Oh, hell… I haven’t discussed this trip with Liz yet. I’ll be gone for four days at the end of October doing some press shit for the title fight that’s taking place in February, and I need to be there to support Bentley at his fight. Ever since I took over the gym, he’s been working hard to get ready for this fight.
“Kayla, I can’t just up and leave. Bella’s in school and she needs stability, plus it’s going to be around Halloween and she’ll die if she can’t wear her Elsa costume and go trick-or-treating in the same neighborhood we take her to every year.”
Kayla pouts when she hears this. “Oh, no! I forgot about Halloween. I’ve never missed a single one of Bella’s Halloweens. This seriously sucks.”
Damn it, it does suck. My first holiday with my daughter and I won’t even be here with her.
Liz gives Kayla a sad smile. “Things have changed.” She shrugs. “Jobs have changed, living arrangements have changed, nothing can stay the same forever. I’m sad that you guys won’t be here, but I need to stay here and make sure Bella’s schedule is stable. I don’t want her to get confused. It’ll suck going trick-or-treating without you guys, but I’ll send pictures. I promise.”
Of course she won’t drop everything, take Bella out of school, and travel to Boulder with us. Why not? It’s simple. Liz is a damn good mother and puts our daughter first, always. Just like my mom tried to do every time my dad traveled, but look how that ended. The question is, how long will she put up with me being gone and missing important family moments like taking our daughter trick-or-treating? How long until she feels lonely like my mom did and she seeks comfort in another guy who can be at all those events?
Twenty-Seven
Liz
I can tell something is bothering Cooper, but I don’t want to ask him in front of Kayla and Hayley, so I let it go for now. I check the time, seeing I need to leave soon to pick up Bella from school. I promised her we’d go get her costume today, so, we’ll find out soon if she sticks to the Elsa one.
“All right everyone, I need to go pick up my daughter and take her costume shopping. I just spoke with my mom and they’re about to board their flight, and should be in tonight around dinner, so don’t forget about the barbecue Sunday.” I walk over to Cooper and give him a quick kiss. “And I will see you tonight.”
He grabs me by my arm, looking conflicted. Something is clearly bothering him and I need to make sure we get time alone later to talk about it after Bella’s sleeping, so I can find out what’s going on.
“Can I go with you to get Bella? It’s bad enough I’m going to miss her trick-or-treating. I’d like to at least be there to help her pick out her costume.”
Oh, this man. My heart swells every time he says stuff like this.
“Well, I don’t know how much helping you’re going to be doing since our sweet child has a mind of her own when it comes to all important decisions such as which costume to get, but you can always join us, Cooper. You never have to ask.”
I run my hand down his cheek and a hint of a smile graces his face. “Give me a few minutes to shower and change.”
“Sure.”
After he exits, I notice both my friends are staring at me.
“What?”
Hayley is the first to comment. “Nothing, he’s just so sweet. I want a man like that.”
Kayla nods. “I don’t want a man like that because we both know I don’t want a man at all, but I’m glad you have a man like that. You deserve to be happy.”
I debate on how to reply to Kayla’s comment because it drives me nuts that she never wants to be in a relationship just because her parents’ marriage isn’t one based on love.
“Hayley, you’ll find your man. I didn’t think it would ever happen to me, but I’m glad I waited, and you”—I mock glare at Kayla—“need to stop. Just because your parents chose to have a marriage of convenience doesn’t mean all couples choose that. If you never let a guy in, you’ll never see how different it can be, and trust me, it can be amazing.”
Both girls wave me off and we all exit the office and head to the front. Hayley goes to her office and Kayla stands with me in the front as we discuss our plans for the weekend. I’d like to take my parents and brother out to dinner tomorrow night. I hate they are only here for a short time, but I’m so excited to just see them. Kayla mentions us going to get manis and pedis in the morning with my mom.