“A lone wolf,” I comment. “Well, you have my respect, mate. But I can promise you that you won’t get anywhere on your own like that.”
“Sport isn’t everything in life. Neither is popularity.”
“In life, no, but at school, with girls…”
“They’re about to close.” He gestures towards the nearly-empty window of the bakery.
“Okay, but we’re not done with this conversation.”
“Why do you care so much about what I do?”
“I don’t know. You seem cool.”
“Really?”
“I wouldn’t mind you and Skylar becoming friends.”
“Me neither,” he says quietly; even though I know he’d like something more than friendship with my daughter. But if he doesn’t even watch porn, I don’t think I have much to worry about.
“Then let’s do something to make sure that happens.”
I didn’t tell her what time I’d come over, but I’m worried it’s a little too late. Between dinner, my pit-stop atO’Heirs, and dropping Carter home, I don’t get to her door until ten-thirty.
“I hope you’ve at least brought dessert.”
I hold up the bag. “I don’t mess around.”
I go to step through the doorway, but she stops me with one hand.
“Is it chocolate?”
I smile proudly. “Double chocolate.”
She lets me through and closes the door behind me.
“Sorry I’m a little late,” I say. “Carter stayed for dinner and I couldn’t let him cycle home in the dark, so I dropped him home, then went to get dessert…” I lift my eyes and find hers resting on me, waiting. “And then you,” I say suddenly.
“Me?” she asks, tilting her head.
I nod, stepping closer to her as she eyes me suspiciously.
“The only thing you’ll be getting this evening is half of that dessert.”
I smile. “I didn’t come for what you think.”
“I think a lot of things about you, Kerry, and most of them aren’t great.”
I follow her into the living room, which is illuminated by a floor lamp. The TV is switched off, and there’s no sight of the usual lonely leftovers.
“Were you already asleep?” I ask, as she sits down on the sofa.
She grabs a book from the coffee table and waggles it at me. “I had company.”
I sit down next to her and place the dessert on the table. I look at her, words dangling dangerously from the tip of my tongue.
“You seem weird tonight,” she says. “Is something wrong?”
So much is wrong, Jordan. Nothing in my life seems to be going right at the moment – but I’ve decided to do something about it. I’m finally starting to make the right decisions: and that includes you.
