Chapter 17
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Camden
I stare at the picture Quinn sent me last week.
The one of Maren holding my niece, June.
He snapped it without her knowing the day they took June to meet the ladies at the salon after her check-up.
Quinn told me they chatted, and he was super happy to see her again after all this time.
Charli even greeted her, and from what he said, was fairly polite.
I think a threat was made, but my best friend said Maren didn’t seem upset about whatever Charli said to her.
Then I pull up the other photos I recently saved.
A week ago, Maren and Theo came over so Theo could help me work on my truck.
Maren took a few pictures of us together and shared those with me too.
They’re all candid and catch the shared moments perfectly.
We’re sitting in the cab of my truck, Theo smiling as he pretends to drive with both hands on the wheel.
We’re sitting together on the rug I purchased for Theo, driving Matchbox cars across the roadways.
But it’s the last one that’s my favorite.
I’m holding him and we’re both laughing.
His head is thrown back in joy. I can hear his giggles through the image.
The look on my face is one of pure happiness, and I still feel that way every time I look at us together. This little boy is stealing my heart.
Just like his mom did all those years ago…
I tap on the screen and save the image as my background.
I should probably ask permission from Maren, since the photo is of her son, but since she sent it to me, I feel like that’s permission to use that photo within the boundaries of friendship.
I’d never risk her or her son or put either of them in any sort of compromising spot.
This photo is for me, of me, and since no one sees my phone screen, I’d like to think she’d be fine with me using it.
Once I close out of my settings, I pull up a text.
Me
Since we’re going to the same place, might as well save gas. Wanna ride with me?
It takes a solid five minutes before she replies.
Maren
Sounds good. I just took Theo over to my dad’s for his sleepover. I’ll be ready in ten minutes or so.
Me
Is he excited?
Maren
Which one? I think they were both about to burst when I dropped him off. Dad has pizza, movies, and new blocks for Theo to play with. He’s even redecorating my old room for Theo.
Me
I bet they’ll both have a great time.
Maren
I’m certain they will, but I’ll miss him.
Me
Go ahead and finish getting ready. I’ll be over in fifteen.
Maren
Sounds good.
I slip my phone into my pocket and make sure I’m ready for my night.
It’s paint night, and while all the ladies will be over painting canvases, my brothers and I will be at the bar, keeping watch and catching up.
Collin is working, but Cade will keep me company at our end of the bar.
The only ones missing will be Charli and Quinn, who opted to stay home with their young daughter.
Once I give myself a once-over in the bathroom mirror, I stuff my feet into boots and grab my coat.
Fortunately, it warmed up just enough this week to melt the snow and ice, which means everywhere is a muddy, slushy mess.
I start my truck with the key fob and head over to the neighbor’s house and knock on her back door.
Maren opens the door and smiles. “Hi.”
“Hey. You look great,” I tell her, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
This isn’t a date…
But damn, it feels like one. I have sweaty palms, a galloping heartbeat, and a kick of nervousness in my gut.
Why I feel this way is an anomaly. Not only have I taken this very woman out on dates a million times, I’m twenty-five damn years old.
I’m too old to be feeling like a teenager picking up a girl for the Homecoming dance.
“Thanks,” she says, slipping her coat on. “I’m so excited to do this, but it feels weird, you know? I think I can count on one hand how many nights I’ve been away from Theo.”
“You deserve a night out, Shortcake,” I insist, placing my hand on her lower back as we step out into the cool evening.
“I know,” she agrees easily, walking toward the passenger door of my truck. “It’s just not something I’m used to.”
She climbs into the truck, and as soon as the door is closed, I head around to the driver’s side. As I’m backing out of the driveway, I ask, “Your mom didn’t help?”
Maren sighs. “Yeah, she did, but there were always…strings.”
I don’t like the sound of that.
Hillary Holm was always polite, but she was bossy and opinionated.
I’m not sure she liked me much when Maren and I started dating, but I wasn’t letting it stop me from dating the prettiest girl in school.
I know she thought I was a delinquent, or something like that, since my friends and I were always rowdy.
But we never caused too many problems, mostly silly little things like playing hide-and-go-seek throughout town and doing donuts in the courthouse parking lot.
