Everly
EVERLY
“I’ve got to go.”
Nico bent his head and brushed a kiss across my forehead. I stretched, the movement causing the sheet to slip down. His eyes lowered, and he groaned.
“You’re not making this easy.”
I arched my back and sighed contentedly. “I never promised to make it easy for you to leave me,” I said with a sleepy grin.
He sat on the edge of the bed and kissed me, first on the lips, then moving farther south. I pressed a hand to the back of his head, urging him lower.
“Damn you,” he murmured, leaving open-mouthed kisses over my breasts. “I’m going to be late.”
I laughed. “I’m not stopping you from leaving.”
“No,” he said, pulling one of my nipples into his mouth. “These are.”
My stomach clenched, but as much as I wanted to drag him back to bed, he had a meeting to attend, and I had to get Rhett ready for school.
“My boobs promise they’ll be here waiting for you when you get home later.”
“They’d better be.”
“I’m going to get my things today after I drop Rhett off at school.”
His broad smile, so happy, so certain, warmed me from the inside out. “I’m so glad you agreed to stay.”
“Until Friday only,” I warned.
“Yeah, yeah. A few more days with me and you won’t want to leave.”
He isn’t wrong.
“Nico,” I sighed.
He raised his hands in an “okay, okay” gesture. “I hear you. A deal’s a deal. Still, a man can hope, .” He shoved a hand through his hair. “I love having you both here, though. You… you’ve brought hope into my life. I hadn’t realized how unhappy and lonely I was until I met you.”
An ache in the center of my chest bloomed, spreading outward. “I’ve also brought chaos to your orderly existence,” I said, feeling the need to lighten a mood that’d turned heavy in seconds.
He twisted his lips to one side. “Yeah, true. You’re a messy chick, for sure.”
He winked, then stood. As he turned and walked away, I dropped my gaze to his ass.
“I know you’re checking out my fine arse.” He added an extra wiggle for my benefit, then shot me a final grin over his shoulder.
I flicked my wrist, laughing. “Get out of here.”
I treated myself to one final stretch, then threw back the covers. After a quick shower, I went to wake Rhett. He was in a buoyant mood—unsurprising given the fabulous weekend we’d had—which meant I escaped the usual Monday morning moans and groans about going to school.
Driving Rhett to class all the way from Nico’s place took an extra forty-five minutes than from my home, but it was worth it to see how happy and settled Rhett was. When I thought back to the sullen little boy who’d started at Nico’s racing school two months ago to the one singing to himself in the back of my truck, I could hardly believe they were the same child. I’d even given up worrying about affording therapy. From my perspective, the only therapy Rhett needed was racing, and Nico.
Despite his reassurances yesterday, I still couldn’t help feeling on edge. I kept thinking the rug would be pulled from beneath my feet at any moment, and I’d find myself flat on my ass. Good things didn’t happen to women like me, especially those as good as Nico. I hadn’t mentioned anything to him, but I couldn’t shake this sense of unease, and that was the main reason I kept insisting our time at his home was temporary. I wanted nothing more than to give in to the growing feelings between us, but an invisible force held me back. Maybe the closure Paul’s disappearance robbed me of was preying on my mind.
As I walked Rhett to the school gates, Mr. Wilson approached me, his arm around his son’s shoulders. I stiffened. Keep walking. The last thing I felt in the mood for was a pointless argument about Brad and Rhett’s troubles. Surprisingly, Mr. Wilson gave me a curt nod, then shoved Brad in our direction.
“Boy’s got something to say,” he said.
Brad nibbled his lip and toed the ground. “Sorry for punching you and for saying that mean stuff about your dad,” he said to Rhett.
Where is this coming from?
I managed to curtail my burgeoning surprise and nudged Rhett into a response.
“S’okay,” Rhett said.
Brad rifled through his pockets, producing a candy bar. “Want to share this with me?”
“Sure.” Rhett’s wavering smile grew, and he waved at me. “See you later, Mommy.”
The two boys ran off, looking to all outsiders like the best of friends. I stared after them, my jaw slack. What the heck just happened?
“Tell your man I’m sorry for taking a swing at him when he only wanted to talk,” Mr. Wilson said, not quite looking me in the eye. “Things have been tough on the home front. No excuse, though. And no excuse for Brad either. Your boy won’t have any more trouble with him.”
He thrust out his large hand, and I took it, more than a little stunned at the turn of events.
