Chapter 6
Chapter Six
GRAY
“ S o, she’s kind of hot.”
Willie doesn’t look up from his textbook as he speaks and then jots down notes in his notebook, but he’s not really paying attention to the work in front of him.
“How’d you meet her?”
“You’re as nosy as your grandmother.”
He smirks, then jerks a shoulder. “She seems nice.”
“Yeah, she is.” I clear my throat, not sure how much I want to tell the kid. Hell, I’m not even sure exactly how I feel about Stella. “She’s friends with one of my coworkers.”
“Oh, that’s cool.” He nods, not saying more, but I know something’s on his mind.
“What’s up, Willie?”
“I probably shouldn’t have come over this morning,” he says softly. “I’m sorry, I just always come over in the morning on the weekends, and you don’t really date much, you know?”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I assure him and clap my hand on his shoulder. “You’re always welcome here.”
“Well, maybe I’ll text before I come over from now on. Just in case, you know?”
He always ends his sentences with you know.
“That’s fine, too. But, like I said, you didn’t do anything wrong. You startled Stella, that’s all. And you didn’t see anything that you shouldn’t have.”
“Did you, like, have sex with her?”
I press my lips together, shifting in my chair.
I don’t lie to Willie. Not ever. He needs an adult man in his life who gives it to him straight.
Someone he can trust.
And that’s me.
“Yeah. I did.”
He nods a couple of times, still staring at his book.
“Okay, let’s talk about it. I don’t think we’ll get much homework done right now. What do you want to know? I’ll tell you.”
Willie licks his lips, obviously giving my question a lot of thought.
“How long have you known her?”
“A couple of days.”
His eyes fly to mine, and he raises his eyebrows in surprise. “A couple of days ?”
“That’s right.”
“So, it’s just a fling, then? Just, you know, screw her and move on?”
“I definitely did not say that.”
“But you don’t love her.”
I blow out a breath and rub my hand over my mouth.
“I mean, you can’t love her after a couple of days. So, you just, you know, screwed her.”
“First of all, it’s not that black and white, Willie. Did someone tell you that you only have sex if you’re in love? Or if you’re using someone like a dumpster?”
“Kind of,” he says. “Grams says you wait until you’re in love and married, and if you do the one-night-stand thing, you’re kind of a slut.”
I blow out a breath and resist the urge to go and give Betty a piece of my mind.
“I don’t believe that at all. Stella is someone I was immediately attracted to. I have a lot of respect for her, and I enjoy her company. There’s chemistry between us.”
Holy shit, is there chemistry.
“I plan to continue seeing her.”
“So, you don’t think she’s a slut because she slept with you right away?”
I lean back and watch the young man next to me. I don’t like that someone has skewed sex for him like this.
“No, I think she’s a woman who knows what she wants, is confident in herself, and is honestly really special. I’m looking forward to getting to know her better. Willie, not all girls who have sex are bad. It doesn’t make them less than.”
“It’s probably different when you’re my age,” he suggests.
“I think you should be extra careful when you’re in high school, yes. Because there should be some kind of feelings involved, even if it’s simply desire and respect. When I was your age, I was not ready to be sexually active. I didn’t know how to properly treat a woman with dignity and respect. I was kind of a chump.”
“No way.”
“I don’t like to admit it, but yeah. I was. Girls are more than tits and pretty hair. Much more. And as you get older and start having relationships, you’ll realize that.”
“I already know that,” he says softly. “I think Grams was just trying to convince me to stay away from sex because she doesn’t want me to fuck up and give her another baby to have to look after.”
“Maybe,” I agree with a slow nod. “And, honestly, I can’t blame her. Your mother?—”
“Don’t call her that.” His voice is like a whip.
“Okay, Tammy was a handful. And from what your grandma has told me, it was really rough on her when Tammy was a teenager. So, I understand that Betty has tried to almost scare you away from being physical with girls. Do you have anyone that you’re interested in?”
“Not really.” He jerks that shoulder again. “I mean, there are some nice girls, but mostly I just want to do good in school so I can go to college and have a decent life. I refuse to be like Tammy.”
“I don’t see anything at all wrong with that,” I reply. “You have so much time to think about women and sex and all the things that go with it. I think focusing on your goals is an admirable thing to do. Have you started looking at colleges yet?”
“I’ll probably just go to a community college,” he says. “Or a trade school. I don’t have a lot of money.”
“Well, keep busting your ass like this, and you may just get scholarships. There’s nothing wrong with trade school or community college, though. You’ll figure it out, and I have no doubt that you’ll be awesome at whatever you decide to do.”
“Thanks,” he mutters. “I mean, I think it’s cool if you keep seeing Stella. Not that you need my permission.”
“So noted.”
Just then, the doorbell rings, and before I can get out of my chair, Willie hops up and hurries over. He flings it open and immediately reaches to take the bags out of Stella’s hands.
He’s a good kid. A gentleman. Yeah, he’s going to be just fine.
