One to Tell the Grandkids

by Kristina M Sanchez

  “I wanted to sit here.” Caleb rubbed his eyes and proffered the bottle of aspirin he’d found on the nightstand.

  “I’m cool, man. No hangover. I could use some water.”

  “Make it happen.”

  Slate grimaced, but he got up, coming back with two ice-cold bottles of water. Caleb drank almost all of his without breathing. Feeling slightly more human, he turned to his friend. “How did Taryn wind up in my bed?”

  Yawning, scratching his belly, Slate shrugged. “I put her there.” Caleb raised an eyebrow at him, and the younger man made a face. “What? It seemed wrong. She’s pregnant. She shouldn’t be sleeping on the couch.”

  “You can’t just put a woman in bed with a man she hardly knows.”

  “She knows you. I mean, it’s you. You weren’t going to do anything.”

  “Like you did nothing to her when you were drunk?”

  “Have you ever been blackout drunk?”

  “No, but that isn’t the point. You and I know that I’m not going to do anything, but she doesn’t necessarily know that.”

  “It’s very sweet of you to worry, but I do trust you.”

  Both men looked over to see Taryn leaning against the wall, her arms crossed and a bemused smile on her face. Looking at her with rumpled clothes, her hair tousled, Caleb felt the same warmth in his chest he had earlier that morning. Her eyes met his, and Caleb’s lips turned up of their own volition.

  “Guess you’ve slept with both of us now, huh?” Slate said with a grin.

  Taryn blushed, and Caleb smacked his friend upside the head. She rolled her eyes. “I’m going to go get us a greasy breakfast.”

  After breakfast, Caleb said he had to go make sure his bar was still in one piece. He left Slate and Taryn to fend for themselves. Taryn was quiet, knowing there was much to say and, as usual, not knowing how to say it.

  “So.” Slate rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you want—”

  “I, um. I think we should talk.”

  “Uh-oh.” He shifted his weight. “Should I be worried?”

  Despite the tense atmosphere, Taryn chuckled. “You look like someone who’s about to be castrated.”

  “Heh, well. Maybe that wouldn’t be a bad idea.” He was joking, but there was a hint of sincerity to his tone.

  Tilting her head, Taryn studied him a moment. She put a hand over her belly, stroking the fabric of her shirt. “Do you regret this that much?”

  Slate’s smile fell. “No.” His lips twisted, and when he looked up at her, the expression in his eyes was vulnerable, pleading. “I want to be happy. I really do. I love kids. They’re the most honest people in the world. Even the babies. Hell, especially the babies. Babies know what they want, and as long as they get it, they’re happy.”

  “But?”

  “You know me. I say things without thinking. I live in the moment, and I don’t always live right. I make a lot of mistakes.”

  “So do I.”

  The look on his face seemed to indicate he didn’t quite believe her, but he didn’t argue. “My dad, he really loved my mother. Loving my mother was never the problem for him. Mom always said when he talked about them being together forever, he painted a picture of a beautiful life for them.”

  “But it didn’t include you?” she guessed, her heart aching.

  His smile was sad. “He knew my mother wanted kids. He tried to want me, but at the end of the day, he hated sharing my mother with me. So he left her and tried to forget me.” He looked up, giving his head a little shake. “If I turned out to be anything like him, it would kill her. And then she would come back from the grave and stab me to death.”

  “But you said you liked kids.”

  “My dad liked kids, too. Kids are great in theory. He didn’t know he wasn’t meant to be a father until I was already here.”

  Taryn didn’t say anything at first. It was her worst fear, too, that she just wouldn’t be good at being a mother. Rather than assure him, she took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “My parents are still together. They’re good parents. They did the best they could, especially given the crap hand they were dealt. They don’t say it, but I know they’re disappointed in me. This is just the next big fuckup.”

  Shaking her head, she shifted on the couch to face him, keeping his hands in hers. “But you know what? Fuck that. We’re going to have a baby. You and me. What’s the point of assuming we’re going to mess it up? I’m sure your life wasn’t all doom and gloom because your dad was gone.”

