Pretty little thing, p.21
Pretty Little Thing, page 21
She scoffs. “Please, your mom and dad probably kept him so busy and full of sugar that I didn’t even cross his mind.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” I agree, tossing a quick smirk her way before returning my focus to the road. “You know, other than multiple texts and calls from him each day.”
“If you say so.” She rolls her head across the back of the seat to look out the window.
“Bluebird, you’re his best friend. His whole world, really.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “He basically thinks you hung the moon.”
I chuckle at her grumpiness, while also making a note to include Mav in our next getaway. My girl definitely has separation anxiety, though I can’t really blame her. I miss the kid, too.
“That may be so, but you are his moon.”
Reaching across the console, Frankie rests her hand on my thigh, curling her fingers into the threadbare denim of my jeans. “You always know the right thing to say.”
“Trust me, I don’t. I’m sure I’ll piss you off plenty, but as long as we always make up, I’m good.”
Because that’s what a relationship is, right? Give and take. I know there were definitely times my mom and dad fought, but they always took the time to talk about what was bothering them. They never took cheap shots—or if they did, us kids never saw it. They instilled in me how important communication is, in all aspects of life.
I guess I never appreciated it until Frankie. But now, I’m thankful. The example my parents set and the lessons they taught me doesn’t mean mine and Frankie’s relationship won’t have waves, it just means I’ll be strong enough to keep our heads above the water while we swim to the shore.
The rest of the drive passes in relative quiet, but it’s a comfortable kind of quiet, the kind that exists between two people completely at peace with one another.
By the time we make it to my parents’ house, the sun is starting to set and my stomach’s rumbling.
“Hungry?” Frankie asks as I park behind my sister’s car.
“Starved.” I cut the engine and pat my belly. “I wonder what Mom made.”
“Whatever it is, you know it’ll be good.”
“Damn straight.” I get down from the truck, walking around to help Frankie down. “All I know is I lucked out with two women who can cook.”
She swats at my chest and hops down from the cab herself. “If you think I’m making every meal we eat, you are sorely mistaken.”
I sling an arm around her waist and tug her into my side. “As long as I have you, Bluebird, we could live off of takeout for all I care.”
Frankie smiles up at me, with so much love shining in her eyes, I stumble and miss a step. “I love you, Orion.”
“Love you, too.” I swing open the door and press a hand to her lower back, guiding her over the threshold. “But let’s go see our boy.”
“Orion,” Mom calls, undoubtedly from the kitchen, “is that y’all?”
But before I can answer, Maverick comes barreling down the hall, his arms wide open. “Mama! O! You’re here!”
He slams into Frankie with the strength of a category five hurricane hitting the shore. She bends just in time to absorb his impact, allowing him to wrap his arms around her neck and his legs around her waist.
“I missed you so much, Mav.”
“I missed you, too, Mama.” He nuzzles his face into her neck. “But I had a lot of fun. We made a pie this morning and we’re gonna eat it after dinner. And I drew a bunch of pictures for you. And Pop-Pop let me help him do yard work!”
He pauses to inhale, and his eyes catch mine. “O!” he shouts on his exhale. “O! You’re here, too! Did you have fun? Did you miss me? What did you guys do?”
Frankie and I exchange knowing looks, both of us trying—and failing—to hide our smiles, because clearly, we can’t tell Maverick we spent the entire weekend fucking like bunnies.
“We went to Orion’s family’s lake house.”
“But what did you do?” He unwraps himself from around Frankie and reaches for me. I take him into my arms with zero hesitation.
“We… enjoyed nature.”
“And watched the water,” Frankie adds.
“Bet they even saw some birds and bees,” Stella adds from the doorway to the kitchen, her tone full of mirth.
I cut my eyes toward her over Maverick’s head and mouth the words shut the fuck up, which only makes her smile that much bigger.
“The house was quiet without y’all,” she says, lowering her eyes to the floor.
