Well, two pink lines threw that roadmap out the window.
I was suddenly a single mother, moving back in with my parents because I got drunk and forgot to ask the God of Thunder to wrap his hammer.
Though the second I held my little boy in my arms, with his full head of dark hair and piercing brown eyes, I no longer cared about my plans. Or the forgotten condom. My son, Matthew Levi, was my new path, and though it hasn’t been easy, I don't regret any of the steps I took to get him. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
It’s safe to say, Liam made good on his promise and made the night memorable.
My son zips past me again, this time with two cars in his hands. He slides across the wood floor making little puffing noises as he plays.
"I don’t understand where he gets all his energy from? Do you just feed him sugar?” Terry asks, watching my son run around, going from one corner of the condo to the next. He’s claimed each corner with his toys: His favorite Sonic plush in one, a pile of hot wheels, and a stuffed animal army strategically placed in the others.
“I don’t, thank you. He’s getting used to his new surroundings. He’s never had this much space to just run around in and claim space to. He’ll simmer down in a few days.”
“Do I get a hug, little man?”
Matty shakes his head and steps back from Terry’s open arms. “Na-uh.”
“Why not?” Terry fake pouts. Matty’s big chocolate eyes dance around the room, with a sly little smirk on his face. Terry goes after him, and he squeals, running off in the opposite direction.
“He’s seen me every day for the last two weeks and he still treats me like I have an infectious disease. I’m seriously hurt.”
“Stop. He’s just being shy. You know how he is.”
Terry tilts her head. “I brought him twenty new hot wheels. I should be his best friend.”
"You are, trust me. He loves his Aunty T. He just doesn’t know how to say it to your face yet.” I tease her. Matty is two and a half and shy as they come. He loves me and his grandparents, but everyone else it can take a long time for him to warm up to. Even if they bribe him with toys.
"Hmm. I guess I'll take your word for it. Now come on, let's go out tonight. My mom said she would come over and watch Matty. He loves her." She rolls her eyes.
"Only because she always brings over those double fudge brownies he loves."
"I knew the way to that little man's heart was food," she huffs. "But seriously, you do deserve a night out and we need to go."
"I don't know. You know Matty gets up before the sun. I still have to be able to function and there's still so much to do." I wave my hand around my unfinished living area.
"Stop making excuses."
"They're not excuses if they are true."
“You haven’t been out since you moved here."
She’s right, but it’s not like I have much of a social calendar. Terry is one of the few friends I still talk to. I lost touch with Amanda, or I should say I ended the friendship when she kicked me out of our apartment after finding out I was pregnant. A screaming child cramped her style.
And after all I did for her.
Terry offered me her place to crash at, but at the time, I wasn’t ready to raise a child on my own, so I moved hours away to be with my parents. As for my other friends, well, time, distance, starting my own interior design business, and being a single mother made things hard.
"And I wouldn't make you stay out super late. I'm pushy, not cruel." She crosses her arms.
"You got the pushy part right."
She stands from the couch and moves in front of me placing her hands on my shoulder. "When was the last time you wore that red little number I saw hanging up in the closet?"
I chew on my lower lip. "I haven't yet. I've been...saving it."
"Annnd tonight's the night. Let’s get out of these pajamas that you've been in all day and get your sexy ass in that dress. Let's go have some drinks, play pool. Flirt." She raises her eyebrow.
"I'm not looking..."
She places her finger to my lips and hushes me. "I said flirt, not sleep with. But you can't go looking for forever with someone if you don't go throwing cupid's arrow out into the pond once in a while."
"Oh, listen to you. All wise and shit." I giggle.
"I have my moments." She flings her golden hair over her shoulder and smirks. "Now, come on, come out and throw some arrows with me."
"Are you sure your mom is okay with watching Matty?
"Seriously? Of course. She adores him.” Terry pulls me up from the couch. “Especially since me and my sister are not in a rush to give her any grandchildren of her own. Also, she said she'd bring some extra brownies for you."
"I do love your mom."
"So you'll go?"
"Yes, you win. I'll go out.”
"Yesss. Now go get your sexy ass in that dress." She spins me around and taps my ass.
"Who needs a man when I have you to boss me around and smack my ass?"
My Uber driver pulls outside the Tilted Keg, a cute little Irish bar with a sports theme that Terry claims is the place to be. This place is in the middle of nowhere, but I can tell through the windows, it’s bustling. I’m sure Terry is already inside trying to find me someone to mingle with. We came separately because I wanted to make sure Matty was settled before I left and Terry needed to change. So I promised to meet her here, while at the same time hoping Matty wouldn’t let me leave. It didn’t work, Terry’s mom gave him a brownie, and I was forgotten.
I thank my driver and step out into the cool night. I wrap my arms around my body to fight off the chill. I should’ve brought a jacket because this dress exposes everything.
I might as well be wearing a napkin.
But I have to admit these matching red sky-high heels do make my legs look like they go on forever.
The noise from the bar trickles outside and I find myself standing, looking at the door as if I’m waiting for an invite to come in. I’m not sure if I’m ready to go back into the wild. Maybe I still have time to turn back and go home to eat brownies with Matty.
Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I spin around, thinking it’s Terry when I’m met by the most gorgeous pair of chocolate eyes. Eyes that are a replica of the ones I stare into daily.
Holy shit.
"You look a little lost, Red." His husky voice cuts through the air and my breath hitches.
"No...um…I. No," I stutter, rubbing my eyes to make sure he's not an illusion.
This time my God of Thunder is wearing a pair of jogging shorts and sweat drips from his brown hair.
He has the same unkempt beard and bulging arms and chest that captured my attention the first time I met him.
Yep, he's really here.
"Are you okay?" he asks me, laying his hand on my arm. Everything inside of me spikes like it did three years ago.
I step back and his hand falls from me. I can't let him touch me. He's nothing but trouble—correction—I end up in nothing but trouble with him.
"Um, yes, I'm fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”