“Mom wasn’t happy when I told her I was pregnant.
She never even met Steven because we hadn’t been seeing each other very long.
So when I told her I was pregnant and the father was walking away, she insisted I get rid of it.
She lectured me on how hard it was going to be as a single mom and how financially draining kids were.
She told me she was finally living her life under her own terms and wouldn’t be used as a full-time babysitter so I could go out and dump my responsibilities off on her. ”
My jaw is on the fucking ground.
“What the hell, Shortcake. She said that?”
Maren shifts in her seat. “Well, I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the gist. So, to answer your question, my mom was there, but I never asked her to help me.
I was determined to do it myself, including getting my own place.
I was living with a friend, Dara, in a small two-bedroom apartment, and when I knew I was keeping my baby, despite his father not wanting to be a part of his life, I went to the building manager and inquired about getting my own apartment.
I had to wait about three months, but I got the first one that opened up.
I worked my butt off, saving money for the time period I’d be off work.
I was on a basic insurance policy, but since I’m self-employed, I don’t have paid time off or anything.
When I don’t work, I don’t get paid, so I took on extra clients and even cleaned apartments around the complex I lived at for cash. ”
Christ, this woman is amazing.
First off, her mother pisses me the hell off. There were so many problems with what she said to Maren back when she found out she was pregnant, and I’m glad I won’t be seeing her anytime soon. I’m likely to channel my inner Charli and give that woman a piece of my mind.
Not only was she dealing with her mother, but she moved and had to prepare for the arrival of her baby, working extra to save enough money to get by.
All by herself.
I pull onto Main Street and park just down the block from The Tipsy Lizard.
Once I have the truck off, I release my seat belt and turn to face her.
“You’re fucking amazing, you know that?” When she makes a face, I add, “No, you are. You’re an amazing mom.
That much is evident by how good of a kid Theo is.
Well behaved, polite, and eager to learn.
He cooks with you, you spend quality time with him playing and reading, and you give him the one thing a child needs more than anything else in this world. Love.”
Her eyes are misty, bright with unshed tears. “Thank you. That might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“Well, it’s all true. I’m sure it’s hard as fuck being a single parent, Maren, and even though I’m certain there are difficult days or moments, you’re killing it. I’m proud of you.”
She wipes under her eyes and sniffles. “I can’t believe you made me cry,” she says with a chuckle.
Reaching over, I swipe my thumb across her cheek, removing the remnants of her tears. “I didn’t mean to do that. I hate it when you cry.”
We sit and stare at each other, so much passing between us. I want to pull her into my arms, to kiss away those damn tears until she’s breathless. I want to feel her skin against mine, feel her rock her hips against me. I want to forget everything in the rearview mirror and only look forward.
I want more with Maren.
Clearing my throat once more, I ask, “Ready to get inside?”
She nods. “I’m ready.”
We climb out of my truck, and when we meet on the sidewalk, I extend my hand toward her. She takes it immediately, her palm fitting so fucking perfectly nestled within my own. I don’t miss the slight tremble to her fingers, so I shift my position and lace my fingers around hers.
When we reach the front door, I stop and face her. “Don’t be nervous. Lizzie and Oaklee are amazing humans, and I think you’ll fit in really well with them.”
She swallows hard. “You think?” She averts her gaze, and I can see every insecurity she has ripple through her. “I never made a lot of friends after we moved, and then I was a single mom.”
“But you’re great with people. I mean, you have to be to do what you do for your career,” I insist, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles. “You’ve got this, but if you’re not having a good time, just tell me and we’ll leave.”
“Tell you, like send a signal?” she asks, her blue eyes filling with humor.
“Yep. Like a bird call. Or maybe tap your ear three times and say the word apricot.”
She barks out a laugh that goes straight to my dick. “Well, since I sadly don’t know any bird calls, I suppose we’ll go with the weird apricot, ear tap thing.”
I step in close and place my other hand on her upper arm. A shiver runs through her, but she doesn’t step away. “That’s the plan then, but I don’t think you’re going to need a signal. They’re going to love you.” Just saying those last two words makes it hard to breathe.
Like I’ve always loved you…