Page 24 of Here's to Tomorrow

With my lack of employment outside of the bar, I have plenty of time. “I do. It’s no problem at all.”

He smiles again. I melt again.

* * *

Hudson

After having to warn Tanner away from saying anything about Joey because I’m not ready to spring the single father card on Rae just yet, dinner went well. The conversations flowed and there were no awkward lulls. Even Tanner was on his best behavior with Maura, only telling a few inappropriate stories about his buddies in the army.

Tanner and I split the bill while the girls step away to use the restroom one last time before we leave—“girl time”, apparently.Tanner approaches me with a gleam in his eye as I’m standing by the entrance.

“I’m so fucking that tonight, man! God, did you see her ass? Wait, don’t answer that, because I don’t want to have to punch you. You should ride home with Rae, get a little action yourself. I’m gonna offer to take Maura home, and by home, I mean back to my place, because I’m so hitting that!” Tanner’s all amped up at this point.

“You’re disgusting.”

“She wants my dick and you know it.”

“God, I hate you sometimes, Tanner. Have some fucking manners. Treat her with respect, you ass.”

He scoffs and I’m about to lay into him more when Rae’s laughter hits my ears.

“Maura, baby, can I give you a ride home?” Tanner asks all sweet-like when the girls approach.

I gag a little, surprised Maura is buying his shit. Tanner isn’t a completely bad dude, he just has no manners.

Maura looks to Rae, asking for permission. “That cool?”

“Yes, just be safe.”

“You—” Tanner begins to interrupt but Rae silences him with a stern look.

She turns back to Maura. “Now give me your keys since you drove. I do need to get home somehow.”

Maura tosses Rae her keys and squeals as she leaps into Tanner’s waiting arms, waving at Rae as they practically run from Mic’s.

“Guess it’s just me and you then, huh?” Rae asks, coming to stand next to me, watching them exit.

I smile down at her. “Guess so. Hope you don’t mind driving me home, though. I rode in with Tanner. Probably should have mentioned that before.”

After a brief pause, she says, “Nah, I don’t mind. Where do you live?”

“Over on 152ndStreet for now. In those older apartments.”

“For now?”

Now it’s my turn to pause, because I want to phrase this carefully. I’m not trying to hide my daughter from Rae, but I’m not ready to reveal her yet either. “Uh, yeah. I’m looking to get a bigger place. I have something secured in Pembrooke Village, but I’m waiting on some electrical stuff to go through.”

“Oh, that’s a nice place, very family friendly.”

I smile and open the door for her, hoping she’ll drop the subject. She does.

We climb into a silver mini-SUV and head toward my apartment. She must be familiar with the area because she doesn’t ask for directions once.

“Are you from around here?” I ask, unable to contain my curiosity anymore.

“I am. I grew up here. I went away to college in Boston but still came home every weekend the entire four years,” she says, smiling widely. I can’t help but smile too. She really seems to like this little town.

“You seem fond of Wakefield. Why do you want to move to Boston? For work?”

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