“All the parents share numbers. He’s a single parent too. Miles’s mom had an affair and he divorced her. We rely on each other sometimes and the kids have play dates. What’s your problem?”
“My problem is he wants you. I see it in the way he watches you at the practices. He basically eye fucks you every time you walk up.”
“I hardly think—”
“Ari, I would know because I do it too every time I see you.” He interrupts and scoots closer.
“You can’t say things like that, Reed. We agreed this is about Davis.”
“No, you agreed. I didn’t argue. I know what I want.”
“Anyways, he met me in the parking lot and asked about you. He said he didn’t want to get in my business, but it was pretty obvious who Davis’s dad was. Apparently, the last few weeks at practice people have been watching us and talking about it. Travis overheard a woman tell another mother she couldn’t wait to tell her friends that her son played soccer with an NFL player’s son.”
“How did you respond?”
“I told him our story was complicated and dated all the way back to college. I knew you before you were rich and famous. I didn’t go into details, but told him I kept Davis from you. Now that you knew the truth, you were going to be a part of his life.”
“And that’s why you want to tell him tonight?”
“Yes, his first game is tomorrow and I don’t want him to hear it from someone else. He’s so young; he shouldn’t have too many questions. If you’re not ready, let me know.”
“Fuck, Ari, I’ve been ready since he called me the fish man. It hurt like hell. And once we tell him, I want to tell my family and friends.”
Panic sets in. Reed’s mom was wonderful to me the few times I met her at FSU. I never met his sister but it scares me that they will hate me. Will they hate Davis too?
“I see the fear on your face, stop worrying. My family is going to be confused, but excited. Hell, I’ll try and hold them off for a few weeks, but I’m pretty sure they’ll drive up as soon as they find out.”
“Reed—”
“No, stop. Whatever you’re thinking, just stop. Let’s get through tonight and then let me build a Lego ship with my son. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about what’s next.”
“Okay.” I shake my head and relax against the swing.
Once we know what we want to say to him, we go back in and I get the plates for dinner. Davis rushes in but Reed helps him back to the bathroom to wash his hands.
When we sit down, my phone rings and I see Sophie’s name flash across the screen.
“Hey, Soph, we just sat down to eat. Can I call you back?”
“Yeah, but tell me really quick what time is the soccer game tomorrow morning?”
“Ten.”
“Great, I’ll be there and I’m going to have Luke pick me up.”
“K, I’m not sure if it’ll be too hot for Katy, but Reed and I will be there.”
“Oooohhh, Reed and I will be there…sounds promising.”
“Shut up, you hus—I mean hush. I gotta go, we’re at the table.”
We hang up and Reed smirks at me. I raise my eyebrows but he doesn’t say anything.
“I wuv pepperonis and cheese.” Davis says with a mouth full of food.
“Baby, don’t talk with your mouth full.” Suddenly, I’m not very hungry and start picking at my salad. Reed notices and starts the conversation.
“Little man, you excited about tomorrow?”
“Yep, but coach says it’s not about winning.”
“He said that? Why would he say that?” he practically hisses.
“Reed! It’s about teamwork and learning to work together. This is not really a league sport. It’s more about learning the game and sportsmanship. He’ll be in competitive sports in a few years.”
He doesn’t comment back but scowls. I wonder if Davis will inherit his dad’s competitive nature. I need to get us back on track.
“Davis, so you remember when you asked last week about Father’s Day?”
“Yep, I want Uncle Wuke to come to the pawty at school.”
Reed drops his fork and his eyes cut to me. He opens his mouth but I shake my head at him.
“Well, I think you should ask Reed.”
Davis’s eyes go back and forth between us in confusion. When he stops and looks at Reed his face is blank.
“Are you my daddy?”
“Yeah, buddy, I am.”
“Yeah!” he squeals.
Reed’s face lights up with a huge smile and they both look at me. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“I have a daddy.”
My heart hurts because I never realized how important it was to him. I try not to let it show and go back to eating. Davis and Reed talk non-stop. Carrying on a conversation with a very excited three and a half year old is mostly one-sided.