9. Austin
CHAPTER NINE
Austin
“Daddy!” Evelyn screams when she sees my truck in the pick-up line outside of her school. She sprints over, climbing into the back seat and getting situated in her booster. “I thought Grandma was picking me up today.”
I love my parents for being so helpful with Evelyn, but I pick her up as much as I can. “She was, but I missed you too much.”
“I missed you, too,” she says as I pull out onto the street. “Where are we going?”
“We’re going to Maggie’s house. We’re building a ramp on her porch.”
“Are Con and Brooks there?”
“Yeah, they are,” I say, peeking at her in the review mirror.
She bites her lip, contemplating something she clearly wants to say. “Is Hadley going to be there?”
Oh, man. “She was there when I left to come get you. I’m sure she will be.”
Evelyn stares out the window, smiling from ear to ear, and starts to unbuckle as soon as I pull to a stop at the house.
“Hey, you know the rule,” I tell her.
She grunts, waiting until the car is in park before unbuckling and catapulting from the vehicle to sprint toward the twins.
She squeals as Brooks picks her up and tosses her in the air. When he sets her down, she walks over and hugs Conrad.
I’ve only ever been away from this town for four years when I was in college. During that time, those two knuckleheads became like brothers to me, and we decided to start our own business in the town I had always called home.
At first, we all lived together out of financial necessity, but we all make enough money now that we could live on our own if we wanted to. All of us living together might not make sense to others, but to us, it does. We’re family.
Evelyn has me, but she also has two other men in her life who would do absolutely anything for her.
Before I can stop her, Evelyn slips in the front door. Dang kid.
“Evelyn, you can’t just run into people’s houses,” I holler, chasing after her.
I catch up to her in the kitchen, where I find her talking to Maggie and Hadley.
Maggie is sitting at the table, leafing through a recipe box. Hadley is leaning on the counter that’s covered with baking supplies.
Evelyn is rambling on about her day. I expect Hadley to be annoyed, but she engages with her like it’s the best conversation she’s had in weeks.
“Do you want to help us make cookies?” Hadley asks.
Evelyn turns to look at me with those big, pleading eyes that always slice through any resolve I have.
“I don’t want her to bother you guys in here. She can play outside while we work.”
“I won’t be a bother,” she says with a touch of attitude that makes me smile.
“She’s welcome to stay,” Hadley says.
My eyes lift to her, and suddenly all I can think about is what it was like to have her body cradled in my arms a few days ago.
“Come on, Austin. Let the poor girl make some cookies,” Maggie says, staring at me from her seat.
So many women ganging up on me.
“Fine, fine,” I relent. “You be good,” I add, pointing to Evelyn.
She gives me a sweet smile like she could never do anything wrong. Mmhmm… sure.
With a shake of my head, I walk out of the house to join the boys out front.
I wipe sweat from my brow after nailing one of the wooden planks into place. Glancing up, I see Brooks staring at the window that looks into the kitchen.
A look that can’t be anything other than longing is written all over his face.
When did that happen? Given what happened between her and Conrad, I’d expect to see him staring at her that way. Now Brooks, too?
I groan, getting back to work. The sound of Hadley’s laugh filters through the open window, and I can’t help but look in that direction.
Evelyn dances around in a circle with a bag of chocolate chips in one hand and a jar of sprinkles in the other. Hadley’s head is thrown back as she laughs at whatever Evelyn is saying.
My eyes peek to the side, seeing Conrad staring at the same sight. He draws a deep breath, like staring at her, but not having her, is painful.
I guess that makes two of us.
Brooks steps in at my other side. “She’s gorgeous. Isn’t she?”
Conrad and I glance at each other, and we both shrug in resignation. “Yeah, she is,” we say in unison.
Brooks smiles at us like this isn’t the messiest situation possible that could destroy everything we’ve worked so hard for.
Just as we get everything cleaned up for the day, Evelyn skips out onto the porch with a plate full of cookies.
“Do we get to try those?” Conrad asks.
“They’re really yummy.” She turns to look at me with wide eyes. “I mean… I only had one, and some of the cookie dough, and some chocolate chips, and some sprinkles.”
“Geez, calm down, little sugar monster,” Brooks says, grabbing two cookies from the plate.
Conrad takes one and passes the plate to me. I bite into the last cookie as I crouch down in front of Evelyn.
“Thanks for the cookie. It’s really good.”
She grins.
“I’m going to take this back inside.” I hold up the plate. “You need to stay out here and help the guys finish cleaning up and burn off some of that sugar.”
She looks like she’s going to argue, but just nods.
I make my way into the kitchen, where I don’t see Maggie anywhere. Hadley stands with her back to me, grabbing an armful of things from the counter.
“Need some help?” I ask, setting the plate in the sink.
“Oh, sure.” She gestures to the counter. “Can you grab the rest of that stuff?”
I scoop everything into my arms, following her down the small hallway off the kitchen where the pantry is. She opens the door, setting everything where it belongs.
Turning around, she finds me right behind her. Without saying a word, she grabs everything from my hands and puts it away.
“Thanks,” she says, looking up at me.
Flour is smudged across her right cheek. I reach forward, gently wiping it away. “Flour,” I whisper.
She hums in understanding but leans into my touch anyway. Instead of moving my hand away like I know I should, I leave it on her cheek, my thumb gently tracing over her soft skin.
Walk away, man. Walk away.
But I can’t. I’m being held in her obit by some unknown force. She has power over me that thrills me as much as it terrifies me.
Before I fully register what’s happening, I lean down, pressing my lips to hers. Sparks ignite from the simple touch of our lips.
There is far less connection between our bodies than the other day, but it’s still the most passionate kiss I’ve ever experienced.
Her fingers trail down the arm that’s not currently winding around the back of her head. Her fingers lace with mine.
The simple action anchors me in the moment and keeps the panicked thoughts from creeping in. Because, as much as I know I need to step away to protect myself and my daughter from getting hurt, I’m not.
I’m being careless for once, but damn it feels good. This kiss is probably all I’m ever going to get with her, so I soak up every second until we’re both breathless.
With one last kiss to each of her now flourless cheeks, I step away. “Bye, Hadley.”
Turning and walking toward my truck, I feel like I’m leaving behind a part of my heart that I’m never going to get back.