Southern Chance (Southern 1)

He skips and hops over to me, coming up the steps. “Hey, Dad,” he says, and I lean down and kiss him on the head.

“Hey, kiddo. Did you have fun?” I ask him, and he nods. “Go inside and say hi to Kallie.”

“Okay,” he says and walks into the house and closes the door behind him. My heart speeds up, knowing that Kallie is going to have a bit of a panic attack when he comes in without me.

“What’s up?” I ask her, my eyes watching the door the whole time.

“So what’s the story with Kallie?” she asks. “I know that you guys are together, but I thought maybe you would talk to me before introducing her to Ethan.” My head turns back to Savannah the minute she says the last word.

“Excuse me?” I try not to lose my shit with her. I haven’t told Kallie that the reason that I don’t have her in my house is because the only thing I want from her is Ethan. I don’t tell her that after she left, I was never alone with Savannah in one room. I would bring Beau or meet her in the open so people would see that we weren’t together.

“It’s the first girl you introduce him to, and there is a lot of history there. I was just thinking that you would discuss it with me. This is a big thing in his life, and I don’t want him to feel like his life is being uprooted with it.”

I walk down the steps to her, and I want to shake her. “Savannah, the only thing I talk to you about ever is Ethan,” I say, and she looks up at me. “We made a pact eight years ago, and I’ve kept up my part in it. But things are different now. Kallie is back, and a part of my life, and if I have anything to do with it, she’ll be an even bigger part of it.”

“Trust me, Jacob, I know too well the pact that we made,” she says softly. “I just don’t want Ethan to feel like—”

“She’s here, and she’s back,” I say. “I’m going to talk to Ethan tonight about it. He’s a good kid, and he’ll adapt. And if he doesn’t, we’ll make sure that we are united in this, and that no matter who I’m with or who you’re with, he knows we are still his parents.”

“Fine,” she says and walks away from me to the truck. “Text me later to tell me how it went.”

“Sure thing,” I say and turn to walk into the house. I walk to the kitchen and see Kallie putting a pot on the stove. She looks over at me and glares. “I’m sorry.”

“He came in here,” she whispers, looking over my shoulder to make sure the coast is clear, “and I didn’t know what to say.”

“Well, where is he now?” I look around, and she points to his room.

“Unpacking his bag,” she tells me and wipes a tear away. I walk to her and take her in my arms. “He’s beautiful,” she says. “So beautiful.”

“He is,” I say, and I kiss her lips.

“Why were you outside?” she asks, and I know I should tell her.

“Nothing.” I lie to her, and she glares at me.

“If we are doing this, no more secrets.” She pushes away from me, but I hold her tighter.

“Okay, fine, she was just surprised that I was introducing you to Ethan so fast,” I say.

“And?” she prompts.

“And I told her in no uncertain words that it was none of her business and that I was going—” I don’t finish because she puts her hand on my mouth when she sees Ethan come into the room.

“I have math homework,” Ethan says, “but I need help.”

“You go help him. I’m going to get dinner going,” she says, and I kiss her.

“Get your things and we can do it at the table.” I look at Ethan and walk to the table. I help Ethan with his homework while pots bang in the kitchen, and I hear her hissing on the phone with someone when she looks at me. “You don’t have bread crumbs.”

“Okay.” I don’t know if she’s asking me or telling me.

“I’m making mac and cheese, and, well, it’s not really mac and cheese without the bread crumbs.” She throws up her hands. “I’m going to need your keys.”

“For?” I ask and look at Ethan, who is pretending not to laugh at Kallie freaking out.

“For?” she says. “Did you not just hear what I said? I need bread crumbs.”

I shake my head, and I want to tell her that it’s going to be fine without it, but I’m not going to add fuel to that fire. “My keys are in the truck.”

“Okay, I’ll be back.” She turns off the stove. “Ethan.” She looks at him. “What’s your favorite dessert?”