Page 20 of Wild Mistake
“Impossible.” His amusement sobers. “I always worry about you, Aiden. Just because you’re back, that won’t stop.”
9
SARAH
“Hi, Mom,”Parker says after my call connects.
“Hey!” I say, overjoyed at the sound of my baby’s voice. We’ve been texting but this is the first time in days we’ve been able to talk. “How are you? Everything going good?”
“It’s cool,” he says, and I picture him shrugging. “I’m going to Caden’s house today.”
“Oh, that’s so good.” Caden and Parker have been friends since playing soccer together in first grade. It makes me happy he’s using this time at his dad’s to connect with friends. “How’s Gabe doing? He around to say hi?”
“I think he’s still sleeping.”
“It’s almost two,” I say, glancing down at the screen to make sure. It’s a cold one today, and I wrap my coat around my body before I resume pacing the back wall of the diner. I only have a few minutes left on my break, but I’m going to spend all of them happily freezing outside if it means I get to talk to my children.
“Yeah,” Parker says, distracted. “He didn’t get back until really late. I think he went out with Brody and Logan.”
Great.My stomach falls, my mind filling with worry. Those boys were trouble. The last thing Gabe needs is to reconnect with them. Especially with Jake’s lack of supervision. I want to ask if Jake is enforcing a curfew, or around at all, but I refrain. I refuse to put my children in the middle. I need to discuss co-parenting with my ex another time.
“Hey, Mom? Sorry, Caden’s mom is picking me up and he just texted they’re on the way.”
“Of course. Go! Have fun! I love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom,” he says before ending the call.
My heart plummets as soon as I head back inside. I send a text to Gabe, telling him I love him and asking him to call and check in later. I’m sure he won’t, which is probably normal. He’s seventeen and next year he’ll be an adult, free to make his own choices. I know he’s still angry about the separation, but I am going to continue being the annoying mom who makes the effort, even if he doesn’t.
I place my jacket and personal items back inside Marnie’s office before tying my apron back on around my waist.
“Did you catch the boys?” Marnie says, catching my attention from across the kitchen.
“I did.” I smile at her thoughtfulness. She is an awesome boss. “Gabe was sleeping but I talked to Parker.”
“Teenagers.” She shakes her head and laughs. “They sure can sleep the day away!”
“Yeah.” I exhale the worry that still sits in my chest. I wish I could have talked to Gabe, but I have to trust he’s fine. His behavior is perfectly normal. Most teenagers don’t want to talk to their parents. “Thanks for covering my tables.”
“Oh, any time.” She glances up from the dough she’s rolling. “I closed out the Millers’ check. You have one new table, but take your time. I got his drink order and he didn’t look to be in a rush.” She shoots me a wink.
I have an inkling who it might be. I sure hope I’m wrong.
My feet drag and it takes everything to keep a scowl off my face as I push through the swinging door that leads to the dining room. Because Aiden is there, watching and waiting for me with a stupid grin on his handsome face.
Marching over to his table, I dig inside my apron pocket. I stop several feet from the table and meet his gaze. “Back again.” I press my lips together to keep from saying more.
His brows rise. “You don’t seem happy about that.”
I slap the cash he left from yesterday on the table.
“What’s this?”
“You overpaid me yesterday.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“I did?” His brow furrows.
His denial only pisses me off further. I level my glare at his fake innocence. “Don’t act stupid. We both know there’s no way in hell Marnie ever has or ever will charge more than twenty dollars for a meal and you left me forty.” I shake my head. “I’m not your charity case.”
