Page 118 of Seasoned
“I’m not the type of man she needs. I’m letting her go because I suck at being a parent. Never mind I’m old and set in my ways. I can’t raise a kid now.”
He watched pedestrians rushing by—some laughing together, others alone, head down or head high as they barreled toward their destination.
In a low voice, he added, “I’ll probably mess up her kid and mess up the life she has planned raising her.”
“Is that what you’re worried about?” Kendrick asked quietly.
Tyson swallowed past the lump in his throat. His chest hurt. He couldn’t look at his son right then and kept his eyes on the black coffee in the white cup on his side of the table.
“You and I just started getting along. I don’t want to screw up any more kids in this lifetime.”
Silence filled the space between them, and Tyson’s gut burned with shame. He had a good life now and had finally achieved a lifelong dream of financial success, but at what cost? He’d alienated his kids and only established a decent relationship with them as adults.
“I don’t have a clue how to be a father. I’m just winging it right now.” He lifted his gaze.
“Does any man reallyknowhow to be a father? I figure everybody’s just winging it and hoping for the best. Personally, I think the most important part of being a parent is showing that you care. For the longest, I didn’t think you cared, and um…it hurt, you know? That you could just set me aside and focus on whatever you thought was more important—business, women, my sisters. Even Jackie.” He swallowed. “Paying for this trip wasn’t necessary. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice, and I appreciate it. But for me, the best part of this whole trip is that you came with me. You chose to be here when you could be anywhere else in the world doing a million other things. You waited in the lobby for two hours while I went on an audition because you knew I was nervous. You went over my lines with me. You helped me map out my day, and in between all that, hit sightseeing spots. I just wanted your time, Tyson. That’s it. If you have time to give to Jackie’s kid as her stepdad, then…I think you’ll do just fine.”
Warmth expanded in Tyson’s chest. His kid had dropped some knowledge he could appreciate. “You trying to make me cry or something?”
“No,” Kendrick said with a laugh.
“Thanks. I didn’t realize it, but I guess I needed to hear that.”
“You’re welcome.” Kendrick picked up his fork and placed a big hunk of cheesecake in his mouth.
“You think you’ll ever be able to call me something other than Tyson? Like Dad or Pops or something?” Tyson picked up his fork, too, and waited.
Kendrick finished chewing, and the corners of his lips tipped upward. “Maybe. Let’s see how things go.”
So that wasn’t ano. Tyson’s mouth curved upward into a smile. “Okay, let’s see.”
More progress.
16
Jackie froze with her eye against the peephole.
Tyson stood on her doorstep, looking as scrumptious as ever in a dark pullover that clung to his biceps. He’d adhered to the request in her last text, sending a single word later that night—OK. She hadn’t heard from him since then, and she sent the text seven days ago.
The bell chimed again, and she rested her forehead against the door, biting her upper lip. Could she handle talking to him? Why was he here?
Finally, she smoothed her hands down the front of her denim dress and wondered if she should close the top buttons she’d left undone. Deciding against it, she swiped her tongue across her mouth to moisten her lips before opening the door.
“Hello, Tyson.”
“Hello, Jackie. Mind if I come in?”
God, his voice. She hadn’t heard him speak in so long, and that deep voice of his had her ready to dump all her reservations, throw herself at him, and beg for a reconciliation.
“Sure, come in,” she said, keeping her tone even.
Tyson walked ahead toward the living room, and she indulged in watching him move across the floor with measured steps. Tall, great ass, and his deep brown skin tempting her to run her fingers over his bald head and bare arms.
To keep from whimpering, she bit the inside of her cheek.
“I know you’re probably surprised to see me.”
“I am. How did you even know I was home?”
