A few days later on Friday, Brynn began her usual clean up routine. Gina had already wiped down the chairs and flipped them upside down on the sanitized tables so the janitor could easily vacuum later. Erica had sorted the toy bins and dunked everything in the cleaning solution. Robert had straightened the homework area and STEM games, leaving Brynn with just the administrative tasks. Her boss, Patricia, would collect the parent payments, handle the actual accounting, and bring back receipts on Monday. She just had to make note of who brought in payments to cover everyone’s behinds in case something disappeared, deliver late notices, and leave everything in the locked drawer in her desk for Patricia to pick up later.
One more triple check that the building was empty and she’d be good to go home, relieved she had no evening classes on Fridays.
Brynn walked through the dividing door and froze when she saw Erica sitting at the table with Brendan. A glance to the clock told her it was well after 6:30. Well, this was unexpected. Mr. Davis…Josh…was never this late.
“Brendan? What’s up, buddy? How come you’re still here?” she tossed a puzzled look in Erica’s direction.
Erica gave a half-shrug and with a knowing look in her eye explained, “It’s his mom’s weekend. She’s late.”
Brynn nodded in understanding. “Well, why don’t you go on home, Erica. I’ll stay with Brendan tonight until his mom gets here.”
“Are you sure?” Erica asked, though probably only as a formality. Brynn knew she’d be anxious to get out of there and home in time to change for her usual Friday night out.
“Absolutely! We’ll be fine. Right, little man?”
Brendan’s nervous face turned up to meet hers. “Yup.”
They left the door open after Erica left, so they could watch the lot. Several minutes later, a dark sports car sped into the circular drive of the school’s parent pick up lane. A petite woman with dark, spiky hair and a low scoop-neck top revealing a series of intricate swirls tattooed across her chest rushed toward the building. She was thin and could have been really pretty, if not for the hard edge behind her eyes and in her every body movement. Her expensive purse dangling from one elbow and a cell phone in her other hand, she tossed a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes toward Brendan.
“Come on, Brendan, it’s time to go.” She turned her gaze to Brynn and added, “Sorry I’m late,” briskly and with a slight nod.
With no other words spoken, she reached for Brendan’s hand and was gone in a haughty whirlwind. The clang of her stilettos clomping down the ramp was the only remnant of her presence. Now that is a sight that I don’t think I’ll ever make sense of. How did that woman birth that darling boy? And with Josh? How could he have ever been interested in someone like her? Her recently formed respect for the handsome young dad dimmed slightly. She wasn’t so naïve to think that everyone waited for sex until marriage, but she did expect that someone who seemed so sweet and quiet and, okay, yes, attractive, would have at least some decent taste in women.
She was trying not to judge Brendan’s mom, but after working with kids for so many years she’d developed a sort of sixth sense about what kind of people parents were. There were helicopter parents, always hovering and involving themselves in everything the kids did, who would either pick their kids up as early as possible, or would sit there awhile and hover over them watching while they finished their homework or played. There were the happily involved but not overbearing parents, who came around the same time every day to pick up their kids, and immediately asked about their day and showed sincere interest in what had happened. There were the parents who she rarely saw because someone else came to pick up the kids or they were like rushing stealth ninjas getting in-and-out. There were those who rushed in at the last second, frazzled out of their minds, but always apologetic and hugged their kids while rushing them out the door to the next stop.
Then there were the self-involved ones, who often came inside on the phone and left the same way, barely acknowledging their children even when the kids were desperately showing off their artwork or test scores. The latter were on her list of being the worst, but the top of that list now had a new face. Brynn couldn’t understand parents who were abrupt and dismissive, barely saw their kids, and when they did, they treated them like little adults instead of loving them and letting them just be kids. Brynn could tell Brendan’s mom would be one of the self-involved, dismissive ones, and she didn’t like it. Brendan was too sweet a boy to have come from a mother like that.
Chapter 3
Josh
Josh looked up from his computer screen and ran a hand down his exhausted face. It had been a long day of meetings, phone calls, and basically bending himself backward to get all of the right people to agree on his latest project and then get the ball rolling.
He enjoyed his work with a local PR firm managing events and such for various companies and non-profit organizations in town. It wasn’t quite the same as his old job working for the now defunct semi-pro hockey team, but it was definitely a better fit now that he had Brendan to think about.
Leaning back in his desk chair, Josh glanced over at the various pictures littering his desk. His lips tugged up at one side when he looked at the one of an infant Brendan in his car seat, wearing a sleeper that looked like a miniature hockey uniform. It had been taken not long before he’d left the job. He’d loved working for the team and had been sorry to see them leave town. Being a promoter had exposed him to all sorts of exciting events, people, money, and, of course, women. Girls practically lined up for a chance to hang out with anyone related to the sport. Not that he’d been one to take advantage of his status with the team, but he had enjoyed the occasional…experience…with a few here and there.
Which was, of course, how he got Brendan, and why he’d made so many changes in his lifestyle since then. Josh shook his head at the memory of his own youthful irresponsibility.
