Chapter 31
31
BEN
Cars fill Hope’s driveway and more are parked down the street, so I turn around and park in the empty spot behind Sebastian’s truck on the opposite side.
He climbs out and meets me, carrying a gift bag.
“Hey, man. Thanks for coming today.” We grasp hands and pull each other into a chest bump, careful not to crush our gifts.
“No problem. I was surprised to be invited.”
I chuckle as we cross the street. “Ev thinks you’re really cool.”
“He’d be right about that.” Sebastian laughs. He looks around at all the cars. “Looks like we might be the last to arrive.”
We pass the spot where I was parked last time I was here. The image of Hope running down the steps and across the grass to my truck replays clearly. And when I remember the soft touch of her mouth against mine, I draw in an essential breath. I’ll never, for as long as I live, forget how brave she was that night. Nor will I forget how it felt to have her lips on mine as I fought to allow her the space she needed to kiss me. And I will never forget how my heart crumbled to dust when I felt her tears as her mouth explored mine.
I glance back at the street once I reach the porch. “Yeah. I’m not sure what to expect in terms of turn out.”
“So, I’m guessing things are progressing?” he asks as we climb the steps.
I tip my head to the side. “Just taking it one day at a time.”
He nods. “I can see why you’re prepared to wait until she’s ready. She’s a great person. Beautiful, too. And Evan’s a pretty cool kid.”
“I think they’ll be worth the wait.” I knock on the door, worried I won’t be heard over the ruckus inside. A few moments later, a silhouette appears, and, as the person walks closer, I recognize Hope’s mom. I watch her smile grow as she reaches the door.
“Ben. I’m so happy you came.” She pushes the screen door open and throws her arms around my body, much the same way she did when we met the first time in the school gym, and I stiffen slightly, much the same way I did then. I’m not used to such open affection from parental figures.
“Hey, June.” I return her embrace. When I finally pull away, her eyes slide to Seb. “This is my friend, Sebastian.”
“Hi, June,” Sebastian says as he holds out his hand, but she pushes past it, hugging him the same way she did me, and I chuckle at his surprise.
“Nice to meet you, Sebastian. Evan’s told me all about you and how you won the mini golf game. And while I have you both here”—she clasps her hands over her heart and rushes to add—“I wanted to thank you for giving my grandson and daughter such a fun evening. It’s all Evan can talk about.” She leans in and cups the side of her mouth. “He told me Hope laughed and smiled and danced,” she whispers as her eyes grow glassy.
I can’t fathom how hard it’s been for her to watch her daughter and grandson lose so much and struggle in the wake of such a tragedy.
“We had a great time, too. And it was fantastic to help them have fun,” I tell her.
Imagine how she’d feel if she knew her daughter kissed me. I think she’d establish a cheer squad. In the short amount of time I’ve spent with her, she’s made it abundantly clear she’d be happy for me to date her daughter.
The three of us step inside and make our way into the open living, dining, and kitchen area. “Look who’s here!” June calls out, and all eyes snap to us, making us the focus of the party.
Raising my eyebrows, I swallow past my nerves, dig deep for my confidence, and wave. “Hi, everyone. I’m Ben and this is my friend?—”
“Sebastian!” a woman calls as she walks straight to him with a smirk.
Sebastian chuckles as his eyes widen. “Lucy. What are the chances?” He turns to me. “This is Lucy. Remember we were supposed to meet for drinks a while back? We stayed until closing, but she never showed.” He widens his eyes at her in accusation.
She screws up her nose. “Yeah, sorry about that.” Jabbing her thumb over her shoulder toward the kitchen, she adds, “I had to look after my girl here. Sisters before misters, you know?”
“Ben!” Evan calls as he races up to us with Donnelly following close behind. I’m thrilled the boys have bonded. It’ll be good for both of them. “You came!”
“Of course. You invited me. Where else would I be?” I muss his hair and hand him my gift. “Happy birthday.”
His head snaps up. “You even brought me a present?”
Sebastian hands his gift over as well. “Happy birthday, Ev.”
“Thanks. I didn’t think you’d bring me presents.” He doesn’t even look at them before he walks away from us toward a table covered in gifts. “Mom! Ben and Seb are here. They got me presents,” he shouts. Everyone chuckles at his excitement.
Donnelly nudges me with an exaggerated wink. “I see you took my advice and went after that hot single mom.” He nudges me again. “Good for you, man.”
