by Annie Young
“What do you mean?” Wyatt leaned back in his chair. “I am happy. Look at me. I'm smiling right now.” He forced the outside of his lips into a smirk.
“You aren't happy, Wyatt. I know that sometimes I still hear you laugh and joke, but underneath all of that there's still an obvious pain. I'm not stupid and I've known you for a long time. I consider us brothers. I know you better than you know yourself sometimes. It's clear to me that you still haven't fully grieved over your wife. It worries me, man. You can't just shove that shit down and think it will go away. It's going to kill you.”
“What are you getting at, David?” Wyatt asked, feeling suddenly a little annoyed.
As much as he respected David and did consider him to be his best friend, there were times when David was a little overbearing. The guy definitely didn't have a filter on what he said. He was no bullshit and didn't beat around the bush. That was one reason why Wyatt trusted him, but it was also the same reason that he didn't always turn to him for sensitive matters.
“I just want you to be happy,” David said, a look of genuine concern in his eyes. “I mean it when I say that I'm worried about you. We used to go out and have fun. Remember all of the good times we had? I'm not saying you need to relive your youth or anything. In fact, you don't need to because we're still young. I can't even talk you into going to see Raccoon's game with me any more, though. I had court side seats on Saturday and even that wasn't enough.”
“I told you, something more important came up that night,” Wyatt said.
“Yeah, you mentioned something about a date with two ladies,” David said. “I know you were bullshitting me, though. You just didn't feel like leaving the house.”
“That's not true,” Wyatt said. “I did have a date with two ladies. Of course, one of them happened to be Maggie.”
David raised an eyebrow. “What about the other one?”
“The other one was Lily,” Wyatt said. “She's a...” He paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. David didn't know the situation with Lily and how she was Maggie's surrogate mother. In fact, David had never even met Lily before, which had been completely intentional. Wyatt knew that David would have tried to seduce her just like he did every other beautiful woman and he didn't want that for Lily. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe from guys who wanted only to sleep with her.
“She's a family friend,” Wyatt continued. “We've known her for a few years. I'm having her take care of Maggie while Mildred is out of town.”
“Oh really?” David smirked and raised his eyebrow a little further.
Wyatt was familiar with that look of his and knew that his best friend's gears were turning.
“What?” Wyatt asked.
“A lady friend?” David replied, the smirk still plastered across his face.
“No, just a family friend,” Wyatt said.
David seemed disappointed by the response. He sat back in his seat, letting out a sigh. “So you missed the game for a family friend? Something doesn't add up here.”
“Look, Lily had made dinner that night and Maggie had helped. Both of them were really excited about it and looking forward to having meet eat with them. I felt bad running out on them just to see a basketball game. Besides, I don't know why I'm telling you all of this. I'm a grown man. If I don't want to go and see a game, I don't have to. I shouldn't need to justify my reasoning.”
“The Wyatt I know wouldn't sacrifice court side seats for a dinner with just anyone,” David said. “Lily must be pretty special.”
“It was more for Maggie.” Wyatt was starting to get a little defensive. He hated when David pried like this. Even if he didn't really have any bad intentions, it was still pretty annoying. “I need to spend as much time with her as I possibly can. She's growing up quick and she doesn't have a mom any more. I'm supposed to be playing the role of not just one parent any more, but two. Do you have any idea how difficult that is? It's going to get harder, too. I can't imagine how it's going to be when she gets into her teens. I don't know a damn thing about what girls go through growing up.”
“You're missing my initial point, Wyatt,” David said. “I realize that you're up against some challenges, but your own happiness matters, too. Do you think Maggie wants her dad to be sad all the time? I'm just saying, I think you need to try to get out more. Life is about balance. You work and you hide out in your house. That's all you do any more.”
So what? Wyatt thought. I love my job and I love my home. What's wrong with doing that? Seems to me like that's what most people's goals are, to be able to work and come back to a nice home. I think I'm living the dream.