He knew he couldn’t hold himself completely responsible because it was before he’d come to Christ. Now, having surrendered his life to God, he knew that the old Josh had been forgiven and washed away and what really mattered were the choices he’d made from that day forward. That didn’t stop him from occasionally feeling ashamed of his former lifestyle, nor did it change the fact that he was a single father sharing a complicated custody arrangement with a woman he should never have been with in the first place. A woman he still didn’t understand what he’d been thinking when he had chosen to sleep with her.
He blew a frustrated breath out of his puffed cheeks and loosened his tie. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was almost 7 and way past time to leave. Knowing Skye was picking up Brendan tonight, he’d allowed himself to get lost in work. His stomach rumbled and he decided to head out to grab something on the way home. No sense cooking for just himself.
Josh shut down his computer, grabbed his briefcase and jacket, turned out the lights and made his way to the elevator. The downtown office was in a prime location for the frequent meet-and-greets that were part of the job, but it wasn’t so convenient for getting home in rush hour traffic. I guess there’s one perk to working late…less traffic getting home. And of course, thoughts of home led to thoughts of facing an empty house for the weekend, and the fact that he had no one to share the quiet with when Brendan was with his mother.
Brynn Easton’s sweet face popped into his mind and he smiled. She was completely adorable and had such an innocence about her that he’d been developing a little crush since school had started six weeks ago. The week before school started, he’d gone to Brendan’s school to check out the after-school programs and decide which option worked the best for them. The other program was after school-only and led by a national chain that hired mostly inexperienced teenagers. It was okay, but the educational collaborative that funded Brynn’s offered before and after school care and seemed to be run more smoothly by a good mix of older teens and adults. He was impressed by the structure and environment the SAEC offered. The moment he’d fi
rst met Brynn had convinced him it was the perfect choice.
Josh remembered how Brynn had greeted Brendan first, crouched at his level, and started immediately asking about what he liked to do and what he was most looking forward to in kindergarten. And when she had lifted her perfect blonde head and smiled up at him with her blue-as-the-sky eyes? The air had left his lungs and he was left speechless for a moment. A problem he seemed to have often around her. It was easier just to stay close to the door every afternoon and smile and wave than to try and open his mouth and say something intelligent. So, for the past six weeks, the most he had ever spoken to her was the other morning.
A whole three sentences, too. Impressive. He shook his head at himself. Talking to women has never been an issue before. What is it about that girl that makes me so tongue-tied and weird? She was definitely gorgeous, but that wasn’t usually a problem for him. He’d known plenty of gorgeous women and had dated his share in the past. Surely there was a reasonable explanation for turning back into a goofy prepubescent dork around her.
He stretched his tie loose and unbuttoned the top button as he climbed into the midsize truck he loved, checked his mirrors, and headed home to his empty, too-quiet house.
The weekend dragged on for Josh. Without Brendan around, he had the time to get plenty of work done around the house and there was always a game of some kind on TV. Even when Brendan was really little, Josh had made time on his solo weekends to get together with the guys at one of the local sports bars or one of their houses. Things had changed once he’d become a Christian, and it had sometimes made things weird with his old friends because they didn’t understand why those old past times no longer held the same allure to Josh.
It wasn’t that he was against going to the sports bar, nor was he sitting around trying to evangelize the guys all the time. Rather, Josh was so focused on being a good dad and figuring out his own life that he wanted more, now, than drinking too many beers and half-watching whatever games were on the screens while trolling for chicks for some uncommitted fun. The “freedom” his friends enjoyed had started to feel like a heavy chain around his neck, dragging him away from the kind of life he truly wanted.
Still, there were weekends—like this one—every month or so when Skye decided she wanted to see Brendan that he wished he’d kept in better contact with the guys. Maybe I should find some new guys to hang with. Yeah. That’ll be fun. He let out a sarcastic snigger.
He thought about the different guys at church he’d met recently and wondered if he should suck it up and put himself out there. It shouldn’t be that hard, but early in his walk he’d tried making Christian friends only to find that most of them were either total hypocrites, living their old lifestyle while professing to believe, or just felt fake. The fake ones, who obviously weren’t perfect but tried so hard to act like it, just weren’t people he could stomach. They made him feel like he had to always be on his toes, trying to be as pseudo-perfect as they were or he’d be judged. The rest of the Christians he met weren’t interested in the same things he was, like sports. He came across plenty who liked to play video games or watch sci fi movies, a few outdoor enthusiasts who talked of nothing but hunting and fishing, and while there was nothing wrong with those things, he just wasn’t interested.
Most of the guys who liked the things he liked were all too often the less-than-genuine ones who stuck together in their man-cliques and he couldn’t break into their inner sanctum. He would love to find some guys to do stuff with who were believers, who could be accepting, relaxed, and wouldn’t be judgmental tools just because he had a kid outside of marriage or drank a beer now and then.
Pulling himself off the couch, he muted the game in the background and went to the kitchen for a snack. While he was there, he figured he’d call Mom and see how she was doing. It had been a few days and she’d probably start text-stalking him if he didn’t touch base soon. Or worse, start posting guilt trips to his Facebook wall with links to a Christian dating site or something. She’d threatened that a few months ago, telling him how he needed to find a nice Christian girl to settle down with now that he’d seen the light on his own and was finally growing up. You’re closer to 30 than 20 now, hon, and not getting any younger, she’d lectured.
