RILEY

WHAT THE MOTHER FUCKITY-FUCK just happened? And who is that asshole taking her home with him? I am so goddamn confused, it’s not even funny. I watch them walk away while standing here in the downpour like a moron. I wait the entire time for her to look back at me just once but it never happens. They walk to the end of the block and cross the street. I laugh at the absurdity of it all when they step into my building. There are way too many coincidences in play here. Takeout forgotten, I give them enough time to get into the elevators before I follow and make my way to my apartment. I stomp through my condo shedding my soaked clothes as I make my way to the liquor cabinet. It’s going to be a long night.

DEVYN

JACKSON HANDS ME A glass of water with some Advil after I step out of the bedroom wearing dry clothes. “I thought you could use this.”

I grab the glass and use the water to swallow the pills. “Thanks.”

He flips on the fireplace as I take a seat on the leather sectional. “Are you going to tell me what that was all about?”

I sigh. It’s bound to come out sooner or later. “That’s Riley.” I meet his eyes and gulp. “Nathan’s father.”

Jackson’s ears redden. That’s his tell when he’s irritated. “I see.”

Jackson is the only person who knows about my history with Riley. I never mentioned his name because I got so used to avoiding it, but he knows the whole story. He knows how close we were in college, how heartbroken I was when he went to Boston. He also knows how I pined away for almost two years waiting for him to magically show up and tell me that he loves me too. Jackson helped picked up the pieces that Riley left behind.

Shortly before Nathan’s second birthday, I had a moment of weakness and called him. Some guy named Dave was the new owner of his phone number. After that, I decided to take the hint and cut my losses. I changed my phone number too and didn’t look back. Jackson came into my life shortly thereafter and waited patiently for me to be ready to move on. It took six months before I’d even agree to a single date with him. He’s so understanding about everything. He even helps me deal with the guilt that constantly plagues me from not telling Nathan about his dad. Nate’s never really asked but I still feel the weight of it as he gets older. He’s bound to wonder one of these days.

I groan. “That’s all you’re going to say?”

He joins me on the couch. “I didn’t realize he was in Seattle. When did that happen?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I just discovered it on Monday when I found him hanging out with my brother.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You’ve known since Monday? Well, that explains the whiskey I smell on you.”

I hang my head. “Ugh, don’t start. Please.”

He grabs my hand. “I’m just trying to understand, Devyn. How do you feel about this? How did he take it when you told him about Nathan?”

I swallow hard. “I haven’t told him yet. I haven’t really had the chance, nor would I even know where to begin.”

He squeezes my hand. “What can I do to help?”

I lean my body against his. “You’re already doing it, Jackson. I just need time to figure it out. I don’t even know how to reach him. I’m going to come clean with Drew and see if I can track him down through him. They seemed to be pretty friendly.”

He puts his arm around me. “That sounds like a good starting point. You look exhausted. Why don’t we get you into bed?”

“Okay.”

RILEY

I’M SITTING AT THE coffee shop across the street nursing a wicked hangover. Last night, I visited with Jack, Jim, and that Dos Equis guy until I passed out on my couch. I haven’t drunk like that since college and I’m paying for it.

“Unh,” I groan as I thunk my head on the table.

Something starts pulling at my sleeve. “Mister! Hey mister, are you dead or somfin’?”

“No, buddy! Leave that poor man alone.”

I look up through slitted eyes and see a little blonde boy standing next to my table. “Oh good, you’re awive.”

I smirk. “Yep, I sure am.”

A woman runs over to him and grabs his arm. “I’m so sorry; he has no sense of personal space.” I meet her eyes and she glares. “You! I take back my apology. I don’t say sorry to assholes.”

It’s the redhead from Monday night that came into the bar with Devyn. “Rainey, is it? Nice to see you again.”

“Uh huh,” she scoffs.

“Why is he an ath-hole, Aunt Wainey?”

She gasps. “Shh! Don’t say asshole. Your mom will kill me!”

I laugh and give the foul-mouthed little boy a good once over. So this must be Devyn’s son. He’s a cute little guy.

“Hey, mister, you have holes in your cheeks like I do!”

Huh? Holes in my cheeks? Oh, he must mean my dimples. I study his face more carefully. He has his mommy’s hair but that’s where the resemblance ends. He has big brown eyes, a medium complexion, and yep, two giant dimples just like me. “Yep, buddy, I sure do. Trust me, they’ll come in handy later in life. The ladies love ‘em.”

Rainey rolls her eyes. “Nice. Any more lessons in womanizing you’d like to give today?”

“What’s womanizing?” the boy asks.

“Shit!” Rainey says under her breath. “Don’t repeat that either, Nathan.”

I crouch down on the floor so I can be eye level with him. “Hey, Nathan, do you like chocolate milk? Would you like me to get you one?”

He does a fist pump in the air. “Yes! I LOVE choc-wit milk!”

I stand up. “One choc-wit milk coming right up.”

“No, really you don’t—” Rainey says.

I pick up the carton from the refrigerated case and hand it to the cashier. “Too late.”

I poke the little straw through the top and hand it to him. “Here you go, buddy.”

Nathan climbs up and sits on the chair at my table. “Thanks duth-bag.”

“Nathan!” Rainey scolds.

I laugh. “Did he just call me a douchebag?”

She bites her lip. “He sure did. We’re working on extracting Uncle Drew’s potty mouth from his vocabulary. It’s a daily struggle.”

I gesture for her to take a seat. “Care to join us?”

She begrudgingly sits down and takes a sip of her coffee. “Don’t think this means I’m okay with the stunt you pulled the other day.”

I hold my hands up and take the chair next to Nathan. “Don’t worry, I’ll pretend you’re dying to kick me in the nuts.”

“No pretending necessary,” she mutters.

“Uh oh, should I go back home and get my cup?” I joke.

She raises her eyes and smirks. “I’ll control myself for the kid’s sake.”

Nathan puts his little hand on my cheek. “Hey, mister, you have brown eyes like me too. Mommy says they look like choc-wit pools of yummy-ness.”

This kid is a riot. I glance over at Rainey while I laugh again. She’s staring at our exchange, completely frozen.

“Holy shit,” she whispers.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

She slams her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God, we have to go. She stands up and quickly scoops Nathan into her arms. Come on dude, we have to go get mommy.”

“But mommy’s posta’ meet us here!” he whines. “I want my choc-wit milk, Aunt Wainey!”

What the hell is going on? I look at them trying to figure out what’s making her freak out so suddenly. I look at Nathan again as he’s squirming in her arms. His eyes are starting to water, totally tugging on my heart strings. Oh fuck, his big brown eyes. His dimples. His skin tone. I think I’m a little slow from the hangover but there’s no denying the fact that I’m staring at a living picture of my four-year-old self.

“Holy shit,” I echo.

DEVYN

I WALK INTO THE coffee shop across the street from Jackson’s condo. Rainey is towards the back holding a squirming Nathan in her arms. She’s talking to some guy as she spots me and gives me a panicked look. Nathan sees me at the same time and she sets him down so he can run up to me.