“I’ve always liked Caro. Maybe she’s your special someone.” Mom was a bit of a romantic. After Dad had died, she’d never shown any interest in dating anyone else. My brothers and I encouraged her, but she said she was happy with her life and her friends.

“Like Dad was yours?”

“Yes, like your father was mine. I’ll never have what I had with him, and I’m not looking for a replacement.”

“I know, you’ve said that. But don’t you get lonely?”

“At times, but let’s not talk about me. Let’s talk about you. Easton, follow your heart. What is it saying to you?”

“A couple years ago, I decided to find Caro for reasons I really couldn’t explain. When I tracked her down, I sat outside her house and a guy came out along with her and the two kids. I left, feeling I’d been robbed of my life that could’ve been. He had the family I didn’t know I wanted, and the woman I’d walked away from. Now I wonder… I’m getting a second chance. I don’t know if I should take it or not.” I was being brutally honest with her and with myself for the first time regarding this situation.

“Things happen for a reason. At sixteen, you weren’t equipped to handle a wife and two small children. Chances are things wouldn’t have worked out. Now you have another opportunity. Most people don’t get that lucky.”

“A do-over?” I chuckled.

“Yes, a do-over. Don’t let something special slip out of your hands, Easton.”

“What should I do? Should I tell her I want to give us a chance as a family? I’ve made a point of telling her that I don’t want a relationship, just sex.” I couldn’t believe I was talking to my mom about stuff like this, but I had to talk to someone. Was that what I really wanted? Another chance at a relationship? Or was it the need for sex with her that was clouding my judgment? Fuck, I was confused.

“Maybe you should tell her you’ve changed your mind. Be honest with her and, most of all, yourself.”

“I’ll give it some thought.”

“I have faith in you to do the right thing for everyone concerned.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Yeah, once I figured out what that was.

We talked a few more minutes about family stuff and ended the call. Then I phoned my two brothers and broke the news to them. They were equal parts surprised and thrilled to have a niece and nephew. Of course, they gave me all manners of shit for getting a girl pregnant in the first place. I wouldn’t have expected any less of them.

After I ended the last call, I sat in silence, trying to process what to do next. If I was Caro, I’d make a list, but I wasn’t Caro. I tended to dive in and think about the consequences later.

Did I want just sex, or did I want more? Maybe testing the waters with every possibility on the table would be the best way to go.