Don’t misunderstand, I get their need for a home in a gated community complete with several forms of security. His job practically demands it. But life would be easier for all of us if I could just let myself in like Lauren does at my small apartment.
The door finally flies open and my best friend stands there with a huge smile on her face, an even bigger margarita in her hand. “Carson!” she yells and picks up the wiggling toddler to kiss all over his face.
“Yep. That’s how it works. I’m irrelevant now,” I grumble with no actual malice. This is the way it should be.
“If you were cute and tiny I’d snuggle you too.” Lauren lets Carson go and shouts, “Uncle Heath is in the back yard!” as he runs away.
“Please don’t snuggle me. That would just be weird.”
“Which is why it’s good you’re not cute and tiny. Come on.” She gestures for me to follow her. “Party’s out back.”
We walk through the immaculate living room and pass an even more immaculate kitchen. If I was a chef, I’d never leave that room. I may not be much of a cook but even I recognize an industrial-grade, six-burner gas stove is something to covet. Good thing I’m more the lounge around type. The almost floor to ceiling glass doors leading out to the patio are wide open revealing the stunning backyard set up that is my favorite part of their home.
The large covered patio has an amazing outdoor kitchen on the right. Next to it is a beautiful table that could seat at least twelve people. The rest of the space is dedicated to relaxation with cushion covered lounge chairs, a couple of hammocks, and of course a giant TV for watching whatever sport is on. Looks like today Lauren got her way since it’s a replay of the NCAA college gymnastics championship meet.
Beyond that, the oversized lap pool is surrounded by a wrought-iron gate to keep rambunctious kids out. Any given day the term “rambunctious kid” might be referring to one of my adult friends, but today it’s just poor Carson who is staring through the spindles hoping one of us will have pity on him and let him in the water.
Sorry kid. You’ll have to ask Uncle Heath later.
Speaking of, Heath is busy manning the grill as he chats with some of his teammates and their significant others. Or at least I assume those are his teammates based on their physique and Steers logoed wardrobes.
“Hey Heath,” I say and wave to his friends as I approach.
They all greet me kindly, including Heath. His eyes light up and he pulls away from the food long enough to give me a hug. “Hey girl! Where’s my little man?”
Heath and I have come a long way from when we first met. Back when he and Lauren started dating, she was injured and kind of a mess because of missing an entire season of competition. I jumped in to help her, like I have since we were teenagers, and Heath hated it. It was as if he didn’t understand who I thought I was barging my way into his territory when he had it all under control.
That may be an over-exaggerated version of the beginnings of our relationship, but it’s pretty accurate from my perspective. Little did I know that he was actually in love with Lauren and feeling wildly protective due to his own issues. Once I figured that out, I backed off a bit and let him take care of my best friend.
It was around this time when I found out I was pregnant with Carson. Things were starting to smooth over as Heath and I got to know each other. But then Spence died, and my entire life went into a tailspin. Lauren immediately jumped in to help me, again, like we always have since high school, and that’s when Heath suddenly figured out that she and I were not just friends. We’re more like family. In Heath’s mind, that means we were all family together.
We’ve been friends ever since. I’m never quite sure if he likes me or just my kid, but that part doesn’t bother me at all. As long as you are good to my child, I don’t mind being part of the package deal. Besides, the real winner here is Carson and for that, I will always be grateful to Heath.
“He has his poor little face smooshed up to the gate, staring at the pool.” I pout my lips, over-exaggerating how sad the moment is.
Heath laughs lightly and looks over my shoulder. “Aw. That breaks my heart. I think his Uncle Heath needs to help him out. Lauren, where’s the sunscreen?”
She looks up from the conversation she’s having and furrows her brow at him. “Um, since when are you worried about getting tan lines?”
“Since Carson needed to go swimming and his little white baby skin isn’t as durable as mine against sunburns.”
She points at him in understanding. “That makes more sense. I’ll grab it. It’s in the laundry room.”
I shake my head at the pair of them. “Of course, you have sunscreen for him. It’s the gentle for baby kind, too, isn’t it?”
“You know it. I got a value pack on sale at Costco. I’m ready for him and all the other kids you have.”
I swat at him playfully. “You shut your face with that delusional talk. One is enough for this single mom, thank you very much. I’m already worn out.”
“This is why I like to take my little man outside in the afternoons and do manly things like mow the lawn and pull weeds. Gets that energy out and teaches him important life skills.”
I hold up my hand as I have a lightbulb moment. “Hold on. Are you the one who taught my kid it’s okay to pee in the grass?”
Heath’s expression turns sheepish as his friends snicker and chide him. “Uh, well ya see, we were doing some yard work and when you gotta go, you gotta go.”
“Heath!” I exclaim. “He mooned the entire street in front of the daycare the other day when I dropped him off.”
The other guys roar with laughter and at least one of the women I haven’t met yet says, “Y’all all think it’s funny until it’s you the daycare director is side-eyeing.”
I point at her with a, “Yes. Thank you,” and turn back to my friend with a sigh. “I should have known who he got that from.”
Heath shrugs a shoulder and flips some burners on the grill, probably to avoid looking at me. “It’s a man thing. You ladies wouldn’t understand.”
I scoff at his excuse. “The next time I see you whip it out on the field because it’s a man thing I might believe you.”
“Uh… why is my boyfriend whipping things out in public? Do I wanna know?” Lauren asks as she saunters up to us, sunscreen in one hand and a drink for me in the other.
“Thanks.” I take it and begin to sip. Mmm. Good.
Heath immediately snatches the sunscreen from her. “I’ll take this. And I’ll hand you this.” He gives her the spatula. “And I’m going to see my way out of this awkward moment. I have some swimming to do.” He quickly kisses Lauren on the cheek, then turns on his heel and yells, “Carson!” as he hurries away.
Lauren looks at me, confusion all over her face. “Why am I suddenly in charge of the food?”
“Your boyfriend got caught teaching my kid how to make bad choices.”
She thinks for a second before saying, “Sounds about right. But that doesn’t explain why I’m stuck cooking. I’ve never used a grill.”
“I got it.” One of Heath’s teammates takes the spatula from her and begins manning the burgers and whatever other goodies Heath has tucked in the aluminum foil. This guy must have the same fear of Lauren burning the food like I do. Or burning down the house. It’s too nice of a place to risk it.