36. Clover
THIRTY-SIX
Clover
It’s been a week since Kyle’s call and the fallout that came after. Still, I’m glad I talked with Brooks. I’m also happy that I told him what I’ve been feeling for a while.
I want to be here.
It’s still the truth, and I need to be better about being honest with myself and everyone else. However, it’s also still true that Kyle is furious with me, and I don’t know what to do about him.
It’s also true that we haven’t talked to my dad about any of this, and I know that’s coming, too.
I won’t give in to Kyle’s demands. I won’t allow him to hurt me or use me, but that’s all I’ve got, really. Well, that’s not true. I have Brooks, and he’s just what I need.
Coming out into the open about our relationship, because that’s what it is, has been on my mind almost as much as Kyle this past week, and I’m feeling the pressure growing every day.
Dad’s going to freak out. What are you supposed to say? And what about Kyle? You have to do something about this.
Settling myself with a deep breath, I focus on the present. I have to take this one day at a time, one step at a time.
And today, Dad is moving into the farmhouse.
I’m thrilled for him. It’s been his dream for so long, and after the inspection I helped him with and signing the papers, it’s finally moving day.
The present is amazing. Stay here, Clover. Enjoy the day.
So I do. I think about the dinner we have planned and this next trip with Brooks to Dad’s old apartment to pick up more boxes.
We’ve got this.
As I step out of the grocery store with some snacks for the boys, I sigh. My dad is going to be all set up in his new house tonight for the first meal, which will probably be pizza.
It’s going to be great, and Brooks has been so wonderful over the past few weeks in ensuring everything goes smoothly. He’s also been at my side, and his presence has been a comfort I will never tire of.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my pocket to check the text.
“Darby is all settled at Mason’s. There are so many kids in that house. Fuck.”
I laugh at Brooks’s message, sending back a quick “meet you at the apartment,” and then I tuck my phone away.
He’s letting me use the truck to haul all the groceries before bringing the vehicle over to the apartment, and as I set the bags down in the front seat, I sigh.
The thing is so damned tall, and I have to angle my ass up so that I can practically jump into the seat. As I pull open the driver’s side door, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
It’s that odd feeling—like the one I had at the park with Darby.
I spin around, glancing around me and searching for any sign that someone is around. I can’t see anything, though, but the feeling doesn’t recede.
There’s no one standing at the front of the grocery store, looking in my direction with a forgotten bag or some complaint. No one is staring at me in the parking lot as if I took up two spaces or smashed a cart into their car.
I’m still on edge, though. The hairs refuse to go down, and I know there’s…something. But I don’t know what.
Hurrying into the car and locking the doors, I turn the key and fire up the ignition. I’ll feel safer when I’m at the apartment with Brooks.
The truck groans to life, and I pull on my seat belt as I adjust the rearview mirror. I shouldn’t need to. I was just driving the thing, but it’s a habit.
As I do, I swear I catch something in the reflection. But as soon as I try to zero in on it—thinking I see a man in all black standing on the sidewalk across from the store—it’s gone.
My nerves are flaring, panic nestling between my ribs as I try to steady my breathing. I just need to get to the apartment. Brooks will be there, and I’ll be safe.
I put the car in drive, ready to pull forward through the empty spot in front of me, but the gear sticks. I jiggle it, Brooks having told me it likes to do this, and then it pops into place, and I’m off.
Still, it feels weird. It’s almost like the universe is trying to keep me from going to the apartment. But that’s stupid.
I’m sure I’m just being paranoid.
Calm down, Clover. You’re fine. Don’t go spiraling when your dad is so looking forward to tonight.
As I pull into the small parking lot in front of my dad’s apartment building, Brooks waves from the sidewalk. I smile, getting out as he comes over and lays a kiss on my cheek.
“Your dad is getting stuff situated at the house, and I had the chattiest Uber driver alive.”
I laugh, knowing this is still a small town, I have a feeling I know exactly who he got because I’ve enjoyed the guy, too.
“You got Ben, didn’t you?”
His eyes go wide, and he nods. “I did! I think I’m invited to the next football game.”
“By all means, go keep Ben company. Lord knows he probably needs it.” I pat Brooks’s shoulders, and he groans. “Come on. Let’s get the boxes loaded up. I want to get over to the farmhouse.”
“Alright.” He leans over, giving me another quick kiss, and gestures for me to go first. “After you, gorgeous.”
I grin. “Why, thank you.”
As soon as I’m in front of him, though, Brooks pinches my ass, and I yelp loudly. “Hey!”
All he does is laugh, and I roll my eyes as I head into the apartment to gather the last few boxes. When I open the door, there’s already a neat stack of them up against the wall near the door.
“Did you put these here?” I ask Brooks.
“Nope. It was definitely Leo. You know your dad hates to be a ‘burden.’ I’m sure he was trying to help as much as he could.”
I smile, chuckling with an exhale as I try to lift one and fail miserably. “Oof, fuck. Then he should’ve made these a bit lighter.”