“Hey, Mom,” he said after hearing her usual overly cheerful greeting.
“Hi honey, how’s your weekend been? Did you do anything fun or meet anyone nice?”
He shook his head and half-smiled. Yup, that was his mom.
“Yeah, mom. In fact, I’m thinking about getting engaged.”
“What?! Oh, Josh! You’ve been dating someone and keeping it from me?!” She practically screamed in his ear with excitement and he felt guilty for teasing her. Sort of.
“Kidding, mom. Relax. The right girl will come along eventually, and in the mean time I’ve got Brendan and a lot of work to do.”
“Oh, hon, I know. But that’s so mean to get an old lady excited like that!” She huffed and he could picture her frowning at him through the phone. He’d been on the receiving end of that glare more than a few times.
“Old lady, yeah, right. You’re barely in your fifties. You’re as beautiful as when you married Dad.” He knew the compliment would disarm and distract her from the uncomfortable subject of finding his own happily ever after. “I don’t know anyone who would call a woman ‘old’ who can still run a 5k or plan as many events as you do.”
“You’re a shameless charmer, son. But that reminds me. We have a dinner planned at Sindee’s this evening at 5:30 for church. A portion of the food sales are going to the youth group for their ski camp in January. Your brother said Missy and the kids are sick, so instead of our usual family dinner Dad and I thought we’d go support the youth. Oh, when do you have to get Brendan?” she asked.
Josh stifled a laugh at her ping-pong ball style of conversation. Did the woman ever breath between sentences? He mentally calculated the timing before answering, “5:30 should be good. I told Skye 7 so Brendan can get to bed on time for school.”
“Ok, sweetie. I’ll see you then. I’m glad you’re going to come. Love you!”
He reciprocated and waited to hear her disconnect before pocketing his phone. Checking the clock, he decided to skip the snack in favor of more chips and salsa later at his favorite local New Mexican ristorante. He flicked off the light in the kitchen and returned to the game. His team wasn’t playing, but he’d finish it out anyway before he’d change back into the clothes he’d worn to church that morning and head to dinner.
Chapter 4
Walking up the sidewalk to Sindee’s Ristorante, Josh glanced up and caught sight of a familiar figure leaving the restaurant with a small group of people. Her nearly waist-length blonde hair swished around her as she turned to speak to the woman behind her who had to have been her mother for all the similarities they shared. He froze for a second, unsure whether to greet her or turn and walk back to his car before they made eye contact.
What is your problem, man? Quit being such a pansy. He pulled his shoulders back and straightened his posture and forced his feet to move forward, thoroughly annoyed at his own nervousness. Luckily, his dad strode up next to him and clapped him on the shoulder before he was faced with Brynn and would have to actually think of something witty or intelligent to say.
“Hey, son, glad you could make it. Your mom came early to greet everyone from church and remind them to mention the fundraiser to their servers. I’m starving. Can’t wait to wrap my lips around a basket of their fresh chips and homemade salsa. Nobody makes it like Sindee’s.”
Josh’s dad rubbed his belly with a goofy grin on his face that made Josh laugh. Jeffrey Davis was the quintessential funny man of the family and teller of terrible dad jokes.
His path crossed Brynn’s under the stucco and wood patio that led to the heavy, intricately carved wooden doors. Her pale blue eyes lit with recognition as they made eye contact and a sweet small smile graced her perfectly pink lips. It stole his breath awa
y like always, but he managed to return her smile, eyes crinkling as he dipped his head in a silent nod of acknowledgement. Before he could utter a word of greeting, he heard someone in her group ask a question. She turned to them and kept walking.
He turned to glance behind him, only to realize his dad was still talking.
“Huh? I’m sorry, Dad, what was that?” He turned to look back at his dad, who glanced over in Brynn’s direction and chuckled with a knowing look on his face.
“Never mind, son. Now that’s a pretty one right there. You know her?”
“Uh,” he cleared his throat, “yeah. She’s one of Brendan’s after school teachers.”
“Ah, I see,” his dad nodded and again patted his shoulder. “It’s probably a good thing your mother is already inside. Judging by the look on your face, she’d probably be plotting how to get the two of you together or chasing her down in the parking lot to invite her to stay.”
Josh groaned and shook his head, raising an eyebrow in his dad’s direction.
“Not a word. Brynn is cute and all, but I don’t even really know her.”
“Sure, son, sure.” His look was dubious but teasing. “I won’t say a word. Let’s go get us some grub.”
They pulled the beautiful Spanish style wooden double doors open and were greeted by the familiar, delicious smell of fresh New Mexican food. Corn tortillas, onion, cooked meat, and lots and lots of cheese. Josh took a deep breath in, focused on what he knew would be a delicious dinner. He decided to introduce himself to some of the other church members there for the fundraiser. Maybe he’d have a chance to meet some of the other guys in church. It’d be nice to have people to hang out with again so these long weekends without Brendan wouldn’t drag on so much.
What Could Be (Everyday Love Book 1) Page 3