I scowl at Don. “How about we have another chat about being respectful toward women next time we catch up? I think you need it.”
He has the courtesy of looking chastised. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Promise.” He holds up his hands in surrender and backs away from me.
I look at all the people jammed into the room, and notice all eyes are still trained on me. I tip my lips up in what I hope looks like a genuine smile and not an uncomfortable grimace. I guess I should have expected this, seeing as we’re new. And by the sounds of things, Evan’s spoken about Seb and me—a lot. I spot a huge guy with crutches and nod in his direction—that’s gotta be Shane. He’s a freaking unit. He tips his head in my direction, but his attention snaps toward the kitchen.
“Did you say thank you?” Hope’s smooth voice makes its way to me before my eyes land on her. She’s wearing wide-leg jeans and a loose sweater that exposes one slender shoulder that I’d love to press a kiss to. Her curls are piled on top of her head with several loosely framing her face. I swallow down my instant desire for her, which heats through my body like a nuclear blast.
She guides Evan back to us. “Hey, thanks for coming.” She nudges Evan. “Ev, what do you say?”
“Thanks for my presents.”
“You’re welcome,” Seb and I say at the same time.
Hope glances around. “Let me introduce you guys to everyone.”
“I already know Seb,” Lucy blurts as she hooks her arm through Seb’s.
Hope’s eyebrows shoot up as she looks between the two. “How?”
Lucy tips her head toward Seb. “He’s the firefighter we were supposed to meet at Brady’s that night.”
Hope’s eyes widen, and something like shame slides over her features. “Oh.” Then she glances at me. “Were you going to be there, too?”
I raise my eyebrows and nod with a grin, rocking back on my heels. “Yep.”
We both chuckle, and the pretty pink blush I love rises up her neck. “I guess we were meant to meet, huh?”
I nod slowly. “It seems that way.”
Lucy looks between me and Hope. “Hang on. You’re Ben. The cop who brought Evan home?”
My gaze slides to Lucy. “That’s me.”
She looks at her friend with raised brows and mouths, “Wow.”
Hope shrugs with a grin, and I desperately want to reach forward and cup her face, so I can bring her mouth to mine, but that’s impossible right now. Instead, I settle for tracing her features with my eyes. She has a little makeup on today, so the smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks isn’t as obvious, but whatever she’s done to her eyes makes them really pop. “You look beautiful.”
She blinks several times, and her friend, Lucy, smirks. Hope tucks her chin to her chest with a shy smile. “Thanks.” She looks back up at us and shifts on her feet. “Let me introduce you guys.” She leads us to a middle-aged couple. “Ben and Sebastian. These are Wyatt’s parents, Tracey and Graeme.”
Wow, introducing me to the in-laws right out of the gate. I swallow my nerves, wipe my hand on my jeans, and hold it out to shake theirs, dipping my chin out of respect. “Nice to meet you both.”
“You too, Ben. We’ve heard a lot about you from Evan.” Tracey smiles kindly.
I can’t imagine what they’ve been through to lose their son and watch their grandson grow up without his father. After watching Bev lose Tahlia, I know how difficult it is for a parent to lose their child. As Bev used to say, “It’s supposed to be the other way around. I’m supposed to go first, not mourn my only child.”
I laugh nervously. “Only good things, I hope.” I hadn’t realized—until this moment—how important it is to me that Wyatt’s family approves of me. After all, I want to take care of their son’s family. I want to make them mine.
Graeme grips my bicep and squeezes. “Only the best things, son.” He turns to Sebastian. “I hear you’re a hose jockey. How long have you been in the job?”
Wyatt’s dad called me son, and his mom was warm toward me. Right? I didn’t imagine all that. That has to be a positive start to what I hope will be a long-standing relationship.
I blow out a relieved breath, but before we can talk anymore, Hope moves me along, leaving Sebastian and Graeme to talk shop. “This is Wyatt’s sister, Clara, my best friend since middle school, and her husband, Ryan.”
I hold out my hand. “Hey Clara. Ryan,” I greet, dipping my chin.
Clara gives Hope what she must consider a sneaky wink. “So nice to meet you, Ben. Evan’s quite smitten with you.”
I laugh softly. “That goes both ways. He’s an awesome kid.”
Her eyes go soft, and her smile widens as she tilts her head to the side a little. “Aww, so sweet. We all love him to pieces.” She studies me for a moment and nods. “So, how long have you been a cop?”
