Page 16 of Three Not-So-Little Words (The Lawson’s #3)

sixteen

Now, Who’s Full of Surprises?

Drew

“ A lright, bud. Tell me all about your first day,” I say, watching Colton take a bite of his pizza.

I already knew he had a good day. Just like his mother, my son wears every one of his emotions written all over his face. And ever since I picked him up, he’s been all smiles.

He starts right in. He tells me about his teacher, his classroom, and what he had for lunch. I learned that he made a friend named Amy, and they played tag at recess.

He talks ninety miles a minute, only stopping long enough to take bites of pizza.

I hang on every word and ask questions along the way. Natalie was always the best listener. It made everyone around her feel comfortable enough to open up. I hope I can be that same person for Colton.

“See?” I tell him. “I knew you were going to love it. You had nothing to worry about.”

“How was work?” He asks.

Honestly, work was a little rough. Although I know the basic mechanics of cars, I’m not well versed. There’s going to be a hell of a lot of on-the-job training in order for me not to fuck up someone’s vehicle.

But I don’t say any of that to Colton. He’s a kid and doesn’t need to hear all that.

“It was great,” I tell him.

“What do you do?” He asks.

“I help to fix people’s cars when they’re broken.”

“Why do they break?”

“All kinds of reasons.”

He takes another bite. “So, you’re not fighting anymore?”

“No, I’m done fighting.”

“Do you miss fighting?”

I know he’s looking for a simple answer, but I’m not sure there is one.

I got into fighting merely by chance. But once I was in, I realized it was something I was really good at. It was hard as hell to walk away from that, but the lifestyle wasn’t conducive to raising a kid on my own.

I come back to reality and remember Colton is waiting on an answer. “Sometimes. But I think I’m going to like our new life a whole lot more.”

That answer seems to appease him because he changes the subject. “Can we get a puppy?”

I choke on the sip of water I just took. “What?”

He repeats the question.

“I don’t know that a dog is a good idea right now.”

“Why?”

“Because you and I are both gone all day, and there won’t be anyone around to train it. Let’s get settled in, and then, we’ll see.”

With all this change, I don’t know that I could handle a dog right now on top of everything else.

After we eat, Colton asks to watch a superhero movie. I turn on Spiderman while I work on folding some laundry.

As I make my way through the chores, I think about Ronnie. It’s only Monday, and I’m already looking forward to the weekend when I can see her again.

I still feel guilty for not telling her about Colton. I guess if we are keeping things casual, there’s really no need. If she asked, I wouldn’t lie to her, but I don’t think she’ll ask. She was pretty adamant about not wanting to know.

I pull out my phone and look for Ronnie’s name and number that I added to my contacts yesterday.

I debate with myself for a minute to decide if I want to say anything to her.

Oh, what the hell.

I type out a text and hit send.

Hey, gorgeous.

The reply doesn’t come through right away, and I wonder if she gave me a fake phone number.

I walk in the other room to put away Colton’s laundry. When I get back, I see my phone lighting up on the counter.

Hey, I was wondering when I was going to hear from you.

You knew I would text? Am I that predictable?

No. I just know we had a really good time together.

Definitely. So, what are you up to?

Literally nothing. Rotting on my couch watching a competitive baking show.

Really? Didn’t peg you for the type to watch baking shows.

I’m full of surprises.

I’m sure you are.

She sends another text.

What can I say? Episode one, I think it’s lame. By episode ten, I’m screaming that they used the wrong type of cake. I travel so much that when I’m home, I try to do as little as possible. But enough about me, what are you doing?

Catching up on laundry.

He cooks and he cleans? Now, who’s full of surprises?

Pretty sure it’s still you.

Just wait until this weekend. I’ll show you quite a few surprises.

Oh, yeah? Like what?

If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Give me a hint?

I’ll be naked. And all of them involve me doing something dirty to your cock.

Christ, this woman is going to kill me with that mouth of hers. Some women dirty talk, and you can tell it’s just an act for the sake of their partners. They watched some porn and copied what they heard.

With Ronnie, it’s different. I can tell she loves it just as much as I do.

When I don’t reply, she texts again.

That sound okay?

More than okay. I can’t fucking wait.

I don’t know that I’ve ever meant anything as much as I mean those words.