“I appreciate that, Mr. Wilson,” I said.
He nodded, mumbled something vague under his breath, then left. I gaped at his retreating back. Okay. Wow. Did not see that coming.
I returned to my truck, and as I closed the door behind me, I burst out laughing. For months, Rhett and Brad had been at each other’s throats, and then, just like that, the problem went away. No more worrying about him getting expelled from school or feeling that knot of anxiety in my stomach as I waited for him after class, my eyes seeking out Miss Carmichael. I wondered if I’d rubbed a Blarney stone by mistake. This kind of good fortune couldn’t last, surely.
After checking my blind spot, I pulled out into a space in the traffic and set off for home. Mine, not Nico’s. I needed my laptop, plus a few extra bits and pieces to last us until Friday. Whatever happened, I’d decided that Rhett and I were coming home then, if only to give Nico a break. For a man not used to having kids around, an exuberant six-year-old must feel exhausting at times. The break would also provide us both with some time to think. Everything was moving so fast. Spending a little time apart might give me the answers I sought as to what I wanted from the future and from my relationship with Nico.
It felt strange parking outside my tiny little house after living at Nico’s enormous sea-view mansion, and I worried I’d feel resentful having to come back here, but as I walked through the door, I smiled. The first thing I laid eyes on was one of Rhett’s trucks lying on its side in the middle of the living room. Whatever happened in the future between Nico and me, this home would always be where Rhett had spent his first few years, where he took his first steps and uttered his first word. This living room carpet was the one I’d paced for hours when he was teething, tunelessly singing to him. There were bad memories, too, but I preferred to focus on the good ones.
I went into my bedroom and pulled down a suitcase from the top shelf in my closet. I packed a few things, adding some of Rhett’s, too, as well as a few extra toys, including the truck. My laptop was on the kitchen table, still plugged into the wall. At least it’d be fully charged. After missing more than a week of work, I was massively behind and had a lot to do. First thing on the agenda was to contact my clients and let them know I’d been sick and that I’d get right back on track as soon as I could.
Now that I thought about it, it made more sense to stay here for the day and press on with work rather than go back to Nico’s now and then have to make the long drive over here to fetch Rhett after school. This way I’d save an hour and a half in travel time alone, not to mention Nico’s swimming pool was far too tempting on a warm day like today, and I couldn’t afford to get distracted.
I wrote down the names of all my clients in order of work schedule dates, and then, one by one, I rang each of them explaining what had happened, why I’d disappeared off the grid for so long, and a plan of how I intended to make up the time. I offered a small discount for the inconvenience—I couldn’t afford much—but secretly hoped they’d take pity on me and refuse the gesture. I might have put the idea of therapy sessions for Rhett on hold, but money was still damned tight, and every cent earned needed careful allocation.
All of my clients were more concerned about my health than the work I’d promised to deliver, and not one of them took me up on my offer of a discount. Tears pricked the back of my eyes at their understanding and generosity of spirit. Finally things were starting to look up for me. The last couple of years had been such a struggle. If I was honest with myself, they were just as difficult when Paul had been around, although for different reasons. We hadn’t struggled for money back then, though neither were we rolling in cash, but with the benefit of hindsight, Paul hadn’t been the easiest person to live with. His temperament had dictated whether we could live freely and happily or whether we needed to walk on eggshells until he’d shaken off whatever bad mood he’d woken up in that morning.
Nico hadn’t exactly been a barrel of laughs when we’d first met, but even with his broody and abrupt attitude during those first few meetings, I’d seen the good in him. Anyone who could treat Rhett with such kindness and understanding and bring joy into his life got top marks with me. Whatever the future held for me and Nico, I’d always be grateful to him for what he’d done for Rhett. And even if our relationship faltered, Nico would do right by my boy. Thanks to him, Rhett had a chance at a future I’d never even dared to dream of for him.
I stood to stretch out my back. My kitchen table wasn’t exactly comfortable to work at for hours at a time, but at least I’d managed to make contact with my clients, and I’d worked out my priorities for the upcoming week. I’d say that was a solid morning’s work.
My stomach growled. Forgetting I hadn’t been here in over a week, I opened the fridge door and recoiled. Ugh. Sour milk and inedible chicken. I slammed the door and rummaged in the drawer for a plastic bag. I cleaned out the fridge, holding my nose as I poured the milk into the sink.
