Chapter 54
SLADE
My phone buzzes rapidly in my pocket. I wipe my hands on a rag and pull it out to check it.
SARAH: Hey, Scowly Kitty.
SARAH: If you grab milk from the store on your way home, I’ll make dinner.
SARAH: Oh, and two heads of broccoli.
SARAH: Wait, maybe three.
SARAH: I know how much you love it.
I smile.
ME: I’ll get milk.
ME: Anything else?
SARAH: Hmmm. Let me think.
I roll my eyes, knowing whatever comes next will be good.
SARAH: If you have a crowbar lying around, I could use it to pry the stick out of Cory’s ass. We all might feel better.
ME: How about I drop by? I’d like to chat with him.
SARAH: Nah. I’ll let you save all that protective aggression for someone who won’t cower at the sound of your growl.
I chuckle. Sarah knows I will take out anyone who even thinks about messing with her.
“What the hell is this? What’s going on?” Carson wags a finger at me.
I raise my eyes to his, knowing at some point, these gossip queens will find out. I’ve kept Sarah and me taking things to a serious level to myself. I’ve wanted to enjoy it as long as possible before these nags insert their nonsense where it’s unwelcome.
I’ve spent every night with her since I told her I loved her, and I plan to continue. I have promises to keep.
Carson crosses his arms. “You want to finally tell us why watching football at your house was canceled, and why there have been multiple sightings of your smile over the past week?”
“Krissy still isn’t talking to him,” Trig says. “There should be nothing but ‘fuck offs’ and ‘get your asses back to work.’” He lowers his voice to mimic me.
“I talked to Krissy, so you can mind your own damn business.” I spoke with her only that one morning, but I’ve texted her, and she’s responded. It’s progress. I’m giving her the space and time Sarah keeps reminding me to allow her.
“How the hell do you know Krissy still isn’t talking to him?” Carson barks at Trig.
I want to smile. I’ll sit back and let these idiots and their drama spin.
“What’s it to you?” Trig snaps back. “Wind has been taking her food. Why aren’t you jumping all over his ass?”
Carson grumbles something and tosses a socket into his tool chest.
“Seriously, Slade, what’s going on?” Wind sets his hands on his hips.
“The level of unexplainable tension in the place is miserable. These two are at each other’s throats.
” He points at Carson and Trig. “Luke is trying to adjust to whatever this new mood is you’re confusing us all with, and my gastrointestinal system can’t handle this kind of stress. We can’t fall apart like this. ”
“No shit.” Trig turns to him. “We’ve been dealing with the second-hand repercussions of your ass bombs for far longer than a week.”
He shrugs, his cheeks turning a little pink above his beard. “I had a little gluten. It was a mistake.”
“It’s kind of nice that he doesn’t yell so much.” Luke offers his two cents. “Have you all ever thought about family therapy?”
We stare at the naive kid.
“No. This is how we deal with stuff,” Carson says.
“Yeah. We verbally beat it out of each other like normal men,” Trig scoffs.
“With y’all’s pissy attitudes, it doesn’t appear to be working.” Luke shrugs. “Except for Slade. He actually seems. . .happy.”
All eyes slowly return to me. Damn.
I shove my phone in my pocket, staring at these morons and all of their pent-up feelings. “You all need to settle the hell down.”
They cross their arms, looking glum and pathetic.
“Not until you tell us what you’re doing being. . .happy.” Carson has been unusually snappy.
I point at him. “Is this about your family requesting you to come home?”
He points back. “Don’t change the subject.”
It’s my turn to cross my arms. “Fine. Sarah and I are—”
“I knew it! I told your asses!” Trig pumps a fist in the air.
“Sure as hell took you long enough,” Carson says, a small smile appearing as he grips my hand and leans in for a hug.
I can’t help but smile.
“I don’t know if I like this,” Trig says. “It feels strange when you smile like that.”
I hear a sniff and look up to see Wind wiping his eyes. “Our giant grouch is growing up. He’s fallen in love and understands what joy feels like. ”
I flip him off, and he sniffs some more while the guys laugh. “Don’t think this changes things. Your asses better knock off these sour attitudes. It’s affecting productivity.”
