Page 35 of Everything I Promise

Chapter Sixteen

Colton

I’m worn out.

Oliver woke up at six this morning. I’m usually an early riser, but I’m usually not run ragged by a little kid the day before. I have no idea how Lacey does this day in and day out, mostly on her own.

Lacey:Hey. Just got back to Mom’s house. I’m going to drop my stuff then come over. Is that okay?

Me:Absolutely. Oliver will be excited to see you. Want to grab some lunch or did you guys eat on the way home?

Lacey:Lunch sounds great, if you’re sure you don’t need a break from Oliver.

Me:Never.

I could probably go for a nap though. I just won’t tell her that. Knowing how tired I am after one day, I’m glad I kept Oliver so she could get a whole weekend away to relax. I’m sure she needed it.

I place my phone in my pocket and go into the living room, “Hey buddy, Mom is on her way over and then we are going to grab some lunch.”

“Yes! Can we get pizza?” He jumps up from the air mattress, I'm still using as a couch, and runs to look out the window for Lacey.

“How about we see what Mom wants to do first?”

“Okay,” Oliver says as he pouts.

He had pizza last night, so I don’t want to say yes and make Lace mad if she doesn’t want him to continue his babysitting binge on junk food. However, I could go for a bacon cheeseburger and a milkshake from the diner. They have pizza and healthy options if she wants.

A few minutes later there is a knock at the door and when I pull it open, Lacey is standing on the other side.

She takes my breath away every time I see her. She looks gorgeous in her leggings with a messy bun on top of her head. She must have been the one driving because she still has herglasses on and that only makes her more beautiful to me. After what feels like a lifetime with someone who would only leave the house in a dress and heels with full make up on, it’s so refreshing to be with someone who looks so effortlessly beautiful. Lace doesn’t even try and she’s the most attractive woman I’ve ever seen.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

She blushes and if that isn’t my favorite thing.

I pull the door closed a little behind me and use my body to push her up against the wall in the small hallway at the top of the stairs. I cup her cheek in my other hand and kiss her to show her how much I’ve missed her this weekend.

The door is pulled open behind me and I pull back from the kiss abruptly. She is still staring at me, and I know she misses the kiss like I do. I miss not only the kiss, but the feel of her soft skin, and her grip on the waistband of my jeans.

“Hey, baby! How was your weekend?” She smiles down at Oliver and lets him pull her into the apartment.

“Mommy! Come see what Colton did in my room! We even put up a bed for me in there so I could sleep in my own room last night! He painted it green and put up dinosaurs! Can we bring my stuff over today so I can live with Dad in my new room?” Oliver was still rambling but Lacey stops walking and looks back at me.

“Uh, yeah. He has let that one slip a few times this weekend,” I say. “I didn’t address it because I didn’t know how you would want to handle it and I don’t want to step on any toes.” I shrug my shoulders. I don’t mind but I was at a loss when he kept doing that.

“Colton, I’m so sorry. I should never have –”

“Stop. Don’t you dare apologize. It doesn’t actually bother me at all. I just didn’t know how to approach it without hurting his feelings. I don’t want him to think I don’t care about him. And ifI’m being honest with you, I want you both in my life. Forever. I don’t want to discourage him from feeling what he feels, but I also know I’m not actually his dad.”

“You are more of a dad than his biological father ever could be. But I don’t want him getting ahead of himself either. We can talk to him at lunch though, let him know that you do care about him, and it’s just a little too soon for theDad. Thank you though, for waiting for my lead on the matter. I appreciate it.” She grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bedroom for Oliver.

After about an hour of Oliver showing Lacey everything that has been done in the apartment, like she didn’t make all the decisions, we were finally heading to the diner for lunch. My stomach is rumbling loudly and I'm starving.

Oliver is swinging happily between the both of us. It’s pretty crowded at the diner so we find a bench outside and sit down, huddling together in the chilly November weather while we wait for our table.

“Hey buddy, can we talk about something real quick?” Lacey asks Oliver.

“Sure, Mommy.”

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