“Yeah, well, you're single and don't have kids,” Wyatt said. “Trust me, things change pretty quick once kids are involved. Your priorities change. You can't just go out and party whenever you want to any more. To be honest, though, I'm not sure if I'd want to do that sort of thing regardless of if I had Maggie or not. I'm too old for that shit. I turn thirty-five in a couple of months. I'd be perfectly happy if I never had to experience another hangover again in my life.”
David chuckled. “Now that's something we can agree on. I'd love to never experience another hangover again. The only problem, is that I don't think I'm ready to give up on booze just to have that experience. Not yet anyway.”
“Maybe some day, huh?” Wyatt asked.
“Definitely some day,” David said. “For now, though, I'm having way too much fun.”
In some ways, Wyatt envied David's ability to stay carefree. It was as though David was still in college, just living for today with no sense or worry of tomorrow. On the other hand, though, that sort of lifestyle felt a little stagnant.
How long does someone really want to live like that? Wyatt asked himself. I guess as long as he's happy, he'll continue doing it.
“So, did you end up watching the game at home on Saturday then?” David asked. “Or have you at least read the paper? You know what happened, right?”
“Yeah, I know what happened,” Wyatt said. “I don't live under a rock. Lily, Maggie and I watched the game at home. The Raccoon's are headed to the playoffs.”
“Exactly.” David's eyes lit up. “That means that I'm going to have two very important tasks to take care of in the coming weeks. The first one, is getting my hands on some playoff tickets. That shouldn't be too difficult, since everybody has a price and I have enough money to pay that price, regardless of what it is. The second part, though, could be much harder.”
“What's the second part?” Wyatt asked.
“Getting you to come with,” David said, standing from his seat. “I'll figure out a way, though. Don't you worry about that. You know me. When I set my mind to something...”
He kept talking, but Wyatt managed to tune him out. His mind went back to home and he began thinking about Lily once again. He wondered what she and Maggie would be doing that day, once Maggie had finished her dance lessons. He was also curious what Lily was going to be making for dinner and if she'd remember to use a little less salt this time. In the very far reaches of his mind, there was something else he was thinking about, too. Part of him hoped he'd come home that evening and accidentally run into her again while she was wearing only panties.
“Hey, are you listening?” David asked, tapping on the desk.
Wyatt focused once more and nodded. “Yeah, yeah. I'm all ears.”
“I said, that when playoffs come around in a few weeks, I'm going to take you with me even if that means I have to hire some bodyguards to come and physically remove you from the house,” he said, and sounded surprisingly serious about it. “I mean it. You're coming.”
“We'll see,” Wyatt said. “I can't make any promises.”
David shrugged. “Alright, well I'll let you know when I have the tickets.”
“Sounds good.” Wyatt gathered some papers that were scattered on his desk. “Well, I should get to work. I've got a few loose ends to tie up before lunch.”
“I'll get out of
your hair,” David said. “I'll be around, though. I'll probably swing in later this week, if for no other reason than to check out Ms. Cindy, The Secretary, again. For now, though, I need to go to bed.”
“To bed? It's ten in the morning,” Wyatt replied.
“Yeah, and I've been up all night, too.” David turned to leave, then glanced over his shoulder. “Those party girls in their early twenties. I'm telling you, man. They're impossible to keep up with. It's like they can go for days and never sleep. Not that I'm complaining. Some things are worth staying awake for. Still, though, I've got to get some shut eye today or I might just die.”
Wyatt laughed and shook his head. “Go home and get your beauty rest, buddy. I'll catch up with you later.”
David left the office and shut the door, leaving Wyatt in peace.
That guy is a character, he thought, resting his chin onto his fists as he gazed at the paperwork on his desk. I suppose he has a point, though, as much as I hate to admit it. It would probably do me a little bit of good to get out more. Maybe, just maybe, I'll take him up on the offer to go to the Raccoon's game if he actually manages to get tickets. If Maggie doesn't want me to leave that night, though, then I'm not going. No way. She's my priority.