“Oh, thanks. That orange juice was getting heavy.” Stella breathes out a breath of relief and takes off her jacket, slipping out of her shoes. “Did you guys get a bunch of work done?”
“We were kind of talking,” Willie admits. “You got real bacon. Not turkey bacon.”
“Who in the world eats turkey bacon ?” she demands, propping her hands on her hips and staring at Willie in shock.
“My grandma,” he replies with a shrug. “She doesn’t like pork.”
“Well, I prefer the real thing,” Stella says with a wink. “Now, get back to work so I can dig in over here. I’m starving.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Willie says and returns to his seat next to me at the table. He flashes a grin at me and then gets busy reading his physics book. “I like her,” he whispers.
“Me, too,” I whisper back. “Keep working on that. I’ll be right back.”
I walk into the kitchen and smile at the gorgeous woman currently tucking a clean kitchen towel into her pockets, effectively creating a makeshift apron.
“You’re handy,” I comment and feel the smile she gives me in my solar plexus. “Got everything you need?”
“And then some,” she confirms. “I got chocolate chips for the pancakes.”
“Sounds delicious.” My gaze falls to her lips, and when she tugs the bottom one between her teeth, everything in me tightens.
“I saw my dad,” she says, and the sexy little haze I had going dissipates.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“My dad,” she says again. “I ran into him—literally—at the market. He was out buying croissants for my mom because he knows how much she loves them. He’s sweet like that. I told you, they live in the next building.”
“That’s right.”
Stella makes herself at home in my kitchen, digging through cupboards and drawers to find the tools she needs. “He asked what I was doing on this side of town so early in the morning, and I told him I was visiting a friend. Which isn’t a lie.”
“No, it’s not.” I lean in closer and speak softly in her ear. “You okay, doll?”
“Actually, yeah,” she says with a nod. “It was good.”
“Good.” I kiss her temple and then turn away. “Now, I have to teach Willie all about physics.”
“Whatever, I usually end up teaching him ,” Willie replies.
“Then why do you bother coming over here?” I demand. “I’m not the one who needs an A in the class.”
“Because I like it here,” he says simply and turns back to the book.
I look over at Stella, who just winks at me and fills a measuring cup with pancake mix.
Miraculously, Willie and I get a lot finished by the time the bacon is done sizzling, and Stella has everything set out buffet-style on the island.
“Okay, guys, let’s eat.”
“Thank God, the smell of that food is killing me,” Willie says as he closes his book and walks over to grab a plate.
“Where did you find this?” I ask, pointing to the tall cake plate with a glass dome, currently housing the pancakes.
“Uh, in the cupboard above your fridge,” Stella says and pops a bite of bacon into her mouth.
“I’ve never seen that before in my life.”
“Maybe the last people who lived here left it?” she suggests. “It was pretty dirty. Had to wash it.”
“This looks nice,” Willie says, taking in the spread before him. “Like, not just delicious, but kind of pretty, too.”
“Thanks,” Stella says with a bright smile. “I’m an interior designer, so I kind of get a kick out of making things look fancy. Even breakfast, I guess.”
We pile our plates with food that smells like heaven and sit at the kitchen table to eat.
“I don’t think I’ve ever used this table for eating a meal,” I say with surprise as I chew my bacon contemplatively.
“ Never ?” Stella asks in surprise. “It’s a beautiful table.”
“He’s never home,” Willie says between bites of pancake. “He’s a workaholic. He eats with Grams and me a lot. Or orders pizza.”
“Sometimes, both at the same time,” I add with a smile. “Betty loves pineapple on her pizza.”
Willie winces. “No one should add fruit to pizza. It should be a law or something.”
Stella and I laugh as my phone rings, and I frown at the readout.
“It’s my dad,” I say as I accept the call. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hi, Gray. I’m just calling to let you know that I’m following the ambulance to the hospital. Your mom took a fall a little while ago, and they think she may have broken her hip. She’ll be fine, but I wanted you to know.”
My stomach drops. “I’m on my way.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Dad says immediately. “She’s fine , Gray. But anything that requires an ambulance should also require a phone call to her children.”
“This is the fifth time in two months that Mom has needed a trip to the hospital,” I remind him as I stand and pace to the living room. “I’m going over there to put my own eyes on her. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I know that tone. I won’t be able to talk you out of this. So, just be safe.”
I end the call and turn to find both Stella and Willie watching me with wide eyes.
“It looks like I’m going home to Idaho today. Shit, I need to arrange for a flight and call Bill?—”
“Go call Bill. I’ve got the travel arrangements under control,” Stella assures me, and when I just stare at her, she shoos me with her hand. “Go. I’ve got this.”
“I’ll clean up from breakfast,” Willie announces and starts carrying our empty plates into the kitchen.
I hurry into my bedroom, pull out a small suitcase, and start shoving clothes into it as I dial Bill’s number.
“You really need to take weekends off,” Bill says in greeting.
