Page 54 of Nightclub Surprise
“How late are you going to be?” I asked him with a sigh, knowing this would be disappointing news toCalum.
“I really have no idea, baby. I doubt it’ll be later thannine.”
Calum’s bedtime was eight, and he had school the next day. Keeping him up past his bedtime wasn’t something I was keen on doing. “I guess I can keep him up a little past his bedtime. But can’t you let them know you have a little boy who hasn’t seen you in a couple of weeks and misses you prettybadly?”
“I will definitely do that. I’ll do my best to get out of there as fast as I can, baby. See you in a bit. Love you. Bye now.” With that, he ended thecall.
Calum was staring at me when I put the phone back in my pocket. “Well?”
“Well, Dad’s got a meeting to get to. He’ll be a little late.” I tried not to get upset about the disappointed expression on Calum’sface.
“Okay,” he whimpered then climbed onto the sofa, laying down and burying his face in one of thepillows.
I sat next to him, rubbing his back. “It’s okay, you’ll see him later. He said I should let you stay up until he gets home—even if he’s really late. He’ll definitely be reading you a bedtime story tonight. Even if I have to go down to that nightclub of his and drag himhome.”
“Promise?” Calum asked, as he moved his head to look atme.
“I promise.” Pushing his hair out of his face, I kissed his cheek. “Now, come on, let’s get somedinner.”
The fairy tale I’d made up in my head about how life would be with August was coming to an end. I’d never been in a relationship—perhaps I should’ve dated at least a little to find out what relationships really werelike.
Things were hitting me harder than I ever thought they would. And I knew I was being unrealistic about how things should be going for us. Even with August having PTSD, I hadn’t really thought it would be likethis.
I’d lied to myself, it seemed. But I had Calum to think about. What would be best for him had always been my number one priority. Having a father was what was best for our son. I’d just have to learn to deal with the reality of what being with August Harlowmeant.
Tara smiled at us as we entered the kitchen. “Good evening, you two. I’ve got some appetizers on the bar over there, and dinner will be served at seven, asusual.”
“Perfect.” I went over to the tray of appetizers, finding some fresh veggies alongside a creamy white dip. “Yum. Come on, Calum, digin.”
Tara was busily preparing the meal, and everything smelled awesome as we sat in the kitchen and waited. But as busy as she was, it didn’t stop her from filling me in on how the Thanksgiving plan was coming along. “The smoked turkey and ham I ordered came in this afternoon. And I made it to the farmer’s market to pick up the organic vegetables and herbs for the day aftertomorrow.”
Calum perked up then as he realized something. “Hey, I only gotta go to school tomorrow, then I’m off for four whole days! And I get out earlytomorrow.”
“Yep.” I ran my hand over his little head. “And you’ll have lots of fun with your cousins, and Gramma and Grandpa will be here, too. Not to mention that you’ll get to meet your father’s parents, too—you’re going to have another Gramma and Grandpa. It’ll be so muchfun.”
With the talk of the upcoming holiday, Calum came out of his funk. In no time at all, he was dancing around, talking about what he was going to do on Thanksgiving. He was also excited to get to say what he was thankful for, practicing how he would share that he was most thankful for finding hisDad.
As bad as my heart ached over the complications between me and August, and knowing that they wouldn’t get resolved any time in the foreseeable future, the joy of watching my son be so happy tookover.
I could do this. I could do it for ourson.
Chapter Thirty
August
My therapist’s words echoed in my head as I came into the house at seven thirty. “You shouldn’t force your fiancé to do something that hurts or upsets her,August.”
In short, he thought I was wrong for making Tawny leave my bedroom. She wasn’t some child; she was a grown woman and a nurse to boot. And I had to give her some credit for how she’d handled both situations. More than I’d been giving her, Isupposed.
But it still gnawed at me that I might really hurt her, and that overrode anything anyone elsethought.
As soon as I stepped into the central living area, I heard feet smacking the hardwood floor. “Dad!”
My little six-year-old flew through the air, the smile on his face melting my heart. “Son! My goodness, I missed you.” I caught him up in my arms, hugging him as his small arms ran around myneck.
Tawny came in behind him. “We’ve just finished dinner. Yours has been sitting in the oven, keepingwarm.”
“I’ve already eaten.” Calum still clung to me as if I was a life preserver, and he was in stormy seas. “The meeting was about the menu. We had all these samples to taste. I have no roomleft.”
