Page 18

CHAPTER 18

Matt

Z oey nearly had me breaking my resolve entirely yesterday. When she confronted me about why I crashed her date, she managed to pull out of me that I didn’t want her to go, but I stopped short of telling her it was because I wanted to be the one she was going on a date with. She was so mad when we went our separate ways, and all I wanted to do was pull her in close and kiss her. I wanted to show her what I couldn’t tell her.

I guess her texting when she got home was at least a positive sign that she wasn’t icing me out totally. It’s taken everything in me not to blow up her phone all day. My resolve breaks at the end of the night when I’m lying on the couch, torn between calling her and going to bed. Calling her wins out. I need to hear her voice.

Anxiety fills me as the phone rings. Just when I think it’s going to voicemail, she answers, and it’s like a weight has been lifted off me.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Zo.”

“Is everything okay?” I can hear a tinge of worry in her voice mixed with what sounds like the little lisp that comes out when she’s been drinking.

“Yeah. I just wanted to talk to you. Have you been drinking?”

She hiccups through the line. “It was girls’ night.”

Well, that explains it. “Did you have fun?”

“Of course. A night with my girls is always fun.”

“Mmmhhh. And how’d you get home?”

“Uber. You don’t have to check up on me, Matt. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I’ve done it for years.”

She’s right, but I want to check on her. I want to know she’s okay and having fun. Just because she’s taken care of herself for so long on her own doesn’t mean she should have to. But all of that is too much to drop on her during a half-drunk, late-night phone call.

“I know you can take care of yourself, but I care about you.”

The sound of sheets rustling travels through the phone as she makes a contented sigh. “I care about you, too.”

She yawns, and I know she’s going to be out in minutes. I debate staying on the phone to listen to her fall asleep to have that small connection to her or hanging up and settling for calling her tomorrow. The rational side of me wins out, and I say goodnight before hanging up and moving to my own bed.

The entirety of Friday is spent trying to calm Jayden while he teethes. He is constantly in pain, and it hurts me to see him like this. The teething toys Liv recommended have been a lifesaver. He uses them constantly. From the research I’ve done, he could be like this for up to another week, but I’m hoping it dies down in the next few days.

I pack plenty of his toys in his diaper bag and lots of burp clothes, because he’s been drooling like crazy. Liv seems to have the magic touch with Jayden right now, so I’m hoping she can help him during our game tonight.

As soon as we get to the rink, I search out Liv, hoping I can spot Zoey as well. When I get to the bleachers for our game, I only see Liv, and as much as I love my sister, I can’t help the disappointment that runs through me. She smiles when she spots Jayden and me, and I join her. She’s reaching for Jayden before I even have a chance to sit. Cate is sleeping in her car seat beside Liv, and it always amazes me how these kids can sleep anywhere, no matter how loud it is.

“How’s he doing?” she asks.

“He seems to be doing better, but he’s been inconsolable without the teething toys.”

She nods. “Sounds like Cate during that time, too. Once the teeth actually broke through, she calmed down a ton. Hopefully, Jayden’s the same way.”

The sound of familiar voices makes its way towards us just before I hear a laugh I’ll never forget. I quickly turn to face them, and there’s no stopping the smile that spreads across my face when I see Zoey. When she spots me, her smile is genuine, but it’s nowhere near as big as it’s been in the past. I mentally slap myself for making things awkward between us. That’s the last thing in the world I wanted. Her, Hannah, Liz, and Bailey join Liv and me, lost in their conversation. Liv joins in, and I know there’s no way I’m breaking into their conversation to pull Zoey away, so I resign myself to trying after the game.

The entire game, I steal glances at Zoey, hoping she’s watching me. Nothing has made me feel better than having her eyes on me. But every time I look towards her, she’s either playing with Jayden or deep in conversation with one of the girls. Jealousy creeps up on me. I know I shouldn’t feel jealous of my infant son, but he’s getting all of her undivided attention, and I want it. I want her to look at me. I want her to talk and laugh with me.

When the game’s over, I change quickly, hoping to catch Zo before she leaves. As I’m rushing up the stairs towards the restaurant, Zoey comes out and stops in her tracks for a second before rushing past me, saying a quick goodbye. I call her name, quickly pivot, and rush down the stairs to meet her at the bottom.

“Where are you going like your ass is on fire?” I ask, hoping I’ve added enough levity to my voice that it doesn’t sound like an attack.

She avoids looking at me. “I just have some things to do. I’ll see you later.”

She moves to walk away, but I capture her wrist, and it’s like a bolt of lightning hits me. She must feel it, too, because both of our eyes are locked on where I’m holding her. I trail my eyes up her arm, watching as her breathing picks up and then up to her face. Her lips are slightly parted, and it’s as if all she can do is stare at that one spot.

“Zo?”

“Hmmm?”

I chuckle at her flustered-ness, and she quickly removes her arm from my grasp.

“I’m taking Jayden to a little pop-up fair tomorrow. I was wondering if you’d join us?” Hope fills my voice, and she worries her lip between her teeth. I can see her hesitance. “Please. It will be fun. We can play some of those totally rigged carnival games, and I’ll try to win you something cool. Plus, they’ll have all the great fair food.”

She seems to have some internal conversation before she finally nods and looks up at me. “Sure. Sounds fun.”

Her yes has me as excited as a kid in a candy store. The little kid in me wants to jump in place and punch his fists, but I hold that all back and grin at her.

“Great. Meet at my place at 11 a.m.?”

“See you then,” she says before rushing out of the rink.

I stare after her until she’s out of sight and head to the restaurant. Liv is rocking Jayden’s car seat while Hannah bounces Cate and makes faces at her as she giggles. I walk up behind Hannah and start making faces at Cate, too, and she flaps her arms as she laughs. I reach for her and take her from Hannah.

“Now aren’t you the cutest little girl,” I say as I play eat her tummy. Her laugh is infectious. “How was Jayden?” I ask Liv.

“He was good. He seemed to be in a bit more pain towards the end of the game, so I gave him some baby Tylenol, and he fell asleep pretty quickly afterwards.”

“That’s good. Thanks for hanging with him, Liv. It means a lot that you’ll watch him so I can still play.”

“Of course. I know how much playing means to you, and I love spending time with my adorable little nephew.” She runs her finger over his cheek and smiles at him.

“I’m thinking I should get him home and in bed. I want to make sure he’s well rested for tomorrow.”

She raises a brow at me. “Fun plans?”

“We’re going to the fair, and I plan on tasting all of the food.”

Liv laughs and shakes her head. “Well, have fun.”

I nod and lean down, kissing her cheek before grabbing Jayden and heading to my car, stopping to say bye to the guys as they make their way up the stairs.