20. RHETT
20
RHETT
As I shove another bite of the grilled cheese and pickle sandwich in my mouth, Paige rushes back to the stove. “Who wants another one?”
It’s the second time this week we’ve had grilled cheese, but everyone’s hands pop in the air, including mine, because these are fucking delicious.
She chuckles when she sees that every Walker man at the table wants one. Jace, Beau, Mav, and my boys all seem to be on a quest to down as many as possible.
I watch as she flips them on the grill. Her face is flushed, and a tendril of hair hangs down from her messy bun.
Beau nudges me. “Careful, or you’re gonna fall for your wife.”
No shit.
I ignore my brother’s questioning look. “Paige organized those files you were bitching about.”
Knowing that she has to wade through my mess is sobering. To be fair, my father was not organized, and I never took it upon myself to do things differently. I had a pile system. It worked until it didn’t.
Beau shouts, “Paige, whatever we’re paying you to deal with our office isn’t enough.”
My wife chuckles as she heads over with another platter of sandwiches that are neatly cut in half. “It’s not so bad.”
She scoops gooey slices and places them on my boys’ plates. They start to shove them in their mouths, but I grunt, “What do we say to Paige for making your favorite dinner?”
“Thank you!” they yell.
“I’m lucky y’all like easy meals.” She scruffs Austin’s head, and he smacks his lips and smiles up at her.
Even Gabriel grins at her today.
Life should always be this easy.
I turn to my youngest brother. “Maverick, how long will you be staying with us? Just asking so I can get enough groceries. You eat like a damn horse.” He came for the wedding, but I’ve barely seen him since.
“Just a few more days,” he says around a mouthful of food. “I have a summer school class, so I need to get back to Charming. I’ll train there with the guys.”
“Take it easy on the partying.”
“Okay, Dad,” he says sarcastically, the little shit.
He’s joking, but he’s not. I spent more time with him than our father ever did. “Hey, when you’re a hotshot NFL player, don’t forget who threw you a thousand passes in the backyard.”
“I did,” Beau says.
I reach over Paige’s empty chair and shove Beau. “You know I threw more balls than you did.” Beau laughs and rolls his eyes.
After Paige makes another round, I grab the platter out of her hand, set it on the table, and pull her onto my lap. “Have you eaten yet?” I ask her while my brothers shit-talk each other.
“I snacked while I cooked.”
Unacceptable. “Stop worrying about us. Eat some dinner. The guys and I will clean up since you made the meal.”
She bats her eyes playfully. “Thank you, husband.”
“You’re welcome, wife.”
I don’t ever remember being this enchanted with that term when I was married to my ex.
I start to tuck that loose strand of hair behind Paige’s ear, but pause to run it between my fingers. It’s silky soft. Realizing what I’m doing, I let go. “Scoot. Go eat.” I pat her ass because it’s right there and too enticing to resist.
I’d happily let her stay on my lap, but my brothers are giving me looks, and I don’t feel like dealing with them.
Once everyone’s done, Paige tells me she’s gonna go take a shower. I try not to think about that visual as we get an assembly line going at the sink while Gabriel and Austin help Mav dry the dishes.
Beau nudges me as he washes a plate. “She’s pretty awesome. No one would flinch if you tried to make it work.”
Could I do that? Could I stay married? What about Paige’s plans to move to Boston? I glance at our old farmhouse that needs a new paint job. I look at the chipped cabinets and dirty windows. I think about our mountain of bills. Sure, the loan will get us through this year, but what happens if there’s another drought? What happens if one of us gets hurt? What happens if the price of cattle drops again?
I seriously question why Paige would want to stay here with me. The woman loves coaching cheerleaders. She wants to move to Boston, an exciting, cosmopolitan city. I’d be asking her to give that up so she can look after my dumb ass and live in Wild Heart.
“It’s complicated,” I mumble.
When we’re done, I toss my boys in the bathtub ’cause they stink.
“Wash as high as possible.” I raise my hand to my head. “Wash as low as possible.” I point to my feet. “Then wash possible.” I motion to my groin. They laugh as they scrub themselves.
I sit on the closed toilet and wonder how many towels I’m gonna have to use to dry the floor when they’re done.
By the time I get them in their pajamas and tucked into bed, I’m ready to pass out myself.
“Daddy, I wanna story,” Austin says.
“A story, huh?” I grab Gabriel and carry him over my shoulder to Austin’s bed. We all squish on the twin mattress. When we’re situated, I scramble to think of something. “Once upon a time, there was a little dog named Poo Splat.”
