That brings up something I've been wondering about. "So, how is this supposed to work? The whole fake dating thing. Because you're at the bar as much as she is. How are you going to have time?"
"Honestly," he clears his throat. "I haven't really thought that far ahead. I was going to ask if you wanted to meet for breakfast in the morning to go over boundaries."
His voice sounds deeper over the phone and I could easily get lost in it.
"I still haven't agreed to it."
He chuckles and I swear my heart skips a beat. Calm down, body. This is all pretend. "Well, you answered the phone, so I'm taking that as a good sign."
I guess he has a point. He doesn't need to know that I debated picking up the phone. "Why not dinner?" I don't know why I asked that.
"It's Friday night, and it's usually all hands on deck on the weekends. It's our busiest time. But I can see if someone can cover me if that's easiest for you."
"No, you don't have to do that." Duh, Care. You know he works in a bar and weekends are probably going to be off limits. It's not like I could do dinner, anyway. We have a huge wedding we have to set up. I'll be lucky if I'm home by ten. "How early are you talking? I have to take David to school, then I'm free until about eleven."
"So, is that a yes to keeping up the ruse?"
Rolling my eyes, as if he can see me, I sigh. "Yes. I don't see a way around it without admitting I'm a liar."
"Good call," he answers. "Does nine work for you?"
I take a few moments to consider it, even though I know damn well that time is perfectly fine. Stubbornness is my superpower. I'm usually done dropping David off by eight at the absolute latest. "Yeah, that works. Where do you want to go?"
"It doesn't matter to me. I'll go wherever. I just need to be at the bar by noon." Huh, he was there earlier than that today. I wonder if they trade off who's going to be there early.
What am I in the mood for? Not fast food, that's for sure. I hear a door squeak open, and that only means one thing. I need to wrap this up quickly. "You know that waffle house across from Brews Clues?"
"Yeah."
"Let's meet there." Footsteps stomp across the floor. I swear this child will never be able to sneak out when he's older unless he works on his step sound. "Sorry, I gotta go. I'll see you in the morning."
"Bye--" I don't give him a chance to say anything else and hang up the phone. "Aren't you supposed to be asleep?" I ask David.
"I can't keep my eyes closed." He does this a lot. I don't know if it's nightmares or just adjusting to the hours I've been keeping. Most days I get home at a decent time, but when there's a big wedding we usually work late into the night. It's possible he could have a bit of separation anxiety. Add in the energy I've been giving off all day, and it's a recipe for disaster.
"You want to sleep with me?" It's the only way he's going to stop getting out of his bed and both of us get some rest.
He nods and walks back down the hall toward my room. "I'll get the bed ready."
This kid breaks my heart sometimes, and I wonder if I've made a huge mistake by agreeing to this entire scheme with Carlos. I grab the remote and turn off the TV, shove my phone in my pocket and turn off the lights behind me as I make my way to the room. He's lying down on the bed with the covers pulled down.
There's a nightlight in my room so I can see to plug my charger into my phone. Plus side, my jammies came on as soon as we finished dinner. I slide into the bed and pull the covers up. "Goodnight, David."
"Can you cuddle me, Mommy?" I wrap my arm around him and pull him to my side. I wait for his breaths to even out before I fall asleep.
The drop off line for David is winding around the school. Even though I'm here early, there are more cars ahead of me than normal. Rain drops hit my windshield and I realize that's the reason.
Any other day these parents would be rushing to make it before the first bell rings. I didn't even know it was supposed to rain today, but there's no way all these kids are going to get inside the school before the downpour begins.
I shoot a quick glance at David. He has his backpack already on his back, and is staring out the window. "I guess it's a good thing you wear a hoodie every day."
"Yep," he nods, watching his classmates sprint out of the cars and into the building. "It would be better if it was waterproof, though."
"I'll have to see if I can find you a jacket that is."
"Okay," he shrugs. This kid is unbothered by everything. "But if you don't, it's alright."
We finally inch our way to the drop off area. The clouds above are getting darker, an eerie gray and I hope he makes it inside before the sprinkles turn into actual rain. "Have a good day, buddy. I love you."