Presley
Iopen my phone and peek at Stephen’s messages for the fourth time today.
Stephen: Good morning, pretty girl.
Stephen: It was so good to see you Friday night.
My stomach coils itself into a giant knot.
No one is as persistent as Stephen McKinley. Ignoring him is useless. I know this, yet I can’t bring myself to respond to any of his texts.
“Just answer him and put the poor guy out of his misery.”
My shoulders jump. “Jesus, Dom. You scared me.”
Dominique gestures to the little silver bell hanging above the doorway. “That’s because you’re too busy fantasizing about your hockey boyfriends.”
I glance around the library, making sure there are no kids lingering in the nearby stacks. “I just don’t know what to say to him. Like, what’s the point of talking to him?”
Her dark brows shoot up. “The point? Ask your vagina. I can hear her crying from here.”
I roll my eyes. “Be serious, Dom. Think about it: He’s a pro athlete. What does he want with me?”
“Maybe he’s looking for closure. I’m sure he’d like to know why you disappeared so abruptly from his life.”
I chew my bottom lip while guilt gnaws at my insides. “You think that’s what it is?”
“You won’t know until you find out.” She slides my phone closer to me on the desk. “Just text him.”
Heaving a sigh, I lift my phone and type out a text.
Me: Hi, Stephen. It was really good to see you too.
His response is instant.
Stephen: I’d love to see you again.
I hold my phone up so Dominique can see his response. “Now what?”
She grins. “Now you set up a time and place to meet up.”
The dismissal bell rings before I can offer her an excuse as to why I can’t hang out with my ex-boyfriend, and we head outside to our afternoon duties.
After the parking lot clears out, I head to my car and drive to pick up my niece and nephew.
Monday through Friday, I run around like a chicken without a head.
Alyssa is split between field hockey and band practice, while Avery takes private art lessons, which means I’m driving them to and from their extracurricular activities and trying to fit in some time to cook a healthy, balanced dinner when we get home.
I don’t know how my sister did it, to be honest. Being a single mom is no joke, but she did it with a smile. Never a complaint. She was Super Mom, and the best big sister too. I strive to be like her every single day, though I know I fall short.
This wasn’t supposed to be my life, but I’m trying my best.
“Who’s that?” Alyssa asks as we finally pull up to the house later that evening.
My gaze follows hers out the passenger window as I roll to a stop beside the curb, and my foot jerks on the brake pedal.
Oh my god.
Chance sits on the top porch step, dressed in all-black with his hood up.
Waiting for me.
Avery, my nervous nelly, glances at me from the passenger seat. “Do you know who that man is?”
I nod, swallowing past the dryness in my throat. “He’s...an old friend. Someone I went to college with.”
Avery’s green eyes narrow. “Did you know he was coming over?”
“No, but it’s okay.” I force a smile. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Alyssa is out of the car in record time, ever the social butterfly and always down to meet new people. “What’s his name, Aunt Pres?”
“Wait, ‘Lyss.” Avery grabs her backpack as she tries to dart past him, yanking her backward. “He’s a stranger. Stay by me.”
Alyssa rolls her eyes. “He’s Aunt Presley’s friend.”
Avery glances at me with his unsure gaze again, undoubtedly recognizing the fact that I’m caught off-guard. Reading people is my boy’s superpower, perks of being quiet and observant.
I hoist myself out of the car and sling my work bag over my shoulder, lifting my gaze to the man in question.
Chance rises from the porch as we approach, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his hoodie, and I don’t miss the way his eyes dart to the kids with curiosity.
“Hi, Chance.”
His obsidian eyes meet mine, and it suddenly feels like there isn’t enough oxygen outside. “Hey.”
“Hi!” Alyssa bolts up the stairs to stand in front of him. “I’m Alyssa. This is my brother, Avery. Why are you here?”
So bold. I freaking love her.
I cough out a laugh. “I think you meant to ask if he would like to come inside.”
Her cheeks redden. “Sorry. Would you like to come in? We’re making tacos tonight.”
Chance’s gaze flicks between the three of us before he shakes his head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have come.”
He tries to jog down the stairs, but I reach out and grip his arm. “Chance, wait.”
Despite the fact that it’s only been four years, and Alyssa is nine-years-old, it wouldn’t make sense for him to assume these are my kids. But he doesn’t know if there’s a man in my life, or anything about my life, for that matter, so he’s running like the skittish cat he is.
“I didn’t realize...I thought...” He sputters over his words.
“Chance, these are my niece and nephew.”
Realization settles in, and his shoulders visibly drop like he’s relieved at that information. “Oh.”
I fight the smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “Why don’t you come in so I can get them settled?”
