14
Brody said he'd be in touch, but I definitely didn't expect the phone call I got the next day around lunchtime.
My heart fluttered and my cheeks warmed when I saw his name on the cell phone screen.
"Hey," I greeted.
"Hey. I know the shop's closed today. Is there any chance you could have lunch with me?"
I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. "Sure. I'd like that. Do you want me to meet you somewhere?"
"How about I pick up something from the cafe? You want a Reuben and curly fries?" he asked.
I sighed. "I would love that, but I'm going to have to go with the grilled chicken plate with a baked sweet potato and broccoli."
"You're eating healthy food? I can't believe it."
"Laugh it up. One of these days, your body's gonna catch up with your age and it'll be my turn to make fun of you. After pizza and tacos yesterday, I have to be good today."
"Oh, my body is already feeling my age. I have to work out more and watch the beer or I'll end up with a gut."
"Poor baby."
"Be nice to me or I'm going to order a Reuben, eat it in front of you, and refuse to share."
I gasped in mock outrage. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh, yes I would."
"Fine. I'll be nice. What time will I see you?"
I could hear the smile in his voice. "I'll be by around twelve-thirty."
"Sounds good. See you then."
I couldn't wipe the dopey grin off my face after I disconnected the call and didn't lose it until Brody knocked on the back door a little over an hour later.
After one look at his face, my good mood dissipated immediately.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I opened the door wider so he could come inside.
He didn't answer right away and I could practically see the wheels turning in his head. I also didn't think I'd ever seen him so angry.
Brody put the food on the stainless steel counter in the kitchen and turned toward me, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning his hips back against the island. "If you were any other woman, I probably would have rescheduled lunch. I wouldn't lay this shit on anyone else." He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "But you're not anyone else. You're Cam and I've known you for over half my life."
I approached him and laid a hand on his arm. His muscles were tense beneath my fingers. "What's going on?"
"I heard from Monica just before I left the office to pick up our food. She wants to keep Jacks for the rest of the week, maybe longer. I explained that wasn't our custody agreement and she needed to have our daughter home this afternoon. There was some argument about whether or not she was legally obligated to bring Jacks back until I explained to her that if I had to contact the police with a copy of our legal paperwork, I would. Apparently, she either didn't know that was possible or she didn't believe I would dare to do something like that."
Damn, that was heavy. And also scary.
"I'm so sorry. Please tell me she's bringing Jacks home today."
Brody reached out, wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me into him. He buried his face in my hair and mumbled, "She is. Or she will if she knows what's good for her. She seems to think that I'm as concerned about my reputation as my mother is about hers. In reality, I couldn't give a fuck what some passing acquaintance thinks of me. I just want to have my daughter healthy, happy, and safe."
I returned his embrace and gave him a squeeze. "I'm so sorry, Brody. I would have understood if you needed to cancel lunch. You didn't have to bring it."
He inhaled and if he hadn't been so upset, I would have teased him about sniffing my hair. Instead, I leaned deeper into his hug.
