Page 39 of Fight for Me

I leave him there looking hurt and confused, but I truly can’t deal with this now. I march toward my car, and praise the old junk when it starts on the first try.

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THE NEXT DAY, IT’S almost the end of my shift when Gary comes to me and glances through the window. “Just put the guy out of his misery already,” he says jokingly, and I glance up at him from the table I’m cleaning.

“The man who’s been coming to see you.” He tilts his head to the side, and I look in that direction. My eyebrows lift in surprise when I notice Brody leaning by his car yet again.

“Whatever he did, either forgive him or cut him loose completely, girly. He looks like the stubborn type, so just deal with it. One way or the other.” Then he turns and walks away, leaving me there gazing at Brody’s stiff silhouette as he glares across the parking lot, looking miserable.

One way or the other. Fine.

“Three days in a row. I have to admit that you’re persistent,” I say and step into my usual spot next to Brody. “As always, I have to disappoint you and tell you that I won’t be going anywhere with you today.” I lift my finger to press it to Brody’s mouth, keeping in the smile that threatens to break on my face when I see the surprised lift of his eyebrows. “Shush, let me finish.”

Brody hums in his throat and I remove the finger. “I won’t be coming anywhere with you today. But since you're so hell-bent on stalking me, I will agree to have dinner with you on my day off...”

A slow smile spreads on Brody’s handsome face. “Wow, that was easy.”

“But there’s a catch,” I announce and make a dramatic pause.

“What is it?” Brody frowns.

“I won’t be coming alone,” I state seriously and bite my lip.

I’m not ashamed of my son, but people tend to react weirdly when they realize I’m a young single mother, so I’m a little anxious to drop the news on Brody. I’m sure he would never even put the old Jenny and a baby in one sentence before.

Brody deflates slightly and mutters, “Oh. I didn’t think you were seeing anyone.”

“I’m not. But there is a man in my life. Rather permanently,” I smirk when Brody automaticallyglances down at my hand, probably in search of a ring.

When he focuses back on my face, he wears the most confused expression. There’s also something dark in his eyes, and it’s the first time I’m seeing it.

Before I put him out of his misery, I decide to torture him, for the old times’ sake, seeing that he truly seems bothered by the thought of me getting hitched.

“His name is Henry, and he’s the reason I’m always rushing to get back home. I can’t go long without him. After a long day of work, I just miss him something fierce, you know?”

Brody’s jaw clenches, and he grunts, before I continue with an oblivious, dreamy smile. “Things have been so much easier with him since he learned how to use the potty, let me tell you...”

His head snaps back in shock. “The... What?”

This time, I can't hold in the laughter for a second longer. I bend over and giggle uncontrollably, with a new fit hitting me each time I come up for air and see Brody looking at me like he’s unable to decide if he should run or call an ambulance.

“The look... on your... face.” I wheeze and wipe the tears from my eyes. “Oh my god, that was the first time I laughed like that in a long time. Thanks, Handsome.”

“Uh... I’m so confused right now,” he says uncertainly and steps from foot to foot.

“I’m so sorry, it’s actually the first time I have to tell someone the news, and I guess I’ve been a little nervous to see how you'll react.” I smile and roll my eyes. “I have a son, Brody.”

He tilts his head to the side and asks slowly, “You have a kid?”

“Yup,” I chirp. “His name is Henry. He just turned two,” I say proudly and use the fact that Brody is immobilized with the bomb I dropped on him to take out my phone to show him pictures of my baby.

He looks down in wonderment at the photo, and I swipe to show him one of the two of us together. Brody’s face gentles when he says, “He looks just like you.”

“I know. Isn’t that a blessing?” I joke and take the phone back. “So as you can see, if I’m going anywhere, this fine little gentleman will have to tag along.”

“That’s fine.” Brody chuckles. Then his smile dies down when he seems to think over something.

“Spill,” I demand.

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