Chapter 13
Delaney
When I looked at my watch it was almost 3:00 pm and I was going to need to wrap up soon so I could pick Amaryllis up from her after school program. I reached into my desk to pull my phone out and it was dead. I never let my phone go dead. I had been so wrapped up in the student files I was working on that I hadn’t even paid attention to my phone.
Peeking my head out of my door I said, “Ms. James, do you have an iPhone charger? I’ve somehow managed to let my phone die.”
She looked up with an apologetic look and said, “I always do, Dr. Anderson and I forgot it at home today. I even forgot my portable charging box thing. Must’ve been that kind of day. I’ve hardly been on my phone because I didn’t want it to die fast.”
I smiled. “No worries. I’m going to head out soon and pick up my daughter. I want you to have a good weekend.”
“You too, Dr. Anderson, and thank you.” As I turned to walk away, Ms. James spoke up again. “Oh, Dr. Anderson. You had a call from Amaryllis’ school, but your office door was closed, and your phone was on DND.”
“What? My daughter’s school called. What time? Was it urgent? Anything that concerns my daughter, I need to know immediately. Just knock next time.”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Anderson. They asked for you and asked that you call them. That was at 1:00.”
“1:00?! It’s almost 3:30 now and my phone died. I have to go. If anyone needs me, they can reach me on Monday.” I couldn’t believe the school called a whole two hours before I received the message. They never called unless she was sick. There had been a bug going around.
When I got to my car, I plugged my phone up and waited for it to power on. Why was it that anytime you were in a hurry, things went slower? The phone took forever to power on and when it finally did it sounded off with missed calls and text messages. There were so many. The first was from Cole.
Hey, I need to talk to you soon, please. Call me when you have a minute. It’s important. -Lowell
I had four missed calls from the school and two missed calls from Cole.
Laney, where are you? I’m heading to pick up Amaryllis.
Cole picked up Amaryllis. So many scenarios running through my head, all of them bad. Another one came through.
Call ASAP. We are leaving and going to Carter and Lex’s house so Amaryllis can play with their kids. Here is the address: 1015 Estes Lane
I was officially freaking out as I plugged their address into the GPS. The school was closed already otherwise I would have called them. Having Cole on speed dial, he’s who I called first.
“Laney, where are you?” He was asking in a low tone.
“Is Amaryllis ok? I’m so sorry. I’m on my way to you. I was caught up at work and my phone died and… I’m so sorry.” I felt myself starting to cry.
“Hey, don’t cry. It’s ok. She’s fine. She’s playing with the girls. I’ll explain everything when you get here.” I knew Cole was trying to reassure me. “I’ll see you soon,” he said. I ended the call and tried to keep my shit together. What had happened to my girl?
***
I pulled up to their house and hurried to the door. After several knocks a woman finally answered. “You must be Delaney.”
I tried to smile. “Yes.”
“Come on in. The girls are just in the living room watching The Secret Garden.”
Why was I not surprised. “You’re kidding?”
The woman laughed. “Hardly. I’m Lex, Carter’s wife.”
I felt myself a relax a bit. “Yes, I met him at Coles once. Thank you so much for having my daughter here.”
Lex waved it off. “It’s nothing. She is such a sweet girl. Cole called us and we met him at the school to give him a booster seat so he could drive Amaryllis in his car.” I followed her into the house as I let what she said sink in. Cole made sure Amaryllis had a booster seat. I was insanely emotional over how he took care of my daughter.
“Um, thank you for looking after her and thank you for sending her flowers.” I said to Lex.
“Of course. You and Amaryllis are important to Cole. So, that means you’re important to us. We are just glad she’s doing better.” Lex looked at me and smiled and then nodded toward the living room. “They are in there.”
“Mama!” Amaryllis came running.
I picked her up and held her so tight. “Oh, my sweet girl. You had a day, huh?”
She leaned back and said, “Coley came to get me. Where were you?”
I fought tears as I tried to explain where I was. “Would you believe mama forgot to charge her phone? You better believe I won’t let that happen again. I’m so glad Cole picked you up. Are you alright?” She nodded and then opened her mouth like she wanted to say something but closed it. “Sweetie, what is it?”
She looked at me and said, “I don’t want to go with my dad. Do I have to?”
“What?” I was stunned. I looked up and Lex, Carter, and Cole were standing there.
Lex spoke up and said, “Amaryllis, why don’t we let your mama and Cole talk. We have a dance around the fire to keep planning, right?”
I didn’t have words. Amaryllis wriggled out of my arms, and I stood there stunned as she ran back to the living room with Lex and her daughters. “Cole? What is she talking about?”
Cole walked over to me and grabbed my hand, “Let’s go outside and talk.” I was officially freaked out. He led us out to the backyard where we sat at one of the picnic tables. Lex and Carter had a beautiful home and yard. “I called you earlier to tell you I needed to talk to you. But while I was at home, I got a call from Amaryllis’ school, and she got on the phone and told me she couldn’t find you and that her dad was trying to take her.”
I hopped up. “What?!”
He grabbed my hand and had me sit back down. “I got in my car and headed straight there but kept Amaryllis on the phone with me the whole way. I had also text Lex and Carter that I needed a booster seat for Amaryllis so I could take her home. When I got to the school, Amaryllis ran to me, and I picked her up and held her close so that Miller couldn’t touch her. Which by the way, I had no idea you added me as an emergency contact after her accident.”