Wyatt's cell phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out to see a text from Lily. His first thoughts went to the worst case scenario immediately. It was his fatherly instinct, telling him that something must be wrong. That maybe something had happened with Maggie. So he was relieved when he actually opened the text to see that Lily was simply asking him if there was anything in particular he'd like to have for dinner.
Her text read: I'm digging through the pantry and wondering what you'd like for dinner tonight. Maggie voted for macaroni and cheese, but I'm thinking you might like something besides that.
He smiled as he glanced over the text, then responded: I'm up for anything. Maybe chicken? I hear that goes well with mac and cheese.
Lily responded with a simple smiley face. Wyatt set the phone down onto his desk and pulled the paperwork toward him. He had a whole lot to get done during the rest of the day, but the mountain of work didn't scare him. It never did. Especially when he knew he'd get to come home to his daughter and a home cooked meal.
I just hope Lily remembers to go easy on the salt this time, he thought, chuckling to himself.
Chapter 12
Lily set the phone down, laughing quietly at Wyatt's response.
Chicken with mac and cheese, huh? She thought, as she dug through the pantry to find a few things. And here I thought that all billionaires ever wanted to eat was the finest, most expensive foods in the world. Somehow, I didn't think mac and cheese would ever fall into that category.
“Aunt Wiwee, can you help me get my dance clothes off?” Maggie stumbled into the kitchen. Her leotard was pulled halfway off and she was tangled up in it, making it nearly impossible for her to walk. Lily laughed as soon as she saw her.
“Why are you so cute?” Lily asked, walking toward Maggie to assist her.
“I guess I just am,” Maggie said, innocently shrugging her shoulders.
Lily picked her up and carried her upstairs to her bedroom. “Let's get you changed. We have a few hours before your dad gets home. I told him we would make him dinner.”
“Can we play outside?” Maggie asked.
“Of course we can,” Lily said. “I'll get everything prepped for dinner and then we can hang out in the backyard. Does that sound good?”
“Will you swing me?” she asked innocently.
“That depends,” Lily said. “Do I get a big kiss on the cheek?”
Maggie pressed her lips into Lily's cheek, then pulled away, her eyes wide as could be. “Was that good?”
Lily chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, that's good. I'll push you on the swing then.”
Once they got to Maggie's room, Lily helped her change. Maggie was now at the age where she wanted to pick out her own clothes. She ended up deciding on a fluorescent yellow dress with bright pink flowers on it. It looked like something out of a cartoon. It was so bright that Lily almost had to squint as she looked at her.
“You look... glowing,” Lily said, with a smirk. “I think I need to put on some sunglasses.”
“Thanks!” Maggie replied.
“Alright, you go outside and start playing, I'm going to head down to the kitchen and get a few things prepared for dinner,” Lily said. “I'll meet you out at your playground as soon as I'm done.”
Maggie ran off and Lily smiled, watching as she sprinted down the hall to make her way outside.
I would do anything to have that kid's energy, she thought and headed back to the kitchen.
Lily quickly laid everything out for dinner. It was only a few minutes before the chicken breasts were marinating in the fridge, the macaroni and cheese was by the stove and the veggies were cut up and ready to go in the steamer. All she had to remember to do was to put the chicken on the grill about an before Wyatt got home. Hopefully the timing would then work out so that food would be ready on the table when he arrived.
I'm not going to mess it up this time, she thought. No way. This time, he'll be impressed and happy that he hired me to do the cooking around here.
I hope…
Chapter 13
Lily
Wyatt and Maggie were already seated at the dining room table. Lily had gone all out, even lighting a few candles in the center of the table just to make it look more legitimate. Even though a third of the meal she was serving was macaroni and cheese, the least fancy food in the world, she still wanted everything to be perfect.
