Chapter 12
TAYA
When Monday morning rolled around, I knew I was going to get the third-degree from Jade the second she came into work, so I put some cinnamon rolls in the oven to make my interrogation at least slightly pleasant.
There was also the added benefit of seeing the joy on my grandson’s face when I snuck him a spoon or two of the icing as a treat, something he knew he’d always get whenever I was in the kitchen.
I was sitting at the table with my second cup of coffee when Jade breezed in through the back door with Ollie on her hip. She walked past me and set him down on the other side of the baby gate I’d installed to help her keep him corralled while we worked before she spun around and pointed at me.
“We’ve gotta talk, and what’s that smell?”
“The cinnamon rolls should be ready any minute now.”
Jade slid into the chair across from mine and leaned forward to rest her arms on the table before she said, “Tell me everything!”
“Everything?”
“I didn’t really get to talk to you after you got back, and you spent the entire weekend in your love nest with the biker hottie while I had to deal with your grumpy son after your daughter called and tattled on you.”
“That little shit!”
“Mmhmm. That’s exactly what she is. She got to just go about her business while I spent Saturday and Sunday wondering if the easiest way to kill Blaine would be poison or an unfortunate power tool accident.”
I rolled my eyes before I said, “If you’re going to make it look like an accident, it needs to involve a ladder and some chore like cleaning the gutters or trimming a tree so the fatal head injury seems reasonable.”
“That’s so smart!”
“I came up with that ages ago when I was still married to Boyd and haven’t found a way to incorporate it into a book yet.”
Jade tilted her head before she said, “You know, you could use that in . . . . No! You’re not going to sidetrack this conversation, Taya!
Tell me about your trip. I want to know how you reacted when you found out he was there and the rest of the details you couldn’t talk about with Blaine and Chewie here! ”
“Damn! I almost got you, didn’t I?”
“I’m onto your games,” Jade grumbled as the timer on the oven buzzed.
When I stood up to get the cinnamon rolls out, she walked over and got herself some coffee before she sat on the counter to sip it while she watched me work.
When I didn’t start talking, she badgered, “Spill it, Taya! You’re in the middle of a Hallmark movie plot, and I want the specifics, dammit. ”
By the time I finished telling her everything about my weekend, from the second I saw Chewie on the deck until I left him at his house this morning, we had finished our cinnamon rolls along with the rest of the coffee, and Ollie was busily smearing icing all over his high chair tray.
Jade had her elbow on the table with her chin propped on her hand as she stared out the window dreamily.
I smiled because I knew I had that same look on my face.
Considering I’d never planned on dating again, the fact that I met a man in a situation worthy of one of my published books was definitely something to smile about.
When my phone buzzed with a text from him, my smile got even brighter.
Were you right about Jade? Did you survive the inquisition?
I’m almost positive she’s got a crush on you.
That happens all the time, but don’t worry - she’s not my type.
What is your type?
I’m partial to smart and spunky brunettes with curly hair, an ass that won’t quit, a smile that can light up the world, and a voice that can make my dick hard enough to pound nails with just a word.
I’ll make sure to be on the lookout.
No need. I already found her.
I couldn’t stop the sigh that escaped when I read that.
I looked up from my phone and could tell Jade was curious, so I slid the phone across the table to show her the messages.
As she read them, she got that dreamy look again.
Ollie must have been less than impressed with our conversation because he squealed to get out of his chair so he could go back to the destruction of the toy room - his favorite hobby.
Jade picked him up and took him to the bathroom so she could wash his face and hands while I took our dishes to the sink and cleaned up his high chair.
Since she wasn’t finished with him by the time the kitchen was clean, I went to my office upstairs to start working for the day.
My current work in progress wasn’t going to write itself.
I needed to get my word count in for the day before Chewie got home for dinner this evening.
For the first time in a long time, I looked forward to nights rather than dreading the time alone and filling it with work to distract myself instead of relaxing after putting in a full day.
After not even two weeks together, Chevy was changing my life in the best of ways.
◆◆◆
CHEWIE
I listened to my friend Ajax rant about stupid people, not anyone specific, just in general, before I redirected his focus and asked, “Did you ever figure out whose house key that guy has?”
“Turns out, he doesn’t just have one piece on the side; he’s got two.”
