The Coast is Clear (Breakaway Shores #1)

Zander

Carolinas

“You’re doing a podcast now?” Mom asked, sitting across from me at her dining table. Her house was little, cozy, and bordering on too small for all her trinkets. I felt cramped, my knees hitting the underside of the tabletop.

I put my fork down, my third serving of her Shepherd’s Pie on my plate. “I did one, yes. It’s sort of like a sports commentary show at this point, and they might be getting a segment on ESPN. They want me to be a part of the host lineup.”

“Is that what you want to do?” she asked, and I could see her watching me intently.

She had always been very observant, always hyper-aware of my emotions. I’m not sure where she got that from but it’s what I loved about her. I didn’t need to say a lot because she knew. “I don’t know. I’m not sure.”

“So, tell me about the girl.”

“What, girl?”

Mom looked at me with annoyance. “Spill.” And so, I did. I told her the story from the start, and the whole time, my chest panged with missing Izzy. This trip had already been planned. She knew I was here, and I was going back tomorrow. But it was starting to feel strange to be without her.

“I didn’t tell her I was house shopping here, though. She’s just starting over.”

Mom scooted back in her chair. “You’re not really moving here. That’s ridiculous.”

“It would be nice to be closer to you,” I said, leaning toward her.

She shook her head. “Too far from Dee. She needs you to. So does Izzy, it sounds like. You love her?” Mom asked it too simply.

I nodded. “I think so.”

“Then figure out a new plan. Ask her what she wants to do.”

“I know what she wants to do. She wants me to move out and let her have my house.” I tried to play it off as a joke, but the doubt was there.

Did all this mean as much to Izzy? I hoped it did. I needed it to mean as much to her. “You’re selling yourself short, . If she loves you, she’ll want you to stay. ”

And that was the last we talked of it.

Mom came with me as I looked at houses. Not one to cancel appointments at the last minute. I didn’t like any of them, but there was one that Mom did. More than liked. I could see her whole face come alive.

She’d never admit it, but she’d love to live there. Which is why I made an offer on it. I’d always wanted to be that kid who made it big and then bought his mom a house, but she’d never let me before. This was my chance.

We spent the night with her, cooking and watching old movies. I got up early, hugged her tightly, and went to the airport. It was a long flight, and I couldn’t sleep. Wanting to get back to Izzy and the boys. I’d tried to call them last night, but they were busy, burying themselves in the sand, which Izzy told me in a voice message later.

I missed them. I missed Christian’s excitement over the smallest thing and the way that Kingston used words the wrong way.

The drive from the airport was the worst. And the rush hour traffic didn’t help. I told Izzy I was on the way, and she sent me a bunch of heart emojis. I didn’t go home instead, I went straight to her little cottage. It was almost bedtime for the boys, but I’d made it. I left my suitcase in the car and rushed to the front door, not bothering to knock.

I opened it, peeking my head inside, and met Kingston’s eyes. He was sitting on the living room floor in his pajamas, with a tower of multicolored legs in front of him. His mouth formed a little o shape, and he stood, “Daddy is home!” My heart lurched. A vice grip so tight on it I wasn’t sure I could breathe. Izzy turned to me, the door swinging inward, and there was shock all over her face. Christian jumped off the couch beside her and ran toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Hey, big guy,” I said, leaning down to hug him back. Kingston came over, reaching up to me. I kneeled, pulling them both in tight. I didn’t know what to do or say. But I knew that I was deeply honored. Kingston had never known what it was like to have a dad, but he seemed to feel like I was doing a pretty good job.

Izzy stood, coming over to us, and I could see the tears in her eyes. “Hey, handsome. We missed you.”

I stood, pulling Kingston with me, wrapping an arm underneath his legs, and Christian went back to the couch. Izzy shut the door behind me, and I grabbed at her wrist. “I missed you.”

She leaned up, holding my chin as she kissed my lips. Izzy opened her mouth to speak when Kingston spoke, “Can you put me to bed, Daddy Z? I’m tired.” His voice was muffled, and I patted his back.

I searched Izzy’s eyes for any sign that something was wrong or that she was upset, but I didn’t find any. She gave me a slight nod and sat back down on the couch next to Christian. The weight of Kingston on my chest seemed greater, more important than before.

Before, I was just seeing where this was going. I had feelings for a beautiful woman, and I was lucky enough to see if she had those same feelings back. But now, I had love for these two boys. I wanted to see them be happy, to be cared for, and to grow up strong. Whatever this was, it had bigger ramifications than I’d acknowledged before. I walked slowly up the stairs and tried to soak in every moment of putting Kingston to sleep. I gave him a kiss on the forehead, and he pulled at my shirt. “Tell you something in your ear,” his little voice failed to whisper to me. His fingers grabbed my face, and the air from his words tickled my skin. “I love you. Goodnight.”

And he turned over, pulling up his blanket to his chin. I closed the door and then rested against the doorframe, my chest overflowing with emotion.

Oh man, I was in so deep.