Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
HUDSON
T his week, Elena spent more time at home drafting her article. Her absence at work made things infinitely duller. I thought it would be awful to have her on the jobsite, but now that she was gone, I could see all the ways she brightened the day just by being herself.
She was always eager to lend a hand and curious about how everything worked. She kept up a constant litany of questions and insisted on playing music in the background. Without her, it was disturbingly quiet.
I needed to get used to the silence and working alone, because this is how it was before she came into my life. I found myself gravitating toward the crew more and more, offering my assistance.
"You miss the girl," Ralph finally remarked when I offered my assistance again.
"It is quiet without her. I thought her incessant talking would be annoying, but it was oddly comforting."
Ralph raised a brow. "You got a thing going on with her?"
We hadn't talked about not sharing details about our relationship, but I didn't want to discuss it with my coworkers. "It was just nice to have company."
"She was easy on the eyes," Ralph agreed.
"I think what you mean is that she's hot," Jimmy added.
I didn't like how they were talking about her, and I hadn't claimed her as mine, so they weren't filtering their responses. It was my fault. "She's working on the article. If she has more questions, she'll be back."
"You'll be famous when that one is printed," Ed pointed out.
"Eh, it's an island magazine. Who even reads it?" Beau asked.
"I've heard a lot of people who vacation here subscribe so they have a piece of Sanibel back home. I wouldn't be surprised if it's one that's in doctors' offices. Who doesn't want to see pictures of the beach?"
"Except this time, it will have a bunch of shirtless men," Ralph joked.
"Yeah, I'm not liking the photo shoot aspect. Maybe my brothers can handle that part." Shep and Cooper would love it. Although I was fairly sure Dalton could do without any more drama for now. He had enough going on in his personal life.
"Aren't you the main focus of the article? Isn't that why she was shadowing you?" Ed remarked.
I cleared my throat. "Unfortunately."
Ed shook his head. "I don't think you're getting out of this one then."
"Look at the bright side. All the tourists and the locals will want you once it's out," Ralph said with a smirk.
"I'm not looking for anything."
"I didn't say you were, but you could always hook up with a few of them. Enjoy yourself," Ralph continued.
I didn't usually talk about my personal life with the guys I worked with, but I didn't like the implication that I'd hook up with random women. "I don't think that's what the article is about."
Ed cocked his head. "Isn't it titled 'Most Eligible Bachelors on the Island'?"
"Something like that," I mumbled in agreement.
"You're basically announcing to the island that you're single, and looking to mingle," Ralph said, chuckling at his rhyme.
I waved a hand at them. "Get back to work, and stop talking about my love life."
"You don't get out much. Maybe this will be good for you," Ed said as I walked out of the kitchen.
I nodded but didn't respond. I was fairly sure it was Elena that was good for me. But their questions raised ones I had about our relationship. Would it be an issue for her article that we were dating? I wasn't technically single anymore, even if we hadn't discussed labels. Maybe I was thinking too hard about it.
I made a mental note to discuss it with her when I saw her next. But tonight, I was hanging out with Shane, and Elena was taking Grams to bingo night at the firehouse. Grams had said something about the amazing prizes and the handsome firefighters.
I just hoped Elena didn't attract any of the firefighters' attention. She was mine, even if we couldn't tell everyone about us yet.
After work, I headed home and showered, then picked up Shane at his mom's house. She lived in a small house in one of the older developments.
His mother, Serena, answered the door with a toddler on her hip. "Shane is so excited to see you every time you come."
I smiled. "I look forward to spending time with him too."
Serena set the boy down and said, "I'll be right back. I have to talk to Mr. Kingston about something."
I stepped back as she moved onto the porch and shut the door behind her. "There's an event at school for dads and sons. The problem is?—"
I tucked my hands in my pockets. "Shane's father isn't around."
"Shane is really upset that he'll be one of the few without someone there for him. Other kids have dads or uncles come, and we don't have any family here."
"You want me to go with him?" I asked, trying to figure out why she was telling me this.
Her lips pursed. "If you don't mind."
"What's the event exactly?" I asked, wondering what I was getting myself into.
"It's a basketball game they play in front of the students."
Relief flooded me. "Ah. Okay. I can do that."
Her forehead wrinkled. "It would be during work."
I shook my head. "That's not a problem. I can take a few hours off."
