Chapter 37
EVERETT
I wake with Vivian curled against me, her breaths easy and her body warm. It’s still early, the sky outside my big window an inky black, the stars twinkling in the gaps between the pine boughs.
After we arrested Christopher Tisdale, Ballard’s team took him into custody, and we spent four long days processing what we found at the house and in the garage. Tisdale has not confessed, but the feds have the advantage. Even if he refuses to cooperate, there’s enough evidence in that cabin to put him away for life.
Two weeks ago, a pair of federal officers from the Los Angeles field office, in conjunction with the LAPD’s Internal Affairs, arrested Kent Hyek and two of his vice unit colleagues on charges of corruption and excessive use of force. Yesterday, Hyek agreed to plead guilty to charges that will put him away for several decades. When I told Vivian last night, she just closed her eyes and asked me to hold her. I haven’t let go.
I caress up and down her arm, savoring the soft curve of her shoulder, the smooth slope of her arm, her warmth, and the way she fits so perfectly against me.
She stirs with a soft sigh. “ Morning.”
I tuck under the covers so I can caress her lower back. “Morning.”
“What’s this I hear about a swim?” She props her fist on my chest and gazes up at me, a curious gleam in her eyes.
I tuck a loose strand of her silky hair behind her ear. “For Logan’s fifth birthday, he said the only thing he wanted was to go swimming. So, we did.”
“And it somehow became a tradition?” She scoffs. “It’s almost Halloween! The lake must be freezing!”
“It is, but that’s part of the fun.”
She laughs. “I suppose this family ritual is not optional?”
“Nope.”
“Promise you’ll warm me up after?” Her eyes brighten.
“Promise.” I give her bottom a little pinch.
Her mouth opens in surprise.
I roll her over and kiss her. She hums against my mouth and kisses me back.
“Speaking of Halloween.” I lean back so I can stroke her face. “Do you have a costume?”
A playful gleam brightens her eyes. “Duh. I’m a pediatric nurse. Costume selection has been the topic du jour for weeks.” She raises an eyebrow. “Are you dressing up?”
“Of course I’m dressing up.”
Her expression turns curious. “Seriously? What are you going as?”?”
“Maverick.”
She covers her laugh. “The pilot?”
“Yep. I hear girls really dig a man in a flight suit.”
She smirks. “I think I might like you as a cowboy just as much.”
“Cowboy, huh?” I caress her bare thigh, rumpling the hem of her nightgown. If I wasn’t worried about waking the boys, this little tussle would end with her on her knees, begging for my cock. Or maybe I’d be the one begging. Or maybe we’d take turns. Because since I brought her home, we can’t seem to get enough of each other .
“Maybe I’ll give you a private costume show later,” I say.
She laughs and I kiss her again. The warmth from her lips and the glide of her fingers weaving through my hair sends a zip of heat down my spine.
“What are you dressing up as?” I ask her.
“A mama stegosaurus.”
I laugh so hard that I shake the mattress. “This I have to see.”
“Maybe I’ll give you a private showing later.”
“Mmm, I like that idea.”
After breakfast, I cover the kitchen table with newspaper while Logan and Mateo bring in the pumpkins we picked up yesterday at the farm.
When we get to carving, there’s laughter and too many conversations to track. Logan and Mateo discuss their Halloween costumes while I take every opportunity to be close to Vivian. To secretly reach for her hand, to find ways to make her smile, and when I can get away with it, to kiss her.
I help Mateo cutting the lid off of his pumpkin, and Vivian helps Logan with designing the eyes on his. I get pumpkin guts in my hair and Vivian gets some on her nose. Though we’ve all rolled up our sleeves, by the time we have four jack o’ lanterns carved, we’re a mess and the kitchen is too.
“Should we do a test run?” I grab the package of tea light candles Logan reminded me to buy yesterday.
