Chapter 20
RAELYN
“Temperature is everything.” Walker’s tone was low and patient as he explained, “You get it too hot, and you burn everything. Too cold and the meat will never cook.”
I leaned my shoulder against the window frame and smiled as I watched Walker teach the boys the ins and outs of grilling. He had one hand resting on the lid of the grill while the other gestured toward the flames, like he was teaching a full class of kids instead of two boys in a backyard.
Thomas stood a little closer, listening intently and asking questions here and there.
Lucas, on the other hand, went from watching the hamburgers sizzle on the grill to watching Walker like he didn’t want to miss anything.
Walker was taking his time with them both, actually teaching them, and letting them be a part of it instead of just taking over.
“See that?” Walker motioned toward the center of the grates. “That’s your sweet spot right there.”
Thomas leaned in, watching as Walker flipped the meat. Lucas nodded like he understood completely, but I wasn’t convinced that he did. Not that it mattered. He was there, and he was trying. That was the important thing.
My smile widened. I couldn’t help it. Things were going even better than I expected.
The doubt Dan had planted in the kids’ minds didn’t feel like an issue anymore, not with the way the boys looked at him and talked to him.
Walker was giving them his full attention, and that wasn’t something they were used to, not from a man.
Their father didn’t do that. He was always distracted by his phone, his buddies, or whatever was playing on the television to give them his full attention.
If I ever dared to call him out, Dan would deny it and blow me off, making me out to be some kind of nag.
I finally gave up and did my best to make up for his shortcomings.
But I wasn’t their father, and the time would come when they would notice the difference.
Lucas laughed at something Thomas said, and Walker chuckled at them both.
Yeah, it was going well. I let out a breath and pushed away from the window.
I started gathering everything we’d need, from condiments to pickles, and placed them around the table.
Then, I went for the drinks. I needed something to do with my hands, so I didn’t overthink what I was feeling.
Because it was a lot.
Having him here, in our space, with my boys. It should’ve felt tense or complicated or scary, but it didn’t. Instead, it felt right, oddly so, and I wasn’t sure what to think about that. But it was nice.
Walker fit in a way that made it feel like he was meant to be there.
I paused at the fridge, letting my hands settle for a second as I let that thought settle in my chest. Maybe he was really the missing piece to our puzzle, or maybe I just wanted him to be. Either way, this night was one I would remember, and I had a feeling the boys would, too.
By the time everything was ready, the boys were hungry and beaming with pride at all the food they’d help prepare. Walker placed the platter on the table, and Lucas immediately pointed to the burger in the center and said, “That one’s mine.
“No taking dibs,” Thomas fussed. “They’re all the same.”
“No way. I flipped that one, and I’m claiming it.”
“You flipped it because Walker told you to.”
“Still flipped it.”
“It’s fine,” I interrupted. “You can have that one and any other you want. Just go wash up so we can sit and eat.”
I watched as they both streamed out of the kitchen and down the hall to the bathroom. They were happy, really happy, and whatever hesitation they’d had about tonight was gone. I stepped over to Walker and placed my palms on his chest. “Hey.”
His eyes locked on mine as he grinned and said, “Hey.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Being so patient with them.”
His expression softened in a way that made my chest tighten. “They’re good kids, Rae… And if you ask me, they get that from you. You’re a good mother. You’re doing good by them.”
His words hit harder than I’d expected. I didn’t even have time to respond before he leaned in and brushed a quick kiss against my lips.
It was simple, easy, but enough to send a shiver of warmth straight through me.
He was looking at me in that way that said he wanted to kiss me again when we both heard the boys groan, “Eewww.”
I turned just in time to see Lucas making a face, and Thomas was right next to him, also making a face. Lucas looked to Walker and said, “That’s gross. You can’t do that around us… That’s our Mom.”
Walker didn’t even flinch. He just gave them a smirk and said, “Sorry, boys. I couldn’t help myself. Your mom’s hot.”
“Ahhh, man,” Lucas groaned. “Saying that’s even worse than kissing on her.”
“He’s right.” Thomas shook his head, trying not to look amused, but failing miserably when he laughed. “You gotta wait until we’re not around for that kind of stuff.”
“I’ll try.” Walker shrugged. “But I can’t make any promises.”
Walker just shrugged, like there was nothing to argue about. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, somewhere between embarrassed and flattered.
“Okay. Okay,” I cut in, trying to regain some level of control. “Sit. Let’s make a plate before the food gets cold and all your hard work goes to waste.”
“No way that’s gonna happen,” Lucas muttered, still shaking his head as he made his way over to the table.