The tension in her face eased. "Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all. I'd love to go with him." Spending time with Shane was nice. I enjoyed it and the relationship we were building. "I know we started this because of some program, but I hope that you think of me as a family friend. You can always ask me for help. I want to be involved."
She pressed a hand over her heart. "You have no idea how happy this will make him. I worry about him. I'm so busy with the younger ones, and he could use a male figure in his life."
"It's not just him that's benefitting from the arrangement. I'm getting something out of it too. I'm learning a lot about myself through this."
"I'm glad." She hugged me, and it was a little awkward because we'd never hugged before. I patted her back.
When she pulled away, her eyes were shiny.
The door opened, and Shane popped his head out. "You didn't tell me Hudson was here."
"We were just talking." Serena moved away from me.
"Did you tell him about the basketball game?" Shane asked eagerly, his worried gaze meeting mine.
Serena smiled. "I did."
"I'd love to go with you. Just let me know the date and time."
"I'll grab the flyer." Shane disappeared inside.
"Thanks for doing this," Serena repeated.
"Never hesitate to ask. I'm happy to help."
Shane returned with the flyer and handed it to me. Then he kept up a steady stream about the teams for the event, and whose dad had played before, and who hadn't. "I hope we're on a good team. I want to win."
"I think the game is just for fun." It was a chance for dads to spend time with their kids.
"I don't want to be on a team where no one can play." He went on about which kids played on a team and those that weren't athletic.
At the community center, we got out and headed toward the court we always played at.
"It's good you can go. I don't want to be the only kid without a dad there."
"Is everyone taking off work?" I would be surprised if everyone's dad could make it.
Shane dribbled the ball between his legs and then behind his back. "It's a big deal at the school."
"You're getting good at dribbling."
His tongue popped out in concentration. "I've been practicing."
"The father-son basketball game must be new. I don't remember doing that when I went there."
His face screwed up. "Yeah, and the girls have some sort of dance."
I chuckled. "That doesn't sound fun to you?"
"No," he said with disgust. Then his eyes brightened. "Is your friend coming today?"
"Elena?"
He nodded. "Yeah, the girl who came last time."
"She's a woman, but no, not this time. She had work." I didn't want to invite someone to our get-togethers too often. This was the one time he got my undivided attention.
He stopped dribbling, lining up to shoot. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"We haven't put a label on it." I didn't want to advertise our relationship, but Shane was a kid, and I wouldn't lie to him.
His nose scrunched. "What does that mean?"
I got his rebound for him and bounced the ball back to him. "It means we've spent time together, but we're not calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend."
He lined up for another shot. "Why not?"
"It's new."
He shot and missed. "She's pretty and nice."
"Are you saying you would have asked her to be your girlfriend already?" I asked, amusement tingeing my voice.
He paused and looked at me point-blank. "Duh."
I shook my head. "I'm fairly sure your mother doesn't want you using that word."
Shane shrugged. "She's not here."
I gave him a look, and he finally relented. "Sorry."
"You're probably right. I should tell her how I feel."
"How will she know otherwise?" he said matter-of-factly.
"Is your mom dating anyone?" I asked, genuinely curious about his home life.
His face screwed up. "Not right now. The last guy was a jerk."
"Shane—"
"What? It's true. Mom even called him a jerk. She said that most guys don't have patience for so many kids."
My heart went out to him. "The right man for her will be thrilled to get you guys with her."
His eyes lit up. "You think so?"
"I know so."
"I want her to be happy," he said before shooting again.
The ball swished in the basket, and I passed it to him. "She's happy with you guys."
"Yeah, but I think she needs more than just work and us kids."
"You think a boyfriend would be good for her?" I asked.
"Not someone like the last one. He didn't like us and didn't want us around when they went out. But maybe someone like you, who's nice." He flashed me a smile.
"Yeah, your mom deserves that. I think she'll find someone that's good for all of you." I hoped it would happen for her. I didn't like giving him false hope, and no one could predict the future.
"It would be cool to have a dad, you know? Like a real one."
"For now you're stuck with me, and I'm not going anywhere." Instead of passing him the ball, I took a shot, and it bounced off the rim.
He chased after the ball. "And you're awful at basketball."
"Take that back!" I called after him.
He grabbed the ball and brought it back. "One-on-one?"
