I poured the eggs into the pan, absently nodding my agreement. “I used to hate reading out loud too.”
When I glanced at him, I realized that his eyes had lit up. “Did you?”
“Oh yeah. English was my worst subject all through school.” I flipped the eggs around with the spatula. “Math, though? Science? That was more my speed. I mean, getting to make volcanoes and having them erupt? Yes, please.”
“Yes!” he exclaimed, practically bouncing in his chair. “Same. You’re pretty cool, Callum.”
Despite honestly thinking that I’d never want kids, I had to admit that this was nice. “So are you, buddy.”
I set a plate of toast and eggs in front of him, adding a glass of orange juice before I grabbed some food for myself. Brody dug in immediately, but he didn’t stop talking. Crumbs clung to the corners of his mouth and dropped to his shirt, but he didn’t seem to notice as he told me about his best friend, a volcano project they’d just started in science, and outlined the plot of some movie he wanted to see.
After I’d finished eating, I added another batch of eggs to the pan so Maisie and her mom could have some when they woke up, all the while just listening to him telling me about everything and anything. Standing there in her kitchen with his chatter filling the air, I realized I was glad this wouldn’t be a one-off morning.
I wanted more of this. More waking up early with Brody, more of making breakfast and listening to him go on about school, and sports, and all the other things that mattered to him.
The kid was sharp. He had a quick mind, and even though he was only seven, he seemed to understand a lot more than he let on. Leaning back, he watched me cook more eggs and chewed his last bite of toast thoughtfully.
“What’s it like having so many brothers?” he asked. “At dinner the other night, it looked like fun.”
I froze for a second. “It is fun. Sometimes. But honestly, it depends on the day. Some days, it’s amazing. Loud. Chaotic. All of us talking over each other like we’re trying to take over the world.” After hesitating, I admitted the other part. The part I didn’t talk about often. “Other days, I still feel really alone.”
He blinked at me, his small brow furrowing. “How can you feel alone when you have all of them?”
I shrugged. “Most of the time, it’s fine, but every once in a while, it hits me that we’re not actually the same people. You know? We’ve all got our own lives, and our own strengthsand weaknesses. Just like everybody else. Growing up together didn’t change that.”
He leaned his elbows on the counter, his voice suddenly soft and crisp. “All the guys on my new team think you’re my dad.”
My heart slammed to a momentary stop, tripping over itself before it started racing. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah,” he said with this weird, matter-of-fact confidence. “They’ve all assumed that you are.”
I laughed, but the sound was a little breathless. Maisie hadn’t talked to him about getting married yet and there was no way I would do it without her, but this did give me a unique opportunity to feel him out a little bit.
“Is that so?” I said casually. “How do you feel about that?”
Brody’s features were knitted with caution, but I could’ve sworn I saw a tiny little light in his eyes. “I don’t mind. Do you?”
“I don’t mind at all, bud.” Something even loosened in my chest at the thought of it. If he was already accepting his friends thinking I was his dad, maybe it wouldn’t be such an issue when he found out I was about to be his stepfather. “Hey, I’ve been wondering, would it be okay with you if I started spending more time here? With you and your mom?”
He practically jumped onto the counter in excitement, his face lighting up like Disneyland at night. “Yes! Really? You can. Can you?”
I grinned, a lot more relieved than I’d thought I might be. “Yeah. I think I can.”
He whooped and clapped his hands. By the time breakfast was done, he was bouncing off the walls, obviously ready to get up and get going. I laughed and shook my head. “Alright, little man. We’ve had enough eggs and toast to power a small rocket. Are you ready to go burn some of that off?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitating. “Where are we going?”
“I was thinking maybe we could hit up the driving range, but bathroom first. Go brush your teeth and get dressed. I’ll meet you at the door.”
Brody didn’t argue, practically flying up the stairs. I headed to the guest bathroom to do the best I could to make it look like I hadn’t slept in my clothes. After washing my face and rummaging around the vanity, I found a few spare toothbrushes she obviously bought in bulk and saved for when they needed them.
I brushed my teeth, grabbed some deodorant from the glove compartment in my car, and scribbled a quick note to Maisie, letting her know Brody was with me and that we’d be back soon. The sun was only just starting to rise as we left the house, the streets quiet and Brody still chattering nonstop.
Enjoying the sound of his talking and the excitement that filled the car, I took in the faint pink streaks in the sky and decided that when I moved in, I’d go out of my way to do this with him as often as I could. When we got to the driving range, he grabbed a club like he’d been doing this forever and I took one for myself before I lined up next to him.
After a few swings, he paused, looking up at me with that direct gaze that made him seem way older than his seven years. “Callum? Do you like your dad?”
I frowned. “Sure, buddy. We haven’t always gotten along, and sometimes, I don’t like him that much, but I still love him. Why?”