  “No. Mom is a great mom. I’ve had a pretty happy life.”

  “And despite my parents being disappointed in my choices, it’s not like I’m a criminal or I’m out living on the streets.” She tugged his hands. “We can do this.”

  “You think?”

  “Sure. You’re going to be more like your mom. She’s the one who raised you, after all. And I’ll limp along. We’ll keep each other in check.”

  There was hope in his eyes, but it was quickly swallowed by uncertainty. He ducked his head. “And what about us?” His voice was soft, unassuming—not hopeful but curious. It was the twenty-five-thousand dollar question, after all.

  Taryn sighed. “I really like you, Slate. I think you’re a great guy.”

  He scrunched his nose and laughed. “Oh, man. I hear a but coming that Sir-Mix-Alot would be proud of.”

  “But I don’t feel that way for you. I can’t tell if that makes things easier or harder, you know? It’s a nice thing—a kid having two parents who love each other.”

  Slate offered her a soft smile. “I don’t think not being in a relationship means we can’t love each other.” His smile became a smirk. “In fact, sometimes it seems like it would be a lot easier to love someone outside a relationship. I love Caleb. You know?”

  “That sounds really nice. Simple.” She could use a little more simple in her life. “You’re really okay with that?”

  “Can I tell you the truth?”

  “Of course.”

  “Kind of feels like I can take a deep breath now.”

  Taryn smirked. “Hey, thanks.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that I’ve been thinking I’m no good at relationships. I don’t know if I’ll be a good father, but at least I can say I haven’t tried. I don’t know for sure. Relationships? Would it be stupid to say I’m not ready?”

  “I think that’s honest. There’s nothing wrong with honesty. I was teasing you. I understand what you mean. It’s a relief not to have to think about it, about the possibility of us. We have a lot of questions to answer, so one less can only be a good thing.”

  “Hey, Taryn?” Slate said after a few moments of silence.

  Taryn looked up, surprised to find his pensive expression had made a comeback. She furrowed her brow. “What?”

  “You can tell me to fuck off if you want.”

  “But?”

  “Do you think I could kiss you? Just once? Just to know for sure, or so I can at least say I remember kissing you?”

  Taryn blinked at him.

  “I’m sorry. That was a stupid thing to ask for. Just forget about it.”

  “No. It’s fine. It makes sense.” She eyed him. “You really don’t remember even the kisses?”

  He scooted closer to her on the couch, so close their sides were touching. His hand rested at her waist, his fingers stroking as he looked at her. A rush went down her spine, bringing with it a memory of the smile on his face. It was the sexy, charming grin that had taken her in that night. The one that had, with the help of the copious amounts of alcohol she’d imbibed, coaxed her to enjoy being swept away just once. The glint in his eyes promised fun and pleasure, and she would be lying if she’d said it wasn’t nice to be looked at that way.

  “I remember kissing.” His hand moved to the small of her back, and he pressed her closer. “I want to remember kissing you. Does that make sense?”

  It did. Taryn wasn’t naive. Slate had been a perfect stranger when she da
nced with him, and she had known no more about him when they fell into bed. To him, she’d been a warm body. She’d felt good in his arms, but most anyone would have.

  They knew each other now. “It makes sense,” she said.

  He lifted his hand, pressing his knuckles to her chin. “Are you sure this is okay?”

  Another nod. She was nervous, not just at his nearness but at what this kiss would bring. What if she felt something? What if everything changed? They’d just resolved this issue. Would his kiss rekindle it before it was put to rest?

  Slate tilted his head down and put his lips to hers.

  It was a sweet kiss. Slate was a good kisser. His lips were firm enough, not too aggressive or sloppy. It was just right. Very nice.

  There was no fire behind it at all.

  They parted, each of them with a soft sigh, and Slate rested his head against hers. Their noses brushed. “Now we know,” he murmured.

  In no rush to move, Taryn just hummed. “Are you disappointed?”

