“Hey, wait up.”He sprints over.“Come back inside, brother.I’ll tell Lemonade to lay off the guilt tripping.”
“Colt, when has your wife ever done anything you’ve ever told her?”
“That’s true, I guess.”He scratches at his stubble.“But you know how she is, she don’t mean no harm.”
“Yeah, I know.”I toss my hat on the seat beside me.“She’s just busting my balls like always.”
“Better you than me, my friend.”
I chuckle.“You got some nerve using that word after taking Lemon’s side.”
“Listen, I’m not trying to ride you on this like everyone else, but if you wanna talk about Daisy ...about anything.I’m here.I may be your brother-in-law now, but I’m always gonna be your best friend.”
“Got nothing to talk about.”
“Uh-huh.You keep telling yourself that, buddy.One day, you might even believe it.”
***
Outside on my porch, I’m staring at the night sky when my phone lights up.I grab it a little too quickly and blink at the screen.
Baby Mama: I’m sorry.
What the fuck?
Me: Who is this?
Baby Mama: Okay, I know I made you mad, but I didn’t think you’d cold shoulder me this hard.Like we haven’t lived in the same damn town our whole lives.
Me: Well, I think you’ve got the wrong number, because I don’t have a Baby Mama.
Baby Mama: Oh, shoot.I forgot I did that.It’s me, Daisy.I’m Baby Mama.
I may not be the sharpest of tools, but I had figured it out before that text.I chuckle to myself and type out a reply.
Me: I know.I’m just dicking with you.But going back to your earlier text, you got nothing to be sorry for.
Baby Mama: Either way, I made you this to make up for ruining our day together.
Accompanying her text is a picture of a decadent pie.The crust is thick and perfectly caramelized, and I want to bury my face in it ...among other things.
Jesus.I need to start relieving a little tension when I’m away from her so I don’t come in my Wranglers the next time she offers me her pie.And now I’m drooling.
Me: I take that back.I’ll need at least two of whatever that is to settle the score.
Baby Mama: Done, and it’s a new recipe I’m trying out; caramel apple cobbler.I really am sorry though.I know you were just trying to be sweet.
Me: It’s okay, Dais.
Baby Mama: I’m not used to sweet, or to people sticking around, or to friends, really.I think I’m a lot more difficult that I gave myself credit for.
Me: Yeah, the worst.I mean I’ve known horses less stubborn than you.
I decide I’m done with the texting, I want to hear her voice in my ear as if she were sitting right next to me, so I call.She answers on the first ring.
“I got tired of juggling you and my guitar.Thought we’d have a real conversation instead.Look, Baby Mama, no hands.”
She sounds sleepy as she giggles into the phone.“You get the nickname.”
