Until December (Until Her/Him #8)(33)

I read his text and breathe, “Holy cow.”

“What?” April asks.

I lift my eyes off my phone to look at my sister. “He said I could join him and his boys for pizza and wings tonight.”

“Awesome, are you going?”

“I don’t know.” I look back at my cell and type quickly.

Do you think that’s a good idea? Is it too soon for me to meet your boys?

My phone rings in my hand and his name flashes on the screen, making me feel elated and freaked. “I’ll be right back.” I don’t even lift my head, even though I feel everyone’s eyes on me. I slide out of the booth then step out of the restaurant, putting my phone to my ear. “Hey.”

“I want you to hear my voice when I say what I’m gonna say.”

“Okay.” I wrap my arm around my middle, not sure by his tone if I’m going to like what he has to say.

“You already know Mitchell.”

“I know, but that’s—”

“And,” he cuts me off before I can explain how me knowing Mitchell at school is completely different from me seeing his dad and going to his house. “I wouldn’t have you over if I didn’t know it was inevitable that you’d be spending time with my boys. I already wasted weeks trying to deny the way I feel and am pissed at myself that I lost time I could have spent getting to know you because I’m an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot,” I whisper, feeling lightheaded by his words.

“Not anymore, which is why I’m not going to play this cool and see you when I see you, which, baby—” His tone softens. “—it wouldn’t be often. I work two jobs and have two boys. I don’t have a lot of free time to take you out, so if we’re going to do this, we need to jump in and figure it out along the way.”

“Three jobs,” I state.

“Pardon?”

“You work as a mechanic, a tattooist, and you’re a dad. So, really, you have three jobs,” I say, studying the sidewalk under my flats and wondering how he’s able to do everything he does. I have one job and myself to look after, and some days that seems like a lot of responsibility.

“I guess you’re right,” he agrees quietly then asks, “So what’s it gonna be Ember are you gonna run or jump?”

I think about every moment I’ve spent with him and all the things he’s made me feel since the we met, and ask, “What will you do if I run?”

“Chase.” The one word is spoken roughly, making me shiver and smile at the same time.

“I guess I don’t have a choice but to jump then.”

“I’m glad you’re seeing things my way.” He sounds like he’s trying not to laugh, and I hold myself a little tighter, not wanting to lose the feeling in my belly. “I already talked to the boys about you.”

“What?” I squawk.

“When I got home last night, they were up and wanted to know if I’d be seeing you again. I told them yes.” He told them yes! I want to dance around or do a cartwheel. “They were cool with it, so while I’m out with them today, I’ll let them know you’ll be over for pizza tonight.”

“Okay,” I say, sure that the happiness I’m feeling is leaking into my voice.

“I’ll order dinner around 5:30. Is there anything you want, hate, or are allergic to?”

I giggle. “I love food. All food.”

“Anchovies?”

“Would you be repulsed if I told you I love them?”

“Seriously?”

I smile. “My dad always got a can of them whenever we were going to order pizza. I always thought they were gross, but then one day curiosity got the better of me and I found out the salted fish add something unexpected to each bite. After that, I kind of fell in love.”

“Your taste buds are adventurous.”

“Yeah,” I agree, knowing that’s the only part of me that is adventurous. “The rest of me is kind of lame.” Why did I say that, even if I was thinking it?

“You’re perfect.”

“I—”

“Honey, breakfast is here.” I lift my eyes at the sound of my mom’s voice and find her standing in the open door to the restaurant. I nod then hold up one finger, letting her know I’ll be a minute.

“Go eat, baby,” Gareth says in my ear, having heard my mom as well. “I’ll see you this evening. Have fun with your family.”

“Have fun with your boys.”

“Always do,” he says then murmurs, “Later, Ember.”

“Later, Gareth,” I whisper then look around to make sure no one is watching and do a little dance in the middle of the sidewalk. When I get back to the table, I notice each of them are fighting laughter. “What?”

“Cute dance.” Mom grins and I groan. “We’re just glad you’re happy, honey.” She reaches across the table to grasp my hand and gives it a squeeze, saying “Now, let’s eat. We have a busy day ahead of us.” Without another word, we all dig into our food, and like always when I’m with my family, I spend the day with a smile on my face.

_______________

I pull into Gareth’s driveway more nervous than I was last night before our date. Even after talking to him before I left my apartment and his reassurance that the boys were okay with me joining them tonight, I still feel uncertain about his decision.