Chapter Houston
Houston
FEW WEEKS LATER
Things with me and Teaghan were going well and I couldn’t ask for a better person to spend my time with.
From her laugh to the way she handled Malone, I was captured and ready to speak those three words softly into her ear.
I sensed her apprehensions the night of the fair but somehow it wasn’t a factor anymore.
Sex seemed to uncomplicate her thoughts of me and our unconventional situation.
I wasn’t expecting that, but after that night, our communication got better.
She was open and I was wide the fuck open.
I’m talking about lunch dates and dinner dates galore.
We would spend the nights until early morning talking about dreams and life.
It amazed me how well we worked even with the differences.
I needed someone that listened and something I could hold on to and Teaghan had proved that she was it for me.
Everything around us was positive. She was working on her shit and allowing me to work on my own shit with her by my side.
I wanted more than I ever imagined with her.
Truthfully, it seemed to happen overnight, but I didn’t need a lot of time to know that her hard exterior was a front.
“Hey, bae, you want some breakfast, or you doing that smoothie crap today?” she asked behind me.
We were at her place spending time before I had to complete a job.
Malone was with his grandparents for the weekend.
That little situation worked out because that gave me more time with Teaghan, although she was cool with Malone being around.
Things were looking up, and I was forced to enjoy them and not get into my own head.
“I want you for breakfast,” I laughed, grabbing her by the neck over the couch and flipping her to my lap. She squealed as I tickled her midsection, which I hoped would one day carry another child for me.
“Issa buffet,” she whispered, removing her shirt. Damn, I never got tired of seeing her naked prancing around and enticing me. Before she got to removing her pants, my phone started ringing on the end table. I silenced it and allowed her to straddle me.
“Maybe I should answer that,” I mentioned as she started to grind to the beat of the phone vibrating on the glass. It was Mrs. Kim, and although I would love to ignore the phone again, it could have been something serious with Malone.
Answering the phone, Kim explained that she forgot about a prior engagement and needed to reschedule her weekend with Malone. Inwardly, I groaned because she was interrupting the hocus pocus Teaghan was about to lay on me. She overheard the conversation and began getting dressed.
“It’s all good, things happen. I’ll be there to get him in fifteen minutes.” I replied, hanging up as she agreed. I slapped Teaghan on the ass, and she already knew we would also have to reschedule our own plans of rolling around and practicing our baby-making session for later.
“I’ll make it up, Tea,” I said, kissing her forehead. Standing to leave, I realized I still had a job to complete, and it was too dangerous for Malone to come with me. Turning around, I hesitated to ask because she hadn’t been alone with Malone from the start. I trusted her, but it was new for me.
“Houston, bring him here. We will have fun. Don’t worry.
” That was harder than she thought. Only a select few had access to Malone alone.
It wasn’t that I didn’t think she was capable - her job was all about children.
The idea of that becoming us had my chest tight.
I knew how much she hated doing shit because she felt obligated.
I didn’t want that to become what we were about.
“Are you sure? I can ask Luke or Shawn,” I replied. She tossed her hand to her hip and shook her head.
“You didn’t ask, I offered. Go get Malone and bring him here.”
“Thank you, babe. I’ll be right back,” I said kissing her passionately as I left out the door.
In the car, I was consumed with emotions for Teaghan.
She woke the love that was in a deep slumber up like Folgers coffee on a Saturday morning.
She was my fix and fixer. I never had to ask her to be there for me or to stand in the gap.
She just jumped and got to it. I loved that about her.
As I drove I thought about telling her that I loved her.
I could text it, but it wouldn’t carry the same weight or value as my words.
I knew she loved me too. She showed it and I had no choice but to match it and give it back.
It was natural. She was a natural feeling and frequency.
A lone tear dropped as I thought about how much she reminded me of Leslie. They were different but not a lot.
Teaghan was sure and aggressive and I loved how strong she was.
Leslie was always passive and I’m sure it had so much to do with upbringing.
But it didn’t remove who she was. Tea was the same way.
Her family life made her a go-getter and sure of who she was and what she wanted.
I had to check my own insecurities at the door dealing with Teaghan.
That shit wouldn’t thrive in our hearts.
She would call me out and have me sulking because she was right.
Those were our best moments. She said what she felt, and she made you want to be better because that’s what she deserved and made clear she desired.
It didn’t take me long to pull up to the Phillips residence.
It was massive and after all this time I thought they sold the house.
The first time I dropped Malone off I was surprised to see that it was the same home I came to meet them on Christmas break.
The house was beautiful but was painful to be in when I had to stare at large portraits of my late wife.
I was in a better place, so I sucked it up for Malone.
He deserved to know his other side of the family no matter how bad they fucked with my peace and energy.
We talked about the miscommunication and the bad blood that was spilled.
What got us in the place was water under a bridge as long as they never claimed I wasn’t enough for Malone.
Before I could get out and knock the large door swung open and a waving Kim appeared. Stepping out I gave her a church hug and proceeded into the house. I averted my eyes to keep from looking in those beautiful doe eyes I used to stare into like they would grant my wildest wish.
“Malone tells me you’ve been keeping the company of a woman. Is it serious?” she asked, breaking my thoughts. I didn’t immediately answer. For a second, I was toying with it not being her business, but then again, as long as she was Malone’s grandmother, I guess she had a right to know.
“Yea I would say so. Eventually, I’m sure you two will meet,” I answered, not wishing to dish out more details.
“I try not to speak out of turn, but aren’t you afraid it’s too soon?”
“You definitely don’t try hard enough. I answered your question out of courtesy, not because it was or will be an issue for you.
Let's leave it at that.” This was always the story with them.
It was always about providing an opinion with no solutions.
After they all but told me I couldn’t raise Malone they never offered help.
It was all about proving a point making me out to be wrong.
It was almost as if they wanted me to fail without Leslie.
They knew nothing about their daughter, Leslie was slow to judge and rooted for everyone.
Even if she knew I wouldn’t be able to do it she would want me to give it my best shot. I was a man without pride. I would admit if I feel short. However, I hadn’t yet and as long as I had breath in my body I wouldn’t.
“Forgive me, but it hasn’t been that long. Studies say it takes at least five years and with children involved longer than that. Just be careful. Everyone doesn’t understand the mind of a single father.”
“And you do?”
“We are trying here. We just want Malone happy.”
“And fuck my happiness huh? My happiness is Malone’s happiness and vice versa.
Kim, chill or we can go back to how it was,” I warned grabbing Malones overnight bag.
He came bouncing around the corner. He hugged his grandmother and grabbed my hand.
I ruffled his hair and we made our way back to Teaghan’s.
Now my thoughts were shifted, and I knew I had to be careful.
Everything they said or did had an underlying message.
I just hoped they didn’t play with fire and try to come up against me.
“Sorry for telling that old hag about Ms. Tea. I really like her,” Malone commented.
“Chin up son,” I replied.
“Right, I stand behind what I said.”
“That’s right. And there’s nothing wrong with you liking Teaghan and telling someone.
It’s not a secret, she’s just nosey,” we laughed and carried on, I wasn’t about to scold him.
Teaghan’s scent lingered on my hands and clothing, it was bound to come out.
When, how or why didn’t change that she was here to stay.