“Because…” I don’t get a chance to finish because my phone dings with a message.
There’s only three people who would be texting me. I pull my phone out of my back pocket and open up the screen.
Isaac: Where are you? You’re usually home by now.
Of course, he’s still awake. No doubt wondering if I can grab some late-night tacos for him and his friends. Unless, of course, he always stays up until I get home and I don’t know it.
Joan: I’ll be home soon.
Isaac: can you get some tacos…
Joan: Let me know how many.
Eric’s eyes are on me when I look up from my phone. “Sorry, I have to go.”
“One of the kids? Is everything okay?” His eyebrows knit in concern.
“Yeah, my son noticed I wasn’t home yet and asked where I was.”
“I get it.” He does, and I know he does. But it doesn’t stop the slump in his shoulders when I scoot my chair back.
“Thank you for super early breakfast.”
“Anytime.” He walks me to the door, opening it, and following me to my car. “Sorry you couldn’t finish it.”
“That’s the way it goes with kids sometimes.” I unlock my car, but I don’t want to leave him like this.
I move my arms around his neck and lean up on my toes. My lips meet his, and I can taste the syrup from the waffles. It’s sweet, and the exact opposite of how I’m feeling right now.
His arms go around my waist, and he pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. His tongue moves across mine, and I melt into him. I want to do this the rest of the night.
My phone dings again, and I pull away.
“To be continued.” Eric leans down and kisses me one more time.
“Next weekend I’m all yours.”
“I’m counting on it.” He opens my car door and waits until I’m inside before closing it.
I turn on the car and pull out of the driveway. This time I don’t stop my hand from lifting to my lips as I drive away.
13
Eric
Joan’sabrupt departure is still running through my mind and it’s been a couple of days. I understand she has kids, probably better than most men since I’m the product of a single mom. But they are also teens. Surely, they could get by long enough for her to finish her food.
“Eric,” Mom’s voice cuts into my thoughts. “Are you listening to me?”
Normally she’d be at work today but decided to take the day off to take care of some stuff for the little brother. Hopefully she’s also taking care of herself. At least I bought us lunch.
“Sorry, Mom.” I take a bite of the burger to the sound of a video game in the background. Cameron should be in here. We’re trying to go over the rest of his practice schedule and going over the games we know about when the school year starts. The only way Mom can plan her schedule is if we know which sports he’s going to play. “My mind is somewhere else.”
“Is it a girl?” My mom nudges my arm and when I glance at her, she’s grinning. “Actually, don't answer that. I know it is. I haven’t seen that look on your face since you dated that girl in high school you thought you were going to spend forever with.”
I’m not sure how I feel about her calling me out like that. Also, the leap to thinking it will be forever is also not what’s happening. It can’t. “We haven’t even gone on our first date yet.”
“When is that happening?”
