35. Caden
Caden
“So what exactly am I supposed to say to everyone when you drop me back off at the shop?” Fia asks as we cross over the bridge into Wilmington.
“The truth—the meeting took a while.” I flash her a coy smirk.
I might have wronged some people in my past, been too cold, but when I look at Fia, at least I can rest assured knowing today made her happy.
I gave her that, and that’s gotta count for something.
“I really enjoyed the business meeting.” She twirls a lock of copper hair in her fingers, a dreamy look in her eyes. “But we probably shouldn’t make a habit out of it. I don’t want anyone to get suspicious of my special treatment.”
“Right,” I reply, with a serious nod. “We’ll save the special treatment for home.”
“Caden!” Fia hits my arm, laughing. “Speaking of home—would you mind swinging by my house on the way back? You said they got the roof tiles in. I’d love to see the progress.”
My lungs constrict, palms growing sweaty against the steering wheel.
I haven’t told Fia about all the extra minor fixes I’ve been doing at her house. And today is not the day to show her—the AC unit is being installed. There’s no need to ruin her perfect day with unnecessary stress.
I’ve got it taken care of—for her.
“It’s a mess right now, but in less than two weeks we can do a walk-through together. Do you really want to ruin today’s good vibes by seeing half-finished repairs?” I ask, though I feel like a dick for lying.
Fia scrunches her mouth, clearly thinking about it.
“It’ll be like a big fun reveal.” I squeeze her leg. “Come on, you love the dramatics.”
Actually, it’s not a bad idea to make it a big reveal and show her all the things the crew fixed. Hopefully she’ll be so relieved that she won’t care that I kept it a secret.
“Alright, fine!” she finally replies. “And I am not a fan of the dramatics.”
I drop her off at the front of the cafe, where the sidewalk sits in chunks of broken concrete.
It’s better if I don’t go in, seems more on brand with how I’ve always been—avoidant of entering my own business.
Fia looks at me longingly though, neither of us ready to let this day go.
I resist the urge to kiss her goodbye.
“Do I look like I just went sailing?” She smooths her hair. We changed out of our bathing suits before getting in the car, but there’s no denying her face is rosy and sun-kissed.
“Just tell them the meeting was outside.” I shake my head, hand on the shift knob. “Thanks for playing hooky with me.”
“That was one of the best days I’ve had in a long while.” Fia sighs, sounding both happy and sad, and unbuckles her seat belt.
“Hey, see you tonight?”
Fia jumps out, glancing up at me, a rueful smile back on her lips. “Meet you at the pool after I put Daisy to bed?”
“I’ll be there.”
I drive away, knowing I’ll just be killing time til then.
My phone rings as I’m walking into my house. It’s my mom. She never calls me unless something is wrong.
“Hey, Mom.” I kick off my shoes but don’t move from the back door.
“Caden, how are you?” she begins, and I can already tell from her voice she’s been either screaming or crying.
“I’m good—what’s going on?” My heart beats out of sync.
“I wanted to let you know, I’ll be spending the next few months in Tampa.” She pauses. “Without your father.”
She doesn’t have to explain. I already know what this means.
Mom only goes to their second home when my father fucks up and she wants to avoid the humiliation that comes with staying with him. No matter how bad it gets, she would never leave him, not while he’s providing the lifestyle she craves.
“Mom . . .”
“I don’t need your sympathy or your advice.” Her voice is sharp. “I just wanted you to know where I’ll be until this . . . blows over.”
It’ll be over in a few weeks, a month tops.
He’ll buy her a new car, or take her on a European cruise, and she’ll be back home like nothing happened.
Like he didn’t have another affair with someone half his age.
I sigh and close my eyes. “Alright, thanks for letting me know.”
“Your father is nearly seventy, and he still doesn’t grasp boundaries with his employees.” She lets out a shrill laugh.
Her words are unexpected, a cold slap to the face. And an old familiar fear—that I’ll turn into my father—creeps up my chest . . .
But I’d never cheat on Fia, even the idea of hurting her makes my heart ache.
I rub my sternum with a closed fist.
“Anyway, I need to finish packing.” My mom sighs into the phone.
“Okay, Mom. Safe travels, let me know when you get to Florida.”
We hang up, the conversation leaving me cold, inside and out.
I slip my shoes back on, turn around, and march straight to the garage.
I hate that I went from having the best day to this. I thought I was over it. Over the worry of dating my employee. Of being like my father.
The smell of fuel fills the garage when I rip the cap off the plastic red container and pour gasoline into the riding mower tank.
My phone rings again.
Seriously, can people leave me alone so I can stew in my destructive thoughts?
“Hey,” I answer with an aggressive tone.
“Who the fuck wronged you?” Matt asks.
I puff out my cheeks.
“Sorry, man. Just stuff with my parents. Mom’s going to Tampa for a bit.”
Matt’s known me since we were kids, he’s been down this road before.
“Ah, shit. Sorry.” He sighs. “You want me to come out, hold the bag while you kill yourself punching it?”
I laugh despite myself. “No, I’m going to mow the lawn.”
“What a productive way to channel your anger,” he says, the words dripping in sarcasm.
“Ha-ha.” I grip the back of the riding mower, antsy to move.
