Chapter 10- Allison #2
I swing the door open to reveal Ronan leaning against the archway, arm extended as if to ring the doorbell again. He shoots me a cheeky grin when hes been caught and shoves his hand in the pocket of his dress pants as if to hide the evidence.
He has one of those coats that go well with a suit or whatever and the red scarf I knitted for him for his birthday twelve years ago. It’s held up well.
“Finally. What are you doing in there? These are for you, sis.” Ronan extends the daisy bouquet, the same he gets me every year on my birthday. Ronan and I aren’t siblings by blood. We were foster siblings for about six months before the family we were with decided he was too much trouble.
Ronan always has good intentions but sometimes needs a little help with the execution.
One year, he bought me a bearded dragon because I said in an offhanded comment that I wanted to visit Costa Rica one day. Even after a confusing explanation, I never understood how the two were related.
I finally told him daisies were my favourite gift. We still have Mushu.
“What are you doing here?” A smile tugs at my lips as I accept the flowers and move to the side to let him in.
“I think that's what you should be asking him.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder followed by a dirty look directed at my ex-husband.
TJ steps up to the door from wherever he was waiting. I can't keep the surprise off my face.
He rocks back on his heels with his hands in the pocket of his slacks. He shoots me a sheepish grin, looking every bit like the man I once fell head over heels for.
Somewhere behind me I register Ronan and Tate exchanging pleasantries and the boys running down the stairs when they hear voices. I step out onto the porch and firmly pull the door closed behind me.
I don't want Hudson to see him here. No. He'll just get his hopes up then be crushed when TJ leaves again.
“What are you doing here, TJ?” I don't let there be any friendliness in my tone no matter how much the weak people pleaser in me wants to push to the front.
“Happy Birthday, Allison. You look... Beautiful.” His eyes roam over my appearance and then my face with what almost looks like remorse? Regret? Love? Who can even tell if someone else is ever feeling those things? I stay silent, waiting for the reason he came. “I brought you a present.”
He pulls out a small black jewellery box and removes what looks like a necklace. Then he gestures to my neck.
“May I?" He asks gently and God dammit, I comply if only to avoid a heated argument today.
I lift my hair and turn my back to him. Movement by the curtains next to the front door catches my eye.
My gaze narrows in on it. There's nothing though. TJ takes his time clasping the chain, letting his fingertips trail lightly.
I feel nothing. No goosebumps, no longing.
Maybe it's because I'm eager to get back to the man who just made me see a supernova in my kitchen mere seconds ago. I turn.
Just as I do, I see TJs lips pursed and leaning in.
I stumble back.
“N-no. Sor-actually, not sorry.” I hold a hand up to stop him. He has the nerve to look shocked. I smack his shoulder hard. “What the fuck TJ?”
“Sorry, Al. I thought…” He holds his hands up in surrender then runs his hand through his hair. “You know what, can I just see my kid? That’s what I came here for alright?”
My brows pull down in a frown. The audacity of this man.
“Hudson’s not going anywhere today. You cannot choose to bail on all your custody weekends and then show up on a whim.” I whisper-yell at him shaking the daisies in his face to further accentuate my point.
A few petals float down to the newly fallen snow.
“He’s, my kid. I can see him whenever I want.” TJ says back holding his hands out at his sides. His breath puffs in the cold air.
“Fine, but he’s not going anywhere. We have plans today and we are all going to the same team dinner this evening anyways.”
“Okay, I’ll see him here then.” TJ says annoyed as if i’m the one being difficult.
“Fine.”
“Fine.” He rolls his eyes but follows me into the house. Matty, Hudson and Ronan all but fall away from the window as I storm inside. I stalk right past them into the kitchen.
Tate’s leaning with his back against the counter, one arm gripping the counter and the other holding a cup of coffee to his mouth.
He takes a drink. I see him lock onto the new addition to my outfit.
They don’t linger, instead his eyes slowly drag back up my neck.
His gaze travels the same path he just kissed and licked.
I suppress a shiver and continue passing him to the can of whip cream, still where he put it and spray a bunch in my mouth. He watches me but doesn’t speak.
Then I do it again. It doesn’t help. He passes me his coffee. I accept it and lean against the counters close enough that our shoulders touch. I lean against him, just slightly. His comforting warmth grounding me. He leans into me just enough for me to notice. Like maybe he needs it too.
I take a sip just as Hudson marches into the kitchen dragging his dad by the lapel of his coat and determination on his face.
“Now, Hudson, What’s the—“Hudson drags him to a stop right in front of Tate. Matty and Ronan quietly stay close to the wall to listen. Hudson’s brows furrow as he looks Tate in the face as if he were the one that was six foot something.
“Mr. Tate.”
“Huddy.”
“We had plans today, right? I can’t stay here and play a shitty board game today when we had plans. Tell them.” Tate’s eyebrows jump slightly in surprise and disapproval at Hudson’s profanity. “Sorry.”
“I did promise you could help me and Matty with the barbecue.” He says, keeping eye contact with Hudson when he repeats his promise. Then he looks over his head to TJ. “If you’re gonna be around today, you’re welcome to join us. I live next door— As long as that’s ok with you, Alli.”
I don’t miss the way TJ’s eyes narrow slightly at that information. I can tell he also doesn’t like the way Hudson seems to think Tate gets the final say. I just nod.
“I was hoping to spend some quality time with my son today. As a family.” TJ says pointedly, his eyes cutting to me.
They linger a moment on where my shoulder is pressed to Tates before flicking back to Hudson. Why does that statement seem like it was meant to include me? Or am I just self-centered as fuck? I mean I do feel like a whole new woman recently. Very recently.
“I already gave him my word, TJ. Not to mention I’ve got to get it going soon so it can be ready for the team dinner.” Tate doesn’t back down, instead challenging TJ. “Why don’t we go now since you’ve still got your coat on?”
He says it like a friendly invitation, but TJ takes it as an order, turning and marching from the kitchen muttering under his breath the whole way.
Matty and Hudson share a grin. I don’t miss the wink Tate shoots them either.
I hide my smile behind the coffee cup and take a sip.