“She won’t mind at all. You can call her Stormi because that’s who she is to you. You know we’re not trying to replace your mom or your family, right? We’re just adding to your family.” I got down on his level to make sure he was really hearing what I was saying.
Throwing his arms around my neck, he hugged me for the first time. “Thank you.”
I was a puddle of melted mushy goo as I hugged him back tightly. “Don’t mention it, kid.”
Chapter 9
Cason
Stormi’s hand flew to her chest as she gushed over FaceTime. “He hugged you and asked to call you Dad? I don’t think my heart can take this.”
“It was a pretty great moment.” I shifted in bed with my laptop resting on a pillow. “What time are you coming home tomorrow?”
“I don’t know if I am. I might have scored an interview with Patric Hörnqvist for the morning. If it runs long, I won’t be able to get on a train until Sunday morning.”
“Babe, you know I’m supposed to leave Sunday night to scout some kids in Ontario.” My brain started to race.
“I’ll cancel the interview. I totally forgot. I’ll be home tomorrow no matter what.”
I shook my head. “No. We’re going to make this work. I will switch my flight to the red eye. As long as I’m in Canada by Monday morning, everything will be fine.”
“Are you sure?” The furrow in her brow said it all.
“I am one thousand percent sure everything will be fine.”
Right then, the doorbell rang. “
Babe, I’m going to have to call you back.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, probably someone going to the wrong unit again.”
“All right. Love you!”
“Love you, too.”
I closed the computer as a loud banging started.
Shirtless, wearing only my sleeping pants, I ripped the front door open to be greeted by a face I hadn’t seen in over a decade.
“Where is he?” Natty yelled, trying to shove past me.
Grabbing her arm, I pulled her into the hallway.
“He’s sleeping.” I didn’t let her go as she struggled.
“Jacob!” she called through the shut door.
“Keep your voice down. Natty, you’re not supposed to be here.”
“No one is going to keep my son from me.” The smell of alcohol wafted off her breath as I took a good look at her dilated pupils.
“Natty, you have three seconds before I call the cops. Neither one of us wants that to happen. You’re not getting into my apartment or seeing Jacob while you’re drunk and on whatever else you’re on.”
She struggled more. “Fuck you, Cason. I am not on anything but the pain meds the doctor gave me after my accident.”
“Drinking on top of those is not good,” I said, trying to reason with her.