Chapter 18
RAELYN
Even after I showered and changed clothes, I could still feel the tingle of his touch on my skin, and knowing he was in the next room showering, naked and lathered in soap, had me imagining things I had no business imagining. I was even tempted to go get in the shower with him.
But I would never do anything so brazen.
That didn’t mean I wouldn’t think about it, and I did. I thought about it the entire time I brushed my hair. I glanced up in the mirror, and I almost didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me. She’d just had the best sex of her life and was fantasizing about another go.
“Good grief, girl. You need to get a grip,” I muttered under my breath.
The water shut off, and my heart did a stupid little flutter.
I needed to make myself busy, so I dropped the brush on the dresser and flipped my hair up into a messy bun.
I threw on a little makeup, trying to make it look like I hadn’t just rolled out of bed and completely lost my mind over a man—a man who was currently naked in my bathroom.
“I said, get a grip!”
Silently scolding myself, I walked over to the bed and started straightening the sheets. Seconds later, the bathroom door opened. I didn’t turn right away. I didn’t need to. I could feel him, filling up the space like he belonged there.
I reached for the comforter, and that’s when I spotted him in the doorway.
His hair was still damp and pushed back just enough to be out of his face, but a few pieces had a mind of their own and were falling forward.
His t-shirt clung to him where he hadn’t fully dried, and he smelled like my shampoo.
Something about that made my chest warm in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I tried to bite back my smile, but it was no use. His brows pursed. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Didn’t look like nothing,” he mumbled under his breath as he walked over to the bed.
He grabbed the other side of the comforter, helping me pull it up over the sheets. We worked in silence, grabbing the pillows and putting them up on the bed, like we’d done this before. As soon as we were done, Walker sat down on the chair in the corner and started putting on his boots.
“So, what you got planned for the day?”
“All kinds of fun things,” I scoffed. “I have to get some groceries before I pick up the boys, and then, we’ll probably go over to check on Mom. I want to take them some dinner and see how she’s doing.”
“Have you heard anything from her today?”
“Dad sent a text this morning and said she was sore, but she seemed to be doing better.”
“Good. Glad to hear it.” He stood, then walked over to me, dropping his hands to my waist. I inhaled a deep breath, taking him in with a smile. “Think you can make time to see me this week?”
“I’ve got the boys.”
“Yeah, I know. I don’t mind.”
“You don’t?”
“Yeah, they’re your boys. I’d expect them to be here,” he said simply. “I could grill or something… Might even get them to help.”
“That would be nice.”
“Then, figure out what day works best for you, and let me know.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
He hesitated for a moment, then let out a deep breath, “I’ve gotta get going.”
I knew it was coming, but that didn’t stop the knot forming in my stomach. I wasn’t ready for him to go, but the night was over, and it was time to get back to reality. I nodded, even though a small part of me wanted to ask him to stay a little longer.
“Okay.” There was a beat of silence, and I dropped my gaze for a second before adding, “I had a really good time last night.”
The words sounded more vulnerable than I’d intended, and he didn’t miss it. He didn’t respond right away, and I worried that I’d said too much until I saw that look in his eyes. It was the same look he’d given me last night, right before he kissed me.
He didn’t say a word. He just leaned in closer, and just when the anticipation was becoming too much to bear, he pressed his lips against mine, kissing me passionately.
God, he felt so good, smelled so good, and I couldn’t help but let myself get swept away.
My hands went to his chest, and I clutched his T-shirt in my hands,
And just when I started to forget where I was, he pulled back, breaking our embrace. He almost smiled as he said, “I’ll call about dinner.”
“Okay,” was all I could manage.
He held my gaze for a second longer, then turned and walked out of the room.
I stood there and listened as his footsteps faded down the hall.
Seconds later, the front door opened and quickly closed again.
And just like that, the house felt empty in a way that made me miss him before he’d even made it out of the driveway.
I walked over to the window and watched as he backed out of the driveway.
As soon as he was out of view, I groaned, “Back to reality.”
After a quick check in the mirror, I hurried downstairs, and I was about to go make a cup of coffee when Milo started wailing and dove for my ankles.
In and out he went, crying in the most annoying way possible.
I bumped his rear with my foot, scooting him out of the way as I fussed, “I already fed you, Milo. You’re getting too fat! ”
To that, he wailed even louder and went back to my ankles, seemingly even more determined to trip me. “Okay, fine. But don’t come crying to me when the vet puts you on a diet.”
