Page 28 of Full Strength

“Bye.”

I hung up feeling a bit better. At least I had Emma on my side. If anyone could make Addison forgive me or at least see things from my perspective it was her.

I carried myself up the stairs to my door and made it as far as the couch before collapsing and letting fatigue take over. Staying up with a baby was no joke. I had no idea how Emma and Addi did it every night.

* * *

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I panicked thinking I was late for the game until I found my phone and realized only an hour had passed. It was my brother calling so I answered it.

“Yeah.” My voice was gravely with sleep.

“Dude, it’s almost noon you’re time. Get out of bed.”

I groaned. “I only got in it an hour ago.”

“What? Since when do you stay out all night.”

I rubbed my eyes with my fist. “Since I stayed up all night with a sick baby.”

Zach laughed. “Wow, where’d you take the crash course on parenthood?”

“Addi and Eli were both really sick so I stayed over and took care of him so she could sleep.”

Zach whistled. “Dang man. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Me either. Now I see why moms are always so tired.”

He laughed. “Gives you a new respect for them, huh?”

“Yeah.” I yawned. “So, what’s up?”

“I was actually calling to see how things were going with your baby momma but I guess I have my answer.”

I groaned. “First, she’s not my baby momma and second, things took a terrible turn this morning.”

“What happened? Did you give the baby Benadryl so he’d sleep?”

“What? No. Have you done that?”

There was silence for a moment. “Not if Rebecca is asking.”

I laughed at the thought of his wife finding out he drugged their kids. That would be the last thing he’d ever do on this earth.

“So, what happened?”

I debated telling him, but figured since I need his advice, he’d need the truth. “I crossed a line.”

“I can only begin to imagine what that could mean, so don’t make me guess.”

“I was cleaning up her kitchen last night while she was sleeping, and I found a paper on the counter.”

“Was this paper just sitting out or did you have to search for it?”

I cringed. “I was straightening the mail and since it was unfolded it kind of stood out.”

“So, what was on this paper?”

“A large, red past due stamp.”