  “I don’t know. Is that okay?”

  “I think so.” It didn’t feel bad. It didn’t feel great, and that was okay.

  He chuckled and turned his head, pressing a long kiss to her cheek.

  Just then, the door opened. Caleb came in and, for a reason defying any kind of logic Taryn could think of afterward, she pushed Slate away, getting to her feet. “Hey! We were just, um . . .”

  The stricken look on Caleb’s face faded, replaced by a tight smile. “Don’t let me interrupt.” He moved just inside the door where his laptop bag was resting off to the side. “This was all I needed.”

  He was gone again, and for the life of her, Taryn couldn’t figure out why she felt so guilty.

  Chapter Twelve

  Caleb watched as Taryn chewed her nails down to nubs before he asked what was wrong. She covered her eyes with her hands. “Slate is going to tell his mom this weekend. Ugh. I wish I weren’t so nervous.”

  “What’s got you worried?”

  Her expression suggested she thought he was perhaps a bit dim. “Come on. Can I be anything but the hussy who ruined her son’s life?”

  He shot her a look that suggested she might have been exaggerating just a tad. “Kaylynn is a lot smarter than that. She’s really nice. She wants what’s best for Slate like any mom, but she’s also a realist. I’m sure she’ll see you weren’t trying to ruin anyone’s life.”

  “I hope she likes me. That would make it easier for when Slate meets my family.”

  “What does the one have to do with the other?”

  “Oh.” Taryn grimaced. “I was just thinking it would be best to invite Slate and his mother over at the same time. You know, kill two birds with one stone.”

  Careful not to take his eyes off the road for too long, Caleb glanced at her, trying to read the tightness in her tone. “Your parents aren’t going to like him, are they?” The idea anyone would judge Slate didn’t sit well with him.

  “Like him? Probably not, but that’s more because he has any connection at all to me. They’ll assume he’s a screw-up by association.” Before he could comment, she hurried on. “Anyway, that has nothing to do with him and everything to do with me. My parents will be fine. They’ll be polite and welcoming. It’s not them I’m worried about—it’s Mike.”

  “I think I’m glad I haven’t met your brother. He’s only three years older than you, isn’t he? How old were you when your sister got sick?”

  Taryn sucked in a breath, and Caleb instantly felt horrible for putting that pinched look on her face. “I’m sorry. That was tactless of me to ask.”

  “No, it’s fine. You just caught me off guard.” He didn’t miss the way she began wringing her hands in her lap. When she spoke again, her tone was thin. “I was twelve when Bailey was born. She was a surprise and everyone’s sweetheart. We didn’t know our family was incomplete until we had her.”

  She sighed, the sound so wistful Caleb’s heart ached. “They should have caught the disease much earlier. When she was born, even, but they didn’t. Bailey wasn’t diagnosed until she was three. My parents spent my fifteenth birthday in the hospital with her. Mike spent his allowance money on a taxi, Olive Garden, and Baskin Robbins because he knew I was really upset.”

  “Birthdays are important to teenagers. Mike gets points for that one.”

  “He really isn’t a complete asshole. He was a good brother. He is a good brother, and he tried his best to do right by me. He tried his best to keep us together, to keep me out of trouble, but I went rogue anyway.”

  Again she was trying to keep her tone light, but it wasn’t quite working. Her voice wavered at the end. It was such an automatic reaction to reach out and touch her hand, and Caleb surprised them both. He withdrew his hand quickly, stumbling over his words to distract them. “Losing someone is never easy. Either way you look at it, that the past is over with. You aren’t the same person you were as a teenager, and he needs to respect that.” He tilted his head at her briefly. “And you need to cut yourself some slack.”

  She stared at him, and when he glanced over, he could see her mouth working but no sound coming out. She looked like she was trying to find the words to protest. Before she could, his cell phone rang. He hit the Bluetooth connection automatically. “Hello?”

  “Caleb.”

  “Dad?” His body jolted with shock. His father never called him except on Christmas and his birthday.

