Page 41 of Baby Daddy
“C’mon guys. This is going to be fun!” Drake hopped out of the car, unbuckled Ty’s car seat, and then lifted her out of it.
“Drake, can you give me a piggyback ride?”
A smile that could light up the sky beamed on his face. “Sure, birthday girl.”
I watched as he effortlessly slid Ty over his shoulders. “Drake, be careful with her.”
He rolled his eyes at me. “Seriously, Dee?”
“Oh, Mommy, you’re such a worrywart,” Ty said with a laugh as Drake rounded the car to open my door.
“I could have done that,” I said, unbuckling myself.
“Well you didn’t, and I was brought up to be a gentleman.”
A gentleman. A gentle man. I’d never had neither in my turbulent life.
“Thanks,” I said softly.
That dazzling smile again flashed on his face, sending my emotions on a roller coaster ride of their own.
Traversing both the wide sandy beach and the white-crested waves of the Pacific Ocean, the iconic Santa Monica Pier, which opened in 1909, stretched almost a half-mile long. It was packed with people of all ages and races, families, friends, and lovers, gleefully united by their quest to have a day of fun. Despite my protest, Drake purchased a “family package” that included all-day wristbands for all the rides. I would be lying if I didn’t say that’s what it felt like—that we were a family, a family of three who’d been together forever. I was amazed by how comfortable Ty was with Drake and vice versa. They took to each other like bread and butter. At the sight of this sinfully sexy man with my pride and joy on his back, my heart swelled with an emotion I couldn’t put into words. There was something about this spectacular man with my precious daughter that made everything inside me flutter. Wanting to remember them together, I took some photos with my phone while we waited in line for the roller coaster.
“Give me your phone and stand next to us,” said Drake, Ty still riding on his back. “I’m gonna take some selfies.”
Before I could blink, the phone was in Drake’s hand and I was beside him.
“Smile…say cheese…make a face,” he commanded, snapping one photo after another as Ty and I obliged. “Now stick out your tongues.”
Laughing, I turned to face Drake and did as he asked. To my surprise, his tongue met mine and flicked it. The warm, ticklish touch of it sent a bevy of butterflies to my core, and in my head, I begged for more…his lips on mine, his hands all over me. My eyelids lowered as his tongue continued to play with mine. I didn’t know how long we’d been doing this when Ty’s voice broke into my trance, snapping my eyes open. I immediately pulled away from Drake, who wore a wry smile. He licked his upper lip I bet just to incense me. Yes, I was on fire.
“Mommy! Drake! It’s almost our turn!”
Gah! It was. Now at the front of the line, we would definitely get on the next car. My heartbeat sped up. My muscles clenched. I was freaking. I didn’t want to do this ride. Having endured the long wait, how could I gracefully back out? I gazed up, taking in the speed of the cars whipping around the tracks and all the screaming people, and I knew this wasn’t for me. I was a coward. The story of my life. Afraid to be daring. Afraid to make changes. My move to LA had been the bravest thing I’d ever done. Well, after conceiving Ty.
The bright yellow coaster came to a slow, chugging stop in front of us. And then came the big moment. Not mine. Drake set Tyson down on her feet so she could be measured by a mega-sized ruler. My heart hammered in my chest with anticipation. Please let her pass the height test! She wanted so badly to do this ride. She’d talked about it forever, even before we moved to LA. She just had to measure forty-two inches. In the car, Drake had told her to stand up tall, hold in her stomach, and puff out her chest. He’d even given her a few Kleenex to stuff in her Sketchers to make her a little taller. He was such a fucking scam artist, but so damn good. Holding my breath, I watched as my little one got measured. Following Drake’s advice, she stood tall and as still as a statue against the mega-ruler, worry etched on her face. “Taller, taller. Stand up taller. Lift up your shoulders. Tilt up your chin. Pray to the amusement park gods,” I said silently, seeing she narrowly skimmed the required height. It could go either way. I was already feeling my daughter’s disappointment if she didn’t qualify. I think I felt it more than her. That’s what mothers did.
“Let’s move it.” The attendant’s gruff voice broke into my thoughts. It took a couple of long moments for his words to sink in. Yes! She’d passed. We were good to go!
“Yay!” shouted Tyson, jumping up and down as the attendant swung open the entrance gate and passengers clamored off the roller coaster, most bearing big grins and many saying they wanted to do it again. Really? Were they kidding?
And then there were a few who looked ghoulish green. Like they were going to barf or pass out. My stomach twisted with fear. That was going to be me! I’d never survive this hellish ride.
“Front car,” said the attendant, ushering us onto the ride.
My heart pounding, it was now or never. I made a quick decision. Never.
“Cupcake, I’m going to wait for you here. I don’t want to do the ride. And besides only two of us can sit together. You can go on with Drake.”
A disheartened frown tugged at my Ty’s sweet lips. It gutted me. That it was her birthday made it even more unbearable. She hugged me, her slender arms wrapping around my legs.
“No, Mommy. Please. I want you to come.”
Drake chimed in. “I want you to come too.”
Why did I read more into his words than I should?
“Please, Mommy. I’ll sit in the front row and you can sit behind me with Drake.”