We carry our jack o’ lanterns to the front porch. Mateo and Logan’s fit better side by side, with Vivian’s and mine flanking them. It’s broad daylight, but with the lights from inside and on the porch turned off, we’ll get enough of a preview.
When I take Vivian’s pumpkin so she doesn’t have to squat down in her boot, our hands brush, and I can’t help but sneak a kiss to her temple. She smells like pumpkin and happiness .
Once all four candles are lit, I stuff the lighter into my back pocket and take her hand.
“Wow!” Mateo gasps as we step out of the way.
We join the kids standing on the path to admire our handiwork.
“Not bad,” I say, sliding my arm across Vivian’s shoulder.
She glances up at me, a soft smile tugging at her perfect lips. “Not bad at all.”
Because Logan and I have a few surprises for Mateo and Vivian, and Vivian wants to surprise Logan with a cake, we’re apart for a couple of hours. By the time we get to Linden’s, most of my family is already here.
Linden’s getting a bonfire going down on the beach, with log sections for seats and blankets for later. Everyone else is mingling on the deck, the party already in full swing. Two picnic tables are decorated with bright paper tablecloths that say “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” and matching paper plates. Balloons are tied to the table ends, blue and white crepe paper drapes from the eaves.
In the center of one of the tables is a giant cake decorated with light blue frosting and pretty white piping., with “Happy Birthday Logan” in big, loopy cursive along with miniature frosting footballs. If I didn’t know Vivian spent the last few hours making it, I would think it came from some fancy bakery.
“Dad,” Logan says, softly, his cheeks flushing as he takes it all in.
I grip his shoulder as my emotions jam into my throat. “Yeah, bud.”
“Vivian did this… for me?”
“Be sure to tell her you like it,” I manage.
Mateo races over, a blue balloon in his fist and his big smile so bright. “Happy Birthday, Logan! I saved your favorite color!”
Logan wipes his cheek and stoops down so Matty can climb onto his back. “You’re the best, Matty! You wanna help me with the bonfire?”
“Okay!”
The boys storm off to the lake, where Greta is hanging streamers from the trees.
I spot Vivian talking with Edie on the other side of the deck, a dash of powdered sugar on her cheek. She’s still rocking the clunky boot for another month, but it just reminds me of her strength. She’s traded her leggings and one of my flannels for a pair of wide-leg jeans and a blue V-neck sweater that sets off her honey-brown hair and her pink cheeks.
Mine , my heart says, clenching tight around the word.
She sees me, and my breath judders in my chest.
I weave through the crowd, then pull her close to me and bury my nose in her hair. She smells like honey and chocolate and her hair is warm from the sun.
“You did all this?”
“I had a little help.” She leans back to look up at me with that lightning-bolt smile. “Birthdays are a big deal.”
I close my eyes and kiss her. Maybe it’s going to put us in the hot seat with my family, but I don’t care.
I’m in love with this woman, and I’m going to keep her.
She kisses me back, her soft lips lingering a fraction of a second.
It takes effort to pull away, but I hold her gaze for a moment longer and sweep a stray curl from her temple and tuck it behind her ear.
“Logan and I have um, a little surprise for Matty. It’s kind of a surprise for you too, but… hopefully a good one?”
Her eyes cloud. “Oh-kay.”
“Just trust me.”
She plants another kiss on my lips, laughing. “I think we’re past you having to ask.”
It takes me a second to realize what she means, and I smile through another kiss.
“I also have something for you, but it’s more like something for all four of us,” I say .
“What on earth are you talking about?” she asks, shaking her head.
Ever since she told me about her sister’s invitation to Germany, I wanted to take her there—all of us. I had to get creative with the boys’ school schedules and the Rumsey Christmas celebrations we always do plus figure out McKenna’s show schedule to make sure we timed everything right.
Car doors slam from the driveway. “Be right back,” I tell Vivian before dashing off the deck.
Logan hurries to join me, his eyes lit with excitement. “Let me carry her,” he says, brushing past me to reach for the chocolate brown puppy in Mom’s arms.