I tuck one hand in the pocket of my jeans. “Graduated from the Academy when I was twenty-one, so six years, give or take.”
Her eyebrows rise. “What made you want to become a cop?”
Hope sighs beside me and shuffles on her feet. “Clara,” she scolds. “This isn’t the time for an inquisition.”
I’d love to tug her into my side and tuck her under my arm, but it feels disrespectful to do anything like that in front of Wyatt’s family. I chuckle and get my head back into the conversation. “I don’t mind.” I lift and drop one shoulder. “I enjoy helping people. I like that every day, I get to work within the community and build relationships. I like having a positive impact on the people I come into contact with and I enjoy the unpredictability of my job. No two days are ever the same, and it keeps life interesting.”
Clara listens intently, then a slow grin tips up her lips. “Not so you can arrest all the people you don’t like and throw them in a cell?” She chuckles. “Because that’s what I’d do.”
“Oh, my god, Clara.” Hope rolls her eyes at her friend, then tugs me away. “I’m so sorry about my best friend.”
“Hey, I’ve thought about doing that.”
She knocks her shoulder into my arm. “You have not. You’re a good man, Ben Taylor.” I can’t explain the feeling that grows and spreads through my body with her words. Something like pride—pride that she thinks I’m a good man—wraps around me, and it makes me hopeful she’ll consider me as more than a friend someday.
I lean down and lower my voice. “I can be bad in the right situation.” Pulling away, I wink at her and watch the pink blush rise up her pale throat.
Without a word, she leads me over to the man I assume is Shane and clears her throat. “I want you to meet Wyatt’s best friend.” He’s standing with an attractive woman who’s holding the hand of a cute little girl, and a guy who must be in his mid- to-late forties. “Ben, these are Wyatt’s friends from the Army, Shane and Nix. And this is Shane’s fiancée, Violet, and her little girl, Jasmine.” The sweet little girl smiles up at me shyly, then shuffles behind her mother. So cute.
I dip my chin and hold out my hand, shaking Shane’s hand, then Nix’s. “Thank you for your sacrifice. Good to meet you both.”
The sacrifices these men have made for us blows my mind. Service men and women come home with no support and little public regard for what they’ve experienced, and the government expects them to return to their lives as though nothing’s changed for them. It’s unreal. And I know for a fact that these two men have survived something truly horrific.
Nix and Shane tilt their chins up, acknowledging my appreciation. “Thank you for yours,” Nix says. As if anything I do is remotely similar to what they’ve experienced.
“Nice to meet you, Violet.”
“You, too.” She dips her head with a smile, her eyes flicking to Hope.
I crouch, so I’m at eye level with Jasmine. “Hey, Jasmine.”
She burrows behind her mom’s leg, hiding her face, but not before I see her smile. Then she pops back out. “Hello.”
I glance up at her mom. “You have a cutie pie here.”
Violet chuckles. “Thank you.” She rests her hand on her daughter’s head and strokes her silky-looking hair.
Shane readjusts his grip on his crutches. “Thanks for helping with soccer practice, man.”
I stand to my full height. “No problem. Happy to help for as long as you need”—I nod to his crutches—“but I might ask for some tips from you, if you don’t mind.” I rub the back of my neck. “I’d never even watched a full game until Evan asked me to help.” I laugh softly. “Then I binged everything I could find on YouTube in an afternoon.”
Shane chuckles. “Yeah, sure. No problem. I was the same. It took me a while to find my feet,” he says, then takes a drink of his beer. “But Evan tells me you did a great job.”
Hope gently rests her hand between my shoulder blades, and it feels so good to have her touching me; I close my eyes briefly to soak up the sensation. “I’ll grab you a beer. Back in a minute.”
When I open my eyes, Shane’s watching me closely, and a slow smile tips up one side of his mouth. “Evan tells me you’re part of the K9 unit.”
I shake my mind clear and focus back on the conversation. “Uh, yeah. I’ve worked with Rex for about four years now. He was trained under another handler, but when he retired, I took over. We do a lot of searches for lost people or locating perpetrators on the run. It’s rewarding work.”
“I bet.” He pauses, watching me closely. “Hope was telling me Evan is quite taken with your dog, Rex.”
I laugh softly. “The feeling’s mutual. When Evan’s around, he and Rex are inseparable.”