They giggle.
“Poo Splat was an industrious fella. He had a good nose for solving crimes. One Christmas, all the holiday gifts went missing.”
“I’d be so sad.” Gabriel leans his head on my shoulder.
“Son, no one would steal your lump of coal,” I tease, and he giggles again.
By the time I finish the story, they’re both yawning. I carry Gabriel back to his bed and tuck him in. “Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you too, Dad.” I start to get up, but he tugs on my shirt. “Just…” He shrugs. “Paige ain’t so bad.”
I chuckle. “She likes you too, bud.”
I cross the room to Austin. His eyes are already closed. I smile at my sweet boy and pull the covers over him. Before I leave, I flip on their dinosaur night light. “Night, boys,” I whisper.
Stepping into the hallway, I leave their door cracked open behind me. I have another week before their mother gets them, but the closer we get to that date circled on the calendar, the more dread builds in me. I fucking hate that I can’t see my children every day.
When I reach my bedroom, I knock to make sure Paige is decent.
“Come in.”
She’s curled up on the couch. Her damp hair is pulled up in a ponytail. She’s wearing a little t-shirt and a pair of sleep shorts. And she has one of my flannels in her hands.
“Whatcha doing?”
“Sewing your shirt,” she says as she pulls a needle through the fabric. “Did you know that almost all of your long-sleeved shirts and flannels have holes or tears?”
Paige is mending my clothes. Fuck, that’s… I don’t have words. “Baby, you don’t need to do that.”
She smiles. “I don’t mind. I love to sew.”
“Thank you. In case I haven’t said it lately, you’re fucking awesome.” I motion toward the bathroom. “Gonna go get cleaned up. Do you wanna watch a movie with me? I’ll probably fall asleep, but maybe we can watch half tonight and half tomorrow.”
“I’d love that.” It’s early by most people’s standards, barely eight in the evening, but since I get up so early, I can’t stay up late or I’ll be dead on my feet in the morning.
I toss her the remote. “Pick something. I’ll be back in a sec.” I take a lightning-fast shower. I ignore the erection I sprang when I saw Paige’s nipples poking through the thin fabric of her shirt. I’m tempted to jerk off, but then I’ll crash as soon as my head hits my pillow, and I’d like to spend some time with her.
I’m out in less than ten minutes. I’m scrubbing a towel over my head when I return to the bedroom.
“What are you in the mood for…” Her voice fades away as her eyes trail over me.
I’m wearing pajama bottoms, which is what I always wear to bed, but since we’re hanging out, maybe it’s not appropriate. “That’s a loaded question, wildflower.” I chuckle as I reach into my dresser for a shirt.
“Don’t feel the need to get dressed on my account,” she teases as she eyes my chest.
Well then. Forgoing the shirt, I head for the bed. She’s sitting on the edge, perched like a little bird about to take flight. “Make yourself comfortable. Should I turn off the lights for the movie?”
“Yes, please.”
I flip off the light switch and cross the room. I pull down the top sheet and comforter because, chances are, I’ll knock out in a bit. After I flop on the side closest to me, I adjust my pillows and then pat the space next to me.
She lies down and turns to me. “Can we watch a chick flick?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Really?”
“Why do you look so shocked? I’m sure I’ll enjoy whatever you pick. After that great dinner and dealing with my office all day, you deserve it.”
“It’s just…” Her pretty brow crinkles. “Marcus hated chick flicks and anything with a hint of romance.”
“Which is probably why you dumped him.” Douchebag.
She stares at the ceiling. “He wasn’t terrible, but I needed more than he was able to give.”
“You deserve someone who’ll treat you right.”
Her voice gets so soft, it’s barely a whisper. “It’s funny that you treat me better than he did, and you and I aren’t even together.”
Why does everything feel so fucking tragic when she says shit like that? “Come here.” I hold out my hand, and she immediately scoots closer and settles in the crook of my arm. I turn my head to kiss her temple. “You just haven’t met the right man yet, sweetheart.”
It kills me to say those words.
Because someday she’s gonna meet someone who’s smart enough to snatch up this sweet beauty.
She snuggles into me, and I reach down and pull the covers over us because she has goosebumps. “Cold?” Paige shivers as she nods, and I pull her closer. Her arm wraps around my chest. Having her in my bed feels so right, I close my eyes. “I might not be able to stay awake. I’m too comfortable, and you feel too good like this.”
She lets out a relaxed sigh. “Can I stay here for a bit? You’re so warm.”
“Stay as long as you want.”
Even if that’s past December.