“It was like 100 degrees!” Dylan argued.
I laughed. “You’re ridiculous. You know Coco is not your actual child, right?”
“Whatever.” Dylan rolled his eyes and moved to scoop Coco up from her place on the floor, nuzzling into her neck. “Don’t listen to them, you sweet angel. Daddy loves you the most.”
Dad and I burst into laughter as Dylan stalked off to the kitchen with Coco Baby in his arms.
27
LEXI
Iended up working on Christmas Day. It was easy to pick up because hardly anyone wanted to work the holidays on our unit, even with the extra pay. Since I had nothing else to do and really didn’t feel like spending the day alone in my apartment, I decided to work. Besides, I needed a distraction. I hated the way Brandon and I had left things, which was a new feeling for me. I couldn’t remember ever giving a shit about a fuck buddy’s feelings before. The moment I closed the door to his car, I knew he was upset, and my chest had been aching ever since. I tried to chalk it up to one too many servings of mashed potatoes, but apparently, I cared about Brandon.
Ready to celebrate a belated Christmas, I arrived at my mom’s apartment the day after with Chinese takeout. It had been only the two of us for so long, and we usually spent every holiday together unless one of us was working. Mom wasn’t much of a cook, what with having to work and takecare of me all alone. We basically lived on frozen foods and takeout, but I never complained.
“Hey, Mom,” I greeted as I walked into her kitchen, where she was sitting at the kitchen table, scrolling on her phone.
“Oh, hey Lexi bug. I didn’t hear you come in,” she replied, putting her phone down and rising to pull me into a powerful hug. I melted into her embrace.God, I missed her.Even though we talked often, we didn’t see each other as much as I’d like. With her work schedule as a bartender and mine as a nurse, it was hard to find a day when neither of us had to work. I squeezed her tighter.
“Is everything okay, kiddo?” she asked, sounding a little concerned.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied, took a step back, and lifted the bag still in my hand. “I brought Chinese.”
“Yum, my favorite. Put it on the table. I’ll grab some plates.” As I unpacked our food, she called over her shoulder, “So how was work yesterday?”
“Meh. It was okay. Nothing too crazy, and some family members brought us food, so that was nice.”
“And Christmas Eve? Whose house did you go to again?” she asked as she set a plate down in front of me.
“Daphne’s boyfriend’s dad’s house.” My mouth watered as I dumped some lo mein onto my plate.
“And her boyfriend is Nathan?”
“Mmmhmm,” I answered as I shoveled those tasty noodles into my mouth.
“And Nathan’s brother is the one doing your tattoo?”Mom loved details. She wanted to know everyone’s name, who was seeing whom, and never forgot a thing.
“Yep. Brandon. His other brother also works at the shop, and their dad too.”
“Ooooo, is their dad single?” Mom raised an eyebrow. “Is he hot? I love a guy with tattoos.”
“Mom, gross. I’m eating here.” I pretended to gag. “And what do you mean, you love a guy with tattoos? Since when?”
“Well, Iama grown-ass woman, last I checked. Have been for a while now,” she laughed. “And I have needs, kiddo.”
“Can we not, Mom, please?” This conversation was not happening. The last thing I wanted to talk about was my mom’sneeds.Ewe. “Wait. Seriously though, do you date? I don’t remember you dating growing up.”
“Well, it’s not like I brought guys around you, but yes, I dated. I’m dating.”Interesting. Here I thought my mom was still pining for my dad. “You’re twenty-six, Lexi. Do you really think I haven’t had sex all this time?”
“Jesus, Mom.”
“What? Grow up. You weren’t conceived by immaculate conception, you know.” My mom was being way too casual about this conversation. Meanwhile, everything I thought I knew was unraveling at the seams.
“Mom, I’m not an idiot. I know you’ve had sex, but it’s not something I really want to talk about.” I chewed my lip. “I’m more surprised to learn that you dated when I was younger.”
“I didn’t bring anyone around because things never got that serious. I wasn’t about to bring just anyone around my daughter.”
“Yeah, that makes sense, but I guess I always thought you were too sad about Dad leaving to date.” I shrugged my shoulders, not believing I was actually having this conversation with my mom after all of these years.