“Just a few more minutes on the chicken,” Lily had just finished washing her hands and wiped them on the front of her apron as she paced the kitchen. “Everything else is ready.”
“No rush,” Wyatt said. “I'm still unwinding from work anyway. Feels good to just be able to sit and not have to think about business things.”
“How was your day anyway?” Lily asked.
“It was great,” he said. “Pretty productive overall. How did things go around here today? What were the dance lessons like?”
Lily parted her lips to reply, but Maggie jumped in immediately. “They were SO MUCH FUN!”
Wyatt laughed and ruffled up Maggie's hair. “That's good, honey. What kind of dancing did you do?”
Maggie shrugged. “I don't know.”
Lily smiled and approached the dining room table. Wyatt was seated at the opposite end, with Maggie to his right.
“It looked to me like some kind of hip hop dancing,” Lily said. “Or maybe it was salsa. Actually, I think it was kind of a combination of the two.”
“So basically the kids just ran out and flailed their arms every which way?” Wyatt asked, with a playful smirk.
“Yeah, basically.” Lily laughed. “It was interesting, though. I know that Maggie had fun. She was pretty exhausted by the time it was over. I laid her down for about an hour-long nap this afternoon.”
“That's awesome,” Wyatt said. “She hardly ever naps any more. I'm glad you were able to tire her out.”
The timer on the microwave beeped and Lily's eyes widened. “Chicken is done. I'll go and get it off the grill. Be right back.”
She headed out the sliding glass door and toward the Wyatt's massive grill in the back yard. It was a grill fit for a king, with enough space to cook at least fifty burgers. Her three chicken breasts looked pretty pathetic on it, given its size.
“Alright,” she whispered, placing the chicken onto a plate. “Hope these are good.”
She headed back inside and set the plate down onto the center of the table.
“So, what do we have here?” Wyatt asked.
“Chicken breasts and macaroni and cheese, complimented with a side of broccoli and cauliflower,” Lily said proudly.
“Sounds fancy.” Wyatt smiled. “I'll take all of the above.”
“I was hoping you'd say that.” Lily scooped some generous servings onto Wy
att's plate. “I made a ton of food, so there's plenty to go around. Feel free to have seconds, too. I hate wasting food and I'm not sure how good this will be as leftovers.”
After everybody was served, Lily removed her apron and took a seat across from Maggie. Wyatt was to her right at the head of the table. They were all three sitting together for a real meal and Lily couldn't get over the feeling that she was truly part of the family.
“Cheers,” Wyatt said, holding up his whiskey drink that Lily had fixed him early.
“What to?” Lily asked.
“How about, we cheers to you?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Me?” she replied, her cheeks tingling. “Why me?”
“Because it's been so nice having you around,” he said. “Don't you think, Maggie?”
“Yeah!” Maggie agreed, excitedly.
“Seriously, though, Lily,” Wyatt continued. “You've been a blessing in our lives since the very beginning. Without you, well, a lot of things would be different.” He glanced toward Maggie and Lily knew exactly what he was talking about. “This week has been no exception, though. You staying with us has made life a whole lot easier. It's been great so far.”
Lily shrugged, holding her cocktail in the air. “If you insist, cheers to me.”
Wyatt laughed and the two clinked their glasses together. A moment later, Maggie held up her orange juice and shouted, “CHEERS!” at the top of her lungs. Both Wyatt and Lily started cracking up.
“What a riot she is,” Wyatt said, shaking his head. “I know where she got her sense of humor and it wasn't from me. Caroline was definitely the funny one.”
He picked up his fork and knife and was about to dig into the food, when Lily stopped him. “Hold on. Just so you know, I'm not completely sure how everything turned out. I haven't tried any of it yet. I'm confident that the macaroni and cheese is fine and I'm sure the vegetables are, too. However, it's been a while since I've tried making chicken and I've never done it on the grill.”