“You are not using my daughter to get girls,” I tell him as firmly as I can, holding back a laugh.
“Of course I am.” He chuckles, his head hitting the back of the seat. “Perks of the job.”
I roll my eyes and stuff the onesie back in the bag, reminding myself to hide it when I get home.
***
Tug and I eat a quick lunch before stopping off at the Center to see if Rodrigo needs anything. I’ll never forget the first time Brady brought me here. I knew after that visit there was no way to deny my love for him. The money and time he’s invested in this place gives these kids a future. They may not get adopted into a conventional home, but because of Brady they have a family here and a safe place to grow up. A place they’re loved. Even Tug enjoys spending time here, although his duties at Gibson give him little opportunity to do so.
Being here brings tremendous, and much needed, healing to all of us.
It’s lunchtime when we arrive. As we enter the cafeteria, I spot Liv and Harrison at a table with Paco and Camilia. Liv has a soft spot for those two kids. We all do. I think Liv copes with the pain of losing her parents by making sure Paco and Camilia never feel alone.
She spots Tug and me, and waves us over. I take the seat next to her. Tug continues to stand, high-fiving Paco.
Camilia smiles up at me with her pigtails bouncing. “Did you have the baby yet?”
I smile and pat her on the head. “No, not yet.”
“You dork.” Paco laughs. “Does it look like she had the baby yet?”
“Paco,” Liv scolds. I laugh. The two of them remind me so much of Liv and Tug.
“It feels like forever,” Camilia whines.
It does feel like forever.
I tap Camilia on the nose. “I’ll tell you what, when I have the baby, you’ll be the first to know.”
She beams up at me. “Really?”
I nod. “Really.”
“So, where’s Brady?” Liv asks.
“The guys are over.” I shrug, frowning.
She and Tug exchange a glance. What was that about? Before I get a chance to ask, Harrison stands and informs Tug that they are on dish detail.
“Every time I come here, I get put to work,” Tug whines like the petulant child he can sometimes be.
“Rodrigo says hard work is good for you,” Paco offers, looking up at Tug with a gap-toothed grin.
I laugh, glancing at Tug. “He’s got you there.”
“He does, does he?” Paco nods, and Tug lifts him from the seat and starts tickling him. Paco laughs uncontrollably. “Good, then you can help.” He sets Paco down. “Come on, Camilia, you, too.”
When the boys are out of earshot, I shoot Liv my “I’m your best friend and you’d better tell me what that was all about” look.
She knows immediately what I want to know. “Tug mentioned he told you about Davey’s drug problem. I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it.”
How do I feel about it? Brady assured me that part of Davey’s life is behind him. This is Liv. She’s my best friend. If I lie, she’ll see right through it. “I’m skeptical.”
She nods expectantly. “They were really close.”
How do I not remember him if they were such great friends? It’s a mystery. I practically lived at their house. “So I’ve heard.”
She rolls her eyes at my sarcasm.