Fool Me Once

Keegan frowns but nods. “Okay, I get it. For now, we’ll focus on Zane, but in a few months, you’re graduating…”

“And then I’m going for my graduate degree.”

“Great, sounds like a plan, but I’m only giving you until you get your bachelor’s degree,” he says, “and then all bets are off. I came back for your number that day because I wanted more, and four years later, I still do. I’m not giving up on getting to know you.”

“And what about Zane?” I point out, dumbfounded by how blunt he’s being.

“What about him?”

“What if we date and break up?”

“Then he’s no worse off than he was with two parents who aren’t together.” He shrugs. “But if our chemistry now is anything like it was back then, there’s a chance we could give him a family.”

A family—his words remind me of what Brenton mentioned earlier. An instant family.

“So, you’re doing this to give him a family?” I accuse.

“No, I’m doing this because four years ago my phone fell into a goddamn fountain and I lost your number. I have a second chance, one I never thought I’d ever have, and I’d be a fool if I didn’t try to see if there’s something more with us. And if that means we get to be a family, then that’s even better.” He steps toward me. “But, Jailbird, even if we don’t end up together, we share a son. We’re always going to be family.” His words crawl under my skin and flow through my veins. I can feel them in every part of my being.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket, reminding me I need to get to class. “Can we talk about this later? I’m late.”

“Sure.” He nods. “We’re still on for dinner tonight, right?”

Shit, I’m already behind on my reading because of yesterday. But I can’t not let him meet his son.

“Yeah, tonight’s still fine.”

“What’s wrong? You sound like tonight is anything but fine.”

“I was just hoping to get caught up on homework. I didn’t get anything done yesterday. But it’s okay. You can come over and I’ll cook something.”

“How about I come over and bring dinner, and if everything goes okay, I can hang out with Zane and get to know him while you work on your homework?”

“Don’t you have homework?”

“I’ve got it handled.” He drops his board to the ground and steps on it, then pulls out his phone. “What’s your number?”

I rattle off my digits, and a second later, my phone buzzes.

“Now you have my number,” he says, looking up from his phone. “And this time, I know where you live in case our phones fall in the water.” He winks playfully. “Text me later what time I should come over and what Zane likes to eat.”

He pushes the skateboard toward me and leans in, kissing my cheek. “Have a good day at school, Jailbird.” Then he takes off, rolling around me and in the opposite direction of where he was heading. Hmm…

Keegan

“Mom, Dad!” I yell, walking into my childhood home. I was born and raised in the small town of Carterville. My mom taught for years, until she had my brothers and me, then she took some time off to be home with us until we were all in school. She retired last year and has been bugging my dad to retire as well. She says she wants to spend some time traveling. Of course, I imagine once she finds out about her grandson, she’s going to rethink that.

“In here, honey,” she calls out. “Your dad is in the garage, finally putting all the Christmas decorations away.” She playfully rolls her eyes, and I laugh.

“Dad, get in here,” I holler, knowing he’ll hear me since the door is open.

“What’s going on, Keegan?” Mom asks. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I think so.” I’m suddenly nervous about telling them. Mom and Dad have been married since two months after they graduated high school. They did everything in the proper order, and I hope they don’t judge me for Zane not coming into this world the same way. If I have it my way, Blakely, Zane, and I will be a family soon enough. I just need to give her some time. Her reasons for not wanting to date are valid, to a certain extent. It’s her way of being a good mom. And I’m thankful for it because it means she’s single.

“What’s going on, Son?” Dad walks inside, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a rag. “Is it something about—”

I cut him off. “This isn’t about work.” Then it hits me… will this affect my job? I didn’t even think about that until right now. I shake the thoughts away. I’ll deal with all that later. Right now, I have news. “I have a son.”

Dad’s brows rise to his forehead, and Mom gasps.