Thomas gave me a smirk but didn’t say a word. He just walked over, grabbed his drink, and claimed his spot at the table. Walker held my gaze for a moment, then we both made our way to the table and sat with the boys. We each filled our plates, and then the boys waited as I took the first bite.
I closed my eyes as I chewed, and after I swallowed, I looked over to the boys and said, “This is incredible.”
“You mean it?”
“Absolutely. I’ve never had a burger that tastes this good.”
Walker leaned back in his chair, watching the boys with quiet satisfaction, like their reaction mattered even more than mine. Lucas was grinning from ear to ear as he announced, “Must be the secret ingredients.”
“Oh?” I raised a brow. “And what would those be?”
Walker didn’t even hesitate. “Can’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Wouldn’t be a secret anymore.”
I huffed, shaking my head as I took another bite, but I didn’t argue. I couldn’t. They were all sitting there looking so proud of themselves, and that mattered more than anything else.
The boys dove in, and Walker followed. We ate and talked, and in no time, the boys had fallen into their usual rhythm of things.
Lucas’ mouth was full of hot dog when he announced, “Coach said practice would be short Thursday. His daughter has a doctor’s appointment or something, so it shouldn’t be longer than an hour. ”
“That’s great.” I turned to Thomas and asked, “What about you? Do you have anything extra going on this week?”
“I have to finish my science project, and we’ve got a full practice on Thursday.” He rolled his eyes. “Coach never gives us a break.”
“I’m less concerned about practice than I am the project.”
“I’ve already done most of it. I just have to finish my poster.”
“That’s the biggest part.”
“I know, but I’ll get it. I just need to get the poster board.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you needed poster board before I went to the store?”
“I forgot.”
“Of course you did,” I groaned. “We’ll get one tomorrow.”
I glanced over at Walker, and he looked perfectly content sitting there watching us banter back and forth. Once the conversation died down, he turned to me and asked, “What about you? What you got going on this week?”
“Just the usual.” I shrugged. “I have a few things to wrap up at the library this week. Nothing too exciting, and I have to take the Tahoe in for an oil change.”
“Don’t have to take it anywhere for that. I can do it.”
“You can?”
“Yeah, won’t take any time.” He motioned his head toward the boys. “I’ve got two helpers.”
Thomas frowned. “I don’t know how.”
“That’s fine.” Walker didn’t miss a beat. “I’ll teach you.”
Something about the way he said it made Thomas sit up a little straighter and smile. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. All boys should know how to change their oil.”
“Alright. That’d be cool.”
Lucas was already sold on the idea and asked, “When we gonna do it?”
“I’ll sort that out with your mother, but soon.”
“Cool.”
The boys finished up their dinner, and without being told, they gathered their plates and carried them to the sink. Before heading to their rooms, Thomas walked over to Walker and said, “Thanks for dinner and everything.”
“Yeah,” Lucas added. “It was really good.”
“No need to thank me,” Walker replied, sounding sincere. “You boys did most of the work.”
That earned him a grin from both of them before they disappeared down the hall. I sat there for a moment, listening as they hurried up to their rooms. Once their doors closed, I got up and started on the dishes. Walker came over and opened the dishwasher, helping me load.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, reaching for the plate. “I’ve got it.”
He didn’t even acknowledge that I’d said anything. He just kept rinsing off another plate before slipping it into the dishwasher. I shook my head and laughed, “Alrighty then.”
We moved around each other without saying much, but it wasn’t awkward or forced. It was comfortable, like we’d done it before and we’d do it again. It wasn’t long before the dishes were loaded, the counters wiped, and the food put away.
And just like that, the night was winding down. It made me a little sad, but I wasn’t surprised when he announced, “I should get going. I’ve got a shift later tonight.”
I nodded, then followed him to the door. I followed him down to his bike. Without warning, he reached out and cupped my face, gently pulling me towards him. His mouth met mine, and he kissed me, slow and easy.
My hand came up to his chest, grounding me as I leaned into him, quickly becoming lost in his touch. I had to give it to him. The man knew how to hold me close and kiss me in a way that made me lose myself in him, and I liked it. I liked it a lot.
When he pulled back, our eyes met, and my breath caught when I saw the intensity in his expression. “Can I see you Saturday night?”
“Yes.” I couldn’t help but smile. “Saturday would be great.”
With that, he kissed me again, a little deeper this time, like he was committing the moment to memory, and then he got on his bike and started the engine. I crossed my arms, hugging myself as I watched him back out of the driveway and disappear down the road.
The night was over, but there was more to come.
Much, much more.