“Surprised you didn’t stay with Samson,” I murmur, still holding Maverick close.
“I did. Well, he stayed with me. Mostly to, um, help-me-pack-my-stuff.” Her words run together, but I still manage to hear them loud and clear.
“You’re moving out?” I ask, and Frankie gasps.
“It’s just, y’all are together now and I’m sure you want your own space, and—”
“You don’t have to explain anything,” Frankie cuts her off. “I just hate feeling like us being together is running you off.”
“I don’t feel like you’re running me off.” Stella joins us fully in the foyer, taking Frankie’s hands in hers. “I promise. And I’m so, so happy y’all are together. I couldn’t even begin to think of someone more perfect for my big brother. But y’all need privacy and time to really grow and connect as a family, especially with Maverick in the mix.”
“Are you sure?” Frankie asks, whereas I’m internally fist pumping.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my little sister, but the thought of having Frankie and Mav all to myself, like a real family, it just feels… right.
“A hundred percent. Plus, Samson has been after me to move in for a long time now. The timing is just right.”
“I’m happy for you, Smalls,” I say right as my mom steps into the foyer.
“Well, are y’all going to come eat or what?”
Maverick wriggles out of my hold and runs to my mom. “Eat! Let’s eat. It smells so yummy.”
He’s not wrong either—Mom’s roast is legendary.
“Mav, your pie was amazing,” Frankie coos, licking the tines of the fork clean.
He beams proudly. “Gigi showed me how to make it.”
“Well, maybe one day soon you can show me?”
“Yeah, ‘cause I’m pretty much an expert now.”
“Hey, Mama,” he says, suddenly serious, “I have a question.”
She looks at me nervously before giving him her undivided attention. “What’s up, bud?”
“If Stella’s moving out, does that mean I get my own room?”
Both Frankie and my mom’s eyes glass over, while my dad smirks.
“Oh, um, sure.” Frankie nods. “If-if that’s what you want.”
“Yeah! And I want red walls and a superhero bedding and a super soft rug and a desk and a lamp and—”
“Slow down, bud,” Frankie says, but she’s smiling now. “One step at a time.”
“Okay.” He takes a sip of his milk. “I have another question.”
“What?”
“Is O gonna move into your room?”
This time, my dad actually laughs out loud. I’m talking big, deep, knee-slapping belly laughs.
“Why… why would you ask that?” Frankie’s cheeks are atomic red.
“Well, Pop-Pop and Gigi share a room ‘cause they’re in love. And O said he loved you—”
“Oh my God!” Mom shouts, clutching her chest. “You love her? You really love her?” She turns to my dad. “Michael, he loves her. This calls for champagne!”
“Sit down, dear,” Dad says, stopping Mom from running to the kitchen. “You’re embarrassing Frankie.”
Mom’s eyes flit to Frankie and she bows her head before plopping back down into her seat.
“Well, are you?” Maverick asks, once everyone is calm again.
Frankie sends me a pleading look, clearly lost on how to handle this. Unfortunately, this isn’t something either of us thought about, and I’m not quite sure what to say either.
So, I do what my parents did to me when I was a kid—turn it around. “How would you feel about that, bud?”
He taps his index finger against his chin, his eyes darting back and forth between his mom and me. “Could I still sleep with you sometimes? You know, like if I get scared or just miss you?”
“Of course,” Frankie says.
“Okay, then. It’ll make movie night easier, too!”
I can practically see Frankie’s tension melt away when her son smiles. He is the key to her happiness, and I’m damn sure going to do my best to be what he needs—what they need.
“Son,” Dad says, pulling me from my thoughts. “You wanna help me clear the table?”
“Sure…” I murmur, wondering what he’s up to.
Samson must be suspicious, too, because he quickly volunteers to help as well.
Between the three of us, we manage to get most of the dishes into the kitchen. Dad scrapes the food, and then passes them to me to rinse, and then I pass them to Samson who loads them into the dishwasher.