I nodded. "Whoever loses has to do burpees."
His face screwed up. "Ugh. Those are the worst."
"Then you'd better win." I crouched into a defensive position as he tucked the ball into his side. He took off dribbling to the right, then behind his back to the left. I kept up with him, holding up my hand to block a possible shot. He fake pumped and moved past me for the easy layup.
"Yes!" Shane cheered.
I high-fived him. "Great move."
We played one-on-one until we were both out of breath and sweaty. Then I handed him the Gatorade I'd brought for him.
He drank deeply, then set the bottle aside. "What do you think about the drums?"
I raised a brow, wondering what he was getting at. "They're loud."
"I'd like to try them. It seems like a cool thing to do." He seemed reluctant to admit that to me.
"Do you have band in school?" I asked, trying to remember when we were offered instruments to play.
"I don't want to do that. They learn bells and other stuff. I want to learn how to play a drum set." He demonstrated hitting various drums and a cymbal.
I nodded. "I gather that a drum set is cooler?"
His nose scrunched. "Yeah, I don't want to be a band nerd."
"You know most bands have a drummer, right?" I asked him, amused by his reaction.
"I'm not talking about a famous band. I don't want to be in the school band."
"Oh, right. It's not cool."
He nodded seriously. "Yeah, they're dorks."
"Let's not call people names. What do you need to start?"
He scuffed his shoe in the dirt. "Lessons probably and something to practice on."
I frowned. "I don't know anything about drum lessons. You want me to talk to your mom?"
He sighed, long and hard. "Mom can't pay for lessons. Do you know a way for me to earn money?"
"You're not old enough for much, besides lawn mowing, and we don't have a lot of that around here."
His shoulders slumped. "Maybe when I'm older then."
I didn't want to make him any promises. But I made a mental note to look into what he'd need to start lessons and how much they'd be. I didn't think his mother would like that though. I'd have to present it as an opportunity through the youth program. But I hated lying to her.
"Maybe you could get drum sticks and teach yourself a bit?"
He hung his head. "Yeah, maybe."
"You want pizza?" I asked, hoping it would keep his mind off what he couldn't have.
He whooped. "Yes."
For now, the drum lessons were forgotten. I wanted him to do whatever he wanted, but I understood his mother's limitations when it came to time and money. At the same time, I didn't want her to feel less than because she couldn't provide them. But I was here to make her and Shane's lives easier.
I had the money and the means, and I wanted to help him.
At the pizza parlor, I handed him coins to play arcade games. This place hadn't changed since I was a kid. I ordered our pizzas and sat on the deck to wait.
Elena's red car pulled up to the curb, and her and Kinsley got out. They chatted as they walked to the porch. Elena looked over and saw me, said something to Kinsley, and then broke away from her, walking over to me. "Hey. I didn't realize you'd be here tonight."
I stood and gave her a hug. I was conscious not to do anything too couply, but I still wanted to greet her. "I'm eating dinner with Shane. He's inside playing games."
"This place hasn't changed a bit, has it?" Elena asked with a smile.
I remained standing. "It's a blast from our past; that's for sure."
She waved a hand in the direction of Kinsley who was waiting for her. "I'm eating with Kinsley inside, but maybe I'll see you later?"
"Come on over. I'll leave the door unlocked." It had become a habit to spend each night at my place. Her grandmother didn't mind that she wasn't home. In fact, I was fairly sure she was rooting for us.
Elena dragged her fingers over the table as she turned and walked away. I couldn't help but watch her ass as her hips swayed. She sent me a sultry look over her shoulder, and I couldn't wait to get home.
Just then, the server came with our pizzas, and I went to get Shane.
"Hey, isn't that the lady you know?" Shane asked between cheesy bites.
"Elena. Yeah."
He sipped his soda. "Why aren't you eating with her?"
"She's eating with a friend, and I'm here with you."
His eyes widened. "I don't mind if you want to eat with her instead."
"I mind. This is my night with you."
His nose scrunched. "You're kind of mushy."
I chuckled. "Sorry about that. I just want you to know that you're important to me."
He smiled and said, "I know that."
He might, but I wanted him to be positive of where he stood with me. I didn't have anyone else to distract me from being there for him.
I could juggle my relationship with him, Elena, and my job without any issues. I'd held back for so long, but I was sure I could handle the added addition to my life now.