Hope returns with an open beer, which I accept gratefully, and then she rushes off, mentioning something about getting the food out of the oven. Violet steps away to help, leaving me with Nix and Shane. My nerves ratchet up, so I take a drink of the cold beer for something to do. This feeling is completely foreign to me. I don’t usually worry what people think of me, but today, it’s all I’ve done.
We talk about my work for a while. “If you’re ever thinking about leaving the police force, I could use someone like you on my team,” Nix offers. “Rex, too.” He glances at Shane. “I need to cut back and spend more time with my family.”
I’m unsure what he’s talking about, so I tilt my head to the side a little. “He owns a security firm. Steele Security . You may have heard of it,” Shane tells me, filling in the blanks.
I nod. “I’ve heard of it. You have a fantastic reputation.”
Pride lights Nix’s eyes. “Good to know.”
Shane glances over my shoulder, and I turn to follow what he’s looking at. Hope and Violet are chatting in the kitchen as they plate the hot food. I turn back toward the guys to find both of their eyes locked on me. The need to escape pumps through me, but I lock my feet to the ground.
“So, you and Hope …” Shane prods, but leaves the sentence hanging.
I’m not sure what he’s getting at, so I’m unsure how to respond.
Nix slaps Shane’s abs with the back of his hand. “What he’s asking is this: what are your intentions with Hope and Evan?” My eyebrows shoot up, and he holds his hands out in a placating move. “We promised Wyatt we’d always keep an eye on his family. This is us watching over them.”
I glance around us, satisfied that nobody is listening to our conversation. Picking at the label on my beer, I consider my response. I respect the hell out of Shane and Nix, so it’s important to me that they understand how I feel about Hope and Evan—and what I’d like to happen.
“Hope and Evan have quickly become the most important people in my life, and I’d like to keep them in it if I can. Evan and I have already discussed how he would feel if I asked his mom on a date.”
Both of their eyebrows shoot up, and grins tug at their lips.
“And after ensuring I was aware his mom still loves his dad, I have his support. Especially after explaining she never has to stop loving him.”
They both nod their approval.
“I’ve also explained to Hope I’d like to take her on a date some time …” I glance away, then back to the two men in front of me. “I’ve told her I’m prepared to wait until she’s ready.” I lock my gazes with both of them. “I’m not going anywhere—unless Hope sends me away.”
They’re both quiet for a long time, but I sense they approve of what I said.
Nix takes a drink while Shane studies me. “A few months ago, I would have said you’re wasting your time. That she’ll never be ready to open her heart to someone new.” He pauses and I hold my breath, waiting for him to finish. “But after hearing Evan talk about you and Rex … and watching Hope’s reactions when it was just the three of us, and then again today…” His eyes flick over my shoulder, then return to me. “She’s changed.” He turns to Nix. “Have you noticed?”
Nix nods. “Yeah. It’s hard to miss. She seems happier.”
Shane hums his agreement, and warmth spreads throughout my chest as it swells with a sense of pride. “I agree.” His brown, assessing eyes find mine. “I don’t think you’ll have to wait all that long.”
A long breath escapes my mouth and my entire body sags. Man, I had no idea how tense I was. “You think?”
“Absolutely.” He adjusts his crutches and looks at Nix. “I think Wyatt would approve?” Even though he makes the statement, it sounds more like a question aimed at his friend.
Nix turns his stern gaze my way. “I agree. I think he’d want Hope to move on, and I believe you’d be the man he’d want taking care of his family.”
Shane casts his gaze to me. “But don’t think we won’t kick your ass if you hurt either of them.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “You won’t have to; I’ll kick my own ass. Hurting either of them is the last thing I’d ever do.”
Hope calls out, gaining everyone’s attention as she tells us the food is ready.
I spend the afternoon talking with Hope’s friends and family, who all make Seb and me feel welcome. Some conversations and side glances have me believing I’m under the microscope, which, I guess, is to be expected. My earlier discussion with Nix and Shane has me feeling hopeful, and their observation that Wyatt would approve of me for his family bolsters my belief that I’m where I’m supposed to be.
Cake is served, gifts are opened, and guests slowly trickle out. Sebastian left with Lucy about an hour ago, but I wasn’t ready to leave. I don’t want to overstay my welcome, but I want some time with Evan and Hope. Just the three of us. I want to know if Evan liked the journals I bought him. Hope wanders back inside alone after saying goodbye to her parents—the last guests to leave.