Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Rock
Being in Shina's home is so surreal. Yes, I have driven her here a bunch of times and have even been in her bedroom, but this is new.
It's almost like we are starting a real relationship. Taking that step from fuck buddies to more.
I grab the juice and start pouring it into the cups she placed on the counter. They all have names on them. A thump from outside startles me, and I end up pouring a glass full of orange juice all over my shirt.
Shit!
I don't know why I'm jumpy all of a sudden. Shina said to make myself at home. It's not like she's going to change her mind and kick me out. Or that her nieces and nephews will hate me…
I put the cup down and rip off my top, using it to wipe off my chest. This is going to be awkward now.
I finally get to meet her kids and it'll be shirtless… or… I spot an apron hanging on the back of the pantry door.
It's black with bright red lips on it. I toss it over my head and tie the strings. This will have to do.
I spot a Swiffer WetJet and quickly clean up the sticky floor before wiping the counter with some Clorox wipes.
First time left alone here, and I make a huge mess.
When everything is clean, I wash my hands, then pour some juice carefully in the final cup, before dishing out the donuts.
Once that's ready, I try to distract myself by cooking some scrambled eggs. Shina has some frozen diced veggies in the freezer too, so I grab that and a thing of bacon before getting to work.
I really only got the donuts for the kids. I need a solid meal after working ten hours and the extra calories we burned in the bath.
Fuck, that was so hot. Shina is hands down the best sex of my life. Not that I had many partners. I was a late bloomer and didn't hook up until college.
My family can be controlling at times, and it prevented me going to parties or even being wild.
But it's all good now. I'm making up for lost time. And Shina was well worth the wait.
As I scramble the eggs, I hear that thump again.
Does Shina have a dog? I don't think she's ever mentioned one. I do know that her sister left her cat here with the kids, but this doesn't sound like a six pound ball of fluff.
I turn the burner down low and sneak over to the side door, keeping in the shadows.
There is a small clouded window next to the door that gives me a perfect view of who is trying to sneak inside.
Shaking my head, I laugh and swing open the door, startling the young girl who looks like a mirror image of Shina.
This must be Leena. “Well hello there,” I say with a grin.
“Who the fuck are you?” she growls, crossing her arms and pursing her lips.
Yep, I can see the immediate family resemblance. She's a spitfire just like her aunt.
“Rock, your aunt's friend, but that's not important right now. Want to tell me what you're doing outside at six in the morning… on a school night.”
She scoffs and pushes me out of the way, storming inside. I guess she's not bothering to be sneaky anymore.
“Why the hell do you care? You're not my father!” she shouts, and I laugh.
Wow.
“Kay, good chat. I guess we will just wait until your aunt returns,” I grumble.
She stops, her hazel eyes becoming wide as she notices that I followed her. She tangles her fingers together in a nervous gesture, and I know I'm supposed to be the adult here, but she looks physically scared.
“Hey, listen. I'm not going to hurt you. But I do need to get to the stove before my breakfast burns.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fucking hypocrite bitch! She gets to have friends sleepover, but I can't even have friends visit.” She starts ranting, and I'm about to put her in her place when Shina walks in.
She has a little boy half-asleep on her shoulder and two adorable kids trailing behind her, rubbing their eyes.
They all share dark-blonde hair and hazel eyes. Damn. If I didn't know better I would think they were her biological children.
Shina stops in place and takes in the scene. Me in her apron, shirtless, and her niece glaring at me in a mini skirt and heavy makeup.
“Is something burning?” the little girl, I think her name is Kenna, says and I jump back in action.
“Shoot. Well, I hope you guys like crispy bacon,” I mutter, then sigh.
The little boy perks up and steps closer. “I love crispy bacon! Everyone else likes it chewy.” His little nose sticks up. I smile, move toward him and offer him a fist bump.
“My man!”
Shina grins, then frowns, once more looking at her eldest niece.
“Go shower, and get ready for school. I'll be up in a few minutes to chat.”
Huffing Leena storms out, yelling the whole way up the steps about how much she hates this prison.
“Okay, who is hungry?” I say, clapping my hands, trying to lighten the mood.
I grab the eggs, scoop some on a plate, and then add the bacon.
I give Shina a portion and an extra slice of bacon for the little man.
Shina yawns and adjusts the baby on her chest. His eyes are open, and I notice they are grey.
“And who is this little one?” I ask, and the little boy answers.
“That's our baby brother, Alec. And I'm Xander.”
“And you, princess?” I think I know her name, but she's so shy, hiding behind Shina's legs.
