It was closing time in the gun shop. Things had been quite awkward between Garren and I, but we kept things professional. After I had locked up, I bid farewell to my best friend and left.
Vince and I drove home hungry. The day was long and tiring, and the inflow of customers had been a bit ridiculous. The little guy had a blast finishing two books and proceeded to tell me the stories that he read as we went home.
“What did Kylie cook for dinner, Dad? I’m so hungry!” He was imitating Cookie Monster’s voice, far too cute for his own good.
I laughed at him, finding it amusing to see my son in such a good mood.
“Let’s not guess, but go see instead. Last one to the door is a rotten egg.”
I got out of the car, pausing as he bolted from his side and ran as hard as he could to the front door.
Jogging after him, I caught sight of Kylie coming out of the front door to meet us. The smile on her pretty face had my heart fluttering. No other woman I’d met before had me feeling so tender, so in love. It was a little concerning.
“Come on in, guys. The table is ready, and dinner just got done.”
I waited until Vince bopped into the house to pull her close to me and kiss her softly. “Did I mention how much I appreciate you?”
“You just did.” She squeezed my butt and kissed me again before turning and following after Vince.
I could smell the sumptuous meal she prepared for dinner. I went inside the house, wanting to know what she had cooked as badly as Vince did.
The spread on the table was awesome. Beef skirt steaks in gravy, rice, rolls, and sautéed vegetables. She even made colorful gelatins for dessert, something not too sweet for Vince to control his blood sugar.
“Damn, woman, this is too much,” I grunted appreciatively as I sniffed the inviting meal before me.
She giggled as her pretty cheeks turned pink. “I wanted to do something special for you guys.”
“Thank you, Kylie. We have never been this happy until you came.” Vince slipped into his seat and grinned up at both of us.
I reached for her hand, pulling it to my mouth and kissing her hand. “The boy is onto something for sure.”
She smiled sweetly before pulling her hand from mine and sitting between me and Vince. “I’m happy to help anytime. You know I love taking care of you boys.”
Vince talked nonstop through the entire meal, impressing Kylie with how far he had read for the day. Kylie expressed her excitement for him and laughed at every joke he told.
I reveled in her attention and love toward my son. Where I never thought I would find anyone that I’d be willing to raise Vince with before, now I knew she was the one. Then what the fuck was I waiting on?
I wasn’t waiting. I was locked behind fear. Linda left with another man and crushed my world, leaving me a single dad and forcing me to consider that I wasn’t enough. If I were, she would have stayed.
Or at least I used to think so. I wasn’t so sure anymore. Maybe that shit had nothing to do with me, and everything to do with her.
Kylie turned to look at me while Vince finished his meal, focusing on the blue Jell-O that sat on his plate.
“Hunter, I’m going to Bailey’s place on Saturday. Just to catch up with my best friend and her daughter. Is that okay with you?” She laid out her plans, waiting for my approval.
I nodded, seeing she needed some time out with her girlfriend too. “Yeah, no problem. You should enjoy the weekend.” I smiled at her as she grinned at me.
She turned to look at Vince who was still wrapped up in his dessert, amused by the wiggly texture of the gelatin. She glanced back over at me. “Can I take Vince with me? I bet he will have a lot of fun meeting Bailey’s two-year-old, Cat.”
Upon hearing his name, Vince looked up. He was begging with his puppy eyes, clinging to Kylie’s arm for support. I laughed upon seeing them work me again…both of them ganging up together to get their way. Funny enough, I would have given it to them anyway.
“Sure, but you need to promise me that you keep an eye on Kylie. Superhero duties, buddy.”
Vince saluted me, mimicking a soldier’s sign of affirmation to his commander. “Yes, sir!” He deepened his voice, trying to sound cool, but turned out to be another Cookie Monster tone. The three of us burst into laughter.
After we had finished our dinner, Kylie cleaned up the mess and washed the dishes though I told her to wait and I’d get it done. It only seemed fair seeing that she’d cooked the delicious meal.
I returned to the kitchen after tucking Vince into bed. I could see how much she worked hard to help us. She had been trying her best to make Vince healthier and happier, plus doing everything to give me time to work. I kept taking, but I knew I wasn’t giving nearly enough. Fuck me for that.