Fool Me Once

I’m not sure what Keegan is doing today. We spent the majority of the weekend together, and then around five o’clock he said he needed to go home to get some stuff done. I told him he was welcome to study here if that’s what he was doing, but he said he really needed to go. He says that a lot—that he needs to get work done. I don’t really understand why he’s not comfortable studying here. He knows I’m in school as well, so I get it. Sometimes I wonder if maybe he just needs a break from the family life. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t want to move in with us. He’s not ready to do the whole family thing full time. I don’t question him, though, afraid I won’t like the answer.

“Brenton!” Zane shouts. “Beach! Beach! Beach!” He jumps up and down.

“Go get your swim trunks on, sweetie,” I tell him. He doesn’t have to be told twice.

“Hey, Sierra?” I call down the hall. She comes out of her room, dressed in her pajamas and sporting a case of bedhead. She got back late last night from her mini-vacation with Kolton. “Want to go to the beach?”

“Sure.” She shrugs a shoulder. “I don’t have to work till later.”

“Cool.”

After we’re all packed and ready to go, we pile into Brenton’s sports car and head to the beach.

“Do you mind if Kolton comes?” Sierra asks as Brenton pulls into the parking lot.

I look over at Brenton since I’m sitting in the front seat. “Can you be on your best behavior?” I can tell he isn’t keen on the idea, but he says it’s fine anyway.

Which makes me think I should probably text Keegan to let him know where I’m at. I don’t imagine he’ll want to join us, but maybe if he does, it will give the guys a chance to put all their crap aside. After I shoot him a text, letting him know which beach we’re at and that he’s more than welcome to join, I get out and grab a few of the bags. Brenton grabs the cooler, and Sierra carries our chairs and umbrella. Zane carries his sand toys. We find an empty spot and set up camp.

“Are we grilling?” I ask Brenton, opening the cooler. He’s always in charge of the food, but usually he gets here early to snag a barbeque.

“Nah, I bought stuff to make sandwiches to keep it easy.”

“Hey, Brent!” a guy yells, walking over. He’s dressed in board shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops. He looks familiar—probably goes to school with us—but I’m not completely sure since I usually keep to myself and don’t really pay attention to anything or anyone around me.

“He’s welcome to join us,” I say, but Brenton shakes his head.

“I just need to give him something he left in my car the other night. I’ll be right back.”

A few minutes later, he returns and helps me finish getting everything laid out and situated, including digging a hole for the umbrella and setting up our chairs.

Shortly after, Kolton shows up and joins us. When I ask if he’s seen Keegan, he says he hasn’t. I send him another text, asking if everything is okay. But after ten minutes, when he still hasn’t replied, I throw my phone into my bag and join Zane to build some castles.

The day flies by. It’s the perfect beach weather. The water is a little chilly, but none of us really go in aside from dipping our feet in it.

For the most part, Kolton and Brenton get along. They don’t say much to each other, but they at least aren’t hostile to one another, so I consider that a win. I check my phone a few times, but I don’t hear back from Keegan.

Late in the afternoon, when Zane and I are digging a mote for his castle, a pair of hands land on my shoulders, making me jump.

“Daddy!” Zane yells, dropping his shovel and running over to his father.

“Hey, bud.” Keegan lifts him to give him a hug. He dressed in a pair of jeans and a shirt and has tennis shoes on.

“Hey,” he says to me. I stand, and he pulls me into him for a quick kiss.

“Daddy, you build the river with me?” Zane asks.

“I wish, bud. I have work I have to do, but I wanted to stop by and see how your day is going.”

Zane frowns, but accepts Keegan’s answer.

“You’re behind on your schoolwork?” I’ve never even seen the guy study. Maybe that’s why he took time off in the first place.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” He wraps his arm around me. “Having fun?”

“Yeah.”

“Daddy, look at my big, giant castle!” Zane points to the piles of sand.

“Those look awesome. Does SpongeBob live in one?”

“No, Daddy.” Zane giggles. “He lives in a pineapple.” Then his eyes widen and he runs up the beach over to Brenton. Keegan and I watch as he says something to Brenton, and Brenton laughs with a nod. He opens the cooler and hands Zane the pineapple he hasn’t cut up yet.