“The condoms.”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t know they could…expire.”
There’s a beat of silence and then I can’t help but chuckle. “Well, yeah. Like most things.”
“Well, I didn’t know. And I got the kind with spermicide, which apparently erodes the latex or whatever, so they expire even faster.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about it. I’ve never brought anyone home with me before either.”
“It’s an honest mistake. I wouldn’t have thought about the expiration date either.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why are you here?”
I have no idea.
I won’t tell her that, though.
“I was a real jerk on the phone, and then when the paternity test was positive, I guess I panicked. Like, how the hell am I going to be a good dad when I’m on tour?”
“Did you come up with an answer?”
“Nope, but then I talked to Angus about how afraid I was, and he pointed out that if I was completely freaked out, you must be at least twice as freaked out. And you’re the one who’s impacted physically too. Once he knocked some sense into me, I knew I had to come see you in person so we could figure this out together.”
“Nothing has changed,” she whispers. “As far as our situation goes. You have to be on tour and I have to be here. The only thing this does is create a financial burden for you.”
“Hey, stop that.” I really want to hold her hand but that’s hard to do with a stick shift. “Look, we’re going to have some difficult but honest conversations over the next twenty-four hours. But the one thing we’re not going to do is focus on the negative. Okay? This is happening, whether it was planned or not, whether we wanted it or not.”
“Do you hate me?”
“What? No. Jesus, not at all. Hold that thought.” I pull into her driveway and park the car. I get out, grab my suitcase, and get to her side just as she’s opened the door. Then I hold out my hand and wait.
She looks up in surprise, like she’s confused, but then puts her hand in mine and I close my fingers around hers as we walk to the front door.
“Mrr-owww!” Waylon is waiting for her, and he immediately rubs himself against my leg.
“Hey, big guy.” I squat down, giving him a minute of attention as she kicks off her shoes and puts her purse on the table in the hall.
“Are you hungry?” she asks me.
“No, I’m stuffed. But I’ll keep you company if you are.”
“Nothing sounds good,” she murmurs, opening the fridge once we get to the kitchen.
“Let’s order you something,” I suggest. “What does sound good?”
She chews her lip. “Mexican. Like nachos covered in cheese and beans and sour cream…”
“Can we order that?” I ask. “Or should we go somewhere? You want to go out?”
She hesitates. “I really don’t want to go anywhere… but this is the first time I’ve had a craving like this since...”
