Tate: The guy from The A-Team?
Blair: The what?
I laughed harder.
Tate: The A-Team. It was a show back in the eighties. And shit, I just realized why the fuck you wouldn’t know what that was. I remember my dad watching reruns when I was younger.
Blair: Correct. I have no idea what you’re talking about. LOL
Tate: I thought that’s why you picked it, but that show was way before your time. Mr. T works, though.
I caught myself smiling like a fool.“I pity the fool.”—Mr. T used to say that.
I needed to go to sleep, because I was clearly delirious.
Blair texted me one last time.
Blair: Goodnight, Mr. Teabag.
Nowthatwas the Blair I remembered.
Chapter 27
BLAIR
“Where are we going, Mommy?”
My son had asked me several times today where we were headed, probably because it was unusual for us to be in the car for so long.
“I told you… We’re gonna go meet Mommy’s friend again, Mr. T.”
Every time I said “Mr. T,” I laughed to myself.
Nicholas nodded. “Okay.”
I smiled as I looked back at my beautiful boy through the rearview mirror. He was such a mild-mannered child, down for almost anything. He never complained. I sometimes wondered how I’d gotten so lucky. It hadn’t been easy being a single mother, but I wouldn’t trade this life with him for anything.
“I heard he has a swing set,” I added.
Nicholas’s eyes lit up. While he loved going to the playground, a swing set was one thing we didn’t have at home. Installing one in our yard was on my long list of things to do.
By the time we finally pulled up to the house Tate had rented, I was very ready to get out of the car. It was a small, light blue, one-level home on a tree-lined residential street. I’d grown up in this general area, but I’d never been to this town before. I felt confident about our anonymity here.
Tate was sitting outside on the front steps, waiting for us. As he stood, I was struck by how tall and strong he seemed. Each time I laid eyes on him, I could hardly believe I’d had the pleasure of being with this man. Today he wore black jeans, black boots, and a beige, hooded sweatshirt. I loved his rugged, fall look. Well, I lovedallof his looks.
“How long have you been waiting out here?” I asked as I exited the car.
“A little bit.” He smiled. “I got worried since it’s about a half hour after I thought I should expect you. Was there traffic?”
“No.” I shrugged. “I’m just a slow and careful driver.”
“Well, you have precious cargo. So I understand.” Tate scratched his chin. “I forgot to ask if he’s okay with dogs.”
“He loves them.”
“Good. Khloe’s inside. If you’d told me he couldn’t handle her, I would’ve figured something out.”
I opened the back door, finding Nicholas’s eyes groggy. He’d almost fallen asleep before we got here.
