My annoyance grows.
Henry raises his eyebrows at me.
“You know what, kid? I’m gonna do you a solid just because I’m a nice guy, and it’s Christmas. I’ll be your Santa Claus today.” I pull out my phone and press Aiden’s number. Aiden answers since we’re in his time zone and the guy wakes up at ungodly hours to do his workouts.
“What’s up, Tweetie?” he says, catching his breath.
“I have a fan of yours here with me. Mind if I FaceTime you real quick?”
“Sure, where are you?” he asks, but I hang up and click on FaceTime, showing the kid my screen.
His eyes light up, and he hits his dad in the arm. Finally, his dad looks over and I give him a grin to sayyeah, your kid just told me your opinion of me. Fucker.
I hand my phone to the kid, and Aiden does his thing—telling the kid to keep practicing and he’ll see him in the league someday. Then he says the kid is lucky to have me on the train with him because I’m a great friend of his. The kid hands me my phone back and I tell Aiden thanks, Merry Christmas, and I’ll call him later.
His dad nudges him, and the kid says, “Thank you. That was amazing.”
Rowan and Henry are smiling like proud parents. There were days when that would’ve thrown me into a tailspin for a bit.
“Us washed-up old-timers stick together.” I wink, and his dad’s face pales.
So I’m not a saint—yet.
A text comes in from Tedi.
Awake with Addison. I see you’re somewhere between Boston and New York?
Yeah. Rowan is trying to find us flights from New York, but it’s not looking good.
I’ll call the rental place.
Just wait until we get final confirmation. How’s our girl?
Hungry as always.
Just like her daddy.
Isn’t that the truth.
Neither one of us texts for a second and I wonder if she’s burping Addison now or still feeding.
She’s gone down for the time being. Changed, fed, and burped. Rinse and repeat. LOL
You go get some sleep, too.
I think I will. I’m not sure I can do late nights anymore. I’m officially old.
You’re officially a mother who has had no sleep for three months.
I hope you get a flight from New York. Text me no matter what. I want to know what’s going on.
I will. Sleep tight, baby.
You too. Sleep on the train while you can.
Will do. Love you.
Love you.