I dropped the bag of food in the trash, then grabbed my keys. I’d drive a couple blocks over to the local deli and grab myself a sandwich for lunch. I was halfway to my car when I paused, turned around, and went next door to Dorothy’s. I should have knocked here first and at least said hello, but I’d been too fixated on work at the time.
Dorothy answered after a few seconds. “Girl, you’re back,” she said, enveloping me in a motherly hug. “Come in, come in. Are you better?”
“Much, thanks, Dorothy,” I said. “I won’t come in if that’s all right. All my food has gone off, so I’m heading to the deli to pick up a sandwich.”
She gave me one of her looks. “I got food. Come on. I want to hear everything, including all about that handsome man who whisked you off to God knows where.”
I chuckled and gave in. Dorothy probably missed us. The least I could do was spend an hour chatting with her over a glass of homemade lemonade and a sandwich.
As it turned out, I spent far longer with Dorothy than I’d anticipated, and before I knew it, the time had come to pick Rhett up from school. I’d planned on driving straight to Nico’s after fetching him, but I hadn’t finished packing everything up yet, and I couldn’t arrive late for Rhett. I’d bring him back here, he could say a quick hello to Dorothy while I put everything into the truck, and then we could head off. The delay meant I’d hit rush-hour traffic, but Nico wouldn’t be back until later anyway, so it didn’t matter all that much if we arrived later than planned.
Rhett shot out of the school gates, he and Brad looking thick as thieves. Mr. Wilson was there again, and I held up a hand in greeting, which he returned. I doubted that family and I would ever be the best of friends, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t glad we’d put all the aggravation to bed. I hated conflict, preferring a calm, peaceful life, and thanks to Nico running interference, I’d gotten my wish.
“Good day at school, honey?” I asked as I buckled him in.
“The best,” Rhett said. “Look what I painted.” He hunted in his schoolbag, producing a painting with three blobs and what looked like it was meant to be a house. “That’s you, and me, and this is Nico.”
I took it from him, giving it just the right amount of scrutiny. “Wow. It’s fabulous. You’ll have to show Nico tonight.”
“I will,” he stated proudly, taking it from me.
“We just need to swing by our house to pick up a few things before we head over to Nico’s. And I think Dorothy wants to see you to say hello, too.”
“Will she have pie?” Rhett asked, earning a scolding glance from me.
“Rhett Maxwell Lawson.” I waggled my finger. “That is not the only reason to see her.”
“No,” he agreed, nodding. “But it’s a good one.”
I hid my smile behind a pretend cough. Little imp.
Rhett chattered away on the journey back to our house—a place that didn’t feel nearly as homely as it once had. It bothered me how fast both Rhett and I had adapted to life with Nico, which made my decision to only stay for a few more days even more crucial. We had to return to our normal life at some point. While I could feel myself falling for Nico, our liaison was still very new. The separation would do us both good and would stop Rhett from becoming too attached, although I feared I’d already lost that battle.
Dorothy came to the door as I lifted Rhett out of the car, and he ran over to her. Despite my warnings, he immediately asked whether she had pie. After waving off my apologies, she led us both into her house, and waiting there was a large slice of apple and blueberry pie and a glass of milk.
“You spoil him,” I said without judgment as Rhett immediately tucked into his after-school treat.
We chatted for a while, and Rhett finished up every crumb of pie. I hated leaving her after she’d barely had a chance to see Rhett, but if we didn’t leave now, we’d hit the worst of the traffic.
Rhett gave Dorothy an enormous hug, and I promised to stop by next weekend once we’d moved back in.
Dorothy shot me a confused look and frowned. “It’s your decision,” she said with one of those shoulder shrugs that let me know she disagreed with my choice. “But if you’ve had enough already, maybe I’ll have a crack at him.” She cackled with laughter.
I grinned and kissed her cheek. “He couldn’t handle you, Dorothy.”
“Oh, I know,” she said. “But my, how much fun I’d have watching him try.”
With a final wave, Dorothy closed the door, and I opened mine. Rhett ran ahead of me, then came to a crashing halt. Not expecting him to stop so suddenly, I almost knocked him over.
“Rhett, what are you…”
My voice trailed off, and I stared, openmouthed, at a man I never thought I’d see again, a man lounging on my sofa with his feet propped up on top of the bag I’d packed earlier today.
“Going somewhere, babe?” Paul said.