We go on like this for a minute or two, while my dad gathers together the words for whatever he has to say.
“So.” His deep voice rings through the kitchen. “You’re in love with Frankie.”
I turn off the sink faucet, dry my hands, and face him. “I am.”
“And you’re ready to be a dad? Because it’s not just her—”
“Dad, Frankie and Maverick are everything I never knew I wanted. I can’t imagine my life, present or future, without them. They’re it for me. I want to put a ring on her finger, and if she and Maverick are willing, I’d love to adopt him. I know it seems fast, and maybe a little crazy, but those two… they’re my future.”
For a long minute, nobody speaks.
But then, the biggest smile I’ve ever seen splits my dad’s cheeks. “And to think, you said she was just Stella’s friend. I’m proud of you, son.” He chuckles and pats me on the back.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Why don’t you boys finish up in here? I promised Maverick we could put together the Legos we bought before y’all went home.”
“Shit got serious fast, huh?” Samson asks, once it’s just the two of us.
“Shit’s been serious since the day I met her.”
He arches a brow at me in question.
“She’s Birdie, man.” Samson freezes, staring at me in wide-eyed shock. “I told you. I knew from the second I saw her that she was it for me, and I was right. I’m going to marry her, man.”
“Damn, brother.” He shakes his head. “I’m really fucking happy for you. But you know you technically have to ask her first, right?”
“She’ll say yes.” I nudge his shoulder with mine.
“If you say so.” The shit-eating grin on his face tells me he’s joking.
“I know so.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
FRANKIE
“Mav, get your backpack, we don’t want to be late today!” I holler, pouring myself a travel mug of coffee.
It’s been three weeks since Stella moved in with Samson, Maverick into his own bedroom, and Orion into mine.
I was apprehensive at first—for nearly five years, the only place Mav has ever slept is beside me. But he absolutely loves having his own space. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Orion went above and beyond, building him bookshelves, a desk, and a play table.
He spoils him… and I love it.
“I’m coming, Mama!” He flies into the kitchen. “Where’s O?”
“I’m here, I’m here,” he says, walking out of his old bedroom, which is now my office.
I put up a good fight, saying it made sense for him to use it, but he insisted, what with me having accepted the office manager position with his company and all.
Turns out, they really did need the help, and Ben, despite being a little clueless, is a good guy.
“You sure you don’t want to take the lead on this?” Orion asks me, straightening his safety vest.
“O!” Maverick whines, and I can’t help but smile.
“He’s right. No one wants to hear about desk work, they want to know about tools and demo.”
“As long as you’re okay with it,” he murmurs, sneaking a quick kiss.
“Can we go now?” Maverick tugs on my hand. “Please, Mama? Miss Jenna said to get there early!”
God love him, he’s been so excited for career day ever since he brought the flier home. At first, I was worried—I hadn’t left ATF yet, and God knows, I couldn’t talk to a room of four year olds about the wonders of exotic dancing.
Luckily, Maverick had his sights set on Orion from the start.
We all pile into the truck, and without Maverick having to ask, Orion cues up the Paw Patrol soundtrack.
“I was thinking we could get lunch after?” he says, once we’re on the highway. “Maybe check Mav out so we can all go?”
“Oh, um. Sure, that’s fine.”
He looks at me from the side of his eyes and smiles. “Good.”
I narrow mine, but he doesn’t give anything away.
The drive to the school is fast, but the parking lot is already full, leaving us to park at the back of the lot. Apparently, they weren’t kidding about getting here early.
“C’mon!” Maverick takes off as soon as Orion helps him down from the truck, leaving us to run after him.
We follow him into the school and down the hall to his classroom.
“Good morning, Maverick,” Miss Jenna greets him. “Go take your seat on the rug, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He shuffles past her, winding through the children already clustered on the rug, until he finds his assigned spot.
