Chapter 8 #2
I do as he says and lock up before moving to the couch and plopping down.
What a long, weird, and unexpectedly good day.
My phone beeps, and I smile, expecting it to be Will asking if I locked up, but it’s Bellamy.
Guilt sits heavy on my chest. I just spent the evening with her dad and more than once thought about how hot he is. Some best friend I am.
Bellamy: Hey, just checking in. Are you doing okay? Dad said he got you home and settled.
Me: I’m good. Just a long day.
Bellamy: I know you, Manda, and I know you’re feeling guilty about calling. Stop it.
She follows it up with a string of laughing emojis.
Me: Love you, bestie.
Bellamy: Love you, too.
I’m just about to set my phone down when it rings. I don’t bother looking at the screen. “Miss me?” I answer with a laugh.
“Actually, yes, I don’t like talking to myself,” a deep, gruff voice answers.
Shit. Pulling the phone away from my ear, I see Will’s name. I recognized the voice, but I needed confirmation.
“Sorry, I was just texting with Bellamy. I assumed you were her.”
“No worries. Hey, listen, change of plans. What time are you going to bed?”
“Uh, I don’t know, why?”
“I’m going to bring you my SUV. I don’t like the thought of you and Mia being there alone without transportation. What if something happens?”
“Nothing will happen,” I assure him.
“I don’t like it. I already called Baker. He’s going to meet me at my place and follow me back to yours and then bring me back home.”
“Camden’s not feeling well. He doesn’t need to do that. You don’t need to do that. We’ll be fine.”
“It’s done, and he said Cam is feeling better, and Sloane said they need milk, so he was going out anyway. I’ll make sure her base is installed, and I’ll bring you the key if you’ll be up?”
“I’ll be up,” I tell him. “Will—” My voice cracks. “Thank you. You don’t know what your kindness means to me.”
“You’re welcome, but I’m doing this more for my peace of mind. I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon,” I reply, and end the call.
I hold my cell phone to my chest as if it can keep all these feelings at bay.
Feelings of support, love, and one I can’t quite name.
One that I’m afraid to name. Instead, I close my eyes and focus on breathing.
I don’t know how long I stay in this exact position, but this time, when my cell rings, I check the screen before answering, and it’s Bellamy. “Hey, you,” I greet her.
“My dad just called me. He said he’s bringing you his SUV.” She’s quiet, and no more words are spoken.
“He insisted.”
“He’s stubborn.” She laughs, but it sounds like a half laugh, half sob.
“Is everything okay?” I ask cautiously.
“He’s really changed, Manda. I mean, I knew that he had, but today, he didn’t hesitate when I called him. I knew where he was, and he agreed easily. And tonight, he’s going out of his way to help my best friend. I feel like I have my dad back.” She sniffs.
“Bellamy, babe, he’s been back for a long time. I know it takes our hearts and our minds time to get on the same page, but that man, he’d do anything for you. That includes rescuing your best friend and loaning her his extra, very expensive SUV that I don’t plan on driving.” I laugh.
“Oh, you’d better drive it. It’s sweet. Take it while you can.” She snorts out a laugh.
“Right, until Mia has a diaper blowout or spits up all over the leather seats.”
“Leather cleans easily.”
“That’s not a vehicle for a baby.”
“Meh, it can all be cleaned. Besides, I know my dad. He wouldn’t be doing this if he were worried about that.
He drives Coral around in that SUV all the time.
It’s a material item, which doesn’t mean anything to him.
After all these years, I can see that. He’s never been flashy or flaunted his money.
He just worked hard, and now, he’s using that to help you, so take it. ”
“Fine. I’ll be sure to get it detailed before I return it. Hopefully, it will be a quick fix for my Highlander, and I can be back in my own ride before the end of the day on Monday.”
“Either way, it’s extra, so don’t rush if that’s not the case.”
“I know,” I agree. “Thank you, Bellamy. I love you and the support you and your family give to me.”
“Love you, too, bestie. We’ll be home late tomorrow afternoon. I’ll text you when we make it back.”
“Okay. Be safe,” I say, as we end the call.
Needing something to do, I pick up the toys around the living room, then fold the load of laundry I did earlier. I’m hanging up the last shirt when my phone alerts me to a message.
Will: I’m at your door.
Will: I didn’t want to knock or ring the bell and wake Mia.
Rushing out of my room and down the stairs, I open the front door to find him standing there. “You didn’t make sure it was me,” he greets me, stepping into the house. I look out at the street and wave at Baker.
“You texted me.”
“Mandy, always make sure. It could have been a trap.”
“You watch too much true crime.” I swat at his shoulder, laughing, and he captures my hand, bringing it to his chest, and suddenly, my laughter dies in my throat.
“I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
“I’m safe. We’re safe.”
He nods. “Check next time. The SUV is locked, and the car seat base is installed in the back middle seat for safety. I took Coral’s out.”
“You have two for Coral?”
He shrugs. “Yeah, that way, no matter where I am, if I need to take her, I’m ready to go.”
“You’re killing it at this grandpa gig, Warner,” I tease.
He smiles. It makes him look younger, and once again, my thoughts run to places they should never run. “I’m trying. She makes it easy.” He opens his arms wide, and I don’t hesitate to step into them. “Lock up and call me if you need me.”
“Yes, sir,” I tease.
He pulls back, his gaze heated. He swallows hard. “Goodnight, Mandy,” he says, already stepping back onto the porch.
“Goodnight. Thank you,” I call after him. He waves his hand in the air, climbs into the passenger seat of Sloane’s SUV, with Baker behind the wheel, and then they’re gone.
Closing the door, I lean my back against it. It has to be exhaustion. Today’s been a weird day, and these thoughts about my best friend’s dad are wrong. Tomorrow they’ll be gone. It was just the day.
I keep repeating that excuse in my head until I drift off to sleep.