Page 4 of Three Not-So-Little Words (The Lawson’s #3)

four

Thanks, Dr. Phil

Drew

“ W here are we going?” Colton asks from the backseat.

“Well, I need to stop by and talk to my new boss, and then, I figure you and I could explore the town a little bit.”

“Okay.”

My eyes glance in the rearview mirror to see him looking out the window. He’s a little quieter than normal, but I’m hoping he’s just tired.

I pray to God that our move across the country isn’t what eventually lands him in therapy. I’m sure there are a million ways I could fuck him up as he gets older. I don’t want to do it quite so soon.

The past year has been a whirlwind. Before Natalie’s accident, she had Colton the majority of the time. I saw him as much as I could, but I was still fighting on the circuit, so training and fight nights made that a bit more difficult. The guilt of that ate away at me constantly.

After the accident, everything in my life took a backseat to fatherhood. Becoming a full-time dad is hard enough, but being a dad to a grieving son takes the cake.

I’ve done my best to make him comfortable. We even tried staying in the house where Natalie and Colton lived. That was a mistake, though. There were too many memories and too much pain.

I finally decided that this move and a fresh start would be best for us. It would be the best way for us to move on.

Let’s just hope it was the right decision.

We pull into the parking lot of Jack’s Auto Shop. Heading toward the front door, we walk past the garage windows. I glance inside and see all the bays are full.

Busy shop.

That’s a good sign.

I don’t pretend to be an expert in cars, but I know enough. I’m willing to learn whatever I need to so that I can make this work.

We head in the front door and are quickly greeted by Jack.

If I didn’t know him beforehand, he would look like an intimidating son of a bitch.

He stands a few inches taller than me, and even though he doesn’t still fight, he’s pretty muscular.

He has dark hair with an equally dark beard–although these days, I can see a few grays scattered throughout.

“Well, look who it is,” he says with a smile.

“Jack, it’s good to see you.” I shake his hand before giving him a hug.

When he lets go, he turns his attention to Colton. “Hey, bud. What’s your name?”

“Colton,” he squeaks out in a small voice.

“It’s nice to meet you, Colton. I’m Jack.”

Still being shy, Colton just waves.

Jack asks, “Do you like really big tow trucks?”

Colton nods.

At this moment, another guy comes walking by.

“Hey, Dylan,” Jack calls, getting his attention.

The man walks over to join us. “What’s up?”

Jack says, “Drew, I’d like you to meet Dylan. Dyl is my best guy–and also happens to be my almost-brother-in-law. Dylan, Drew here is a friend from back in Miami. He just moved to town and is our new hire.”

“Nice to meet you.” Dylan reaches out to shake my hand before looking at Colton.

Before he can ask any questions, Jack says, “And this is Colton. I imagine he’ll be hanging out here every once in a while. Why don’t you take him to go sit in the tow truck?”

Dylan gets the hint that Jack and I need to talk without little ears listening. “Let’s do it, Colton. And I think there’s some donuts in the break room we can get into…if your dad says it’s okay.”

He and Colton both look to me for my approval, and I nod.

When they walk away, Jack gestures for me to follow him into his office. Once inside, he shuts the door behind us.

I take a seat at his desk, opposite from him. “This is a nice shop you’ve got here, Jack.”

“Thanks. Keeps the bills paid and keeps me busy.” When he sits down, he asks, “So, how are you doing?”

“As good as I can be, I guess. Trying to make this whole thing work while not fucking up my kid.”

“Shit, man. That’s rough. I can’t imagine how I’d be if something happened to Liz.”

“I’m hoping that he’ll be okay. Next week, he starts school, so maybe that will get him into a routine.”

He picks up a pen and messes with it as he speaks. “I know we haven’t seen each other for a while, but if you need anything, just let me know. If you need to bring him to work with you, or even if you need a sitter for the night so that you can go have some fun, I’m happy to help.”

“Thanks, Jack. That means a lot.” I lean back in the chair and cross my arms over my chest. “Colton’s grandma on his mom’s side lives in the area and has offered to help out on weekends. I’m dropping him off tomorrow so that I can try to get the house in order.”

“Is that all you’ve got going on?” He asks.

“Why?” I smile. “Does that sound way too pathetic?”

His booming laugh bounces off the walls. “Not at all. I’m getting married this weekend.”

“Fuck, Jack. Way to bury the lead.”

“Why don’t you come?”

I cock an eyebrow. “To your wedding? Isn’t fucking with the invite list right before the big day frowned upon?”

“Nah. It’s not that fancy of a wedding. Come on, it’ll be a good way to meet some people around town.”

“When the hell did you become so nice?” I joke. “Small town life must be rubbing off on you.”

He points a finger at me. “Just wait. It’ll rub off on you too.”

“Will I also start getting all the gray hairs that you have?”

“You have a kid. Of course, you will.” He gestures to his hair. “See all this? It’s from having a daughter for a year.”

“I’d hate to see you when she starts dating.”

He sighs. “Oh, Christ. Let’s not even talk about that.”

“But for real, you’re like a whole new man.”

He nods. “Getting away from Miami was life-changing for me–in a good way. I hope it’ll be the same for you.”

“You and me both.”

“So, will you come to the wedding?”

I consider his offer. I’m not sure if he’s inviting me because he’s just being nice or if he pities me. Either way, it’s kind of him. I suppose getting out and trying to socialize may not be a bad idea.

“Sure. That sounds great.” I pause a moment before asking. “Am I still good to start work next week?”

“Yeah. Whenever you’re ready. If you need more time, just let me know.”

“I appreciate it, man.”

He pauses for a moment as if considering what he wants to say.

I say, “Go ahead and ask what you want to.”

“What was the deal with you and Colton’s mom? Were you together when she passed?”

I shake my head. “We broke up a while ago. We cared about each other, but my fighting career put a giant wedge between us. We decided to just stay really good friends and raise Colton together. I guess the universe had other plans for her.”

“I’m really sorry to hear that.”

“I’ve had my time to grieve. I miss her, but it is what it is. My number one concern is Colton.”

“Have you started dating yet?” He asks.

I wiggle my eyebrows. “Why? Are you asking me out?”

“Hmpf. You should be so lucky.” He chuckles. “Just curious. I think my nosy wife is rubbing off on me.”

“No, I haven’t dated. I had one drunken hookup that didn’t go well. Aside from that, I’ve been flying solo.”

“Maybe you need to get back out there.”

“Thanks, Dr. Phil,” I laugh. “If I were to do anything, it would just be something fun. It’s not that I’m looking for a mom for Colton or anything.”

“Fun is always good,” he agrees. “It’ll help you blow off some steam. Just be careful. Everyone who says they’re just after some fun ends up falling in love.”

“Is that what happened to you?”

He laughs even harder than before. “No, she hated me, and the feeling was mutual.”

“Seriously?”

“Oh, yeah. We couldn’t stand each other.”

I’m sure there’s a story there, but I don’t want to pry.

He does make a good point about blowing off some steam. May not be a bad idea. I’m sure I could use some fun–even if it’s just going out for the night when I don’t have Colton.

“Hey, Jack,” I begin. “Think you can tell me where I can get a beer around here?”