get invited to them much. But now, I have a couple of friends. When I bring home an invitation, Mom gets this really weird look and makes an excuse why I can’t go.”
“Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”
“I don’t think so.” The boy’s expression was so glum it made Royce hurt for him.
“Sometimes adults have reasons no one else understands.”
“It’s not fair.”
“No, it isn’t.” He refrained from pointing out that a lot of things in life weren’t fair. Such as having his hand blown to bits and losing everything.
“I got an invitation to my friend Chris’s birthday party. He’s gonna be eleven.” Jake’s expression brightened. “I bet you could talk my mom into letting me go. She likes you.”
Even though it was an obvious snow job, Royce was flattered by the idea that Katy had a soft spot for him.
“You think?”
“Sure. You got a government clearance. And with only one hand, it’s not like you could choke her or nothing.”
Ah. His injury apparently made him non-threatening to women and children. Something he might consider using to his advantage in dating, if it didn’t make him seem so damn pathetic.
“I guess you’ve got a point there.”
“And you make her smile.”
“I do?”
“Uh-huh. Will you talk to her about Chris’s party?”
“It’s not my place to butt in, kid.” The whole situation smacked of getting involved. And the last thing he wanted was to get entangled in Jake’s life on more than a short-term basis.
“You’re my friend. And my mom’s. I’d help you if you needed it.”
The boy’s logic was so straightforward and, well, noble, Royce found himself nodding in agreement. “Okay. But only if the subject comes up.”
“What if it doesn’t?”
“Then we’ll know it wasn’t meant to be.”
KATY WAS RELIEVED when she saw the light shining beneath Royce’s door. Good. She didn’t want to wake him, but for some reason it seemed important that she pay him tonight.
Maybe the urgency came from the knowledge that he needed the money.
Who was she fooling? Katy simply wanted to talk to Royce, one adult to another. She’d been able to relax with Royce and found him easy to be around. Not her general experience with members of the opposite sex. Maybe that’s why she’d married Eddie. They’d known each other since kindergarten, so she’d never had a hard time talking to him. Until they were married with Jake on the way and couldn’t seem to stop fighting.
Katy knocked and heard rustling inside.
The door opened and Jake stood there, his shirt rumpled and his hair standing on end.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you? I saw your light on and thought it would be okay….”
“It’s fine. I fell asleep on the couch.” He rotated his shoulder. “Not a good idea.”
“No, I guess not.”
He stepped aside. “Come in.”
“Just for a minute.” Suddenly, she felt awkward about being on his doorstep.
“Have a seat.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Oh, wait. You probably need to get right back to Jake.”
She perched on the easy chair. “He’s still at my mom’s house. Since I’m so late, she offered to keep him tonight and take him to school tomorrow.” Handing him the envelope, she said, “Here’s your payment.”
“Great, thanks.” Royce tossed the envelope on an end table and sat on the couch.
“This arrangement seems to be working out. Jake is thrilled. You’re all he talked about on the phone. How do you feel about it?”
Royce grinned, setting her at ease. “Better than I even anticipated. We had a good time.”
“That’s great. I was afraid you might have had enough. Kids can be wearing when you’re not used to being around them twenty-four hours a day.”
“They’re definitely that. To be honest with you, Jake’s a welcome distraction. I’ve had too much of my own company since I’ve been back in Phoenix.” He leaned back. “Funny, when I was recovering at my sister’s house, all the activity drove me nuts. I just wanted peace and quiet. But now that I have it, I’m a little lost.”
“I know what you mean. My apartment seems really empty without Jake there. If my ex-husband insisted on his visitation rights, I’d probably be lost.”
“He’s not in the picture?”
“Not really. Eddie rarely asks to see him. Just often enough to confuse Jake. And my dad died when Jake was a baby. It’s mostly just me and my mom.”
“You’ve done a great job with him.”
His words meant more to her than he could ever know. She cleared her throat. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
“It’s the truth. I wasn’t around much to notice what a terrific job my ex did until Michael was a grown man. Now I see how hard you work and I can appreciate Tess more.”
“You, um, still have feelings for your ex?”
“Not the romantic kind. I admire her, admire what she’s done with her life. And owe her big-time for pretty much raising our son.”
“It takes a secure man to admit that. I don’t know if Eddie will ever understand all he’s missing. Maybe after the new baby is born… His girlfriend’s pregnant.”
“How’s Jake taking it?”
“Better than I thought. Telling him was one of the hardest things to do. I owed it to Jake to be tactful and nonjudgmental when all I wanted was to say, ‘Your daddy doesn’t give a damn about you, but he’s bringing another child into the world, anyway.’”
Royce shifted, glancing around the room.
Katy’s face warmed. “I’m sorry, Royce. I’ve made you uncomfortable when all I wanted to do was thank you for being so great with Jake.”
“No need to apologize. I’m just a little sensitive about the whole absentee dad issue.” His posture remained stiff. “Though I’m paying for it now.”
“How?”
“My son doesn’t return my calls. My fault for not being the kind of involved father I should have been. It still stings, though.”
“I’m
