One Night ✔

27. Confidential Conversations

The next morning I wake up to Lucas talking quietly on the phone and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. I glance over at the clock and the time glares back at me, reading 7:03 a.m.

Who was he talking to this early in the morning?

"Thank you" he murmurs, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, I'll see you at noon" he adds before hanging up the phone and turning around as I'm sitting up in bed. His eyes widen. "Oh. Good morning beautiful."

"Morning" I reply, hugging my knees to my chest. "Who was that?" I ask curiously and he smiles, taking a seat on the bed in front of me.

"That was a potential job" he explains. I quirk an eyebrow at him. "I have an interview at a clinic that's about fifteen minutes away. The man is getting old and looking for someone to help manage the place "

"Yea? Baby that's amazing" I gush, leaning forward to kiss him. "So, you'll be leaving me for a little while?" I ask as we pull apart and he laughs, nodding his head.

"Just for an hour or two. I promise I'll be back before you know it" he assures me, pecking my lips. "I was gonna take a shower though before I go. Do you maybe wanna join me?" he asks with a smirk and I laugh. I swore at the rate the two of us rounded bases you'd think we were teenagers again.

"We just fooled around last night" I remind him but he shrugs, stripping off his shirt and tossing it onto the floor.

"Is there a limit?"

"Well no" I reply, biting into my bottom lip. "But I have to get our daughter to school."

"Fine" he concedes, untying his pajama pants. "More water for me" he adds, stepping into the bathroom and starting the shower. I laugh, climbing out of bed and padding across the floor towards my dresser to get ready since it was clear I wasn't getting anymore sleep. I decide on a deep red v-neck and jeans, pairing the look with a pair of black booties and leave the room to go make breakfast but my daughter has beaten me, sitting at the counter eating cereal.

"You're up early" I comment, plucking a marshmallow out of her bowl of Lucky Charms.

"Yea uh Hayden had a rough night" she says nonchalantly and I furrow my eyebrows at her. I knew Hayden had something going on at home but Avery was never specific. She seemingly reads my expression and elaborates. "His parents" she blurts out. "They uh they're fighting" she says quickly, "so he uh has trouble sleeping."

It's clear there's more to the story but I knew that if he was really in danger that she'd tell me so I decide not to push the subject. "Okay. Are you getting a ride with him then?"

"Actually" she begins as the door flies open and Hayden walks in with a bright smile on his lips.

"Morning everyone!"

"Hayden" I greet him through a tight-lipped smile. It wasn't that I minded giving him a ride to school but I'd like my daughter to give me a heads up first. "Good morning. I suppose I'm giving you both a ride this morning" I reason, looking between the two of them and Hayden shrugs as he looks down to Avery.

"Av said she cleared it with you...and that there would be Starbucks" he adds and I glare at my daughter. Apparently she was making a lot of promises this morning; it was a good thing I woke up early.

"Alright. Let's get going then" I sigh, grabbing my keys and ushering the kids out the door.

~ 🌌 ~

Avery's POV

"You lied to me" Hayden whispers in my ear while we're waiting for our drinks at Starbucks. My mom was in the bathroom so the two of us were left alone.