“Are you nervous having them upstairs in the loft with you down here?”
“Nope, because you’re sleeping in the guest room upstairs,” she said, smirking at him. “Archer thought it was cool. He even offered his bed, but I figured you’d be more comfortable in the queen in the spare room.”
“Yeah, I will be. But they might talk me into sleeping with them on the floor in sleeping bags.”
Just the thought of that had him both terrified over how much pain he’d be in the next day and thrilled to be included and how much fun it’d be.
“That would be up to you,” she said. “I’ve got an extra sleeping bag from when I took Archer camping once.”
“You didn’t tell me you liked camping.”
“Because I don’t like it. We did it once. One of his friends was at a campsite and asked us to come. He was only five and I didn’t want to leave him alone so I put a tent up and he and I stayed in that. It’s Liam’s parents. We know them well.”
“Can I say I’m glad you aren’t a camper because that might be roughing it too much for me in a tent. Now if we rented some RV, I’m game for that.”
“Archer has asked. Liam’s parents have one.”
“Just say the word, I can get on board with that for a vacation.”
Maybe a good way to slip it in there he’d like to spend a week with them. Of course then Archer would know he was staying the night with his mother and they hadn’t attempted that yet.
“Something to think about,” she said. “I always take two weeks off over the summer. One week when he’s with Tucker just in case something goes wrong and I have to get him.”
“Has that happened before?”
“Once. It was the first year, and Archer was scared without me. Tucker was pissed, but he had to get over it. It’s not like he spent a lot of time with his son and it was a lot for him to get used to. After that it was fine. But you never know. The other week I take off so we can do things together. I haven’t decided what yet. Since he’s going to Disney, I’m not going to worry about a big trip.”
“Camping,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.
She laughed. “Can you take a week off? You’ve got a new job and all.”
He hadn’t thought of that. He’d just had six weeks off between jobs.
“I’m sure it’d be fine,” he said. His parents wouldn’t tell him no. He had vacation time to use like everyone else.
“Something to talk about at another time. I just need to get through this night.”
“Since Archer is entertaining himself playing games up front, tell me what is going on. You were quiet the other day after you talked to Tucker.”
She let out a sigh. “Nothing major. Or nothing more than the same.”
“Meaning he wasn’t happy about the basketball camp gift?”
“Nope and he’s not even smart enough to play along with Archer telling him how excited he is over it and thanking him. He caught on and let it go and then lit into me. You know, a waste of money.”
“Then he should pick out the gifts himself.”
“I said the same thing. Of course, I hadn’t realized that Archer came downstairs and caught me talking to Tucker and saying that he could spend more time with his kid and learn more or send him things they could talk about or do together. It’s the same conversation all the time. I’m over it. He’s only hurting Archer in the end.”
“And that bothers you or is it something else?”
He was hoping she’d give him something. Anything for him to lean into and figure out what could go on in her mind between the two of them.
“Liam is pulling in,” Archer yelled.
Horrible timing.
She reached for his hand. “I owe you for this.”