  “There’s a problem with your sister. I need you to come here.”

  Taryn was confused.

  The one-sided conversation hadn’t been pretty, but Taryn had the gist. There was no love lost between Caleb and his father. The argument over whatever was going on with his sister got heated fast. Taryn got the impression Daddy Dearest was shirking his responsibilities.

  Funny. Taryn could have sworn Caleb had said his sister was older.

  “I’m sorry.” Caleb’s words were gritted out between clenched teeth. “I’m so sorry. I wish this could wait, but it can’t.”

  “Do what you have to do. It’s fine. Slate will understand.”

  Caleb was already edging his car to the right hand lane. They got off the freeway at the next exit, then back on going the opposite direction. Going against traffic, it didn’t take long to get back to Orange County. The whole way, Caleb was on the phone arguing with different people. His father most notably, but then his voice took on an air of forced politeness. He was speaking to a professional.

  “You must be new. I know my father pays the bills, but he’s not who you want to speak to. Believe me, he’s useless to you, and he’s useless to Ann. Just ask the others.”

  Taryn’s confusion was at least doubled when they pulled into the parking lot of a convalescent home. Time seemed to warp. Since he’d picked up the phone, there’d been urgency to the atmosphere that stilled then. He stayed with his hands gripped around the steering wheel, staring ahead sightlessly. For a second, he looked at least a decade older than he was. “I’m sorry for this. Really. I wish I had time to take you home.”

  He didn’t wait for her to answer but got out of the car, heading in the direction of an older man who had to be his father. They had the same facial structure, the same hair color, and he watched Caleb intently as he approached. Everything about his posture screamed his irritation.

  “The nurses said she’s been screaming all morning,” the man was saying as Taryn stepped warily closer.

  “Have you seen her?” From his tone, Taryn could tell Caleb knew exactly what the answer would be.

  Shame flitted briefly across his father’s features before annoyance set in again. “Are we really going to have this argument again?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Look, I have to go—”

  “Do you even know what’s wrong? Did the nurses tell you?”

  His father fixed him with a hard stare. “They said they thought she was upset because they moved her to a room without a window, and she’s been having tantrums ever
since.” He made a move to walk away, but Caleb stepped in front of him. “I don’t have time for this, Ca—”

  “She is still your daughter. You don’t have time for your daughter?”

  “I don’t have time for this bullshit. She’s been screaming for hours because of a damn window?”

  “That window is all she has. It’s her only connection to the outside world she can’t be a part of. She’s still in there, trapped in that fucking body, and you seem to think it’s childish that she’s throwing fits—the only way she has left to express herself, by the way—at losing her goddamn window?”

  His father huffed, staring daggers at his son. “So what do you want me to do about it? They moved her to a different room. That’s life.”

  “Ask them to move her back.” Caleb rose up onto the balls of his feet, as if he was trying to tower over his father, but he backed off quickly, closing his eyes as he did. He huffed. “Okay, fine. Just go. I got this.” He turned to walk into the building, and Taryn stumbled after him.

  “Hey,” his father called after him.

  Caleb stopped and turned around again. “What?”

  His father’s eyes darted to Taryn and back. “New girlfriend?”

  Taryn was shocked by the question, surprised to be noticed. Caleb just sighed tiredly. “Do you actually care?”

  “You don’t have to get smart, Caleb.” He gave Taryn a small smile. “I’m John, Caleb’s father.”

  “T-Taryn.” She found her voice was caught around the lump in her throat.

  “You’re a lot prettier than the last one.”

  “Goodbye, Dad.” Caleb took Taryn’s hand, pulling her away from his father into the building. He let go once they were inside and exhaled noisily, digging the heels of his hands into his eyes. “I’m sorry. He brings out the worst in me.”

  “I can’t really say I understand what’s going on, but it sounds like he deserves a lot worse.”

  Caleb cast her an appreciative glance before he reached a nurses station. “Oh, good. Ellie, can you tell me where they moved Ann?”