Chapter 4 #4
Riley swallowed hard. She realized he’d not only overheard what Logan had said about his childhood, but that he’d heard what she’d said too.
“Thanks. I’m just glad they didn’t kill anyone else that night.
And honestly, it was kind of a relief. My mom had been putting a lot of pressure and guilt on me to give them money.
I feel horrible that I was relieved I wouldn’t have to worry about them hounding me anymore. ”
“Don’t be,” Porter said. “Because you’re right, they never would’ve stopped begging you for cash. When someone is addicted, they can’t think about anything other than how they’ll get their next hit or drink.”
“Your sister?” Riley asked gently.
“Yeah. It was bad. I wasn’t even eighteen, and she did all she could to get me to give her money I’d earned from my jobs.
At first I did, thinking I was helping her, but all she was doing was using it to get more drugs.
I felt horribly guilty when our dad died, and I joined the Army and refused to send her any more money, but like you said, it was a relief when I cut her off.
But now I can’t help but think about Logan and what his life was like. ”
“It sounds to me as if she’d finally gotten herself together,” Riley said. “That things were better.”
“Yeah,” Porter agreed.
“I’m sorry for telling him he could talk about his mom—” Riley started.
But Porter interrupted her. “Don’t be. It was smart.
I never want him to think he can’t talk about her.
You’re right, for all her faults, she was still his mom and he loved her.
I’d never take that from him. And I’m actually interested in getting to know the woman she’d become, instead of remembering the drug addict she was when I last knew her.
Thank you for making the suggestion. I owe you. ”
She shook her head. “No, you don’t.”
Porter chuckled, but it wasn’t exactly a humorous sound. “I do. I have a feeling that I’ll owe so many people over the next eight years. I hadn’t realized how hard it is to be a single parent.”
“I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
He stared at her for a long moment. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Riley assured him.
“Earlier, you said you worked from home. What do you do?”
“I’m a transcriptionist. I take what someone records and type it out for them.
I have a few doctors on my client list, and I type up their notes on patients.
I also transcribe authors’ books that they’re writing…
well, that they’re recording. And also lectures, that sort of thing.
There’re more and more automated programs coming out that will do the same thing, but I’m hoping there will always be a demand for humans to do it.
I’m more accurate than machines, and with the medical field, there’s the matter of security. ”
“You like it,” Porter said. It wasn’t a question.
Riley nodded anyway. “Yeah. Since I don’t have a college degree, I had a hard time finding a job I loved and was qualified for, but I’ve gotten faster and better at transcription over the years, and I’ve got a decent client list now.
I’ll never get rich doing it, but it keeps a roof over my head and keeps me busy. ”
“The Army has a thing called a family care plan. It’s mostly for single soldiers with kids, and it spells out what’s to be done with the children when they’re deployed or if something happens to them.
My friends and their girlfriends have already said they’re happy to step in while I’m deployed, or if something happens to me, and we’ve changed our schedule so my workday starts a little later, so I can make sure Logan gets to school all right, but… ” His words trailed off.
“But what?” Riley asked, intrigued.
“Never mind. It’s stupid.”
“Porter, what?”
He shook his head. “We just met. Asking you to do anything would be a huge imposition. And, if I’m being honest, I like you, Riley. And I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of you in any way, or my interest in you is only because of Logan.”
Riley blinked in surprise. He was interested in her?
Her fingers tingled, and she couldn’t help but feel goose bumps breaking out on her arms. She tried to remind herself that she was taking a break from dating, but she knew if this man asked her out, she’d say yes in a heartbeat.
He wasn’t like Miles or any of the other jerks she’d dated over the years.
She knew that down to the marrow of her bones.
“Ask,” she ordered.
“I was just thinking that sometimes I have meetings that run long. Or that I might not be able to get home before Logan does. I don’t want him to be a latchkey kid, like Becky and I were.
I was wondering if you’d mind keeping an eye on him after school until I could get home.
It would only be for a couple hours on weekdays. ”
“Of course I will.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, and if you’re busy with your work then I can think of something else. I’m sure the school has some after-school programs or something. Shit, I should’ve thought about that first before bothering you.”
