Chapter 14
My god. Her lips on mine, her hands in my hair. My mind spun as the hot water of my shower rained down on me, my hand drifting lower gripping my hard length as I replayed the events of the night.
My eyes closed as a moan left my lips. I pumped my fist. She was a vision in lace and flannel at the carnival and then our dance beneath the stars. Leaning a hand against the shower wall, my body shuddered as I called out her name.
I rinsed and turned off the shower, wrapping my towel around my hips. How on earth was I supposed to take this slow now that I knew what her hunger and touch felt like?
Taking a deep breath, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Her kids needed me to take it slow. I needed to show that I respected them as much as I respected their mother and the memory of David. I needed a game plan.
I never thought I would say this, but I was going to need to talk to Dylan in the morning, maybe Brett, too. Damn, maybe the entire trifecta of her brothers.
Charlie jumped onto the bed as I climbed under the covers, curling against my side and sighing contentedly. Tomorrow. Tomorrow I would make a plan. Tonight, though, tonight I would dream of Lucy’s lips on mine and the way her hands ran hungrily over my chest and wound in my hair.
***
A cup shattered in the sink as I walked into the office at five in the morning. Dylan gripped the counter and dropped his head, breathing heavily.
I slowly made my way towards him, leaning against the doorway. “Dylan?”
He stiffened and sighed. “I know everyone has moved on and made their peace with it, but fuck. I just don’t get how my dad left when Mom died. He’s such a lowlife piece of shit. I don’t want a text from him any day, and sure as fuck not today.”
I bristled at the venom in his voice, but remained silent, letting him process.
“It’s been eighteen years and every night I wish she was still here. Do you know how much shit she would have given me for spending my twenties job hopping and living the bachelor life?”
He laughed humorlessly, turning to look at me, leaning his hips against the sink. “But Garrett, man, she would have thrown the most epic party when she learned that I found my niche, you know?”
I nodded, crossing my arms over my chest. “I remember, Dylan.”
“And Dad, he couldn’t even stay to make sure Lucy graduated. He took his grief and fucked off. I mean thank God they were young parents right, and Gran was still fit and able to care for me and Lucy. But how could he just leave and never come back? How dare he have the audacity to text us in a group chat.”
He threw his hands in the air, animatedly finger quoting as he said. ‘Thinking of you all today.’ Like, no, you don’t get to think of us ever. He only texts on holidays, birthdays, and the anniversary of Mom’s death. He doesn’t have the right!”
I was caught between staying rooted to the floor and pulling him into a hug, I landed on the former. “What can I do?”
He deflated a little as he glanced at the broken pieces of ceramic, a sigh escaped. “Why even bother? I wish he’d just disappear for good. Leave and be gone if you’re going to leave.”
“I understand.”
He scrubbed his face with his hands and groaned. “Everyone seems so unbothered by him. I should be too.”
“You’re allowed to process that shit however you need to, Dylan. Next time, maybe throw Margot’s I love DILFs mug instead of the department mugs.”
I shrugged with a teasing smile.
Dylan grunted and began picking up the mess.
After a long moment of silence, I decided now was as good a time as any. “On a different note, I wanted to pick your brain.”
He paused his cleaning and glanced at me over his shoulder with a raised brow.
I began pacing the hallway. “Luce and I kissed last night.”
Dylan’s eyes hardened. “Do I need to add beating my boss’s ass to my list of to do items today?”
“You aren’t organized enough to have a to do list,”
I countered.
“I resent that.”
He pointed a shard of ceramic at me before throwing it in the trash. “Alright, so more than a kiss on the cheek, right?”
I cleared my throat remembering the feel of Daze’s breasts in my hands. “Uh, yeah. More than a kiss on the cheek.”
“Gross. Why are you including me in this, man?”
“Well, we both seem to want to explore what it would be like to date, but Eve and Kaley are apprehensive. Neither one is my biggest fan.”