I went to the kitchen and put a little more food in his bowl before making coffee. I wanted to get to the grocery before the lunch rush, so as soon as it was ready, I poured some into a tumbler, grabbed my list from the fridge, and was on my way.
By the time I made it to the grocery store, I’d settled in and was about to focus on getting what we would need for the week. I grabbed a cart and started going down aisle after aisle, letting myself fall into the routine.
I stocked up on the boys’ favorites, including Lucas’ cereal that had way too much sugar and Thomas’ protein bars that cost a small fortune. I also grabbed everything I’d need to make poppy-seed chicken. I knew how much Mom loved it, and I hoped it might lift her spirits.
Then, almost without thinking, I steered the cart toward the meat section. I threw in some hamburger meat and hot dogs, then buns, cheese, relish, and anything else we might need if Walker made good on his offer to grill. But I didn’t dwell on the thought. I didn’t have time to.
I checked out and rushed back to the house. I barely had time to put everything away before it was time to get back in the car and go pick up the boys. When I got over to Dan and CeeCee’s, I didn’t bother pulling into the driveway. I wanted a quick getaway, so I parked in front of the house.
A minute later, the boys came strolling out with their bags draped over their shoulders, and neither of them looked to be in the best mood. But they climbed in without much fuss. As soon as they closed the doors, I smiled, asking, “Hey! How’d it go?”
“Fine,” they both mumbled.
That’s all I got. I figured they were just tired, so I pulled out and started home. Hoping to get one of them talking, I asked, “Did you do anything fun?”
“Not really,” Lucas answered flatly.
“Okay. Then, what’d y’all do?”
Lucas shrugged. “We watched a movie.”
“Which one?”
“I don’t know. Some stupid Western Dad wanted to watch.”
“Okaayy…” I dragged the word out slightly. “What else did you do?”
“Nothing,” Thomas answered.
Another short answer that hung heavy in the air.
That was it. Something was clearly wrong, so I turned the radio down and said, “Okay. Spill it. What’s wrong with you two?”
“Nothing,” Thomas lied.
“Don’t give me that. I know you guys well enough to know when something’s wrong.”
Neither of them spoke at first. They just sat there, tense and scowling. Eventually, Thomas looked up at the rearview mirror and asked, “Is it true? Is Walker really a criminal?”
“What?” I gasped. “Where did that come from?”
But even as I asked the question, I already knew the answer.
It was their father.
He’s been filling their head with nonsense, and now, I was left to deal with the aftermath. “No, honey. He’s not a criminal.”
“You sure? ‘Cause Dad said you don’t know anything about him.”
“Well, I didn’t know your father when we started dating either.” I tried to hide my frustration as I said, “That’s why I dated him… So, I could get to know him better.”
“Yeah, I guess…”
“Everyone’s a stranger at some point, Thomas. They stay strangers unless you decide to give them a chance.”
“But Dad said Walker was…”
“I don’t care what your father said,” I interrupted. “I’m telling you, he’s not a bad man, and your father had no right to say otherwise.”
Lucas’ eyes were filled with doubt as he asked, “But why would he lie about something like this?”
“I don’t know. You would have to ask him that.”
“’Cause he’s a douche,” Thomas grumbled. “He just doesn’t want Mom to have anybody.”
“Thomas.”
“Well, it’s true.” There was no missing the pain in his voice when he said, “He doesn’t care about anybody but himself.”
“Your father loves you both very much.”
“Whatever,” Thomas grumbled. “He lied. Seems like that’s all he does anymore.”
“I tried telling Dad that he was wrong,” Lucas interjected. “But he wouldn’t listen.”
“’Cause he can’t admit when he’s wrong,” Thomas grumbled. “And he’s wrong a lot.”
This conversation was quickly going south, so I tried to steer it in a different direction. “Well, he was definitely wrong about Walker. I saw him again last night, and we had a really nice night.”
“I thought you were at the hospital with Nana.”
“This was after.”
“So, you guys are a thing, now?”
“I don’t know if I would say that, but I do like him.”
“And you’re sure he’s okay?” Thomas pressed.
I glanced back at Thomas and tried to reassure him by saying, “I wouldn’t have him around you guys if I thought he wasn’t.”
Thomas nodded, but I could still see the doubt in his eyes.