“I’m calling because I’m having a little get-together next weekend at my parents’ beach house. And before you say no, I really want you there. I’m proposing to Morgan, so it’s going to be a surprise engagement party.”
The humid air in the garage stills, and my jaw slackens.
“Holy shit, dude.” I run a hand through my wind-tangled hair, turning to look out at my expansive yard. “I had no idea you two were that serious.”
“You haven’t exactly been around much to know.”
I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment. “You’re right, that’s on me.”
Matt laughs though. He sounds genuinely happy.
My vision blurs as I zone out. “I’m happy for you, man.” Even though I hate the idea of mingling with people, there’s no way I’d miss this moment of my best friend’s life. “Of course I will be there.”
“Thank you! That means a lot to me.”
I toss the empty fuel container into the corner.
“Hey,” Matt starts, “how’s it going with Fia?”
I’ve divulged as little detail to Matt as possible. Not that I don’t trust him. I naively thought if I didn’t discuss my relationship with anyone, I would worry about it less.
Clearly that’s not going well for me.
“It’s good.” I clear my throat.
“God, you’re like a brick wall.”
I bite my cheek, not sure what else to say.
Matt breaks the silence, as always. “Well, if you want to bring her to the party, I’d love to officially meet her.”
“I’ll think about it, thanks.”
I think back to the awards dinner, how she came alive socializing with everyone. Hell, she’d probably love the engagement party, and I’m sure bringing her would make it better for me too.
But then we’d be public, totally exposed.
Matt whispers something to someone in the background. “Sorry, my client just walked into the gym. Anyway, think about it. It’s going to be chill, and you can’t hide her from your best friend forever.”
“Yeah, yeah, I hear you,” I reply.
We get off the phone, and I shake out my limbs.
“Let’s get this over with,” I say to myself in a piss-poor attempt to pump myself up, knowing I’m about to bake in the sun.
I mount the mower, starting it up, and pull my beat-up baseball cap on. The tractor rumbles to life and I exhale a bit.
Matt thinks I’m insane for mowing five acres myself when I could easily hire it out. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment—I enjoy the deafening hum of the work and the smell of fresh-cut grass clinging to my skin.
It’s forced silence for my mind, a chance to not think.
The mower vibrates beneath me as I begin cutting lines back and forth, sweat trickling down my neck.
I’m about halfway done with the yard when Fia’s car comes whipping around the corner, into the driveway. She rolls down the window and flashes me a heart-stopping smile.
I should keep going, finish the job, but like I said—I’m a glutton for punishment.
I drive the mower around to the backyard and kill the engine as Fia is unloading groceries into the guesthouse. One arm holding Daisy, the other full of reusable bags. I’ll never understand why women feel the need to get everything in one trip, but I’m not going to risk my life and say that to her.
She stops, turning to stare at me, and sticks out her tongue.
“Nice tractor, Brooks.”
I laugh, pulling my baseball cap off to smooth my damp hair and step under the shield of the guesthouse’s roof.
Daisy squirms in her arms and Fia sets her down. She immediately takes off, in the wobbliest walk, straight towards the mower. I pivot on my heel, lunging to grab her.
“Oh my god,” Fia exhales, her face white. “She is getting way too fast for me!”
I hand her back to Fia, but Daisy wiggles hard, on the verge of a scream, arms outreached towards the green tractor.
I glance back at it.
“I can entertain her for a few while you settle in,” I offer, and Fia waves her hand.
“No, no, she is fine. You’ve got stuff to do.” She shuffles the bags, attempting to punch the door code in.
I lean against the side of the house, arms crossed. “I promise I can keep her alive for five minutes while you put your groceries away.”
She stares at me, then at her daughter, and tilts her head. “Okay . . . yeah. Thank you.”
“Alright, girl, you ready?” I grab Daisy from Fia and take her to the tractor, setting her on my knee. Her whole body rocks in excitement as she bangs her little palms against the large steering wheel.
Fia stands in the doorway, weighed down by bags digging into her wrists, watching us.
“Go on, I got this,” I yell out.
She listens, disappearing inside.
Holding Daisy, I get off the tractor and walk her over to the tree line, into the merciful shade.
“Over there is where I saved your crazy cat, Hamburger, from running away.” I point to the ditch near the road. Daisy follows my finger, listening like a sponge.
A bird chirps loudly from the tree branch above us. “Up there is a blue jay.” I point my finger, but she’s staring at my mouth.
“Blue jay,” I repeat slowly, and she touches my lips.
“Jay!” she says, mimicking me, and my heart twinges in my chest. I swallow hard.
“That’s right.”
I continue my tour along the side of the property. Daisy twists in my arms, glancing over my shoulder, and I follow her gaze.
Fia’s trudging towards us, a small smile on her lips.
“You having fun, baby?” she coos, reaching for her daughter. “Thank you.”
“Anytime,” I reply, my voice husky.
Biting her lip, Fia looks around at the grass.
“I should finish the mowing . . .” I say, clearing my throat, and Fia nods.
“See you tonight?” she asks.
“I’ll be there, Hanson.”
She and Daisy meander back to the guesthouse, Fia whispering to her baby.