Dylan scoffed. “Well, duh. Eve was a daddy’s girl through and through and Kaley is just a spitfire, but you can win her over with sugar and teddy bears still. Eve, she’s going to be your challenge.”
I walked to my desk, grabbed my walkie and clasped it to my duty belt. “I know. I don’t know how to show her I am not an impending doom. I just want to be there for them all.”
“Shit, Garrett. I don’t know. Eve is a baby Lucy. I mean think about her at thirteen. She hated everyone and loved everyone at the same time. I think the person you really need to talk to is Brett. Yeah, Brett and Gran. They’ll have the best advice.”
I flopped into my chair, kicking my feet up onto my desk. “I’m supposed to meet them at Victoria’s coffeeshop this morning. I don’t want to be lame.”
Dylan chuckled, leaning against the sink and crossing his arms over his chest. “Eve is in her goth girl era. She loves Tim Burton, angsty books, music, and being in a quiet space. Trust me, you’ll be lame regardless. I’d just lean into it. Make it silly, you know? Make her laugh.”
I frowned. None of that sounded easy.
“Thanks,”
I said as I sat up and chipped away at reports until Lucy texted me saying they were about to head out.
Closing my laptop, I grabbed my coat and rushed out the door.
Dylan laughed as the door swung shut behind me.
Be silly. I could be silly, right? I climbed in my truck and hightailed it to the Morning Brew. Tim Burton, I think I saw Edward Scissorhands once, when I was ten. I remember a man with, duh, scissors for hands. Dammit, I was screwed.
My panic came to a screeching halt when I pulled into a parking spot right as Lucy exited her car. She smiled at me as she got Liam out of his seat. Eve and Kaley climbed out and tucked themselves into their winter coats.
“Hi, Garrett,”
Kaley greeted me as I held the door for them.
“Hey Half-pint.”
I blamed my mother’s obsession with Little House on the Prairie, but honestly the nickname was fitting.
“Are you getting coffee, too? Mom doesn’t work right if she doesn’t drink coffee. Do you need it to survive, too?”
She looked at me with wide, happy eyes as she stood just inside the door.
“Can you move?”
Eve grumbled as she pushed Kaley further into the café.
Kaley rolled her eyes and scooted over before whispering, “Eve needs it too. She hates mornings.”
Lucy rolled her eyes and greeted me with a content yet sleepy smile. “Morning, Sheriff.”
“Morning, Daze.”
I followed her inside, glancing down at Liam. “Good morning to you too, little dude.”
Liam’s smile took up his whole face as he shook the turtle toy in his hands, plastic rings clanking as they jostled in the movement.
“Well look at this lovely crew.”
Victoria beamed from across the counter, hands on her hips and her chaotic curls tossed into a heaping bun atop her head.
“Hey, V.”
Lucy stepped up to the counter. “How are you?”
Victoria huffed a breath and leaned against the glass pastry display that doubled as a counter. “Allison crashed at my place again and insisted on watching Dirty Dancing at midnight. I’m exhausted.”
“How is she doing?”
Lucy asked.
Victoria glanced at me then back to Lucy. “She’s been better, but she is on the mend.”
Lucy caught the look between us and asked, “What am I missing?”
I held my hands up. “All I can say is I arrested her ex, and I hope he has the worst lawyer available.”
Lucy frowned and turned to Victoria. “I’m so sorry. I guessed it was bad, but I didn’t know.”
“None of us did, but she will be ok. She just needs time. Anyway, what can I get started for you guys.”
“Orange juice!”
Kaley shouted from the table in the far corner of the café.
I fought a laugh as Lucy chided her. “No shouting inside, Kaley. Even if we are the only ones here.”
Kaley showed no remorse as she played with her tablet.
“May I have an iced almond joy?”
Eve asked as she eyed the chocolate croissant in the case.
“Coming right up. Lucy?”
Victoria waited for her order.
