18. Cal
Cal
I fist my cock, trying hard to stifle a groan because Jules is next door, and through the open screen door, I can clearly hear her moaning. I don’t want anything to come between me and that sound.
Jesus Christ, it’s hot. And not just temperature-wise. My blood is boiling. I came so close to kissing her out on that balcony. She looks at me like she wants me to, and then she puts this wall between us, and the back-and-forth is driving me crazy.
I imagine how she’s touching herself, and within minutes, I finish, spilling on my belly. In my fantasy, it’s Jules’s hands smearing it over my abs, licking those luscious lips, watching me with that heated gaze she leveled on me earlier.
When I can breathe again, I clean up and then go for a glass of water, double-checking on Charlie on my way by her room.
Despite how much I want her, I know Jules has some hang-ups about starting something with me. I know it revolves around Charlie. Her asking about Dani confirmed my suspicions.
It’s probably for the best, anyway. I’m not really relationship material, but I can’t help letting my imagination wander.
Desperate to get my mind off the soft moans I overheard from next door before I do something stupid, like busting in and asking her if I can help, I pull up my text messages.
There’s still nothing from my sister. It’s been three weeks since she’s seen her daughter.
I can’t wrap my mind around how that’s okay with her.
It’s been a massive adjustment having a baby in the house, but now that we’re settled, I can’t really remember the time before.
Sure, it was easier to make plans, and I could pack up and go and do and not have to worry about whether I had childcare, but as far as the day-to-day… we’re settled and in a routine.
I like having Charlie here. She’s giving me purpose in a way I’ve never felt before.
I like the hugs she gives me like I’m her favorite person. I like the feel of her head on my shoulder when I carry her to bed. And the way she leans in to give me a kiss whenever she feels like it.
I never thought about having a family, especially not after the shithole I grew up in.
Ever since dinner with Jules’s family, I’ve realized that’s what’s been missing in my life.
A solid foundation. A core group of people to share life with.
Basically, I’m winging it with Charlie. But I figure, if I can make this little girl feel loved and protected, it’s better than what I had growing up, and that’s saying a lot.
Charlie deserves so much better than what I had. I wasn’t able to protect Dani, but I can Charlie.
On that thought, I fire off an email to my sister.
If she’s truly giving up her daughter, we’re making this permanent.
There will be no coming back in six months, a year, or—god forbid—two down the line, and her wanting to sweep in and take Charlie back to whatever fucked-up situation Dani’s living in.
The next day, I spend my time finishing the bathroom walls downstairs.
On my way to pick up Charlie, I stop off at a flea market and gather a few things I think Jules might be able to use.
And then it’s the nightly routine of bath and bedtime stories, and if I spend an extra minute cuddling with Charlie, it’s just because I won’t see her for the next day and a half.
I missed seeing Jules today, and it’s a reminder that, soon, I won’t have this construction side job that demands that we see each other. The one I didn’t want to like but find that I’m actually enjoying since I can be flexible and have some freedom in my day.
It’s got me thinking about what I can do after this side job ends.
A notification about an overtime opportunity comes in through the fire department scheduling app, and I immediately decline. I know my mandatory day is coming soon, but until I’m forced to, I’m not taking any extra hours, regardless of the bump in my paycheck.
On my next day at the station, I unload my thrift-store finds in the backyard. With the help of Jackson, Kate, and Leo, we sand down and repaint the iron furniture I scored.
“Let me get this straight. We’re busting our ass for your neighbor, why?
” Leo grumps. He’s only doing this because Kate gave him shit about sitting on his ass instead of being outside enjoying a nice, clear spring day.
Those two are like a long-term married couple.
Finishing each other’s sentences one minute and bickering about stupid shit the next .
“He’s trying to get in good with her,” Jackson replies, putting the second coat of spray paint on the loveseat.
“I think I’m already in good with her. She invited me to dinner at her brother’s house.”
“Have you guys had a real date yet?” Kate asks.
We haven’t. But now that Kate’s brought it up, I want to.
“No.” Her question’s got me thinking, though. I could call Chief Collins’s daughter, Rosie, to come babysit while I take Jules out for a nice celebratory dinner for her grand opening.
“Well, you better make it good, then. Make sure it’s something besides just a nice dinner. Guys always think dinner is the perfect date.”
“It’s not?” All three of us look at her like she’s the dating guru and we are her loyal minions.
Kate rolls her eyes and scoffs. “You guys are so predictable. No. Everyone eats dinner, usually every day. Do something unusual and fun.”
I have no idea where to start with that one, and when I tell Kate, she asks, “Have you even asked her out yet?”
“Well, no. It’s been so busy trying to get her shop done, and with caring for Charlie, there’s been no time. I think she knows I’m interested, though.”
“But is she interested in you?” Jackson asks, and I think back to the times I’ve caught Jules looking at me, drawing me in so close I want to reach for her and kiss her. Her eyes offer an invitation even when her body language holds a hand up between us.
“Yeah, man. I think she’d say yes.” I hope she would. But, fuck. What if she doesn’t?
Kate eyeballs me for a minute and then asks, “Do you trust me? ”
“Not really.”
She scoffs in mock outrage. “I’ll have you know, I am the queen of dumping a guy after a shitty first date. You need to trust me on this.”
“Okay, Queen of First Dates Only. You set it up, and I’ll ask Jules out.”
An hour later, a text message pings on my phone. Two tickets to a hand-knitting class at the brewery.
“Kate,” I bellow through the station. “What the fuck is hand knitting?”
Immediately, a YouTube tutorial comes through.
“There is no way in hell that I am doing this with Jules. She’ll think I’m an idiot.”
“Oh, come on, give it a chance. If it crashes and burns, you can do your boring dinner thing.”
I grumble but agree to it. None of them let me off the hook by letting me text an invite, though, and they’re sitting around like a nosy fan club when I call Jules later in the evening and ask her out.
“That sounds like fun,” she says, and they all silently do air pumps. “But, Cal? Can we take your bike?”
There’s a tiny glow of something shimmering in my chest. It’s been trying to ignite all day as this motley crew worked with me to help me get the girl.
Now it bursts into a warm glow because I’ve just scored some alone time with Jules, and because it’s been almost a month since I’ve taken my bike out.
It’s taken a while, but I think this is what being happy must feel like.