Page 44 of Who’s Your Daddy (Dadcoms #1)
Lola
I n what would shock absolutely no one, Cal wooed my parents easily. His patience as they told ghost stories was beyond impressive, and both my mom and my dad were enamored with Murphy.
At the end of the night, my mom swore Murphy reminded her of me when I was his age.
I get it. Though, I’d hope it’s not because at only six, even when surrounded by adults, he seemed like the responsible party. It’s my greatest hope that Murphy will never have to feel that way again. Not with Cal in his corner.
“Can you read to me tonight, Lola?” Murphy asks as he pads out of his bathroom, already dressed in his PJs.
Warmth blossoms in my chest. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I can’t wait to find out more about the flying shoes.”
Murphy’s blue eyes sparkle. “Me too.”
“Flying shoes?” Cal straightens, leaning forward.
“Yeah. If you put them on your feet, you can soar.” Murphy throws his arms out and zooms around the room.
A low chuckle rumbles out of Cal. “That sounds awesome. ”
“Yeah,” the little boy shrugs, “but only Hermes’ kid gets to wear them.”
Cal’s eyes narrow. “Is he the god of thieves?”
“Travelers,” I say.
“Both,” Murphy corrects, standing a little taller.
“Come on, then, my little traveler, let’s get in bed.” I drape an arm over his shoulder.
“Wait.” He slips out of my hold and darts for Cal. When he throws his arms around him, Cal’s eyes go wide. “Goodnight. Even if you can’t give me flying shoes, you’re a pretty cool dad.”
Cal squeezes him tight, blinking rapidly.
My throat tightens, and my own tears threaten as I witness this moment between them. It couldn’t have been easy coming into his son’s life the way he did, but Cal is excelling at parenthood in every way.
“Let’s go.” Murphy releases his dad and rushes past me.
Once he’s under the covers and I’ve settled beside him with T he Lightning Thief in hand, he sighs heavily.
My chest tightens at the sudden sadness wafting off him. “Everything okay?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Always,” I assure him closing the book. “What’s up?”
Blue eyes so much like Cal’s lower, his focus drifting to the bed, his fingers idly picking at the comforter. “Has my mom called or texted or anything?”
The question guts me. This boy has been here for months, and he hasn’t once spoken to the one person he should be able to count on.
I’m almost positive the answer is no, but I can’t say for sure, so with an arm around him, I pull him close. “I’d have to ask Cal, but he hasn’t said she has.”
His little body slumps against mine, cracking my heart in two.
“Even if she hasn’t called, that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t care,” I assure him. “My parents love to travel, and when they’re gone, they’d love it if I was with them. But like you have to go to school, I have to work. That doesn’t mean we don’t miss them though.”
“I do miss her,” he whispers, head tipped back and eyes fierce. “But I like it here.”
“We like having you here,” I promise him.
“I’m sure your mom liked having you with her too.
People show love in all kinds of ways. It may not always make sense, but usually, they love us the best they can.
That might mean that certain people are ones we have fun with, while others are the ones we can rely on. You know what I mean?”
Murphy studies me, lips turned down. His expression far too knowing for such a young soul.
Two months ago, I never could have imagined saying this, but the words come easy now.
“Cal will always be here for you. I can promise that. He may be a total goofball, but he wants to be more than just your fun dad, he wants to be the person you can rely on. Don’t discount that.
” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I think that by leaving you with your dad, your mom did what’s best for you.
She knew that this way, you could go to school and that you’d have someone who loves you nearby all the time. ”
He nods. “Do you think it will hurt Cal’s feelings if I tell him I miss her?” His eyes mist over. “If I want to see her when she comes back?”
I shake my head resolutely. “He would never be upset.” I hug him tighter to my side. “Cal’s got a big heart. He’d never be mad that you inherited that from him. You’re free to love whoever you want to love.”