“What an idiot,” I said with a smirk as I gathered the materials I would need for the project I was planning to work on today. “Do you need proof of that, or do you already have it?”
“Well, since his name is on her son’s birth certificate, I am almost sure that’s enough proof.”
“Wow. That’s ballsy even for that dumbass. Did anyone explain what a prenup was before he signed it?”
“Obviously not.”
“So, what do you have on the agenda for me now that he’s battered and fried?”
Ajax chuckled at my wording before he said, “I’ve got some stuff down in Arizona, but I’m assuming you’d rather I pawn that off on one of the other guys since you’re all set to spend the holidays with your new lady love.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you had my house bugged.” When Ajax didn’t respond, I asked, “You don’t, do you?”
He hooted with laughter before he choked out, “No, dumbass, I don’t. However, I do have an old lady who swears she hates people yet somehow makes friends with everyone she meets. I heard about your girl from Sandi.”
“How the hell does Sandi know about her? Let me guess - Juni spilled the beans.”
“Nope. It was Navy’s old lady, Dali, who heard about it from her cousin, who heard about you being naked in the kitchen from her daughter, who is now scarred for life from the incident.”
“I wasn’t naked,” I argued. “Damn. News travels fast. That only happened two days ago!”
“It’s a small world after all. It’s a . . . Oh, holy shit! Find someone to shoot me now. I’m channeling Hammer and Preacher at the same time.”
“Singing a Disney song, Ajax. What has this world come to?”
“I’ve gotta get some new friends.”
“I’ve thought that once or twice myself.”
“Speaking of friends, you or Navy need to reach out to Donner about spending Thanksgiving and maybe even Christmas with you. I’d ask Oz, but he’s traveling for me right now, so he’s not even going to be in the area.”
“I’ll do it!” I volunteered a little too quickly.
Ajax laughed before he asked, “Need some backup with those kids of hers, huh?”
I sighed before I said, “I’m not sure what I’m getting into. I’ve never dated anyone with kids for this exact reason.”
“It’s not like they’re toddlers and they’ll be underfoot constantly.”
“No, they’re fully grown men with loud opinions about the man their mother is seeing.”
“Look at your history. Do you blame them?”
Now it was my turn to laugh before I honestly answered, “Not at all. If Samara ever brings home a man like me, you’ll have to help me bury a body.”
“That’s what I thought. Don’t put up with so much shit that you lose face, but don’t go in with guns blazing either.”
“I wish someone would have told me that before I went to prison. That advice would have come in really handy.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Ajax cackled.
“What’s up with Donner?”
“He’s freshly out and having some issues adjusting to the free world. You know the drill. No need for him to be alone on the first big family holiday and all that.”
“Look at you taking care of us like a good mom.”
“Fuck off.”
“I’ll give him a call and even make it seem like he’s doing me a favor.”
“He will be doing you a favor. He’s a bigger asshole than either of us. When they meet him, you’ll come out smelling like a rose.”
“You’re right!”
“I’m always right.”
“Now you sound like a mom again.”
“Listen, fucker, if someone doesn’t keep all of you in line, bad things will happen. The tides will start to rise, global warming will accelerate, and there will be a trail of bodies from Washington to Florida.”
“As if there’s not already.”
“I can tell you’re itching to get back to work, so I’ll let you go. Remember what I said about her kids, man. Give them a little time to adjust.”
“I’m not worried about it. As long as Taya’s happy to have me around, there’s not much that can keep me away.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m glad that some of you are falling into the same trap I did. Misery loves company, you know.”
I heard Sandi say something in the background and then what sounded like kissing, so I yelled, “Bye, Sandi! Bye, asshole!” before I hung up.
Since I didn’t want any interruptions when I finally got to work, I called Donner and waited for him to answer.
I was honestly surprised when he did. He greeted me with, “What?”
“Hello to you, too, dick!”
“Sorry. My sleep is all fucked up, and I don’t know if it’s day or night.”
“You know what helps that problem?”
“What?”
“Getting off your ass and going outside into the sun now and then. I hear it does wonders for the constitution.”
“How the fuck would you know? The sun doesn’t shine in Oregon.”
“It happens.”
“What do you want?”
“I need help.”
Donner’s sleepy voice was much clearer when he asked, “What’s going on?”
“I’ve got a woman, and I have to meet her family.”
Donner snickered before he said, “Dumbass.”