o’clock at Porter's if your night frees up,” Drew shouted after her, but she didn’t even flinch.
Slade watched her walk to the parking lot and kept the wistful sigh inside as he imagined what it would have been like to have a drink with Erika. But he was never a guy to hit up on some other man’s woman. If she was taken, she was taken.
Slade turned around and noticed Drew watching him.
“So, Scott’s her husband?” Slade asked, and a wry grin slid onto Drew’s mouth.
“Scott’s her son,” Drew corrected. “But she’d written off men years ago. The only man in her life is her boy, and I don’t blame her after what she’s been through.”
Slade cocked his head slightly, and Drew smiled wider. “Looks like it’s just you and me, buddy.”
Slade laughed and nodded. “Works for me. I’ll see ya tonight.”
“Yup, see ya, man.” Drew gave a quick wave as Slade wandered outside.
The crisp mountain air energized him as he slowly walked to his cabin. It was probably better that Erika was busy. He didn’t need any more confusion over the weekend. In fact, he didn’t need any more confusion to last a lifetime.
Or Social Media. That was what got him here in the first place. He replied to a message.
Never again.
Chapter Three
The moment Erika saw her son pacing in the hallway outside the classroom, her heart sank. He looked worried, panic-stricken, actually. He’d taken after her when it came to public speaking, and it didn’t help when it was on a touchy subject matter.
When Scott’s eyes connected with hers, his frown immediately turned to a smile. She could see the worry wash away in seconds. It was times like these that made her feel like she’d done something right in her life.
Scott looked up and down the hallway to make sure the coast was clear before giving his mom a great big hug.
“I thought you might have to work late.”
Erika gave him another quick squeeze. “Never. Not when you need me.”
Scott let out a sigh. “Carter’s parents came with him and brought all kinds of antiques and crap to explain his family tree.”
Erika scrunched her nose and shrugged. “Sorry, kid. Our family wasn’t much in the way of relics. I guess I could have gotten your aunt to bring some of her old wigs from high school, but . . .”
“Mom, knock it off.” Scott smiled again and laughed as the door opened.
His teacher, Miss Corning, popped her head out. “Your turn, Scott.”
She eyed the poster board Scott had propped up against the cement wall in the hall and waved Scott inside.
Erika followed Scott into his classroom and found a seat next to Carter’s parents in the back of the classroom. She eyed several ornate vases, a bear trap, and a silver set. If nothing else, Carter’s family was good at making stories up.
She watched Scott prop his poster board onto the whiteboard and listened to him begin his speech. His voice didn’t quaver one bit as he broke into his presentation, heavily relaying information about the maternal side of his family and delicately avoiding much to do with his paternal side.
A twinge of guilt ran through Erika as she watched her son talk about something so personal.
Personal to her. She wished she could tell Scott everything about his father, but they’d gotten this far without too many details, and she didn’t ever want Scott to think he wasn’t loved, wasn’t wanted. Her worst fear was that he’d try to find his father, and the man who’d helped create her beautiful son would turn his back on him like he’d done to her so many years ago.
“And that’s why my mom’s so awesome.” Scott’s final words echoed through the room as the students and teacher clapped, and all Erika wanted to hear was why she was so awesome.
How could she have tuned out of the presentation at such a vital moment? The story of her life. Scott grabbed his poster from the whiteboard and made his way back to her as the other students began gathering their items. It was the last class of the day and Friday, so everyone was itching to go.
“How’d I do?” Scott asked, looking sheepish.
“Absolutely amazing.” Erika wanted to ruffle his hair like he was in first grade, but she knew better. She stood a couple of feet away and gave Scott the distance he needed to keep his cool factor alive and well as he completed his last year in grade school.
One