“That’s better. I accept.”
I had to hope when the surprise wore off, Lucky would come to his senses and admit he did not want to be my child’s godfather. Problem was he always liked to be the first pick, and if he suspected I thought August was a better choice, he’d cry foul until the end of time.
Basically, baby Beck was as screwed as his daddy.
“So, are we on for crap TV and drunken antics or what?”
I started to accept, then I shook my head although he couldn’t see me. I was a father now, even if the kid wasn’t born yet. Drowning my sorrows when I had the tolerance of a homecoming cheerleader made no sense. On the surface, it seemed like a better plan than stationing myself outside Luna’s apartment and waiting for her to emerge, but I couldn’t do that either.
What I was going to do was go home alone and act like a mature freaking man.
“Nah, I’m awful company right now, but thanks. But hey, maybe you could come over tomorrow? We can throw some steaks—” nope, that was out, they made me think of Luna, “—uh, scallops on the grill on the roof.”
“You know I hate seafood.”
“Okay, burgers then. I found a good veggie—”
“Dude, you’re sure you impregnated Luna? You’re not sounding like the guy I know. Veggie burgers? Damn, son. I’ll bring my own burgers if you’re grilling that garbage.” He clicked off and made me laugh in spite of myself.
Leave it to Lucky. As crazy as he was, I hoped he never changed. Then again, he loved his social life, especially the naked variety, and we knew what that meant for most single dudes in the Cove.
But he didn’t seem worried. Perhaps he’d curtailed some of his extracurricular activities. We’d been the last two men standing—well, not really, there were far more single men in town—and look what had happened.
I glimpsed the baby book I’d shoved in my briefcase along with my school paperwork. It was already getting dog-eared. There was so much I didn’t know.
I shuddered. So much I did not want to know.
Too bad for me. If Luna was going through this, then so was I. Every single horrifying step.
I turned out the lights and waved to Ms. Duncan who taught fourth grade across the hall. She was chatting with Mike, who was leaning over her and sniffing her hair as if she was a bucket of fried chicken.
My stomach growled. Obviously, I needed dinner. And not a veggie burger.
Sorry, Lu.
She was a carnivore like me, but she mixed it up with more “ethical options” as she called them.
My shoulders slumped where I stood outside my classroom. I really did not want to go home alone. I’d gotten too used to having Lu there. Her presence had been more sporadic over the past week, but I’d known she was across the hall. We hadn’t touched each other since she’d told me about the baby. It didn’t matter. I just wanted her close.
Wanted them close.
“Oh, hey, man, didn’t see you there.” Mike sounded affable on the surface as he turned his head, but I noticed the irritation in the set of his jaw.
He must think I wanted to take my turn at sniffing Ms. Duncan’s hair. Since she was new this year and I couldn’t even remember her first name, that was a definite no.
I nodded stiffly. I still didn’t walk away. This whole “Luna taking a break” thing was going swimmingly. Now I was creeping on fellow teachers.
“You know Holly.” He gestured awkwardly at the pretty brunette in her cardigan, floral dress, and sedate pumps. Nothing the least bit tight or revealing or not Catholic school approved.
I wasn’t thinking of Lu again. I really wasn’t.
“Sure. I’m not sure I knew her first name though. Caleb.” I smiled and moved forward to extend a hand to shake.
Her grip was firm and cool. “Nice to re-meet you with actual first names.” She laughed and glanced at Mike as she released my hand. “Do these parent-teacher nights get any easier?”
“Not really,” I admitted just as Mike chimed in.
“Oh, yeah, they’re usually a breeze.”