Page 42 of Finding Us
“Okay.” He taps my back as he passes on his way to the door. “Let me know what you decide … oh, and welcome to the building.”
“Thanks, mate.”
Once Connor leaves, I head off in search of Blake. I find him in his new room, unpacking some of his toys and lining them up on his shelves.
“You okay, bud?”
“Yeah, Dad,” he says, glancing up from the box he’s rummaging through.
“Do you need any help in here?”
“Nah.”
“I’ll set your bed up soon.”
“Okay.”
“Want to order a pizza for dinner?”
As soon as I mention food, he stops what he’s doing and gives me his undivided attention. “Can we get pepperoni?”
“You can order whatever you like.”
“I want garlic bread too.”
“Okay.”
“And some chicken wings.”
I chuckle as I leave him. I’ve got some unpacking of my own to do.
As I enter the kitchen, there’s a knock on the door. I cross the main room, heading in that direction. I have no idea who this could be.
When I open it, I find Connor standing there. He holds up two bags in one hand and a container balanced in the other. “Jaz went to the shops today to get everything she needs for the game tomorrow; she also got some things for you. Bread, milk, butter, juice, eggs, cheese, breakfast cereal, coffee, sugar, and some fruit and snacks … stuff she said you might need. She also baked some cupcakes for Blake.”
“Wow, seriously?”
“I told you she was the best. I’ve never mentioned this, but she had a really shitty childhood. The first time I met Blake, he reminded me so much of her. Between us, she still carries some of those scars from her past, so I know she’d never overstep the mark with him.”
“Good to know … tell her I said thank you for these.”
“Will do.”
He turns and starts walking down the corridor towards the lift. “Connor.” He pauses when I call out his name, glancing over his shoulder. “What time do you want us to come over tomorrow?”
A smile tugs at his lips. “The game starts a three thirty, so any time before that.”
My stomach is in knots as we ride down the lift to Connor’s floor. I’m not nervous about meeting his sister, I’m just apprehensive about how Blake will react.
“Connor’s sister is going to be there today,” I say. It’s the first time I have mentioned it because I wasn’t sure if he would’ve wanted to come if he knew. “The one who made you the cupcakes.”
“They were yum.” He ate three of them last night on top of his pizza, garlic bread, and wings. It still astounds me how he can fit so much food into that tiny body of his.
“There should be plenty of food here today. Connor said his sister is a really good cook.”
“Okay,” is all he says, but I can sense his apprehension.
I crouch down to his height. “If you feel uncomfortable at any stage, just let me know and we can leave.”