I shrugged. “You were around all the time, and I knew if anything happened you would be there. I am so glad I did, Cole. What happened next?”
He continued. “We went outside. Lex held Amaryllis while Carter showed me how to properly install the booster seat in my car. Miller came up to us trying to start mess about how Amaryllis is his daughter. I just reminded him that he has no legal rights to her and if he ever came back again, we would call the cops.”
I brought my hands over my mouth and let out a muffled, “I can’t believe he showed up at her school. I can’t believe he would do this.”
“It’s part of what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to warn you that he is still on drugs. I had my best friend Vinny look into him. He’s been following you guys. Before you get upset, I just wanted to make sure the two of you were ok. But I have photos of him sitting outside your house and outside Amaryllis’ school. It was only a matter of time before he tried to reach her.”
He had Miller followed. I couldn’t believe it. The day kept getting crazier. “Wow, Cole. I want to mad but honestly, I’m glad you did that. I was wrong to push you away. I don’t know what I would’ve done if Miller somehow had taken Amaryllis. I’m so glad you were there for her.” I reached over and hugged him.
“Hey, it’s ok. I told you I wasn’t going anywhere. I still mean that.” When I pulled away, he brought his hand up to my face and pulled me in for a kiss. “I’m here, Delaney.”
As much as I tried, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. “I know. We still need to be careful though. We have to Cole. I need my job.”
“I know. Don’t worry about it. We will. It’ll all be fine. I promise. What won’t be fine though, is if we don’t plan this damn bonfire for Amaryllis. She has almost the entire family in on her dance around the fire plan.” We both laughed. The entire family. It was so crazy to be with him.
We went back inside where the kids and Lex and Carter were. Lex came over and hugged me. “You ok?”
Cole’s friends were wonderful. “I am. Thank you again.”
She nodded and said, “You should stay for dinner. Hudson and Amelia will be here soon. Vinny, Bianca and the kids are coming too.”
Cole smiled big and said, “Impromptu family dinner?! What do you think, D?” Another nickname. I loved them coming from him. He was perfect and that smile made me melt.
“Yeah, ok. We can stay.”
Suddenly we heard cheers from the little voices in the living room. Amaryllis came running and said, “These are my new friends, mama. Cam and Lill.”
Both girls smiled and shook my hand. They were so sweet. “Nice to meet you both. Thank you for playing with Amaryllis.”
All three girls giggled and went running. The house was full of laughter and smiling people and after the day that was had, it was a welcome feeling being surrounded by people that cared about me and Amaryllis.
***
We were sitting outside at the picnic tables, and I had finally met every one of Cole’s friends, their partners, and the rest of the kids. All the kids were getting along great. Poor Angelo was the only boy, but he was the perfect little gentlemen.
If that was what perfect felt like, I never wanted to leave. I always wanted to be with Cole. I wasn’t sure if it got any better.
“So, Lex and Carter, how did the two of you meet?” I asked.
They laughed and Lex said, “Oh gosh, we’re high school sweethearts. Even though he was an idiot for a portion of that. He was jock and it took some convincing to get me to date him. I wasn’t particularly into the jocks.”
Carter rolled his eyes. “She tries to deny it, but she didn’t stand a chance. I was a bit immature, but she knew I wasn’t going away.” Carter leaned in and kissed Lex. It was sweet.
“Where’s the bathroom?” I whispered to Cole.
He grabbed my hand, “I’ll show you. Come on.”
Carter yelled, “Bring me back a beer, Coley.” He called him Coley like Amaryllis did and it made me smile.
“I gotchu.” Cole said. We made our way inside while everyone was outside. There was a bathroom downstairs in the hallway. “Here you go. You need help? Need me to come in?”
Laughing, I shut the door in his face with a, “You’re a freak!”
He laughed and stood outside in the hallway. Once I finished and was washing my hands, the door opened, and Cole slipped inside and closed it behind him.
“What are you doing?” I asked while drying my hands.
“Just wanted a minute with you.” I attempted to push past him, but he turned me around and pinned me to the door. “Where you going?”
“Cole, we can’t do anything here. We don’t have time, and everyone is outside.”
“We might not have time for that, but I want you to know how much I miss you.” Cole reached around and grabbed my ass as he kissed me. He pulled my shirt up over my tits and began sucking.
“Cole… oh my god. You’re a tease. We can’t do anything.”
“Sshh, Delaney.” He brought his hand to the front of my pants and unbuttoned them, sliding his hand inside and down to my core. “Panties are so wet. How come, baby? You miss me too?” I didn’t say anything, so he slipped his hand inside my panties and started running his fingers back and forth through my wetness. His palm pressing down on my clit eliciting a low moan from me. Then he slipped two fingers inside me. I gripped his shoulders and tried to grind down on his hand as he pumped in and out of me. “That’s right, Laney girl. So wet for me. You feel so good, I can’t wait to bury my cock deep in this wet pussy.” He whispered against my ear before bringing his face to mine and kissing me with force just before removing his fingers. My body instantly ached at the loss. “Later… just didn’t want you to forget about how good I make you feel. I’ll go back out.” He kissed me and left.
Cole Taylor was going to be the death of me, I was sure of it.