Page 27 of Who's Your Daddy
“Don’t we have to go inside with them?” Nervous energy clutches my throat as I look from him to Sloane. “Talk to their teachers? Make sure they’re all set for lunch?”
Sloane’s lips twitch like she’s trying to hold back a laugh at my expense. “No, Cal, this is where we say goodbye.” She places a gentle hand on my forearm. “He’ll be okay.” With one more sweet smile at Murphy, she says, “Say bye to your dad. I think he’s having a hard time.”
Murphy tips his head up again and sighs. “I’ll be okay, Cal.”
My gut clenches. I don’t like it. Don’t like it even a little bit.
Jaw locked tight, I nod. “I’ll be right here at 2:30.”
“They get out at 3:15,” Sloane gives up any pretense and breaks into a grin.
Chin lowered, I eye her. “I’ll be here at 2:30.”
Murphy gives me a single nod. “See you then.”
Instead of releasing him, I rush for an excuse to keep him here longer. “We need a photo.”
“What?” Murphy frowns in confusion.
“A photo.” I dig my mobile out of my pocket. “To commemorate your first day of school.”
“Come on, Teej,” Sloane says, waving a hand. “Stand with your cousin so Uncle Cal can get his picture.”
I unlock my phone—surreptitiously checking that there are no inappropriate messages waiting—and aim. I can’t hold back my smile when T.J. loops his arm around Murphy’s shoulder. Sure, Murphy looks a touch bewildered by the affection, but I’m glad I’ll have thismemory saved. I’ve missed so many other things and have no idea if Murphy’s mother documented them. Does she have photos of him the day he was born? Or on his first birthday? A video of his first steps?
With a thick swallow, I shake away the thoughts, ignoring the intensifying burn in my chest.
“Can we go now?” T.J. bounces on his toes, his face alight. The kid is never not moving.
Though I don’t want to, I nod. If I keep Murphy here any longer, he’ll be late.
With one last big wave, T.J. tears off, excitement catapulting him forward. Murphy, on the other hand, moves in a much more subdued manner.
I don’t take my eyes off them as they take their spots in line. While they wait to go inside, T.J.’s mouth doesn’t stop moving. From here, it looks like he’s pointing out the other kids in line, giving Murphy the rundown.
Murphy remains aloof, but when the kids nearby greet him, he gives them polite nods. Then the teacher appears, opening the gate, and the kids file in.
“Have a good day!” I call after them.
Murphy glances my way and gives me what might be considered a half smile. I suppose it could be a grimace but I’m choosing to pretend it was a smile. Sure, I’m a lot to take and he hasn’t exactly warmed up to me—and he’s definitely not ready to call me dad yet—but I think I’m growing on him.
As the doors close and the noise of the children silences, a knot forms in my gut. How the hell am I supposed to just walk away knowing my child is in there? He doesn’t know anyone. His mother just left him with me. Hell, he barely knows me. How?—
“Cal?” Sloane prods, her tone soft and gentle. So unlike her lately.
I’ve known Sloane since she and Sully were in law school almost fifteen years ago. The two of them married right aftergraduation, and honestly, I barely remember a time when Sloane wasn’t part of our family. I hate that she’s divorcing Sully.
“Hm?” I reply, but don’t look away from the building. If I stay here, maybe I’ll spot the top of Murphy’s head as he walks through the hall. I could camp out here, look for him between classes. Do kids move from class to class in first grade? For as much as this place costs, they should.
“We can go now. The boys are fine.”
I shake my head, squinting at a hint of movement beyond one window. “I’m okay here.”
That gentle hand is back, this time with a light squeeze. “You can’t stay here.”
Finally, I force myself to look at her. “Why?”
She sighs, lips pressed together thoughtfully, as if she’s finally understanding that I’m serious. “Because someone will think you’re casing the place. Or a pervert.”
