but they are still pretty, and the fact that he sent them makes me want to do a happy dance.
Is this what being in love feels like? If so, I want it to last forever.
Tyler
I stare at the text for hours while I’m working, debating what to do.
Justin: Hey, Dad, wanna do dinner tonight? I could use some advice.
I press my thumb against the screen to reply and hesitate. I don’t want Lexi to be angry with me, but Justin is still my son, so I type out a quick response.
Tyler: Sure, I’ll get us a table at Rizzo’s at 8 PM.
Justin: Sounds good, see you then.
I pocket my phone and concentrate on the structural report before me. Should I tell Lexi? I’m not seeing her tonight, but I don’t want her to think I’m keeping things from her. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed of our relationship, and though she doesn’t want Justin to know yet, I still have to have a relationship with him. I still love him.
Decision made, I grab my phone and grin as I open our messages. The last one is a picture of her kissing the screen before she went into work for rehearsal. I shouldn’t bother her, but she can pick this up later.
Tyler: I’m having dinner with Justin tonight. I’ll call you after. I miss you already.
She doesn’t reply straightaway, so I pocket my phone and lose myself in work, all the while wondering what advice Justin could possibly need. There is one thing for sure, this is going to be an awkward meal.
I’m there at eight PM sharp, waiting for Justin. When he doesn’t show—that boy is always late—I pull out my phone and re-read Lexi’s last message.
Lexi: Thanks for letting me know. I hope you both have a good night. I’ll speak to you later. I miss you so much, my bed feels empty without you.
Just as I’m about to put it away, a picture comes through of her in her outfit for tonight’s show, and I groan. She’s in a lace bra and some sparkly shorts. Her hair is loose and curled around her shoulders, her eyes are lined, and her lips are red as she poses. She looks good enough to fucking eat.
“Hi, Dad!” Justin calls, and I quickly pocket my phone. I don’t stand to greet him so he doesn’t see the obvious erection tenting my pants.
He slips into the seat opposite me and waves his hand arrogantly to order a drink, making me roll my eyes. The waiter comes over and takes his order, and after the waiter leaves, I take a sip of my drink. “How have you been? How’s work?” I inquire.
“Good, good, fine.” He waves his hand, and I know then he came here for a very particular reason. He doesn’t want small talk. It saddens me a bit. He’s still my son, and I want to be a part of his life, but he makes it difficult. “So, I need your advice,” he hedges nervously.
“Yes, you mentioned that. What for?” I question, sitting back. I hope it’s not to borrow more money off me. I believe your child should earn their own, but when he asks, I can’t help but give in. It’s happening more and more frequently now, and it makes me wonder what he’s spending it all on.
He stares at the table like he used to when he was a kid, thinking on what to say so as not to get into trouble. Awkwardness stretches between us. Over the years, we have drifted apart, but since Lexi…well, it’s possibly my fault. I don’t know what to say to him, and it ends in tension, like now. Both of us are aware there is something bigger going on, but neither of us wants to talk about it.
I could only imagine how he would react if he found out…
“I want to get Lexi back,” he blurts. I blink, pulled abruptly from my own thoughts, my hand clenching on my thigh.
“What?” I ask. Surely I heard him wrong.
He nods hurriedly. “I made a big mistake. You were right. She is amazing, and I want to give it another go. But she turned me down, and honestly, I don’t know what to say or do, and you get along with her so well, I thought you might have some advice,” he rushes out.
‘Get along with her’ is a fucking understatement. I stare, unsure what to say. This isn’t fucking happening. My son is asking for