“Hot Lavender Vanilla.”
She shifted Liam on her hips, he looked at me for a moment before handing me his toy.
I took it, and stood there like a dunce, unsure what to do next.
“Sheriff?”
I blinked and looked up at Victoria. “I’ll have an Americano.”
She nodded and got to work on the orders. If I thought Liam handing me his toy was surprising, I was utterly shocked as he leaned out of Lucy’s arms reaching for me to hold him.
“I, uh, is that ok?”
I floundered.
Lucy chuckled. “Of course. Gives my arms a break.”
She handed him over and his hands immediately reached for my star badge, tracing the reflective metal with his chubby fingers. He looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back, reaching for my card.
Lucy was grinning at us and my heart stuttered at how natural this all felt.
“Why don’t you go sit. We’ll join you in a minute.”
I pulled out my card and adjusted Liam in my arms.
She nodded, still smiling at her son in my arms.
“Hey, Victoria?”
I asked, looking at the pastries Eve had been eyeing.
She poured a shot into a plastic cup and looked up at me.
“Can we get four chocolate croissants please?”
“You got it.”
She tallied the bill on the register.
I tapped my card and bounced Liam as I made my way to his mom and sisters.
“Are you going to be at the safety fair today for the middle school?”
Eve asked as I sat down, setting Liam on my lap.
“I will be.”
“Do you like being a cop?”
Kaley asked as she looked up from her tablet.
“I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Liam turned to stand on my lap and played with the collar of my uniform, babbling as he fidgeted.
“I can take him,”
Lucy offered with a laugh.
“I’m ok if you’re ok.”
I smiled as I wrapped an arm under Liam’s butt in case he fell.
“Is your job dangerous?”
Kaley asked as Victoria brought our order.
Eve looked at me, waiting for the answer. Unspoken worry flashed in her eyes.
“There is danger with any job. You can’t predict what people will do in all circumstances. Nothing is ever promised, and if I lived my life in fear, then I wouldn’t get to help all the wonderful people in town.”
Eve hummed and Kaley considered my answer. Victoria brought us our beverages and pastries.
“You got us croissants?”
Eve beamed.
“I hope that was ok.”
I glanced between her and Lucy. Eve grinned ear to ear and quickly scooped up a pastry, taking a gigantic bite.
“Thank you,”
she mumbled around the food in her mouth.
“Eve,”
Lucy half-heartedly scolded as she laughed. “Thank you, Garrett.”
She handed out the remaining croissants.
Kaley observed me for a long moment as she chewed. “Mr. Garrett?”
I laughed. “You can just call me Garrett.”
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “No thank you. Why aren’t you married?”
I paused, my pastry halfway to my mouth. I shot a glance at Lucy and hesitated. I couldn’t tell the truth, that I only ever wanted their mom. So, I settled on, “I just never found the right person.”
Lucy placed a hand on my knee under the table.
“But didn’t you want kids?”
Kaley pushed, leaning forward with her head in her hands and her elbows on the table.
I smiled and copied her pose. “I do want kids someday, but you have to find the right person to share life with before having kids.”
Eve canted her head. “What about single parents?”
Lucy raised her hands. “Alright, that’s enough interrogation for today. Eat your croissants, we need to get going for school.”
My phone rang, my dad’s caller ID showing on the screen.
“Hey, Dad,”
I answered.
“I’m sorry Garrett. I need your help. I’ve fallen.”
His voice was hoarse as he said it, as if he’d been screaming or yelling.
“I’m on my way. Stay where you are, I’ll contact dispatch.”
I was already standing by the time I hung up and typed in 9-1-1.
“What happened?”
Lucy’s voice filled with concern as her brows knitted together.
“Dad fell. I’m sorry, I’ve got to go.”
“I’ll be over as soon as I drop the kids off. Text me if you need anything.”
I nodded and bolted out the door, placing the call for an ambulance.