Page 57 of One Timer With A Wingman

We get out of the car and I walk her to her front door. I kiss her forehead, even though I’d like to be kissing her lips.

“Thanks for taking me along tonight. Your parents are so nice and it felt good to be included,” she says.

From the little I know about her family; it sounds like they abandoned her and Briar is used to being alone. My family is the polar opposite. Especially my extended family. They can be overwhelming.

“We’re in this together, Briar. We’re a team,” I assure her.

She smiles but it doesn’t touch her eyes.

“Get some rest, Buttercup,” I say to her.

She nods and heads into the house. I decide not to take an Uber. I sent my bag back with the guys on the bus, so it’s not like I need to carry anything and a walk alone at night is exactly what I need. As I walk down the dark quiet streets, I remember Briar told me from the start I wasn’t what she was looking for. She has her life planned out. Although we are definitely taking a detour now. Does that mean she would be open to getting to know me? Does she just see me as her baby daddy? I know what she thinks of jocks, but if I could just prove to her I’m not the same guy I was, even six months ago, maybe she would give me a shot.

As I’m walking my phone rings and Mom’s name lights up my screen.

“Hi, Mom.” My heart almost broke tonight when she said she had wished for a grandchild.

“Hi, baby,” she replies. “Did you get back to town okay?”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “Just dropped Briar off.”

“I like her,” Mom says.

“I like her too,” I reply because she is my mom.

“I could tell,” Mom says.

“I don’t think the feelings are mutual,” I confess.

“She has a lot going on. A lot of changes. Do you know anything about her family? I didn’t want to put her on the spot.”

“Her mom is kind of in the picture. Her parents are divorced and she hasn’t really spoken to her dad in like a decade.”

“Tough,” Mom says. “She must be so overwhelmed.”

“Yeah,” I agree.

“But us Murrays know how to support each other,” she states.

“We do, I just don’t know where she stands. I don’t want to push her too much. She’s been open about everything and I don’t want to lose that.”

“One day at a time, Aaron.”

“I know, Mom.”

“Have a good night, baby.”

“You too.”

We end the call and my heart aches a little more than it did earlier.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Briar

“I’m nervous,” I confess to Aaron. We are sitting in the waiting room in the ultrasound area of the hospital. I have the ultrasound booked, followed by an appointment with an obstetrician.

“Me too,” Aaron says sheepishly. “Aren’t we a pair?”

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