Page 22 of Forget Me Not
I watched as he shut the door and scurried across the street. He turned and gave me one last wave as I pulled away from the curb. So far, my presence in Barclay was an epic disaster. And I was about to risk even more by showing up at Mackenzie’s house, but that’s exactly where I found myself.
Mackenzie
I don’t know why I was nervous, but I was. Danny was lost to his video game and had no clue I was running around like a crazy person. He seemed to be fine with Drake coming over for dinner, so for that, I was thankful. I had just pulled out a bottle of wine when the doorbell rang.
I was pleased to find Drake standing on the other side of the door. His hands were buried in his pockets as he took my appearance in. I was wearing a pair of leggings and an oversized T-shirt that hung off my shoulder. I smiled, knowing I was the reason for the heat in his eyes as he drank me in.
“Come in.” I stepped to the side and waved him in.
Drake paused and glanced toward the living room where Danny sat playing his Xbox. My gut churned with unease as I watched him staring at my son. “Are you okay with me having a kid?” I ran my hands through my hair, my nerves thumping like a wild bull.
“What?” Drake seemed to notice my slight panic. He stepped forward and tugged my hand into his. “Of course, I’m okay with you having a kid. Why wouldn’t I be?” He brushed my hair from my face.
“I don’t know. You always seem to freeze up every time you look at him.”
“I don’t date—so this is new to me. I guess I’m a little nervous. But don’t for a second think it’s because you having a kid bothers me.”
“Okay.” I stood on my toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. I couldn’t help it. Drake was like a magnet pulling me in. “You don’t date?” I found it hard to believe a man like him didn’t date.
“My job doesn’t really allow for it—or rather, my old job. Military.” He grinned. “I was always on the move and never in one place long enough to commit to someone.”
“And now?”
“Now.” He sat down at the kitchen table. “Things are different. Tell me about you.”
“Well.” I sat down across from him and poured a glass of wine. “You?” I tilted the bottle toward him.
“Thanks.”
I filled his glass and set the bottle down. “As I told you, Danny’s father died before he was born. At first, I was terrified of raising a child alone, but his parents helped me. They have been like parents to me. I lost mine at a young age. Catherine and David took me in to their home so I wouldn’t get shipped off to a group home. I remember the moment things changed for Danny and me. We were sixteen—young and dumb. But I’ll never forget the first time he kissed me. We were sitting on the porch swing looking at the stars. Danny looked at me in a weird way, and then he kissed me. From that moment on, he and I were inseparable. I thought we were going to be married with a few kids by now, but things changed. Life changes.”
Drake sipped his glass, his eyes never wavering from my face. “By life changing, you mean he died?”
“Yes. I’ll never forget the last thing he said to me that night. He said, ‘I just wanted to make sure I reminded you, you own my heart and soul. And that I will love you forever and always—no matter what.’Funny thing is, forever and always ended two hours later when his car drove off a bridge. They never recovered his body, and for years I dreamed he’d come home. Strange enough, I would welcome him back. I wouldn’t care where he’s been, I’d just be happy he was here.”
“Really? You would welcome him back even though he broke your heart.”
“I know this is a weird thing to say to you, since this is a date and all, but I love him. I always will. I feel bad for saying that, it’s not really giving you a fair chance, but I need to be upfront with you.”
“I’m not asking you to forget your past, Mackenzie. I’m only asking you to give me a shot at being part of your future—whatever and however that means.”
I blew out a breath and smiled. “Then I’m glad you’re here. Tell me about you. I feel like I’ve done nothing but talk about me.”
“I’m pretty boring compared to you.”
“Hey, Drake?” Danny called out from the living room. “Wanna play two players?”
I watched as Drake glanced back at me, as if to seek permission. “Go ahead. He must really trust you to let you play with him. That’s his baby out there.”
Drake rose from his seat and downed his wine, “All right. I’ll play.”
For the next two hours, I watched as Drake and Danny played together. It made my heart patter with longing for a complete family. I was pulled from the fantasy when my phone vibrated on the end table. Drake glanced back at me briefly before continuing his master gaming skills.
I turned the screen on, surprised to find a text from Austin. I hadn’t heard from him since he ditched me and Danny at dinner. It had been complete radio silence for twenty-four hours.
Austin: Sorry about last night. Raincheck?
I don’t think so.
