Checkmate

6

"Sam! Go get ready. It's almost time for dinner," I shouted and heard a faint okay in response.

   To say I was nervous was a massive understatement. I wanted this to go so right. Maybe I gave in too quickly and should've waited longer before allowing them to meet. Fuck, now I'm overthinking this way too hard. It's hardly seven. I'm stressing out for no reason.

After fixing up the food, I went upstairs for a quick shower and get changed. Knowing Colton, he'd most definitely make a joke about me smelling like fish sticks so I won't give him that opportunity.

I changed into a pair of black leggings and a baby blue shirt. My hair was let loose on my shoulder and I was now on my way to check on Sam.

"Samy? Are you done?" I said as I opened his bedroom door.

A grin made its way to my face when I saw him searching through his drawer for a shirt.

Giving him time to get ready, I decided to call up Colton.

He didn't answer.

Three calls and one message later, I was internally freaking out.

The hours that went by were full of tension. When 8:30 hit, I decided to serve us dinner and we both ate in silence.

   It was currently 9:47 and I still had no news of Colton. This made me angry beyond comparison. I only had myself to blame for allowing him to put Sam's hopes up just to let him down like that. The only person that suffered from our breakup was the little boy sitting a few feet away from me. From time to time, he would look at me and smile before focusing back on his show. I could tell that he was affected by this. He didn't seem as alive as he usually was when Flint Stone came on.

When it was ten, I walked up to Sam and caressed his head gently. He looked up at me and I gave him a small pout.

"He's not coming, is he?"

I bit my inner cheek while slowly shaking my head.

His face fell and my heart shattered.

"Come on. Let's get you ready for bed."

As we walked towards the staircase, I stopped in my tracks when the doorbell rang.

"I'll check who it is. You, go brush your teeth."

He didn't argue with me and the moment I was sure he was gone I went to check who it was.

   Anger boiled up inside me when I saw him casually standing there waiting. Gripping the doorknob, I pondered whether I should even open it. He didn't deserve a single minute of my time for what he did tonight but I had a lot to say, and I was long past biting my tongue.

I yanked the door open, closing it behind me to make sure the storm was contained outside. Staring him down, I crossed my arms over my chest as I leaned against the frame.

As if searching around for excuses, he kept his eyes on the ground.

A minute went by before he finally spoke, "I'm so sorry about this," he said, daring to look at me.

I huffed, "Sorry? You had six years to be sorry. Six years, Colton! I gave you the benefit of the doubt but now I realize that was a mistake. What were you trying to prove? That little boy waited for you all night. Missing out on all these years of his life wasn't enough? You had to break his heart too? I feel so dumb for giving you the chance to hurt him. I can't fucking believe..."

"Will you shut up for one second and let me at least explain myself."

   My eyes widened at his words. Did that man really change? He might be healthy and clean but do I want that energy around my child? I'm not so sure about that.