The four of us share quick hugs before following the path alongside the deck that leads to the lake. Matty and Greta are splashing in the shallows, the low sunshine turning the water droplets golden.
“Hey Matty!” Logan calls, still hiding behind me and my parents.
Logan sets the puppy on the ground, but she’s already wriggling to get free, whining and wagging her tail. Because she and Matty have developed a special bond, one I knew couldn’t be severed.
Matty’s smile bursts and his eyes light up. He glances at the adults, like he can’t quite put together how his favorite puppy is here. He races over and scoops the ball of brown fur. She licks his face and tries to nip at his ear.
Logan comes over to pet her while Matty cackles. “What are you gonna name her?”
Matty squints at Logan. “What?”
Logan gives him a broad grin. “She’s yours, dude. You need to give her a name.”
Matty’s face stills and he gazes up at Logan. “She’s… mine?”
Vivian joins me, and links her arm with mine. I put my arm across her shoulders and kiss her on the temple.
“Yeah,” Logan says., his voice tense with emotion. “She’s yours.”
A tear spills down Matty’s cheek. “I promise I’ll take the very best care of her. ”
Logan ruffles the top of Matty’s head. “I know you will.”
Matty reaches for him, and Logan drops to one knee so he can hug him back. “I love you, Logan.”
“Love you too, bud.”
The puppy squirms free.
“Let’s see if she likes water,” Mateo says. “Come on, Poppy!”
Logan tugs off his t-shirt. “Poppy, huh? I like that name.”
“Swim time!” Sepp calls out, racing through the crowd in his obnoxious turquoise hearts and pineapple trunks. He races into the water and dives.
Hudson is right behind him, along with Cam, his best friend Wilder, then Linden grabs Greta and races into the water and launches her off his shoulders. She plugs her nose and lands with a giant splash that gets everyone wet.
“You’re all nuts,” Vivian says.
I yank off my shirt and toe off my sneakers. “It’s worth it, I promise.”
She lifts her sweater over her head then slips out of her jeans, revealing a dark blue bikini that I’m going to be peeling off of her later.
I help her slide the waterproof cover over her boot, then I take her hand. Together we walk to the water’s edge. She tucks a stray curl behind her ear, her storm-blue eyes flecked with gold in the sunshine.
While all around us, it’s mayhem—shouting and splashing—I pull her close, so her body fits inside my embrace. “Thank you for being here today, for helping out. I think Logan’s having a pretty great birthday.”
“I loved that I got to be part of it. And your family has been wonderful. We had fun decorating and putting everything together.” She glances over her shoulder, where Mateo and his puppy are playing in the shallows, and smiles. “That was pretty sneaky of you, but…pretty sweet, too. He’s absolutely smitten.”
Kind of like me.
Unable to hold back any longer, I lean down to kiss her. Our lips embrace, her warmth and her soft sigh weaving through the layers of my heart.
“Ready to get wet?” I ask, taking her hand.
She arches an eyebrow. “Ready to make me?”
I scoop her up and carry her into the water. She shrieks and tries to get free. We go down with a splash, the cold water wrapping around us.
Later, we warm up around the bonfire, the embers sparking into the thick night sky. We roast hot dogs and sing “Happy Birthday” to Logan and eat cake, the frosting turning our tongues blue. Poppy falls asleep in Mateo’s arms and Greta shows off her handstands and other tricks she’s quickly mastering. Family members say goodbye and drift up toward the driveway until it’s just me and Lind and our crew.
Vivian helps Mateo gather Poppy while I collect our towels and extra clothes. Greta and Logan follow, their still-wet flip-flops squeaking.
“Thanks for loaning us your lake,” I tell Linden. “I think everyone had a great time.”
He gives me a quiet smile. “It’s good to see you so happy.” He glances at Vivian’s retreating figure. “She’s good for you. She somehow manages to be a sweetheart while also not taking any of your shit.”
