Page 12 of Finding Us
“Fuck off … I’m just trying to be a responsible parent.”
He chuckles, slapping my back. “You know I’m just messing with you. I love that you’re putting Blake first, I admire you for that. You are a good dad, and he’s lucky to have you.”
“Thanks.” There have been times I’ve worried if Blake really is better off with me, but after hearing what the doctor said today, I know he is. I love my kid and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see him happy.
Connor’s life growing up was very different to mine. It wasn’t perfect by any means, he lost his mum when he was around Blake’s age, but he was lucky he had a great dad who always put him first. Years later, when his dad remarried, he not only gained a new mother, but a little sister too. I feel envious whenever he talks about them; I’ve always yearned for that perfect family unit.
I look down at my watch. “Are you heading out?” Connor asks.
“Yeah, I’ve got to pick up Blake soon.”
“Want to catch up for a beer later? We could order pizza and watch the game at my place.”
“I’d love to, but I’ve got a million things to do, my house isn’t going to pack up itself. Maybe another time?”
Connor understands how hectic my life has become, especially now that I’m a dad. “Sure, no problem. Jacinta’s living with me now … you guys could’ve finally met.”
“Wow, she’s living with you, how did that come about?”
He shrugs. “I just missed her, so when I was home for Christmas, I talked her into coming back with me. Our parents are wanting to travel, so I hated the thought of her being in that big house on her own.”
Although we’ve never met, a part of me feels like I already know her. He talks about her incessantly. It’s obvious he adores her.
“Fair enough.”
“How was your Christmas?”
“Quiet, just the two of us.”
“I’m sure you would’ve made it special for Blake.”
“I got him so many presents, the poor kid didn’t know what to do. When I told him they were all his, he burst into tears.”
“Fuck, man.”
“I know. You know what he said?”
“What?”
“One of his mother’s friends gave him a packet of biscuits once … how sad is that?”
“I wish you would’ve let me put that woman behind bars, instead of paying her all that money. She should be locked up, not living the high life on your dime.”
“Thehighlife sums it up perfectly,” I chuckle. “She deserves to be behind bars,”especially after what I learnt at the hospital today,“but in the end, I got what I wanted, so I have no regrets.”
“I may not like it, but I understand. Have you got five minutes to spot me before you go?”
“Sure.”
“Shit,” I grumble to myself when I exit the gym and see it’s now bucketing down. I hate riding my bike in the rain. Not only is the road slick, but when you’re travelling at speed, the water feels like needles pricking your skin. I’m going to need to head home and grab my car before I pick up Blake, I don’t want him getting wet.
Eyeing my bike parked across the street, which is already saturated, I shove my hands into the pockets of my sweats as I stride towards the kerb. I only make it a few metres when I spot a red blur barrelling towards me. Her head is cast downwards, and I don’t even get a chance to move out of the way before she careens straight into me.
“Oomph,” I groan when the top of her head smashes into my sternum. The sheer force of our collision has her bouncing straight off me. I try to reach out and grab her before she falls, but my reflexes aren’t quick enough. “Shit,” I say when she lands on her arse and the phone and keys that were in her hand go flying. “Are you okay?”
She tilts her head back, making eye contact with me, and the moment she does, all the air leaves my body. Her pretty, too-blue eyes widen for a second before narrowing into slits, and I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. Not only is she drop-dead gorgeous, I can already tell she’s got spunk. I like my women feisty.
I extend my hand to her, in an offer of help, but she immediately slaps it away, making me chuckle. I take a step forward, bending to scoop up her phone and keys, and by the time I’m standing back to full height, she’s already on her feet. The first thing I notice is how tiny she is. She’s at least a foot and a half shorter than my six feet, three inches; she has to tilt her head back to make eye contact.