“You just keep all that joy to yourself, and everything will be fine,” Trig says, getting back to work.
“Wait, what’s this about you going home?” Wind asks Carson, and all the guys turn to look at him.
I grin, heading to my office.
“You’ll pay for this, jackass,” he hollers at me.
I love these guys.
______
I’m so tired, and my brain is fried. It’s midnight, and Sarah crawls into bed.
I extend my arm, and she tucks in beside me, resting her head on my chest. “How’d it go?”
“I read through each question twice to be sure I selected the correct answer.” She throws her leg over mine.
“And?”
“I passed.”
“Sarah.”
“Fine. I got an A.”
I slide my finger under her chin to lift her face to mine. I lean down and kiss her, taking my time, and it only takes a second for her to reciprocate, her body rolling on top of me.
She smiles. “Well, I think I need to make sure I get an A every time.”
“I’m proud of you.”
She rests her hands on my chest with her chin on top. “I hope it pays off. I applied for a new job today.”
My eyes roam her face. “You did? ”
She nods. “Yeah. Krissy told me months ago about a bookkeeping job at the women’s clinic, and they still haven’t filled the position. I think I’d really like it, but the pay has to be right.”
I slip my hand under her shirt and drag my fingers up and down her spine. “Are you sure about giving up on the lawyer thing? I don’t want my issues with Macavoy to—”
She presses her finger to my lips. “Slade, I wanted to be a lawyer based on what I thought it would be like long before kids. The reality isn’t so great, at least for me. I’ve enjoyed the work, but a lot of it has to do with financial information.”
She shrugs. “I’m good at it. Finding a new job is about moving forward, but also, I can’t work with Griffin knowing he’s your father.
It’s just. . .I love you and Krissy. I can’t separate that.
Besides, if this job at the clinic works out, in a way, I’ll be helping women like I’ve always wanted to. ”
I stare at her, so damn lucky to be here. “I love you.”
She presses a quick kiss to my lips. “I know.” She lays her head on my chest. “Thank you for putting the kids to bed.”
“Ollie wanted me to sleep with him tonight.”
“I can’t blame him.” I feel her smile. “You’re cuddly and warm and safe. He’s nervous about his T-Ball game.” Her head pops up. “You guys have to be chill tomorrow. You can’t intimidate the shit out of these little guys.”
I grunt. “We wouldn’t intimidate them. At least not the kids.” That asswipe of a coach is fair game.
She looks at me. “I saw you talking to the coach the other night at practice, all arms crossed and broody.”
“Just making sure we were on the same page.”
“Oh, really. What page is that?”
“He gives Ollie time to get his words out. If I catch him talking over him again or yelling, I make no promises.”
Her shoulders slump. “Fiiinnnne. You can intimidate the shit out of the coach, but only on Ollie’s behalf.”
I wrap my arms around her. “Don’t pretend you don’t like it.”
“Oh, I like it.” She smirks. “If you stand at the fence with Frankie on your shoulders again and growl a few times, all the other moms will like it, too.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Am I?” She looks toward the ceiling like she’s contemplating it. “You know what else I like?” She pushes her fingers through my hair.
I glare at her, waiting for me to take the bait. “What?”
“The fact that I know you can be anywhere, with all your blunt grouchiness, and you’re all mine.”
“Damn straight, but that coach better not look at your ass one more time, or he won’t see well enough again to pee in a straight line.”
She laughs and rolls off me.
She’s not going anywhere. I slide on top of her.
She grins. “And you call me ridiculous.”
“Just protecting what’s mine.” I tug her shirt up and over her head.
Her hands glide up my back. “Now, don’t go all Scar and end up in jail. I need you out here.”
I groan, trailing kisses down her neck. “Someday, you’re gonna run out of lion references.”
She pushes her lips to the side as I find her collarbone. “Maybe. I’m just testing them all out to see which one fits.” I nip at her skin. “Although Slade is pretty liony sounding.”
“Good. Let’s stick with that.”
She hooks me with her legs. “Don’t worry, you big beast. I am definitely sticking with you.”