I wish she were here to share this with me.
“You miss her.”
Brick’s voice pulls me out of my head and I shoot him a watery smile.
“Yeah.”
He bends over and kisses my forehead.
“Didn’t know my daughter that well anymore, but I’m pretty sure she’d’ve been happy for ya.”
I watch him make his way to the bar and know I’m not the only one who feels her absence.
“Quit hogging the baby,” Tse says when he walks up.
My guess is he caught that little interaction and is checking in on me, without appearing to do so. He’s so transparent it makes me smile.
“I’m not hogging him. I’ve barely had a chance.”
He plucks him off my lap anyway, and I have an immediate visceral response when he settles Finn in the crook of his arm.
“Now that you’ve claimed him, you claimed that poopy diaper too. He probably needs a change.” I smirk at his horrified expression. “Lord knows you’re gonna need the practice.”
After dinner I’m chatting with Jaimie, Trunk’s wife, when I notice Ravi disappearing down the hall. As is becoming the norm, Van follows right behind him. He’s been quiet all day and I wonder what is going through his head.
I excuse myself quickly and head after him.
The door is already closed when I get to his room, so I knock.
“Hey, Ravi? It’s Sophia. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
From inside I hear a muffled, “Okay,” and push open the door.
He’s sitting on his bed and watches me while I greet Van, who behaves like he didn’t just see me minutes ago.
“Can I sit?” I indicate the bed and he nods.
“Guess you heard I’m having a baby, right?”
“Two,” he corrects me with a serious face, making me smile.
“So it seems. Which is why I wanted a word with you,” I start, hoping I can find the right tone. “You see, I was kinda hoping you’d be able to help out with the dog. Things will probably get busy and I’m sure there’ll be times we have our hands full. It would really help a lot to know he has someone looking out for him. And maybe for the babies too, when the time comes.”
I may be imagining it, but he looks like he’s sitting a little taller.
“Sure.”
He ducks his head but can’t hide the pleased expression on his face.
“Good, that makes me feel a lot better. Thank you.”
I get up to leave but stop at the door.
“Oh, and, Ravi?” He lifts his eyes. “I haven’t mentioned to anyone what you told me, that’s up to you, but maybe if you ever needed someone to talk to, Tse would be a good person. I think he’ll understand better than anyone.”
I’m afraid he’ll shut down on me but instead he surprises me by nodding.
“Maybe,” he mumbles, but it’s enough for me.
CHAPTER 30
Tse
One month later.
“TSE! VISITOR!”
I’m brushing off some of the drywall dust I’m covered in as I make my way outside.
VanDyken is talking to Paco—who just hollered for me—when I walk up.
“Jay.”
“Talked to Meredith,” he shares with a grin, wasting no time. “She’s ready to get the wheels rolling.”
“Fuck, that’s great news.”
What a relief.
I was trying for the past month to find us a place. Something big enough, with a few extra rooms in case Sophia’s family comes to visit, but she’s been resistant. Last week that turned into an argument ending in her teary confession that with everything that happened she’d barely had a chance to enjoy her new life, her new house, and with the babies on the way she felt overwhelmed and out of control.
I know that’s been a big issue for her—the lack of autonomy over her life—but the need to look after her and secure a future with her has been mine.
I didn’t get much sleep that night, but by morning I had the raw outlines of an idea, which could be the perfect compromise, if it worked out. That was the problem, because it wasn’t just up to us. I spent most of the week fine-tuning my idea on paper, sorting out timelines, logistics, talking to the guys at the worksite, and even touching base with Brick.
Didn’t particularly enjoy keeping Sophia in the dark, but I didn’t want to get her hopes up when ultimately it all hinged on one thing.
Looks like I just got my all clear.
“I’ve gotta go,” I announce to Paco.
I slip the tool belt off my waist and hold it in one hand, while I offer VanDyken the other.
“I’ll give you a call,” he says, clapping a hand on my shoulder, which sends a dust cloud up in the air.
Instead of rushing to the restaurant I should probably have a shower first, but I need to drop Van off at home anyway.
“Appreciate you, my friend,” I tell Jay.
Then I whistle for the dog and toss him and the tools in my truck before I tear out of there.
We’ve been making major strides on Paco’s place. During the week it’s mostly been him and me, with a couple of guys from Jed’s crew popping in occasionally. With the kids back in school, Ravi’s been out here helping on the weekends, proudly wearing his own tool belt Sophia thought to get him for his birthday last month. A couple of times Elan showed up to lend a hand as well. Those two seem to have forged something of a friendship.
Unfortunately, if Sophia is on board with my plans, it would mean finishing Paco’s house would be on hold for at least a couple of months. By then it’ll be winter but he’s assured me a few times since the work we have left on his place is mostly inside, the weather won’t matter.
I bring Van inside, feed him, and have a quick shower while he eats. Then I take him out for a quick pee, lock up the
