Sucker Punch (TKO 4)

When Raegan invited Darla and me over for dinner, the thought never came to mind Austin would be there too. That was the very last thing I’d imagined. For a moment, I forgot he even knows everyone here. I forgot until he said my name and I turned around.

The secret I had been trying to keep since I met him is out. All I can do is pray he doesn’t run away. I really like him.

Lance and Hilary coming in with their kids eases some of the tension. Although Austin told me he was okay with Darla, I can’t help but think he’s just saying that because there are people around. I’m almost positive when this night is over, he’ll tell me how he really feels and once he does it’s back to being alone again. Hell, I’ve been alone for the past few years, so it’s not like I’m not already used to it.

This is why I didn’t want to introduce Darla to anyone. Now I can just hope she forgets about him.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket and I pull it out to see a text from Brendan. I’ll check it later, I think as I stick the phone back into my pocket.

“Everything okay?” I glance up to see Austin standing beside me. I thought he had joined Lance, but apparently he’s been standing beside me the entire time.

“Y-yeah. It’s great,” I lie.

“Do you need to read that message?” he asks, pointing to my back pocket.

I gulp, praying he didn’t see the name that was on my phone. “No, it’s probably not important.”

“Okay. Your daughter is cute,” Austin tells me.

I plaster a fake smile on my face as I thank him. I look to where Darla is playing. She stops and migrates over to where Hilary sits with her son, Tyler. Darla and Hilary’s daughter, Laney, are standing around watching him drink a bottle. I smile, watching Darla. I bet one day she’d make a great big sister. I refuse to even think about bringing another child into this world until I’m settled down with a man who will accept anything that happens.

“You okay?” Austin asks me quietly.

With my lips pursed together, I nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Taco time!” Raegan calls out. Lance gets ready to knock people out of the way to go eat when she interrupts him, “Kids first.”

“What? I’m just going to fix Laney’s plate.” He grins. We all know good and well he wasn’t going to fix Laney’s plate. He is now, though, since he brought it up.

I take this as my chance to step away from Austin and go fix Darla a taco. I laugh as I notice Lance putting about five tacos on the plate. Obviously little Laney isn’t going to eat all of those. Garrett pops up on the other side of him and glances at the plate.

“Really, Lance? Laney’s going to eat that much?” He raises his eyebrow.

“Laney is a growing girl, for your information.” Lance grins as he takes a small handful of cheese and throws it in Garrett’s face.

I burst out laughing and they both turn to look at me before joining in. I grab one taco shell and begin to fill it up with meat and cheese. I step around them carefully and call Darla to the table. I notice Austin is in line to fix his tacos, so I grab my phone out of my pocket to read the message Brendan sent.

Brendan: I thought a lot about our conversation earlier and I wanted to ask you something.

I gulp. I’m curious what he’s going to ask. I look around to make sure no one can see me. No one is paying attention, though.

Paige: What is it?

Brendan: Before I move, I’d like to meet Darla, if that’s okay with you. I’ve been shitty and I understand if you say no.

I can feel tears welling up in my eyes but I can’t cry here. There’s too many people around. I wish he had said something like this sooner. With him getting ready to move, this makes it so hard. I want Darla to meet him but then he’ll be gone and she’ll probably never see him again. Then I’ll really have to live with questions.

Paige: Are you sure?

Brendan: Positive.

Paige: Let

me know when and we can make it happen.

Brendan: What are you doing tonight?

Paige: I’m over at my neighbors’ eating dinner.