Chapter 15
Apple was dragging by the time the day ended. They all were tired, and everyone left instead of hanging out to talk. Coming home to Lainey was magical. He perked up and played with her for a little while until she settled down to watch a TV show.
Amelia stepped into the kitchen and came close. “Why did you decide to show up in Lainey’s life when I’d been abducted? Did Dena contact you?”
He shook his head, anger rising as he thought about what Tara had done. “No. I went home to visit my parents. Tara is in prison a few hours from their house.”
“Wait, Tara, as in the woman you were dating when we got together is in prison?”
He nodded. “Yeah, it's a long story. Anyway, I don't know if she was feeling guilty or if she was trying to get back into my life, but she's been sending me notes, telling me she wanted to talk. I finally went to see her. She told me that you showed up when you were pregnant. She told you she would tell me about the baby, about Lainey. She never did until I went to visit her.”
Amelia gasped. Her gaze slid over to Lainey sitting in the den watching TV then back to him. “Wait, you didn’t know?”
He shook his head. “No. I never knew. If I had, I would have wanted to be a part of her life.”
“So what happened? How did you find me?”
“I asked a friend to help me track you down. I was coming to tell you I wanted to help you and maybe meet and become a part of Lainey's life. But then you were abducted. I showed up, and Dena insisted I start taking care of you. She was blunt but right. I'm sorry.”
Amelia closed her eyes, and he reached out, touching her arm. She didn't jerk away. They'd dated, but not seriously. Sure, they'd had sex, but they hadn't been ready to settle down. Now, they were strangers, but he didn't want them to remain strangers. They could at least be friends.
She met his gaze and stared up at him for a long moment before she spoke. “What do you want from us?”
“I want safety for you. I want you and Lainey to be happy and healthy.”
“Do we have to stay here?”
He shook his head. “No, but it’s a free room while you figure out your life.”
“Why?”
“Because, Amelia, we may not be together, but I care for you. I care about you and Lainey. We didn’t work out, and it’s my fault for that, but I certainly can stand up and help you when you need it.”
She let go of a pent-up breath. “Thank you. Having a place to stay makes it easier. I don't know what I want to do, but I need money. Working at a place like the club pays better, but I don't know if I can go back to something like that.”
“Well, you have some time to decide.”
Laughter bubbled up. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“Tomorrow, you can take Lainey to daycare and figure some stuff out.”
She nodded. “I have a meeting with the psychologist with the medical facility I went to today. It’s probably best that Lainey has daycare.”
Apple nodded. “Yeah. That’s good.”
“Mommy,” Lainey called out.
“I’m in here. Do you need something?”
“I want a grilled cheese sandwich.”
“Sure. I’ll get you one.”
“But Apple makes it better. I want him to make it.”
“Okay. What does Apple do that I don’t?”
Lainey shrugged. “He makes it better.”
Laughter bubbled up, and she moved to Lainey, kissing her forehead. “Let's go to the bathroom, then wash your hands after you go.”
“Aw, but I went earlier.”
“That was lunchtime. You need to go now.”
After helping Lainey in the bathroom, they headed down to a delicious scent coming from the kitchen.
He smiled at them when they entered, and her heart picked up speed.
She felt welcome in his house. When they'd ended their relationship, it had been more of a drifting off, not a hard, hate-filled split.
That part of their relationship was over, and she didn't need to try with him again, but some part of her wondered what would have happened if they'd stayed together.
“Here you go, Lainey. One grilled cheese sandwich.”
Lainey settled at the table and took a bite, moaning as she chewed. “So good.”
“I'm glad you like it.” Avery turned to her, and his lips spread into a wider grin. “What about you?”
She shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
He worked on her sandwich, getting it to her in minutes. It looked perfect. Just the right amount of brown on the hot buttered bread.
“It looks good.”
“It’s something I can make with ease.”
She took a bite and understood why Lainey liked it. “Delicious.”
“I think so. I worked hard at perfecting it.”
“What else can you cook?”
He shrugged. “I’ve gotten good at meatballs, chicken enchiladas, and burgers.”
She laughed at the last one. “I thought all guys were good at burgers.”
His chuckle warmed her, and she took another bite, trying to hide the heat rising. The last few weeks had been hell, but Avery made her feel better. She liked being with him, and she always had.
She didn’t want to get into why they’d parted, but she wondered if they would have gotten back together if he’d known about Lainey. He sat across from her, his eyebrows raised. Getting into anything serious with Lainey at the table would be wrong. Later, after Lainey went to bed, they could talk.
After they finished eating, they headed to a park where Avery ran around with Lainey, looking like they were having a blast. Maybe she should have pressed more when she’d found out she was pregnant, but she hadn't wanted a reluctant dad in their lives.
But if she'd pressed, maybe he would have known.
Then, everything would have been different.
Lainey went to bed easily since she was exhausted from playing with Avery. When she came downstairs, he grabbed two bottles of beer from the refrigerator, asking her if she wanted one.
“I don't know. I haven't drunk in a long while.”
He shrugged and put hers back into the refrigerator. “I'm sorry, I never knew. If I had, I would have wanted to be involved.”
She nodded, a weird feeling sifting through her. “I gotta admit it has been hard being alone.”
He nodded. “I bet.”
“We’ve made it through the tough parts. I’m happy, well, I was happy before…”
Avery stepped closer, but before he touched her, he met her gaze. “Would you like a hug?”
She nodded, stepping into his arms. She closed her eyes, thinking this felt right.
He had been the only guy she’d ever really gotten along with.
But they’d been impulsive and young. They’d had sex way too early in their relationship, and she’d experienced the results of that decision.
She should have waited until they were exclusive.
They’d made no promises other than having fun.
Then he’d met Tara. She never should have left the message with Tara. She should have told him to his face, but she’d been afraid. She couldn’t allow her fear to rule her. She had to get therapy and figure out how to live in this reality.