His words were quick and running together. Riley smiled. “Porter, I said I would. It’s fine. I like your nephew. I don’t understand his obsession with baseball, but I can pretend to like to watch it if he wants.”
Porter let out a long breath and stared at her so long, Riley squirmed. “What?”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll pay you for your time, of course.”
Riley held up her hand. “No, you won’t.”
“Yeah, Rile, I will.”
“Here’s the thing…if you start paying me, then I’ll feel like your employee. And it’ll make our friendship, relationship, neighborship, whatever you want to call it, feel uneven.”
“You’re right,” he said after a second or two.
“But you’ll need to come over here when Logan gets home and eat my food.
I’ll get Netflix so you won’t be bored, and I’ll get a TV for Logan’s room and get the premium sports channels so he can watch baseball in his room, and you can watch whatever you want out here.
You can use my wi-fi. I’ll upgrade it to the fastest speed available, so if you need to work here, you can. ”
“Porter, it’s fine. Seriously.”
He moved closer then, and didn’t stop until he was standing right in front of her. Riley had to tilt her head back to keep eye contact with him. He slowly reached for her, giving her time to step away, to reject his touch. She didn’t move.
His fingers curled around the back of her neck, and his thumb caressed the skin just below her ear. “Seems I have a lot of regrets lately. Not contacting my sister, not knowing about my nephew’s existence…not getting to know my neighbor before now.”
Riley knew she had a stupid grin on her face, but she couldn’t help it. Then she sobered. “I like you, Porter, but I’m also a little gun-shy after dating some seriously not-good men.”
He nodded. “I get it. I’m going to be busy with trying to figure out how to raise a kid, so I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to be more than a friend, anyway.”
“So maybe we can take things one day at a time. Not rush into anything,” Riley suggested, mentally wincing at how lame she sounded.
“Deal. And for the record, I’m nothing like that asshole Miles. I will not raise my voice to you or Logan.”
“I know. You’re a good man,” Riley blurted, repeating what she’d told Logan.
Porter winced. “Not all the time, but I try.” He took a step back, and Riley hated how cold she felt without the warmth of his hand on her neck and without him standing close.
“I’m going to make sure I’m home when he gets here for at least a week, but if you wanted to come over and hang out with us, that might help make him more comfortable.
Then when it’s just the two of you, it won’t feel so weird or like you’re his babysitter.
It sounds as if he’s used to being on his own a lot, and I don’t want him to think I don’t trust him or anything. ”
And again, Porter’s insight and concern about Logan was extremely touching. “Sounds good.”
“I’ll text you with his bus schedule. I do appreciate your help.”
“Of course. You’re doing a good job with him. I know it’s only been a day, but seriously, you are. The bed, the baseball stuff, the food and chores, it’s all good.”
“I’m making shit up as I go,” Porter admitted.
“Which makes it even more impressive. I’m gonna go and let you have some time to yourself. I’m guessing you aren’t used to making small talk all day.”
He laughed. “Never talked so much in all my life.”
“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“I’ll walk you home,” Porter said.
Riley laughed. “It’s just down the hall.”
“Yup,” Porter agreed.
Knowing she wouldn’t be able to talk him out of it, and secretly loving how protective he was, Riley headed for the door.
He walked the short distance with her to her own apartment, then put his hands in his pockets and nodded at her awkwardly.
“Thanks again. Your casserole dish will be clean and waiting for you tomorrow.”
“So I can fill it with something else?” Riley teased.
“If you want,” Porter said with a smile.
Immediately, she began to think about what else she might make that the guys next door would like. “I’ll see you later.”
“Later,” Porter said, sounding exactly like his nephew had earlier.
Closing the door, Riley listened as Porter’s door closed and his television came on.
She hadn’t really thought too much about how thin the walls were before last night, but as she stood in her apartment now, she knew with certainty that Porter had heard every single word Miles had ever yelled at her.
It was embarrassing, but she pushed it to the back of her mind.
Her neighbor had admitted he liked her, regardless of what he’d overheard.
Smiling to herself, Riley headed for her bedroom. Her life had changed quickly, but she was used to that. Although it was nice that this time, it seemed to be for the better.