Jenni says, “Was that a crazy night or what?”
“Crazy is an understatement. I think this calls for a bottle of wine. Something special.” I fetch the bottle of Chateau Cos d’Estournel that I’ve been saving for a special occasion.
She sees the bottle in my hands when I come back with it. “Oh, wow. You weren’t kidding when you said it was something special.”