Free Deceitful Choices by C.A. Harms Page B

I had to make it happen fast, because they would be here in two weeks.
    The best part about this place was that it came furnished, with appliances, and all utilities paid. It was move-in ready, and affordable on my housing allowance.
    “I’m going for it, Rig,” I told him as I turned to face him. “Every day since I left them I’ve thought of nothing other than seeing them again.”
    “Is it them, or him?” His question was one that made sense. It was also something I had been asking myself every day over the last few weeks.
    “At first, if you’d asked me that same question I would have said it was solely for Camden and my need to be near him. Now I’m not sure that’s the only reason.” I leaned against the window sill with my hip and scanned over the small enclosed area just outside the back doors. “Every night after Camden has fallen asleep, Lindsay and I have stayed up talking. I bet you we’ve logged hours of getting to know one another. She’s slowly opened up and allowed me a glimpse into the girl she was when I first met her. The life she lived prior to Camden forced her to grow up a lot faster than she should have had to.”
    The stories she told me about growing up in her parents’ trailer made me sick. I had come from a family so full of love and support that something of that stature seemed impossible.
    “I don’t know what’ll come of Lindsay and me, if anything, but I know when I think of Camden, I think of him and Lindsay as a whole. I don’t like the idea of him being raised by another man, and I can’t honestly say if that is based on something I feel for Lindsay or if it is only because of my son. But I do know that I’d like the chance to explore that avenue and see where it leads us.” I looked up to find my best friend watching me closely. “If she and I end up being nothing more than friends, then I’ll move out and Camden and Lindsay can live here. At least then I’ll have them close.”
    “I’ve overheard some of the conversations you’ve shared with Lindsay. I can tell she’s not who we both thought she was.” Rigdon had also helped me entertain my son a time or two.
    I remembered the night I lay awake and watched both Camden and Lindsay sleep. She had fallen asleep shortly after him, even though she tried to fight it. It was mesmerizing as the solemn breaths of each of them were in sync. One deep breath followed by a tiny intake, and then the sound of Camden sucking on his fingers. I could have lay there for hours listening to them, had it not been for Rigdon asking me what the hell I was doing.
    At the sound of his voice, Lindsay woke up, then shortly after we ended that call.
    I found myself wanting more nights like that, except I didn’t want to not be able to reach out and touch the two of them if the need struck me.
    “I want them both here, Rig,” I confessed. “I like talking to Lindsay. Even before, when we first met, it was one of the first things that attracted me to her. She was so laid back and simple. I know she lied, but that didn’t change the fact she and I had some kind of connection right from the start. And things are different now. There was no longer the threat of her being underage and we have a son together. For him, I have to give the possibility of a family a chance. Lindsay may not know what it feels like to be loved unconditionally by both a father and mother, but I want Camden to have that and I want her to feel it too.”
    “I would say you answered the question then,” Rigdon said, only this time he wore a knowing smile. “It isn’t just about having your son near; it’s about Lindsay too.”
     
    ***
     
    It was a little after 8:00 p.m. when I tried to call Lindsay. After four rings it went to voicemail and I hung up only to attempt to call again.
    After the third try I started to get a little nervous. Never once had I called and she not answer.
    The fact I couldn’t jump in my car and drive over to her house to check on them