Page 25 of Secret Love (The Single Dad Playbook #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

NEW NORMAL

HENLEY

The next day, I’m in the school parking lot, tapping the steering wheel and wondering whether I should go in and see what’s taking Cassidy so long. Her tutoring session with Tru was supposed to end ten minutes ago. I turn on the radio, trying to chill because I know part of this impatience is that I want an excuse to see Tru.

But I also really want to make sure both of them are okay in there.

Finally, Cassidy walks out of the building and saunters to the SUV. It’s a weird phenomenon that happens when kids get to a certain age. They go from running everywhere to experimenting with the speeds of turtles.

She gets inside and slumps back in her seat.

“How did it go?”

“Fine, Dad. It went fine. Okay? I wasn’t rude. I didn't act like a child the way you expected me to.”

I touch her shoulder, and when she doesn't look at me, I tilt her chin so she meets my eyes.

“Bunny. I know you're not a rude person. I didn't expect you to act like a child. I'm asking how it went with the reading.” And okay, yes, how it went with Tru. “I’ve been in on this process for most of the time you've worked with Miss Seymour. I want to keep hearing about how it goes even if I'm not around some of these tutoring sessions for a while.”

She waves her hand. “That part was normal. I don’t know…it’s helping, I think. But I felt dumb. Like I made it weird the other day. I didn't want to be weird. I like her. You know I like her so much .”

She looks at me and empathy floods through me. My girl is trying so hard and it’s fucking hard to grow up and deal with all the things.

“I know you do. I know all of this is strange. And weird and uncomfortable. But your sessions with her are important to me and I know they’re important to her. I don't want anything to get in the way of that.”

“It won't. She was nice. She acted even better than normal.” She sighs and lets her head fall back against the seat. “She's really great, okay? I'm sorry I'm being mean about you and her.”

“You don't need to apologize for anything. In fact, you don't have to think about me and Tru at all. Focus on your schoolwork. Focus on being who you are. Being the great sister and daughter you already are. And I'll focus on my…stuff too,” I finish lamely.

I try not to swear in front of my kids, but the battle is uphill a lot of the time.

“I love you, bunny.”

“I love you too.”

“Okay, let’s get home. Your sisters are anxiously waiting for you so you can play this new game we got…about cats.”

“How about you just get us a cat instead of giving us a new game about cats?”

“Very funny, har-har.”

“I missed seeing Earl…since we met at school instead of the house…”

I don’t say anything but file that away for later. Maybe keeping things quiet won’t have to last very long.

I want to call Tru. I'm tempted to stop by her house, but I don't. I’m trying to take things slowly, which is what I think she wants. But damn, it's hard. When I get home from dropping the girls off, Tru texts, and I feel like a kid because I'm so excited and relieved to be hearing from her.

Tru

Things went well with Cassidy today.

Cassidy thought so too, and I'm really glad you also felt that way. She reiterated again how much she likes you, and she's sorry for being mean, which I told her she's not. She's just human, and this is a weird situation, but I think she's already softening toward the idea. I really do.

Tru

I’m so glad to hear that. We had a productive day, and I think it's a good move to keep working at the school for now. I told her I was sorry she saw anything that might make her uncomfortable and she turned bright red and said she’s totally fine. I don’t fully buy that, but we both did our best to act normal, and by the end of our session, it felt close to it! But I do miss seeing your face. So much.

Not as much as I miss seeing yours. You're welcome over here anytime. You know that, right?

Tru

Yeah, I do. And believe me, I'm so tempted. But I’m just trying to pace myself, you know? I haven’t had many nights like the one we had, Henley. Zero, if you want the truth. And another true confession: I’ve been lonely for a long time, but I don’t feel that way as much now that I’m here. But I don’t want to lose myself in us. I’ve seen that with my mom and dad’s relationship my whole life, and I don’t want to follow that path.

Give yourself credit, tiny dancer. You’re much too independent and wise for that to happen, and I’m too in awe of who you are to let that become us. There’s no rush. I want to be with you and learn everything about you, but we can take all the time you need.

Tru

Has anyone told you you’re the best man ever?

Nope.

Tru

Wait. I feel like maybe I’ve told you this before.

Not today you haven’t. Smile emoji

Tru

Okay, Mr. Football Player.

I set my phone down, smiling…something I’ve done a lot of since Friday night, despite how things went haywire afterward.

I can't help but feel like things are gonna work out with us. The fact that I'm excited about someone is huge. I didn't think I would get invested in a relationship ever again really. The fact that I’m feeling all these feelings….it’s just fun.

I laugh out loud at myself and take a long shower after I’ve worked out.

The guys start texting one by one, checking in to see how things went with Cassidy and Tru this afternoon. When I’m in bed, I text them back.

It went well. Cassidy and Tru both said so. I think things are gonna be okay, guys. Thanks for hanging out with me this weekend and walking me through it.

Penn

You're always there for us and we’ll always be here for you too.

Bowie

What Penn said.

Rhodes

I'm just glad you're getting laid. It's about fucking time.

Weston

laughing crying emoji Leave it to Rhodes to say what we're all thinking but would never say.

Rhodes

You're welcome.

Well, it was one night, albeit one fan-fucking-tastic night. But it’s not like I’m living the sexed-up life most of you are living. It's a start though. LOL.

Bowie

Most of you, he says. Way to make me feel left out, dude.

He sends an Eeyore gif.

BOW, you and I have purposely chosen the drought. I thought mine might last forever, and I’m still not out of the woods.

Rhodes

Your time is coming, Bowie! And you’ve just gotta take what you want, Henley! And you guys know I don’t use exclamation points unless I’m FEELING it.

I love you guys.

Weston

^ If you hadn’t told us you’d had sex, we’d know it by that right there.

I tell you guys I love you!

Penn

Uh, it’s rare. Weston and I are the showy-feely types. The rest of you, not as much.

Rhodes

Dude, I resent that.

Penn

It’s the truth and I love you anyway.

Rhodes

I say it in other ways.

Penn

I dare you to tell me at the gym tomorrow.

Bowie

I’ll tell you. I’m not afraid of showing my feelings.

Rhodes

NEITHER AM I.

Weston

Sadie wants to know why I’m snorting every other second.

Tell her it’s a frickin’ love fest on here. That I started, by the way.

Weston

She says she loves you too. Wink emoji

Penn

I love that woman.

Bowie

Tell her I love her more.

Rhodes

I’m the one that loves her most and she knows it.

I love her and that little boy.

Weston

I’d be jealous of how fast you piled on about how much you love her if I didn’t love her so much too. I get it.

Night, guys. See you at the gym tomorrow.