“Not worried about it. Hey, by the way, Von isn’t going to have medical or dental insurance for the next week or so. I’ve got to meet with a new health insurance company to get that set up,” I tell her before I forget.
“They didn’t offer you coverage until your next pay day?” Tyra’s shocked. Believe me, I was too. I could have pushed it, made it worse for the company I was working at, but a clean break was what I was after.
“I got a severance package, a good one at that, but it required losing insurance. It’s not a big deal and should only be a week or two at most. If he needs the doctor or there’s an emergency, I’ll cover it,” I explain. Cutting ties with them after working there for ten years was the best thing I could have done and should have done probably five years ago.
“I’m glad you left. They really fucked up letting you go.” That response, she always did know what was best, not just for herself but also me.
“Me too. Left a little too late. Be right back, siren,” I tell her, needing to get the groceries out of the car. She’ll want to get Von seeing as how it’s going on noon, and I have one more question to ask. Hopefully, it won’t upset her or make Tyra feel like I’m taking over. I put the second load on the counter, this time not talking. She’s busy placing things in the fridge and freezer, so I grab the last load, shut the trunk, lock her car, and do the same.
“I miss my bigger kitchen,” Tyra admits, looking at me. This time, I’m the one confused because she hated the house I recently sold. “Not the last kitchen. The one before that in our first home.”
“Ah, yeah, that house had a lot of great memories. The layout wasn’t half bad either, though the neighborhood has gone to complete shit now,” I tell her.
“You’ve been by lately?” she asks, a hopeful gleam in her eye.
“Yeah, and trust me, siren, you don’t want to see what the owners have done to the place. It looks completely different, inside and out. It was sold twice since we put it up for sale. Maybe the new people will fix it for the better, but right now, it’s a wreck.” I don’t even go into detail on how they demolished the kitchen after we had replaced it with new cabinets, granite countertops, and light fixtures. That was Tyra’s labor of love, and I was the fool who convinced her to leave it. The writing was on the wall, houses were being bought, flipped, and then turned into rentals. She didn’t see it. The only thing Tyra saw was the memories we made there.
“That’s too bad.” The melancholy in her voice eats at me.
“You’ll have another home one day.” This time when that happens, I’m going to make sure she really likes the place, is happy, and it’s a place the three of us are building together, hopefully with one or two more children as well.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I hand her the groceries so she can put them away in the pantry, emptying the boxes of snacks in a plastic container that Von can reach.
“Hey, question, would you be okay with me picking up Von from my parents? I know it’s your weekend and you promised to take him to the park, and I’m an asshole for encroaching on it, but I’d like to tell him I moved and beg him for forgiveness.” Tyra looks at me like I’ve grown another head. I’m unsure if she’ll say yes or not. She’s quiet, almost too quiet. We still put things away, each of us staying silent, me allowing her the time to get her thoughts in order. Meanwhile, I’m second-guessing even asking. I know, for the foreseeable future, this will be me showing Tyra the many ways I’m changing, and if she says no, I’ll just have to bide my time.
“Wow, Von doesn’t know you moved yet? You were with him last night. Why didn’t you say anything then?”
“Because you needed and deserved to know first.” It’s as simple as that. I’d be an unforgivable asshole if I did things in reverse.
“Okay, you can do that. Also, you know we can’t tell Von we’re trying to make things right this soon, right? I mean, I’m praying things will work out and this isn’t all for nothing, but there’s no way we can get our son’s hopes and dreams up only for them to crash and burn.” We touched on this subject a little bit through the night, and I was willing to do anything Tyra asked within reason, this being one of them.
“I know that. I also know things will be a bit tricky when taking you out and seeing you. We’ll work on that. I’ve got a few amends to make with other people in our lives besides you and Von, but you two are my priority first and foremost.” I walk closer towards her, my hand cupping her neck, thumb sweeping over that spot I usually reserve for when we’re in the bedroom. Right now that isn’t what it’s about; it’s so she sees the truth in my eyes.
“Okay, you can do that. I actually think Von needs the time with you. Text and let me know how it goes?” Fuck, Tyra should have someone better, someone who didn’t think about money first, family second, to live through the hell I put her through and still come out the most amazing, beautiful, and intelligent woman. I’m not going to let some other schmuck sweep her off her feet. No damn way. I’ll be doing that from here until eternity.
“Always. You good here, or do you need more help?” I ask, knowing if one of us doesn’t get to Von soon, he’ll be getting anxious, especially if Tyra made plans with him.
“I’m good. Go take care of our boy.” This time when I take her mouth, it’s not a small sweep of our lips meeting, it’s me backing her up until her back is against the fridge, the small kitchen coming in handy, as my tongue devours her mouth. The kiss is full of pent-up need. One night versus the year I’ve been away from Tyra, and it wasn’t enough. I give her everything, pouring more than any words could mean into this kiss, showing her exactly what she does to me, knowing this will be the first of many more, and if I have to sneak over to her apartment in the dead of night to tell her that, I freaking will.
“I’ll text you, and if he cons me into ice cream, you’re not allowed to be upset,” I say, pulling back.
“Whatever.” Tyra pulls me back to her lips. She leads this time, and I follow. Fuck, I’d follow her to the ends of this earth if it meant she kissed me like this, held me like she is, and I’d never let her go another day in her life thinking I don’t love her.
“Fuck, siren. You keep this up, and I won’t be getting Von. We’ll be calling my parents to keep him another night and we’ll be in your bed.” The low mewl that comes from her tells me she’d be all for that. “Later, I’ll give you what you want. Right now, we need to take things slow. Our family deserves that.”
“You’re right. Thank you, Mace, for everything.” I pull her in for a hug. She smells like me except for the light floral undertone that’s all hers.
“I hate that you’re thanking me for something that’s my fault. We’ll work through this and come out on top.” I leave her on that note, knowing if I don’t, I’ll make good on my words and never go.
SEVENTEEN
Mace
“Dad,I thought you were staying last night?” Von asks a few minutes into the drive to my new place. I probably should have done this back at my parents’ house, and this is the part where I say I love my mom, truly I do, but she’s a meddler. This is one of those things I need to do on my own.
“That was the goal. Something came up, and no, it wasn’t work.” I looked in the rearview mirror already aware of what he’d say or ask.
“Really, are you sure?” The smart kid that he is usually smells bullshit a mile away. If I told him the truth about where I was, it would defeat the purpose for Tyra, and I am not screwing that up.