Brooks just grins at me. “Leave the boxes to me. You can help with the clean-up since the landlord wanted the place, and I quote, ‘spotless.’”
I scoff. “Jesus. Demanding much? Well, I’m on it.”
Taking the first box, Brooks starts the arduous task of walking back and forth from the apartment to his truck, and I begin sweeping and wiping down the counters.
My dad is in no way a messy guy, and there’s hardly anything to clean. But at this rate, I’m afraid to leave a single dust bunny. I want Dad to get his deposit back.
The scent of Pinesol and disinfectant fills the air, and I even take care to use a little microfiber towel my dad left behind to clean the windows. No streaks in here .
Brooks comes up behind me as I’m swiping the glass cleaner across the sliding door at the back of the apartment. It shines in the bright sunlight, and I smile over my shoulder at Brooks as he wraps his arms around my waist.
“Looks damn good, doesn’t it?”
He squints, appraising the glass. As he leans over my shoulder, his longer reach makes it easy for him to swipe his fingers over the glass and leave fingerprints.
Spinning around, I throw my wadded-up paper towel in his face. “You fucker!”
He laughs, his entire face lighting up, and if he wasn’t so damn handsome—among his numerous other positive qualities—I’d make him pay hard for that little prank.
Dipping away from me as I try to smack him with the paper towel roll, Brooks laughs hysterically, running across the apartment to the small kitchen. He turns on the sink when he gets there, flinging water at me.
“How old are you? Five?!” But I’m laughing just as hard.
The spray bottle of water and soap I’ve been using to hit the corners of the apartment is on the counter, so I grab it, squirting a solid stream right into the crotch of Brooks’s pants.
Glaring down at it for a moment, Brooks gasps. Then his eyes flick to mine, and I know I’m in trouble—of the best kind, of course.
I take off running, but there’s hardly anything I can do to get away from him. The apartment is small.
Brooks snags me around the waist, and he pulls me against him, crashing his lips down on mine as he brings us down to the floor. Arousal flares through me, and I melt into the feeling of him claiming my mouth so thoroughly.
“You little brat.” He grins down at me, and I smile back, chewing on my bottom lip. “I should bend you over my knee and spank you.”
My eyes flare, but the truth is that it sounds fantastic. But it’ll have to wait until after dinner because we have plans.
Sucking in a breath, I stand back up and pull Brooks up with me. “Later. We have an apartment to clean and a dinner to have.”
“Fair enough.” Brooks’s hand comes up to my cheek, his thumb brushing back and forth over the skin. “But then that ass is mine.”
I’m still all grins, and I give him a quick peck. “Deal, Mr. Lowe. That’s a solid arrangement for both parties.”
He chuckles. “Is that how you talk to your clients? If you’re making these kinds of deals with them, I don’t know how I feel about it.”
Shaking my head, I laugh. “Oh god, no. Too many of my clients are one, female, and two, all over fifty-five.”
“Phew, I beat the cut-off by a few years.” Brooks eyes me, and I can’t help but blush.
I’m aware of the age gap between us, but he’s certainly not fifty-five, and he does not look like the people I make deals with.
“Haha.” I shake my head, ready to get back to work so we can be done already.
As I pull back, however, Brooks stops me by holding tight to my hand. “What is it?”
He drops his stare to the floor, sighing. “Are you moving back there? I mean, sometime soon? I…I like this. We’ve had such a damn good time, but I still don’t know what I am to you. Your boyfriend, some guy? I need some direction.”
The words hit me in the chest, and I know he’s not wrong. I know he deserves a solid answer. I just haven’t made up my mind yet.
Moving back to NYC to fulfill my career is on my mind. But there’s still Kyle and everything he threatens to do when I’m there—and when I’m not.
There’s also the fact that I love it here. I love being with Brooks and Darby and leaving sounds as fun as pulling a tooth.
“Brooks, I?—”
Knock, knock, knock.
We both look at each other. My dad wouldn’t have any visitors besides us. He’s not that kind of popular in Red Lodge, and he’s already told everyone he does know that he’s moved out to the new house.
“Did your dad forget something, maybe? Or want to help with the boxes?”
I shrug. “Yeah, that could be it. He probably thinks we’ll mess it up or something.”
“Ha, sure enough. Well, I’m hitting the bathroom, and then I’ll come help.” Brooks nods, his expression unreadable.
If he’s upset about my lack of an answer, I can’t tell.
With a sigh, I walk to the front door, a little relieved that I was saved by the knock. Answering Brooks right now would be a challenge.
“Dad, did you forget something?” I call out as I open the door. “Because we can handle loading up a truck just?—”
My words slam to a halt when I see who’s standing on the other side of the door. My heart skips, my stomach drops through the floor, and I can’t breathe.
“Hey there, Clover.” Kyle smirks at me, his stare mean and cocky. “Looks like you needed a little incentive to get moving.”