Chapter Six
Ollie
“Are you sure you're going to be okay with both boys for the entire weekend?”
Kayden chuckled. “Please. I handle six kids every single day of the week. I think two five-year-olds should be pretty easy. Besides, you know I've done it before.”
“I know,” I said. “I just feel bad that you're not going to get much of a weekend off. Plus, with me not there to help with the daycare, I'm sure you're running yourself pretty ragged.” We stood inside Kayden’s apartment. Christopher and Kayden’s son Jackson had run off to Jackson’s bedroom as soon as we’d arrived.
Kayden snorted. “I'll sleep when I'm dead. I've been able to get a little bit of writing done on the next book. I'll be sending the drafts with you this weekend. So, if you get tired of painting, then you can start sketching out scenes for it.”
“So, if I get tired of painting, I can do some more painting?” I raised my brow.
“Exactly. Just like if I get tired of watching kids during the week, I can watch some more kids this weekend.”
We both laughed at that. I missed having my friend so close. For the past five years, we’d spent nearly every day together.
“How are things there?” Kayden asked. “And how's the baby daddy?”
I grimaced. “Don't call him that.”
“That's exactly what he is.”
“I know,” I said. “But he’s doing a great job. He's amazing with Christopher and—”
“And I hear he's been helping out around the house as well. Fixing your plumbing, repairing the ceiling fan, installing new light fixtures. He’s been quite busy these past few weeks. Is he going to be painting with you this weekend too?” Kayden waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“No,” I said quickly. “I mean, he only comes over when Christopher's there, so he can spend time with him. It's not like he's spending time with me. It's not like that.”
“Oh,” Kayden said disbelieving. “It's not like that is it? But do you want it to be?” He nudged my elbow with his.
“No,” I said. “Christopher's my only focus. You know that.”
Kayden groaned and stomped his foot. “C’mon Ollie. Live a little. I get that you’re focused on Christopher, but you've got a second chance here. Don't you think you want to take that? I know how much you cared about Philip and how devastated you were when you thought that he didn't want you. This is your second chance.”
“Kayden, out of all the people in the world I did not expect you to be the hopeless romantic in this situation. Would you take a second chance with your ex?”
“Fuck no!” Kayden said. “My situation is different. You know that. My ex literally told me he didn’t want children with me or anyone else under any circumstances. He suggested that an abortion would be a better option than bringing a child into this world. You and Philip were the victim of a very cruel, obviously evil, person who wanted to manipulate the both of you, which totally sucks, but this is a second chance.”
“Yes, you said that. But Philip and I are different people now. I'm sure he has some other Omega in his life. He has given zero indication that he has any interest in me whatsoever.”
“Or you're just too blind to see it. Sounds to me like he's been courting you. He brings over desserts when you guys have dinner, doesn't he?”
I tossed up my hands in exasperation. “Yeah, but those are for Christopher.”
“Oh, yeah, Christopher loves chocolate covered cherries. Those are his favorite. Not.”
Damn Kayden and his sarcasm.
“Philip didn't know that when he bought them,” I countered.
“But he did know that they are your favorite, didn’t he?”
My attempt at not letting myself hope that Philip was still interested in me was being broken down with every word that Kayden said.
“It's not like that,” I said again. “Just drop it, Kayden.”
“Fine. Fine. I know when to quit. But when I'm standing up with you two at the altar, I'll just tell you I told you so.”
I rolled my eyes. “Who says I would ever let you stand up with me?”
“Ouch. That's hitting below the belt.” Kayden chuckled, and we changed topics to discussing our next book and what his plans were for the weekend with the kids. I filled him in on the paperwork I had completed for the daycare licensing, and on what colors I'd be picking out for the various rooms.
The basement of the house had a sliding glass door that walked out to the backyard. We intended to fence that in and the entire basement would be set aside as a daycare area. This weekend, I planned to repaint down there and make everything white. As inspiration struck, I would paint murals on the wall of scenes from our various books.
If I had time, I would tackle repainting my room, Christopher's room, and the living room. It had been several years since the house had any sort of facelift and I was excited to get started on it. Kayden agreed to take Christopher for the weekend so I would have all the time in the world and I could get it all done. Maybe.
I gave Christopher a hug, though he barely noticed that I was leaving. He’d missed his friend Jackson and the two were too busy with their blocks to pay any attention to me. I got back in my car and made the trek back to the house. I stopped at the home improvement store and picked up the paint and brushes that I needed for the weekend.
When I got home, I was surprised to find Philip there. He had brought the ATV over and he was on the porch.
“Hey,” I said as I stepped out of the car. “I told you that Christopher was at my friend Kayden’s for the weekend, right?”
“Yeah,” Philip said as he stood and came down the porch steps. “But I knew you were painting, so I figured maybe you'd want a little bit of help.”
“Oh,” I said. “That's not necessary. I can handle it. I don't want to…” I trailed off. I didn't want to what, inconvenience him? Spend time with him? No, that wasn't it at all. I wanted to spend too much time with him.
“I bet that with two sets of hands we could get this entire house done by tomorrow night. And then when we pick up Christopher on Sunday, we'll have the whole place back to normal. Free of the paint smell.”
“When we pick up Christopher?”
Philip smiled and shrugged. “That is, if I could perhaps come along?”
“You're more than welcome to come with me. It's going to be a pretty boring drive, but you'll be able to meet Kayden. I'm sure you'll meet him and his son sooner or later, anyway. They’ll be living with me and Christopher once the house is ready.”
“I'd love to meet Kayden. I'm really glad that you had a friend like him.”
“Me, too,” I said. “I was pretty lost those first few months. When Kaden moved into the apartment next door, it was a lifesaver.”
Philip flinched and looked away.
“Hey,” I said. “Didn't we agree not to dwell on the fact that your father's an—” I clamped my mouth shut.
“That my father’s an asshole?”
“Yeah.” I chuckled. “That your father's an asshole.”
Philip’s eyes turned sad. “It just sucks that I wasn't there. That I missed everything.”
“I know,” I said. I wanted to hug him, comfort him in some way. “I can't even imagine. But I might have something that can help.”
“Oh yeah?”
“If we get my laptop out, I can show you all the pictures and videos I've taken over the years. I've got them on there somewhere. They're not very organized, but they’re there.”
Philip’s eyes widened. “That would be amazing. Let's get this paint inside, though. We can get started on the basement and as a reward, we can look through pictures of our amazing son.”
“You really don't have to help,” I said.
“I want to.” Philip grasped my hand, taking the keys from me. He popped the trunk and started taking out gallons of paint.
“All right. I suppose it would be pretty silly to turn down free help.”
Philip laughed. “Finally, he listens.”