28. Aubree
TWENTY-EIGHT
“Are you freaking kidding me right now?” I gasp, taking in the giant boat—no, scratch that, yacht—in front of us. I don’t know anything about yachts, but this thing looks expensive and luxurious, and holy shit, I’m pretty sure it’s bigger and definitely nicer than my apartment!
When the guys woke me up at six and said to pack for a day at the beach, I thought we were going down to the beach again. So I was confused when, instead of going out the back door, we got in the car and drove to the marina after stopping for breakfast and coffee.
I was even more confused when Brody said to wait outside while he went in to speak to someone. Hayden and I strolled down the sidewalk, checking out all the boats and Jet Skis, until Brody came back and said they were ready for us. I didn’t know who they were until he guided me over to a beautiful yacht and said we’d be spending the day on it and would be watching the fireworks from it.
“You rented this for the entire day and night?” I ask excitedly. When I visited my kids and in-laws, we didn’t have a chance to go on their boat, and this one is way the hell nicer.
“Rent?” Hayden shakes his head. “Brody owns this.”
My head whips around to look at Brody. “Why do you own something that’s docked thousands of miles away?”
“I usually keep it docked in New York in the summer and here in the winter, but I’ve been busy, so I never had it brought back to New York. Figured we could use it before the summer is over.” He pulls me into his side, his lips grazing my ear. “It has a large bedroom with a king-sized bed. Have you ever fucked in the middle of the Atlantic?”
A wave of desire flows through my body. “Let’s go… now.” I tug on his hand, ready to board the boat while Brody chuckles, letting me pull him along.
Once we’re on board, Brody gives me a tour of the bedroom, bathroom, main area that’s larger than my living room, decent-sized kitchen, and last but not least, the hot tub.
“We’ll be using that later,” he says with a smirk.
“How are we supposed to enjoy the hot tub if you have to drive?” I ask. “Wait, can you even drive this thing? Don’t you need like some special license or something?”
Brody laughs. “I have a boating license, and I can drive it, but I won’t be. I’ve hired someone to drive us over to the island where we’ll dock and watch the fireworks. He’ll get a ride back, and then I’ll drive it back here.”
“So someone will be on board with us?” I say, my disappointment evident in my tone. So much for making use of the hot tub and bed…
“Yes, but you won’t even know he’s on board. He’s a professional,” Brody says, leaning in to give me a kiss. He goes to pull back, but my active libido has me snaking my arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. In my defense, the dam levee was holding back my sexual drive for years, and once they broke through it, years of sexual desire poured out, and I doubt there’s any hope of reining it back in, especially not with these two around.
All too soon, Brody breaks the kiss, laughing when I pout. “We need to take off, and then I’m all yours,” he promises, giving me one more quick kiss.
“Fine,” I groan, following him out.
We find Hayden talking to a man who looks like a captain of a ship, dressed in a suit with a nautical cap on his head. He must be the man who will be driving the yacht. He shakes hands with Hayden, then Brody, and then with a polite nod to me, disappears inside.
I’m about to suggest we lie out since the pillowed area up front looks beyond comfortable when my phone rings from my bag. I pull it out and find my son’s name on the screen.
“Hey, you! Happy Fourth of July!” I say when his face comes onto the screen.
“Hey, Mom!” he says back. “Guess what?”
“What?”
“Grammy and Papa surprised us with a trip to Disney!”
“Yeah!” Evie adds in excitement. “We’re gonna watch the fireworks with Mickey!”
I already knew this, which made me feel better about being so close to them and not seeing them—that and when I told Beatrice I would be in town, and she could hear the guilt in my voice, she demanded I enjoy my alone time because they would be home in a couple of weeks. They’re going to Disney for a few days and then beginning their journey home in an RV Stephen bought. Apparently, he and Beatrice are going to travel in it for a few months after they bring the kids home. It’s something he’s always wanted to do and can do now that they've retired.
“That’s so cool,” I tell them, loving that they’re having the time of their lives with their grandparents. If not for them, there’s no way I’d be able to afford to do with them what they’ve done this summer, especially since I’m trying to save up for a new apartment before my lease runs out. “Make sure you take lots of pictures with Mickey so I can see.”
“We will,” Evie says. “Are you doing anything fun today?”
“I am. A couple of friends of mine are taking me out on a big boat, and we’re going to watch the fireworks from here.”
“Is it big like Grammy and Papa’s?” Evie asks.
“It is.”
“Evie, Miles, come get your shoes on.” I hear Beatrice say.
“Oh, we’ve gotta go, Mom,” Miles says. “Bye, love you.”
“Make sure you put on sunscreen so you don’t burn,” Evie says, sounding like me. “Love you, bye!” she says, blowing me a kiss and then clicking end on the call.
My heart swells at her motherly advice, and I suddenly get choked up, missing them like crazy even though I was just with them less than forty-eight hours ago.
I think about what it will be like when they get back… the busy days with sports and playdates. Their birthday is coming up, so I need to start planning the party—Miles wants a Minecraft theme, and Evie wants American Girl. It’s her new obsession ever since Beatrice took her to the American Girl store. So I’m planning to get them each their own cake and let them pick out some decorations.
School starts back up in September, which means homework and school projects, more playdates… early mornings and late evenings at the bakery.
I’m not complaining. I love my life. I love my kids. I’m just wondering how I’m going to juggle it all once they’re home. I was stretched thin before Brody and Hayden came into my life. How am I supposed to give them the attention they deserve while running a business and trying to be a good mom? It’s easy now while my kids are gone, but how will this work when my short reprieve from reality is over? Will Hayden and Brody get frustrated? Will they decide that the stress isn’t worth it?
I’m lost in my own head when Brody and Hayden walk over to join me. Brody hands me a drink and drops down to the left of me while Hayden sits on my right.
After sipping the fruity drink and taking a calming breath, I watch as the boat slowly moves forward, wishing I could shake my negative thoughts from my head.
“How are the kids?” Brody asks like he always does when I get off the phone with them.
“Good. Spending the day with Mickey Mouse.” I force a smile, but I can tell Brody doesn’t miss a beat when his brows furrow in concern.
“The kids will be home in a couple of weeks. Beatrice doesn’t know an exact date since they’re stopping along the way at various places, but she said to expect them home in the next ten to fourteen days tops.”
“That’s good, right?” Hayden asks.
“Yeah. I’ve missed them like crazy.”
“So what’s with the long face?” Brody asks, taking my hand in his and bringing it up to his lips for a soft kiss.
“Mother’s guilt,” I say simply with a humorless laugh. “I miss them, but I’ve also enjoyed my time alone…and my time with you two. It’ll be different when they get back.”
“Different, sure,” Brody agrees, “but not necessarily bad.”
I stifle a laugh at his ignorant optimism and nod in agreement, not wanting to get into anything deep right now. It’s a beautiful day, and they’ve taken me out on a gorgeous yacht. I just want to enjoy myself and enjoy them.
To change the subject, I remove my shirt, revealing my tankini that does an amazing job of making my breasts look damn good while hiding my stomach. Both of their gazes zero in on my chest, and I know the conversation is officially dropped.
“Can one of you put sunscreen on me?” I ask, standing and removing my shorts so I’m only in my bathing suit top and bikini bottoms.
“I will,” Brody says, snatching the sunscreen from the table.
I take a sip of my drink and set it down, then lie on my stomach, resting my head on my forearms. Brody sprays the liquid onto my flesh and then starts massaging my shoulders and arms, moving his way down to my legs. Between the rocking of the boat, the fresh breeze, and how good his hands feel on me, my eyes flutter closed.