“In all seriousness, what happened? I can’t say I’m not wholly curious as to what’s going on and how you ended up with a teen boy.”
“Let’s just say that even if you want to remain childless, sometimes fate laughs in your face and tells you ‘tough sh—doo-doo.’”
I smirk, and Calvin’s eyes land on my mouth. “It sure does. Go on.”
His eyes close for a minute, and he takes a deep, shuddering breath. He looks like he’s trying to keep from crying. When he’s calmed down, he opens his eyes and takes another sip of wine. “This is delicious,” he says, lifting the bottle to read the label. “I’ll have to grab some of this.” I wait patiently as he gathers his thoughts. “So my best friends are gone.” He quickly coughs back tears and glances away.
My heart aches for him and Braeden. “Oh, god, I’m so very sorry. I’m assuming they were his parents?”
“Yeah. They made me the godfather of Braeden while his mom was pregnant. I didn’t take it seriously.”
“To be fair, you probably didn’t think they’d… be gone this early in their lives.”
He gives me a look that’s filled with appreciation. “Yeah, exactly. They said it was in name only. I didn’t think for a second they’d put me in their will and make me Braeden’s guardian.” He takes another deep breath and exhales all his pain. He has the look of a man barely holding it all together. “I’m not equipped to be a father.”
“Of course you are.”
He scoffs at me and takes another sip of wine. “You don’t even know me.”
“You’re here now, being open with me and asking for help. You’re already on the right road.”
Calvin sits up straighter as a smidgen of doubt vanishes from his face. “Yeah?”
“Yep.”
“Does this mean you’ll help?”
“Yes, anything to help make Braeden’s transition smoother.”
I stand to check on the simmering cheese and noodles. Satisfied they’re ready, I transfer everything to a casserole dish, sprinkle it with a bread-crumb mixture, and place it in the preheated oven. I sit back down, and we finish off the wine. Well,hefinishes off the wine.
“Do you know anything about him?” I ask.
Calvin shrugs. “A little. Only what Marisa and Robert have supplied me. There’s a file with details about him, all his legal documents, and such. Still, it was written over two years ago. He could’ve changed and now has different interests. How can I learn about him if he doesn’t talk to me?”
“He’s grieving. We all handle things in our own way. I’m sure he feels that if he speaks, he’ll crumble. I know I can get like that.”
“Yeah, I can, too. I’m the king of bottling up sh—stuff.”
I smile and point at him. “So, thereisa decent human under all those muscles.”
He grins coyly, looking better already. “Aww, you noticed my muscles.” He raises his arms and flexes his ample biceps. My face suddenly blooms red. God, I hate when I blush. It’s like my face has no control over any cringe factor.
I stand and check the casserole in the oven to hide it, but I’m sure it was as visible as the sun. “Tsh, it’s hard not to when you’re always running around outside without a shirt on,” I say before turning back to him.
His smile abruptly drops. “Seth?”
He turns around and wraps his arms around himself. “Yeah?”
“I’m sorry. Truly. At first, I found your kids annoying.” Calvin says that last part quietly so they don’t hear. “Then I found it was fun teasing you. You’d get so flustered… in a cute way. It’s not a flirtatious thing. Seriously, I have nothing against you or your kids. I’m just a… butthead, as you like to call me. Jesus, not swearing is weird. I generally put sailors to shame.”
I lean against the counter and fold my arms, but not defensively. I didn’t expect any sort of apology. Then I blurt, “Are you and Braeden hungry? Why don’t you stay for dinner, and then tonight, after the kiddos get to bed, we can talk more openly about what to do and where to go with Braeden mentally.”
His stomach growls in response, and I burst out laughing, not so embarrassed now from the blushing. Calvin looks down and scowls at it. “Traitor,” he tells it, making me laugh harder. “Yeah, we could use a bite. I don’t know if he’ll eat. He showed up at my door this morning, and neither of us has eaten since.”
“You can’t go wrong with mac ’n‘ cheese.”
“It smells delicious.”
