“I’m on my way.” He cancels the call.
I turn on the blowers to stop myself from sweating. Looking in the rearview mirror to apply lipstick, I wish I’d made more of an effort today before leaving the house.
My fingers tap against the steering wheel until I see a Peugeot park on the road in front of my car. As I step out of the car, the muggy air makes it difficult to breathe. The sun shines in my eyes, and it takes me a moment to adjust as a silhouette walks towards me.
Beads of moisture gather on my forehead as my heart races. My stomach churns my lunch as if mixing it in a blender. I breathe in the thick, hot air, and his cold eyes come into view. His lips press into a thin hard line, and he shoves his hands in his pockets and peers into my car, taking a good look at Caleb.
“He’s sleeping.”
“Yeah, I can see that.” He glances up at me, then leans back against my car, letting out a sigh. “I’ve come to see him.”
I run my hand under my fringe to stop it from sticking to my forehead. “I’m on my way out. You can’t just show up demanding to see him when it suits you.”
“I want to be part of his life.”
“In what way?”
“In the way that fucking matters. In the way a father should be part of their kids’ life. What other way is there? I’m sorry if that doesn’t fit in with your plans.” He waves a hand towards the house. “With your perfect fucking lifestyle. You should have thought about that before fucking me. I thought you were on the pill, anyway?”
“I was, but when Justin had a vasectomy, I stopped taking it.”
“So, did you plan this?” He waves a hand towards Caleb in the car.
“Of course I didn’t.”
“You just forgot that you were fucking me unprotected?”
“It wasn’t exactly my first thought, Cal, when you had me on the kitchen floor.”
* * *
CAL
Mum was right.She is being difficult. “Let me have him while you go out.”
“He doesn’t know you, Cal.”
“He’s never gonna fucking know me if you don’t let me see him.”
“He’s right there. You can see him.”
“You know what I mean. Why are you being so fucking difficult? Is it Justin?” Every time I think of him with my son, it’s like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of me. “Please tell me he doesn’t think he’s the father.”
She dabs the corner of her eye, barely looking at me. She knows she’s in the fucking wrong here. “I’m not with Justin anymore.”
My eyebrows pinch together. So this is why she’s moved. I thought the house looked smaller. “Since when?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “About a year ago.”
Standing straight, I crack my neck to the side. “You’ve been single this whole fucking time and never thought to tell me? All that bullshit about how much you wanted to be with me? Was it all lies?”
“I tried calling you, but you had changed your number and never thought to tell me, so don’t blame me. How was I supposed to get hold of you?”
“Come on, not this again. There are plenty of ways of reaching someone.”
“I called to your mum’s house. I got the address from work, but when she told me you were working things out with your ex… I get it, Cal, really, I do. You chose them over us. I just wanted you to be happy, Cal.” Her voice wavers.
I stare wide eyed. Cogs turning in my brain as I piece everything together. I want to scream and break something. The frustration is explosive, but as I turn, the only thing to break is her car window, and my son is sleeping like an angel on the other side.