He nods, and takes my work bag off my shoulder. I’m not even sure he realizes he’s doing it. That’s how he always was, doing little things to take care of me in his own quiet way.
Once we’re inside, the kids kick off their shoes and head into the dining room to get started on homework.
Chance stands awkwardly in my kitchen, glancing around at the room.
I turn to face him and lift my eyebrows. “So, you found my address.”
“Your friend the other night said you lived on Beaker Street. Wasn’t hard to find you.”
“And you wanted to find me because...?”
He heaves a sigh before his eyes settle on mine. “You didn’t call me.”
“I didn’t know I was supposed to.”
“I gave you my number.”
“But you didn’t take mine.”
“Hence me finding you.”
I roll my lips between my teeth to suppress a smile. “What is it you came here to say?”
He runs his fingers through his thick dark hair, his hood falling off with the motion. “It’s been four years...”
I nod, waiting for it.
“You just left.” He pauses, eyes searching mine for an answer. “And now you’re here, and I just need to know what happened.”
Guilt twists my stomach. I lean over and peer into the dining room, and Avery and Alyssa’s heads snap back down to their homework.
Eavesdropping little sneaks.
I lower my voice and step closer to Chance. “My sister passed away. She named me as the children’s legal guardian. I was a mess, and I didn’t know what to do. I know I should’ve said something to you and Stephen; I should’ve said goodbye before I left. But honestly? It would’ve been too hard.”
Hurt flashes in his eyes. “You lost your sister, and you didn’t think you could talk to me about it?”
I hike a shoulder, toying with the hem of my blouse. “It was a lot. I had to be here for these kids, and I had to figure things out.”
“You didn’t need to do it by yourself.”
“You would’ve tried to help, and you were both so close to having everything you ever dreamed of. I didn’t want to stand in your way.”
“You were my way.” His jaw clenches as he steps forward into my space. “I—”
“Aunt Presley?”
Both of our heads turn to Alyssa standing in the doorway. “Are the tacos going to be ready soon? I’m hungry.”
I press my palm to my forehead, completely forgetting about the chopped meat in the fridge that needs to be tossed into the pan. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’ll get them started now.”
Her green eyes flick to Chance. “Do you like tacos?”
He clears his throat as he nods. “I do.”
“You should stay. Aunt Presley never has boys over.”
I choke on my spit, and Chance smirks like he’s pleased at that notion.
I bury my face in the fridge, collecting the meat and peppers before setting them on the counter.
“Where are your pots and pans?” Chance asks.
I bend down and pull out a pan from one of the lower cabinets. “You don’t need to—”
He gently nudges me aside, and sets the pan on the stove before reaching for the package of chopped meat. “Do you want to get changed into something comfortable? I can handle the tacos.”
My mouth flaps open and closed as I stand there staring up at him.
He leans in and presses a kiss to my temple. “Go. I’ve got this.”
What is happening right now?
I bolt up the stairs and throw on a T-shirt and sweatpants, and that’s when I hear the doorbell ring.
“Aunt Pres,” Avery’s voice calls up to me. “There’s another man standing on the porch.”
Another man?
I run downstairs and skid to a stop in front of the door. Peering through the peephole, my stomach drops to the floor.
No fucking way.
“Are we having a party?” Alyssa asks.
“No, go back inside and finish your homework.”
Neither of the kids move.
I inhale a deep breath and swing open the door.
“Hi, pretty girl.”
With a groan, I yank Stephen’s wrist and pull him over the threshold.
I’m going to kill Dominique.
Stephen’s eyes narrow as he gazes over my shoulder, spotting Chance in the kitchen. “What’s he doing here?”
“I could ask you the same question.”
He holds his arms out wide and grins. “I’m here to see you.” His smile drops when he spots the kids standing beside me. “Oh, fuck. You have kids?”
Alyssa gasps at the sound of the curse word.
I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close. “This is my niece, and that’s my nephew.”
“Cool.” He waves at them. “Hey, guys. I’m Stephen McKinley. I play for the Goldfinches. You might’ve heard of me.”
“I haven’t,” Avery says flatly, and I stifle a laugh.
But Alyssa’s eyes light up. “I love hockey! I play field hockey.”
“That’s awesome.” He kneels down to get eye-level with her. “What position do you play?”
“Attacker.”
Stephen holds up his palm for a high-five. “That’s badass.”
Alyssa’s wide eyes dart to mine.
“Watch your language,” Avery tells him.
My little man of the house.
Stephen covers his mouth with his hand. “Sorry about that, bud.”
“Finish up your homework.” I guide the kids back into the dining room, and glance at Stephen over my shoulder. “You, kitchen. Now.”
Chance’s nostrils flare when Stephen steps into the kitchen behind me. “What are you doing here?”