I can’t help my grin. “Sounds about right.”
“Excuse me!” a voice calls from the dark water.
Linden wheels around. “Meg?”
“Meg?” I ask.
“My neighbor,” Linden replies in a low tone. “Sometimes she goes swimming.”
“In the dark?” I ask, squinting past him.
He shrugs.
“One of your party guests stole my towel!” Meg cries, followed by splashing.
Linden’s lips twitch .
“I’m gonna head out,” I say.
“Probably best,” he replies with a wink.
I head up the path and rejoin my family. When we’re buckled into our different cars, I wait for Vivian to back out of the driveway, then follow her down the street.
“I’m not gonna change my name,” Logan says with a yawn.
“Okay.” I shoot him a glance. My gut tenses. Is this about Teresa again?
“I don’t want to confuse Mateo.” He gives me a shy smile. “I think I’d like being a big brother. Is that weird?”
My heart cracks open wide. I try to smile, but I’m sure he sees the emotion on my face. “No, I think it’s great.”
He nods. “Me too.”
Since his fight with the two eight-grade punks, I’ve been keeping a close eye on him, but he’s stayed out of trouble. Not only that, but he helped Naomi and two other girls file reports on those punks that got them both expelled.
Once we reach the house, after much negotiation, Vivian and I agree to let Poppy sleep in the boys’ room, as long as they’ll wake up to take her out. She’s so worn out that she can barely make it up the stairs, but curls up in a tight little ball on the big dog bed Dad gave us and is asleep almost instantly.
Once the boys are tucked in, I catch up with Vivian downstairs. On weekend nights, we sometimes curl up together on the couch after we put the boys to bed. Sometimes we watch part of a movie, and sometimes we’ll just talk. When I pad downstairs, she’s just finishing with putting away the few pieces of cake we didn’t manage to devour at the party.
I swoop in and take her hand, then lead her to the couch.
We settle on the long section with me on my back and her on her side, curled into me. I pull the blanket over us and stroke her long, silky hair and down her arm. Campfire and the mineral scent from the lake fills the space around us.
A tight fullness has been building inside me for weeks, but it feels extra sharp today. Maybe it’s watching Logan plan this surprise for Mateo, and the joy on Mateo’s face, or it could be tied to what Logan shared about being a big brother. Or maybe it’s how welcoming my family has been to Vivian and Matty, treating them like they belong.
But deep down, I know it’s that my feelings for Vivian and Mateo have already grown strong roots.
“So what’s this other surprise you mentioned?” she asks, glancing up at me.
I shift a little so I can see her face. “Think you can get a week off in December? Also we’ll need to get Mateo a passport.”
She frowns. “Where are we going?”
“How does Germany sound?” I ask.
Her eyes freeze. “What?”
“I decided we all needed to check out these Christmas markets. We can see your sister play her last show, and then there are castles and a chocolate factory to visit and lots of other cool stuff for kids to do.”
She climbs on top of me, her knees against my sides, and stares me down. “You bought us tickets to Germany?”
I shrug. “Why not? You wanted to go, right?”
Her mouth goes slack in surprise. “Yes, but, Everett, this is too much.”
I reach up to caress her face. “It is not too much. I like making you happy, Vivian. I like taking care of you. Will you let me do more of it?”
She places her hand on my heart and our eyes lock. “We’ll take care of each other.”
I caress the side of her face. “I love you.”
Her eyes soften. “I love you, Everett. I’ve wanted to say it all day.”
I roll up and lift her into my arms. “Hearing you say it is my new favorite thing.”
“I love you,” she says, wrapping her legs around my waist, the clunky boot tapping my thigh .
“Does that mean I can call you mine?” I carry her up the stairs and down the hall to the bedroom.
“Yours,” she sighs. She cradles my face and kisses me, her lips soft and eager.
I lay her gently on the bed and close the door.