Don't Promise (Don't 3)

“That’s the bar across the street, right?” She turned the car into an open slot in front of the studio.

“Yes.” I wasn’t sure if the line of questioning meant anything. “And of course we take care of Grayson. Really, he comes first. He has a great preschool he loves.”

“You take him to school and pick him up? What about his mother? She really is just gone?”

I sighed. “You know she gave Cole full custody. She’s in London. She calls every week to talk to Grayson.”

“I guess that’s something.” She pressed her lips into a thin line.

“Mom, is there something else you’re trying to ask me?”

She reached in the backseat for her bag and mat. “No, honey. I just want to know what your life with Cole is like. That’s all. I didn’t know you were so involved in raising someone else’s child.” She unclipped her seatbelt and pushed open the car door.

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing. We’ll talk about it later. Come on, my class is waiting.”

I closed my eyes and my fists at the same time. I had to hold it in. Did she think I wasn’t up to the task? That I wasn’t capable of raising Grayson? If she didn’t think I could handle a two-year old why would she believe I could have my own baby?

“Kaitlyn.” She waited at the back of the car.

“Coming,” I closed the door behind me and walked into the studio.

14

Cole

I stood on the patio, ankle-deep in snow and watched Grayson play in the drifts. I’d already taken a hundred pictures of him and texted them to Sasha and Lisa back home. It was fucked up the last person I thought to send one to was Amber, but I did. She was his mother. Maybe one day she’d want a record of her son’s life, even if it was through my eyes.

I heard the door open. I turned around as Ryan walked toward me with a beer. I looked at the label.

&nb

sp; “You drink winter ale?” I grimaced.

He laughed. “My mom bought it. Beer with holly leaves and it went in the cart. Shit tastes good though.”

We tapped bottles and each took a swig.

“Christmas liked it used to be,” he mused.

I looked at him from the corner of my eye. “Something like that.” I eyed the guesthouse. “Your sister and I are staying in the backyard.”

“I don’t want to fucking know.”

I nodded. “Better than in the room next to yours.” He punched me in the arm.

“Do you have any ideas what hell the guys in the unit gave me when they found out?”

The beer tasted good, but it was cold in the snow. My body wasn’t used to this kind of climate.

“Sorry about that. You knew they’d give you shit.”

“The game’s on later. I thought we could go downtown. I have a few buddies in town.”

I shook my head. “Kaitlyn and I have plans tonight.” I waited for him to punch my again.

“Plans? What kind of plans?”