“Yeah. Daddy gone bye.” I sigh. I don’t know what I was thinking flirting with Axl’s pediatrician like that, especially with Gabe in the room. This relationship between us just makes me so fucking crazy. We may not live together anymore, but maybe living right down the street, being in one another’s lives minute to minute isn’t helping us either.
I pull out my phone and dial Clem.
She answers on the first ring. “Hey, baby mama.”
“Where are you right now?”
“At home, why?”
“I need booze.”
“Well, you’re in luck, mamacita. I just opened a bottle of merlot.”
“Hmm, I may need something stronger. Got any whiskey, or shall I bring some?”
“I got everything you need, just get over here, babe.”
Isit on the floor of Clem’s living room. It’s close enough to hear the waves and smell the salty ocean air, and Axl is sound asleep in the middle of her big feather bed.
I sip my whiskey and glance at my phone as it lights up with an unknown number. “Holy shit. I think it’s him. I mean, it’s a New York area code, so maybe he just hasn’t changed his service over yet.”
“Are you going to answer it then?”
I grimace. “I don’t know.”
“Jesus, Lo. Yes, yes you are.”
“Maybe I should just let it go to voice mail and talk to Gabe first.”
“Why, so he can talk you out of it? That is a terrible idea. Just pick up the goddamn phone.”
“I’m scared.”
“You’re a pussy. Now, answer it before I do.”
I bite my lip, squeeze my eyes tightly closed and then answer. “Hello.”
“Told you I would be ringing you.”
A nervous laugh bubbles out of me. “I told you I would answer.”
“Took you long enough.”
“Yeah, sorry. I’m just having drinks with a friend.”
“Right, well, I won’t keep you—”
“You can keep me,” I blurt.Shit. Last thing he wants, I’m sure, is a sloppy single mom.
Dr. Hottie laughs. “Well, while I like the sound of that, how about we start with dinner and drinks first?”
“I like drinks.”Jesus, Lo. Could you be any more of a lush? “And dinner. I like dinner too. I’m a mom, so I’m not a drunk or anything.”
Clem reaches out and smacks my shin.
“Ow!”
He laughs. “I’m not on duty now, Harlow.”