Page 97 of Rent Free

He stopped to tap one of the bald-headed men doing push-ups on the head before continuing on toward his shirt.

“I’ve never seen a kid approach Thuy like that,” Germaine admitted. “Kid has balls.”

“He’s my kid. Of course he does.” Atlas chuckled.

Forest came back, shirt on backwards and inside out, and held his hands up to Atlas.

No longer was I the favorite.

I kind of loved that a lot.

Atlas had him in his arms as he asked, “What’s the plan for the rest of your day?”

I shrugged. “I thought I’d go to the chicken place that shall not be named,” I admitted. “When I was done with that, I planned on using the pool for a bit. Helping him learn how to swim some more.”

Atlas looked over at his child.

The one who went nuts over Chick-Fil-A.

The first time we’d given it to him a few weeks ago, he’d acted like he’d never been before. Now he wanted it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

And asked for it… a lot.

Since I happened to love it myself, I chose to indulge both of us for lunch.

“He’ll like that,” he murmured. “I’ll see you in a little bit, buddy. Okay?”

“’Kay!” He threw his arms around his father’s neck and squeezed.

Atlas’s eyes closed, and the silent man at my side said, “Best fuckin’ feeling in the world.”

I looked over at him. “What?”

“Having your son love you.”

A pang of longing hit me.

Yeah, I bet that was the best feeling in the world.

I was in such a good mood after picking Forest up from daycare that I never expected to run straight into the psycho coming out of Chick-Fil-A.

There were eighteen freakin’ Chick-Fil-As in the DFW area, and she happened to be at the one that I would frequent in Sunnyvale?

Doubtful.

Forest was busy playing with his book, talking up a storm, when we came face to face with Sage.

“Well, well, well,” Sage drawled, her eyes intent. “Look who we have here. Does Emory know you’re playing mommy?”

I tried to go around her, but she stepped in my way, stopping my forward progress.

My phone rang, and I ignored it, too intent on dealing with the bullshit in front of me.

“I’m not comfortable speaking with you,” I said carefully.

“Well, that’s too damn ba…” she started, but like a freakin’ avenging angel, Auden swooped in and planted himself in front of me and Forest.

Thank fuck.

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