The Man Who Has No Love - Victoria Quinn Page 0,7
Valerie.”
“Stop saying that.”
“What?”
“Fine. You always say it, and it’s annoying.”
Cleo didn’t have a problem with it. “What do you want me to say, Valerie? I said you could live in my building. I’m excited that I’ll get to see our son all the time, that he’ll be going to one of the best schools in the country, that he’ll grow up in the greatest city on earth.”
“Are you excited that you and I might be able to grow our relationship, being so close together?”
She was the last thing on my mind. “As friends…yes.” Cleo and I had to continue to sneak around and lie because Valerie would probably throw a fit if she knew. So, I was even more annoyed by her presence. But we had to come clean eventually, and I didn’t care how pissed off it made Valerie. I’d never been more dedicated to a woman in my life. Derek was my first priority, my work had been the second, but Cleo quickly took second place and pushed my research to third…like she was family. How was I supposed to really live my life without being honest to the world about my relationship? I wanted Derek to know what she meant to me because I didn’t want to lie to him.
Valerie was clearly disappointed by that answer but didn’t voice it. “I’m going to start the moving process, ship out my stuff ahead of time. Then we’ll fly out there.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” I felt a jolt of excitement in my chest when I realized Derek was really coming. There wouldn’t be months in between our visits, only a few weeks of quality time together here and there. I wouldn’t have to observe my son’s life through pictures Valerie sent me. I’d get to watch my little boy grow into a man…a man I’d be deeply proud of.
“Alright. Bye, Deacon.”
“Wait.”
“Hmm?”
“Can I talk to Derek?” I hadn’t spoken to him about the news.
“Hold on.” She pulled the phone away and yelled into the distance. “Derek! Your dad wants to talk to you.”
Derek’s incoherent yell came from somewhere in the background.
I chuckled.
A moment later, he came onto the phone. “Dad!”
I never got tired of hearing him say that, of hearing him say it in that same excited tone. Time would pass quickly, and then he would have a deep voice, saying my name in a different, boring way, the way I addressed my mother, the way I’d addressed my father before he was gone. “Hey, little man.” I wished I could see him, but his voice was enough.
“Mom told me we’re moving in with you!”
I chuckled. “That’s not really accurate. You’re moving in to my building.”
“That’s so cool. I’ll see you all the time?”
“Yes. You’ll get sick of me.”
“What?” he asked innocently. “I’ll never get sick of you.”
My eyes softened.
“Does that mean we can go to the cabin every weekend?”
“As much as you want, Derek.”
“Man, this is so awesome! I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Yeah, it’s wonderful.”
“And I’ll see Uncle Tucker all the time and Grandma.”
“Yep. They’re so excited to see you.”
“And Cleo! I’ll see her all the time too, right?”
“Yes.” I hoped he’d see her the most.
“Okay, I’m going to go pack, Dad. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Whoa.” Valerie’s voice was in the background. “We aren’t leaving for a week, Derek.”
“Oh,” he said. “Well, I’m gonna start packing anyway.” He must have set the phone down because his voice was far away now. “I’ve got to get all my rocket stuff to show Dad.”
“Honey?” Valerie said. “Aren’t you going to say goodbye to your father?”
I chuckled because I’d never heard him this excited before.
He came back to the phone. “Sorry, Dad. Bye. Love you.”
“I love you—”
He’d already dropped the phone.
I wasn’t even mad. How could I be mad that my son was so excited to see me that he couldn’t even say goodbye?
“So, she’s moving here?” Tucker asked, sitting beside me on the couch. “Into this building?”
I nodded.
“What floor?”
I shrugged. “Not sure.”
He cringed. “That’s too much Valerie, if you ask me.”
A phone call was too much. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“I feel like you never have a choice with that bitch.”
“Tucker.”
“What? You think she’s a bitch, too.”
“Yeah, but I don’t say it.”
“Then what’s the difference?” he asked.
“Because she’s the mother of my child, so I feel some affection for her.”
He rolled his eyes. “Her biology did that. She had no part in the development.”
“Whatever,” I said. “Just…keep the insults to a minimum.”
“That ship