The Man Who Has No Heart (Soulless 2)

“Grandma wants us to have lunch together, then the movies.”

“Grandma?” he asked, looking at me.

“Your grandma moved here,” I said. “She lives down the street from me.”

“I want to move here…” He turned back to his toy.

“Maybe someday,” I said, wishing I didn’t have to drop him off in a few weeks. It was so painful every single time. I wanted him to be here with me always. Even if Valerie had him most of the time, I could just pick him up and take him to a ball game or something. Or if he ever needed me, I was just a few minutes away. How could I help him when I was on the other side of the country?

“Uncle Tucker will be there too?”

“Yep.”

“And Cleo?” He turned to her.

She started to speak. “Well, I—”

“Yes, of course.” I turned to her. “You’re always invited.”

She closed her mouth and stared at me, like she was surprised by the offer.

“You’re coming, right?” Derek asked.

“Uh, sure,” Cleo answered. “I love spending time with you guys.”

And I loved having her around. I always felt better when she was with me. After my conversation with Tucker, I pushed the thought from my mind, pretending it never happened. I’d wanted to push her away initially, but the second she touched my arm in my mom’s apartment, all my opposition went out the window. We went straight back to what we used to be.

“When are we going back to the cabin?” Derek asked.

I drank my wine. “Next weekend.”

“That’s so far away…” He slouched in the chair.

“It’ll be here before you know it.” He had so much energy, ready to experience life at the fastest pace possible.

“What about during the week?” Derek asked.

“You’ll stay with Grandma sometimes,” I answered. “And I’ll take you to work with me.”

“I’ve never been to your work before,” he said.

“Well, I’ll show you around.”

He nodded. “Cool.”

The waiter brought our food, and we ate in comfortable silence. Instead of throwing a fit, Derek ate his chicken and veggies, motivated to be like me someday. But he was growing tired with every bite, sleepy.

Cleo nudged me in the side and nodded to him.

I looked at my son, who had rested his head on the table, so tired he fell asleep in a crowded restaurant. “I did it. I finally wore him out.”

She chuckled. “Until it starts all over again tomorrow.”

He slept against me in the car, my arm around his shoulders.

Cleo watched us from her side, her fingers playing with the diamond in her lobe.

We pulled up to her building.

She gave me a quiet wave, like she didn’t want to wake him up.

“I’ll walk you.” I undid my safety belt.

“You don’t have to, Deacon—”

“I don’t mind.” I shook Derek slightly.

He woke up, looking at me with heavy eyes.

“Let’s walk Cleo to her door.”

He didn’t think twice about it before he climbed out of the car, walking slowly.

I took his hand, and we walked with Cleo into the building.

“Why are we doing this?” He was so tired that he gripped my leg and leaned against me.

Cleo smiled down at him.

I picked him up and held him in my arms, knowing he was too tired to stay awake, and I didn’t want to leave him in the car. I knew my driver well, but I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my son with anyone besides myself and Cleo. “Because a man always walks a woman to the door.”

The elevator doors opened, and I walked with her to her front door, holding Derek with both of my arms as his arms hung down my back.

She got the door unlocked before she turned to me. “I had fun. Thanks for letting me tag along.”

I didn’t know why she was thanking me when she was the one who’d done me the favor. “Goodnight. “

“Goodnight.” She waved before she closed the door.

I carried my son back to the elevator.

He was dead asleep, passing out against me the second I picked him up. When I held him like this, I could feel his gentle heartbeat, the way his chest rose and fell steadily as he breathed. He was a bit heavy, like a log, but I didn’t mind the weight. I wished I could do this every day, enjoy him at this age forever. Because one day, he would grow up and be hardened by the world, by how people treated him because he was different, the way they treated me.

Mom and Tucker were already at the restaurant when we walked inside.

“Grandma!” Derek ran to her and jumped into her arms.

Tucker interceded and caught him before he crashed into our mom. “Whoa, little man.” He put him on the ground before letting him move into Mom.

Mom wrapped her arms around him. “Derek, I’m so excited to see you too.” She squeezed him tightly, holding him at her waist.