My first thought had been to call Dorothy. That was a bust. The lab hadn’t even called her.
So now, here I am, stuck without answers until Monday.
Monday.
That’s two whole fucking days away.
“So, no results?”
“Nope.”
“Fuck, man, I’m sorry. That sucks.”
Understatement of the year.
I’m sure a lot of guys would be happy about that. Having one last weekend of freedom, in case the test comes back with the words ‘you are the father’ attached to it. Not me. Not when I have so much lost time to make up for if Amelia is, in fact, my daughter. If I’m not? I intend to use every available resource to figure out who is. That sweet girl deserves to have at least one parent in her life. By the looks of it, that sure won’t be Norah.
“It’s frustrating as hell. All I want is to do right by Amelia. I don’t want to get her hopes up in case it doesn’t pan out, but if it does…” I shake my head, my heart filled with sadness. “I’ve already missed so much time.”
“It’s only one weekend.”
One weekend added to all the ones that I have already missed.
“I know. You’re right.”
“Listen, Jackson’s in town. We’re going out for a drink. Why don’t you come with us?”
“Nah, I’m not in the social mood.” Especially not to meet a man who’s my boss.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn't have phrased that as a question. Get off your sorry ass and meet us at Hot Tuna.”
“Mark—”
“Gotta go.” He disconnects the phone before I can shoot him down again.
As much as I don’t want to go, my only other option is to sit here and stew for the next two days. Maybe going out tonight will help take my mind off things, at least for a little while.
Thirty minutes later, I arrive at the bar, and Jackson and Mark are already there.
“There he is… daddy dearest.”
“Shut up,” I say to Mark, though I can’t seem to help cracking a smile.
“Ryder, this is Jackson. Jackson, this is the asshole I’ve been telling you about,” Mark introduces us as only he could.
“Nice to finally meet you.” Jackson extends his hand, and I shake it. Mark’s told me a lot about Jackson, and from what he’s said, the guy is okay in my book.
“Likewise. Messed-up situation,” Jackson says as he hands me one of the beers on the table.
I knock it back and set down the bottle.
“You can say that again.”
Our waitress saunters up to the table. Her red hair hangs around her shoulders, her eyes giving me that come fuck me look, and her tits… well, they look like something from out of this world. For all the shit Mark’s been giving me about getting laid, he might be right. Maybe this very pretty, very interested waitress is just the distraction I need.
“Hey, there, handsome.” She leans on the table, her face resting in her hands, her arms pressing her breasts together, causing them to become even more prominent. “I’m Cindy. Anything I can get you?”
Mark doesn’t even bother to hide his amusement, and Cindy is so wrapped up in me, I don’t think she even notices.