“I am, actually. But I just got some bad news from my dad. I need to go home to Idaho. Bill, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”
“Go. Everything can be rescheduled. Go take care of your family. I’ll handle the office.”
I sigh in relief. “Thanks. I owe you.”
“Just keep me posted. Good luck.”
I click off and turn when Stella walks into the bedroom, her phone in her hand.
“Okay, I have this handled. You need to be at the airport as soon as possible. A plane is waiting for you and will have you in Coeur d'Alene in an hour.”
I simply stare at her. “What? How?”
“My uncle is Luke Williams.” She simply shrugs. “It’s no big deal.”
“Stella—”
“You need to get to your mom,” she interrupts. “We’re going to get you there as soon as possible. Now, what else do you need? Bathroom stuff?”
She’s all business now as she marches into the bathroom and gathers my shampoo and the few other things I might need, and I’m completely stunned.
She’s arranged for a private plane to get me to my mother.
I knew she was amazing, but Jesus. She’s… incredible.
“Where do I go at the airport?” I ask as I toss a few last-minute things into the bag and zip it shut. “I’ve never flown on a private plane before.”
“I’m taking you, so I’ll show you,” she says. “Of course, I don’t have my car, so I’ll have to drive yours.”
“Done.” I lead the way out of the bedroom and see that Willie is just drying the glass dome of the cake plate.
“Dishes are done,” he announces. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on things here while you’re gone.”
“Thanks,” I reply with a sigh. “Both of you.”
“Come on,” Stella says, grabbing her handbag. “Let’s get you out of here.”
“Fuck me,” I whisper on a sigh and sink onto the edge of the chair in my parents’ den. It’s almost midnight, and it feels like I’ve been awake for weeks.
Stella was true to her word, and I landed in Idaho before noon. I was able to get to the hospital, talk to the doctors, and spend the day with Mom.
“Here you are,” Dad says as he walks into the room and crosses to a beverage fridge, pulling out two water bottles before tossing me one. “You need to hydrate.”
“Always the doctor,” I say with a shake of my head, but I open the bottle and drink. “Why didn’t you tell me before that she looks so bad?”
Dad sighs and sits in the brown leather chair next to me.
“It’s because of the fall, Gray. Of course, she looks frail and tired.”
“I don’t buy it.” My voice is calm and weary, but Dad’s gaze cuts over to mine. “She’s been in and out of the hospital a lot lately.”
“She’s always been medically fragile,” he reminds me. “And, yes, it’s been a bad time lately, but she’s really not doing that badly. It’s nothing to worry about.”
My father is a cardiologist. He’s an excellent physician. But, sometimes, I think he’s in denial about my mom’s medical situation.
“She has MS,” I remind him. “And high blood pressure.”
“Which is all managed,” he insists.
“She told me today that she’s been dealing with some vertigo lately, and that’s why she fell down the stairs. Her blood pressure was so high, it’s no wonder.”
“Sometimes, she forgets to take her blood pressure medicine,” he concedes. “But we have a new system for that. Why do I feel like I’m being interrogated?”
“Because Mom’s been sick, and you haven’t been honest with me about just how sick she is, Dad.”
“You’re a busy man. You have a demanding career, and you can’t just drop everything each time your mom doesn’t feel well.”
“Yes, actually, I can. I want you to be honest with me, Dad.”
He sighs again. Suddenly, he looks so old. So tired.
“You don’t have to do everything by yourself,” I remind him.
“I don’t want you and your sisters to feel burdened,” he admits. “I’m her husband. It’s my job to care for her.”
“We want to help,” I reply. “I know that Sidney and Maya agree. So, stop shielding us from every little thing and start depending on us to help. It’ll make us all feel better.”
I stand, and with my water in my hand, walk through the house and up the stairs to my bedroom. I leave the door open as I turn the bed down, and before I can cross to the bathroom, my phone rings.
Stella.
I accept the video call and sit on the edge of the bed.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I say when Stella’s gorgeous face fills the screen.
“I’m sorry it’s so late. I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
God, I wish I could reach through the screen and touch her.
“I’m okay. Thank you again for the flight today. I could never have gotten here that quickly on a commercial flight.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiles softly. “How’s your mama?”
“She’s tired. She broke her hip and shoulder, so she’s in the hospital for a few days to make sure there’s no clotting. They’ll probably move her to a physical therapy rehab place before she can come home.”
“I’m so sorry, Gray. That’s just horrible.”
“She’s had some health struggles,” I reply and swallow hard, wishing more than anything that Stella was here. I haven’t known her a week and I miss her.
“I don’t know when I’ll be back in Seattle. I might be here a week or so until things get figured out.”
“Of course,” she replies.
“Hey,” Maya sticks her head around the doorway and then grins when she sees that I’m on the phone. “Is that Stella?”
“Go away, Maya.”
“I want to talk to her.”
She snatches the phone from my hands and runs off down the hallway.
I rub my hand down my face.
Maya is a pain in my ass.