Cowboy Baby Daddy

But even Carrie was against me. After a few seconds, I realized the song on the radio was “Cowboy Casanova.”

On second thought, maybe she wasn’t against me. Maybe the song was talking about my situation all too well, and I should do what she suggested and run for my life.

From what everyone else had said, they were all looking forward to Carl’s old Fabulous Five getting together again. It was almost like the Lord above was arranging things for us to do that or at least our schedules were just working out for once.

Mama wanted to watch Kadie. Joe and his wife were planning to come, but she got called in at the last minute, but his in-laws had come into town on Friday anyway, so they could still watch his kids. He didn’t have the best relationship with them anyway, so I think he was grateful to be able to get out of the house without his wife running interference.

No one had any reason to worry. Responsible adults were watching our children, and even if we let the beer or mixed drinks flow a bit too much, it wouldn’t be a big deal. We could get together, chat, drink, have some wings, and have a great old time.

So why was I so worried? Maybe because I hadn’t talked to Alex since our argument at his house. Perri had been the one to chat with Carl, and he said Alex could come.

I had no idea whether my baby daddy would be chill or bring up the argument. Not to mention this was the first time we’d all hung together since the truth about Kadie’s parentage had come out.

If I could have thought of a way to dodge going without looking like I was trying to dodge, I would have, but I decided I could use the drinks anyway, so I guessed it wouldn’t be all bad. Or at least I hoped.

A waitress stopped by, a sympathetic look on her face. “Just you tonight?”

“No, no. Just the first to arrive.”

She smiled. “Then I’ll come back later, or did you want to get started?”

“How about a couple of daiquiris?” I said.

Perri always liked a good daiquiri whenever I got one. I figured I wouldn’t start in until she arrived.

“Sure thing.” The waitress nodded and headed off.

Perri walked in and waved to me from the door. She hurried over to the table and took a seat. “Look at you, all early.”

“Maybe you’re late.”

She grinned and laughed. “So, the gang all back together again except no secrets, eh?”

I groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

She furrowed her brow. “What? Is that bad?”

“No, no, it’s not bad.” I shrugged. “Things are just weird. I mean Alex is back, and he knows about Kadie, and he’s got the house, and he’s got a room for her set up and everything. It’s all very fatherly and responsible.”

The waitress returned with our drinks. “Here are your daiquiris. Anything else?”

“I didn’t order a daiquiri,” Perri said, a quizzical look on her face.

“I thought you might want one.”

“Um, well, can I get a Coke, too?”

“Rum and Coke?” the waitress asked.

Perri shook her head. “Just Coke.”

“Okay.” The waitress took off.

I took a sip of my daiquiri and smiled. “This is great.”

“Oh, yeah, I’ll have some in a bit.” Perri furrowed her brow. “Just trying to pace myself, you know. I’m not the party girl I once was.”

“Yeah, I understand.”