“Frankie, it’s so good to see you again,” she says warmly before turning to Orion. “You must be this O I’ve heard so much about.”
His cheeks blush, and I love it. “Orion Cartwright.” He offers her his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“We’re so glad y’all could join us. Feel free to grab a chair in the back of the room and we’ll get started.”
How are we the last ones here? School doesn’t officially start for another ten minutes!
Orion takes my hand in his, stroking my knuckles with his thumb as we listen to parent after parent talk about their profession.
So far, we’ve had a baker, a doctor, and an engineer.
“Next up we have Maverick and his…” Jenna pauses and clears her throat. “Orion.”
If anyone else catches her blunder, they don’t react. Thank God.
“This is Orion,” Maverick says once they get to the front of the classroom. “I call him O. He owns a ‘struction business, and one day, he’s gonna be my dad!”
I nearly fall out of my seat at my son’s bold declaration, but Orion… he looks cool as a cucumber.
Seriously, how is he so calm? My heart feels like a runaway train bound for derailment. I mean, my son just announced to his entire class that he wants Orion to be his dad.
“Deep breaths,” the mom next to me murmurs, rubbing my back in soothing circles. “That’s right, in and out.”
Guess someone did notice.
“Thanks,” I whisper back, my cheeks still burning hotter than the sun. But hey, I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out anymore, so that’s a win.
“…and that’s what it’s like to own a construction company.”
I snap my focus back to Orion, just in time to hear the end of his speech. I feel bad missing it, but my brain feels like it’s mashed potatoes and I’m still not sure how to process Maverick’s declaration.
It’s not that I don’t want that for us; I mean, it’s clearly the path we’re on, but I also don’t want him to get his hopes up.
Clearly Orion loves my son like he’s his own, but I have no idea if he wants to adopt him, much less how he feels about Mav calling him dad.
I guess we have a lot to talk about at lunch…
“Wait, so, you’re really letting me come home?” Maverick asks, bouncing on his toes as he waits for Orion to unlock the truck. “Like, I for real don’t have to finish school today?”
“Not today, bud.” Orion ruffles his hair. I swear, the sight of the two of them together will never not make my heart squeeze in my chest.
“But why?” He drags the word out. “What are we gonna do?” Bless his heart, I can practically see his brain exploding. But, to be fair, he’s never left school early before.
Orion opens the back door, bracing Maverick from behind as he climbs up into his seat. “I thought we could get lunch—”
“Can we get pizza?” Mav whips around to face Orion, his puppy dog eyes in full effect. “Please!”
“I’m fine with whatever y’all want,” I say, meaning it. Mostly because I’m still obsessing over how to talk to Orion about everything Maverick said.
He’s told me over and over that he’s all in, and I believe him—I do. But stepping into an official dad role is a big deal. Even if he’s already rocking it, unofficially.
Orion buckles Mav’s chest clip and then steps down, his brow furrowed. “I had reservations—” he starts, but then shakes his head and says, “—you know what, pizza sounds perfect.”
“Yes!” Maverick throws both hands over his head in a celebration. “This is the best day ever!”
The drive to Mr. T’s is quick, and somehow, we manage to beat the lunch crowd. I defer to Orion when it comes to toppings; I’m too busy working up the courage to say what I need to say.
“Can we get ice cream after?” Maverick asks as we crowd around one of the small tables filling the space. “I want mine with sprinkles. Please, Mama?”
“Sure,” I reply, because you can’t get Mr. T’s pizza and not get ice cream. “But I have something I want to talk to y’all about.”
“Is everything okay?” Orion clears his throat.
“Yeah, it’s just…” I suck in a deep breath. “Mav, what did you mean when you told your class that Orion was going to be your dad?”
God love him, my son looks at me like I’m a total idiot, before sighing and saying, “‘Cause he will, Mama.” He turns to Orion. “You wanna be my dad, right?”
