Begin Again by Evan Grace Page B

thrust him back into the present.
    “Shit, sorry. Listen , I know you’re mad about Zach and I should’ve just let whatever was happening-happen, but I don’t know. I just thought we could spend some time together getting to know each other again. Can we do that?”
    “I need some time to think about it, okay? I promise that whatever happens, none of this will affect the relationship I’d like you to have with our son.”
    Well, that was n’t the answer he was hoping to get, but it was better than nothing. He knew it was going to take time for her to trust him, but he was a patient man and he’d prove to her that she could.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Dylan was quiet after he watched Journey drive away. He didn’t even notice that Bellamy had come out until he felt her arms wrap around his middle, and Carrington’s arms wrap around his leg.
    “Dyl, she’s wonderful. So are Joey and Abby. What’s going to happen with you two?”
    “I honestly don’t know. I asked Zach to back off so she and I could get to know each other again. I know it was a shit move, but I couldn’t stand the thought of Zach anywhere near her or Joey. He just called me Dada. I thought it would take a lot longer for him to do that.” Dylan could still hear Joey’s sweet sounding voice and it caused warmth to spread all through his body.
    “Well , she did try to find you, so she probably told him about you. He’s getting to the age where they’re starting to remember stuff. Look at all of the times you and Dustin tried to see if you could fool Violet. She picked Dustin every time.”
    “Do you have feelings for her?” Bellamy picked up Carrington to put her in the truck. It left him to ponder that question. Two years ago he did—a lot, and that was part of the reason why he left. It had scared the hell out of him. She was so much younger than him, but he cared a great deal about her in such a short time. It took him a long time before he stopped thinking about her every minute of every day. He felt a lot of regret where Journey was concerned, but he knew that those feelings he used to have could easily come roaring back.
    “I don’t know , Bell. The feelings I used to have for her ran really deep, so maybe they could come back, but it’s not going to be easy winning her over.”
    “Give her time. I do really like her. Mom is going to go crazy when she meets them, you know that, right?”
    His sister was right. He had no doubt that Journey, Abby and Joey would succumb to the overwhelming love given by Ruth Carmichael. It would be the same way his mom felt about Luke and Stacy. Sure the two of them had been in their lives forever, but as soon as his mom met Journey, he knew it would be the same. Getting Journey on the same page was going to take some work.
    “Of course she is, that’s what she does. I’m glad you guys came. It’ll make it easier on her come Sunday.”
    After he dropped them off, he went home and walked directly into the bedroom across from his. He was going to turn it into Joey’s room when he stayed with him. The room was just plain white walls now, but he’d enlist his mom’s help decking out the room for his boy. He flipped the light off and went out to the living room. He wasn’t sure if Journey was still going to call him, but they did need to talk. Kicking back on the couch, he turned on the TV to some MMA fights and sprawled out on the couch.
    He was just nodding off when his phone rang. He grabbed it off of the coffee table and saw that it was Journey.
    “Hey, how’s it going?” He was an idiot, he just saw her.
    “Um, I’m fine, Dylan. How are you?”
    “I’m good. Did you get the kids all settled in?”
    “Yeah, Abby’s in my bed watching a movie and Joey’s zonked out. I really like your sister. She and your niece are beautiful.”
    “Thanks.”
    The silence that settled between them was awkward. It was like when he was a kid talking on the phone to a girl for