“Kenna,” she whispers so sweetly.
Xander digs in, squealing over the donuts, and Shina walks over to me with a tired smile and squeezes my shoulder.
“Are we even going to talk about the fact you're in my apron?” she whispers, and I laugh.
“Orange juice mishap. Didn't think it was appropriate to meet the kids shirtless.”
She giggles, then yawns again. Alec starts to fuss, and I reach out for him. She hesitates, raises her eyebrows, looks down at the baby squirming, and then nods.
I take him from her, bounce him gently, and pat his butt.
“You're good with kids,” Shina murmurs.
“I have a big family. Three brothers, two sisters and a shi… crap load of nieces and nephews.”
She smiles, then looks off out the window and frowns.
“This is all I ever wanted,” she sighs, then looks back toward the stairs. There is loud pop music blasting from the floor above.
“She's a lot like I was at fifteen. Defiant, strong-willed, but so damn smart. It scares me.”
“I got this handled if you want to go talk to her,” I offer, and she nods. After she's gone, I continue to rock Alec, then look around for the baby formula. He has to be hungry too.
Kenna speaks up and points to a cupboard by the sink. “Auntia Shi keeps his food there. But he can have some scrambled egg yolks too. Alla usually cooks him some.”
As I prepare the little man some breakfast, I can't help but to imagine a future like this.
A house full of kids, cooking, laughing and spending time with them. A door slams upstairs as I'm wiping Alec's hands clean.
The little dude really loves eggs.
“I hate this prison. When is my mom coming back? I don't want to be here anymore!” Leena screams, making Xander flinch.
He tries to hide it, but I can spot a trigger when I see it. His mom must not have been the greatest.
“Hey, buddy, why don't you and your sister go get ready for school while I clean up.”
He nods, scrapes his plate off in the trash, and then puts it in the sink. Kenna follows his example, and soon they are sneaking up the kitchen staircase, avoiding the showdown by the front door.
Alec babbles, not a care in the world, and I soon know why. “Wow, little dude. You could clear a room with that diaper. How about we get you changed?”
An older woman pops out of thin air with a kind smile and tired eyes.
“Thank you for letting me sleep in, but I can take it from here,” she says softly, and I know she's the nanny, but I find myself disappointed that our time is over.
I really enjoyed the last half hour. Hopefully Shina invites me back again.
Shina
Having a screaming match with my niece at six in the morning was not what I wanted to do when I am dead on my feet.
But alas here we are.
“I hate you. You're not my mother!” she shouts at me again, and I laugh, shaking my head.
“You're right,” I yell back, done with her shit, and that shocks her. “I am not your mother, but I am the one responsible for you right now. The one who loves and cares for you. Who is working my ass off to give you a good life. A happy and healthy, safe place to live.”
She opens her mouth and closes it a few times. Tears well in her hazel eyes, making them sparkle, and I see what this is really about from the hurt flashing across her face.
“Why hasn't she called? Do I really mean that little to her? It's almost Christmas. The twins are still young, and Alec hardly even knew her, but me… I have been by her side for fourteen years. Am I just nothing to her?”
“Oh, baby,” I whisper before pulling her into my arms and holding her as she breaks. Big heaving sobs escape her lips, and it shatters me.
“I don't know anything about what's going through your mom's head, but I can tell you that you matter to me. And to Kenna, Xander and Alec. You are the most important person to them all. You are loved beyond means.”
She scoffs and pushes me away, wipes her cheeks and avoid my eyes. So strong…
“It's okay to be vulnerable, Leena. Even the strongest people break from time to time. It keeps them human.”
“I wasn't doing anything bad. I snuck out to the pool house and ate junk food and played video games with my friend Bethany.”
I sigh and rub my tired eyes. “Okay, but from now on just stay inside and use the den.”
She lifts her head and gives me an excited smile. “Really? I can have friends over?”
I rub my chest and hide the shake of my hands.
I struggle with people I don't know coming into my safe place, but by doing this I am causing Leena to miss a crucial part of being a teenager.
“Two conditions… no boys, and no one gets the gate code. You can buzz them in with the button in the kitchen.”
She rushes me and gives me a tight hug. “Thank you, Aunt Shi. Thank you.”
I pat the back of her head and breathe in her vanilla shampoo and innocence.
“Okay, now let's go help the twins get ready and then get to school.” I yawn as she pulls away, and then walks down the hall to Kenna's room.
She has a pep in her step, and I smile. Though it terrifies me, maybe it's time for some change around here.