“No pressure,” I quip.
She smiles and leaves my office. I feel a little better being here and being proactive again. Now to get some shit done.
Tonight is poker night, and it’s my first time. I’ve played the game, but not with the Royal Dads. According to Louisiana law, I can technically leave Braeden home alone for a few hours, but I’m not going to do that because he needs me, and I’m terrified to leave him alone, at least before he starts therapy. Next week. One more week. He’ll finally get some help.
Next week is my official hearing, too. Once I get legal custody of Braeden, then I’m going to do whatever I can to make a home for him.
We’re supposed to meet Seth over there because he has to drop his kids off at the daycare, so I’m driving Braeden and me to Seth’s friend’s house.
I plug their address into my GPS and drive into New Orleans proper, through the Garden District.
“It’s so old,” Braeden says, staring out the window.
“New Orleans has its own vibe for sure. It’s old, mystical, historical, and filled with a lot of tragedy.”
“Can we go sightseeing one day?”
My heart bursts wide open. That’s a good sign, right? He wants to see the city with me, so he must be starting to feel better.
“Of course, kiddo.”
We pull up in front of the beautiful old home that has been fixed up. “Nice place,” I say as I get out of the car.
We step up to the front door, and I knock. A tall Black man opens the door with a warm smile. “You must be Calvin. I’m Reuben.”
“Cal,” I say, and reach for his hand to shake.
“And you must be Braeden.”
“Hello.”
“I’m working on getting the kid to say more than one word,” I quip.
Reuben chuckles and steps aside to let me in. “That’s a never-ending conundrum, my friend.”
I follow him into the kitchen to find three other men sipping on drinks. The two younger men were stunning, as if matched by Apollo himself.
“Everyone, this is Cal and Braeden.” Reuben points to a white guy with gray hair about his age. “This is Travis, my beloved pain in the ass.”
“Psh, I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to your ass.”
I laugh and shake his hand. “Thanks for having me.”
“TMI, Trav.” One of the younger men reached for my hand as well. “I’m Paul, and this is my husband, Edmundo.”
My muscles grow taut. I knew he’d be here, but knowing he’d set Seth up with that prickhead fires off all my protective neurons. “So, you’rethatEdmundo.”
The man winces as he shakes my hand. “You heard, huh?”
“Yeah, I was ready to throw hands with the asshole, and maybe you, too.”
“I deserve that. I was pissed, too. Seriously, I was shocked when Seth told me.”
Travis nods solemnly. “We all were.”
“He’s okay, right?” Reuben asks.
“Yeah, I think he’ll be fine. He had a scare, but I’m confident he’ll bounce back. Speaking of my neighbor, where is he?”
