28. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Paul
I wake up, feeling colder than usual, despite the number of blankets I’m under.
I reach my arm out and frown when I feel the empty spot next to me.
Then I remember it’s Friday, and today is the elementary school’s Valentine's Day parties.
Both the high school and middle school have their dances scheduled, which is why I get to go in late today, on account that there is no gym because they are setting up for the dance.
So all I have to cover today is fourth period lunch, and study hall in the afternoon.
I glance at the clock, noting its nearing ten, and I groan, knowing I have to get a move on if I want to make it in on time for eleven.
Dre’s in the same boat, but he’s getting out at eleven-forty-five, so the high school dance committee can set up for their Sadie Hawkin’s dance, which works out perfectly for him because the elementary parties start at one, and Rylee has no idea he signed up to help with her classroom party.
She’s going to lose her mind when she sees him, no doubt.
I wish I could be there for Maddox, but Amelia will be.
She always does the party stuff at the school, at least right now, while Maddox is still cool about it.
We both know eventually that’ll change, but neither of us are in any hurry for him to grow up any faster than he already is.
The house is quiet. Too quiet, honestly.
It’s kind of creepy; haunting, even. It’s been eight months since I officially moved in here with Dre and Rylee.
Some days it feels like it’s been no time at all, and other days it feels like this—us, our life—has been this way forever, even though it hasn’t.
I make my way down the stairs to the empty kitchen.
There’s a plate with cling-wrap on the island, and I make my way up to it to see a note taped on top, with a large heart and my name written out in crayon.
My heart twists in my chest as I pull the note off and the cling-wrap to see a large cinnamon roll, glazed with chocolate and…
Marshmallows.
Suddenly the house doesn’t seem so quiet any more, even though there’s no one here but me.
I smile as I grab the plate to warm it up for a few seconds, not long enough to melt the marshmallows, but just long enough it won’t be cold, and go to make myself some coffee, when I see a note posted on the coffee pot. I pull it off, smiling at the four words written out.
Have a good day!
I lean back against the counter, twirling the note in my hand. Andre did not have to do any of this. The fact he did, means he had to have gotten up at least an hour earlier than usual because there were certainly no s’mores cinnamon rolls last night before or after Rylee went to bed.
It’s just like him, though, to do something so simple, but yet…
It’s so much more than breakfast and coffee.
We never really discussed doing anything for Valentine’s Day, which is tomorrow.
I know Dre’s been feeling a bit off lately with the anniversary of his wife’s death still fresh.
Part of me wishes he’d talk to me; because I know that he knows he can talk to me.
About anything. We’ve always been like that, and being together doesn’t change that aspect of our friendship. Our relationship.
Ever since we came back from our trip, he’s been different.
I don’t want to say he’s clingy, but he’s definitely a lot more physical than he was before we left for the Valley.
At home, with the kids, it’s mostly little things like hugging me or kissing me, or just cuddling on the couch while we watch movies. Behind closed doors, though…
I don’t think I’ve had this much sex since I was in college, but I’m not complaining, of course.
Sex with Dre is fucking hot as hell, but I am aware enough to know that it’s a distraction for him.
Something to take his mind off what—who—he lost. I wish he’d talk to me, tell me how he feels.
I don’t think avoiding the subject is the best way to deal with one’s feelings, but I can’t exactly push him to do something he’s not ready to do.
Nor can I say no when his favorite distraction happens to be me and my great ass.
If sex is what Dre needs from me to feel better, if that’s what helps him, why would I ever tell him no?
I finish up with my breakfast and coffee, shower quickly, and make my way to work with five minutes to spare, which is a feat given the traffic today.
The day is pretty smooth, despite the kids being overly excited about the dance. I manage to get through lunch without having to scold anyone, and the study halls go quick, thank God. Before I know it, the last of the buses take off, and it’s time for me to go grab Maddox from school.
Normally, he goes straight to Amelia’s, and I pick him up there after school, but we’ve always had this tradition for Valentine’s Day, where I take him with me to pick out flowers and candy for his mother.
When Amelia and I got divorced, I didn’t want to do much of anything, feeling like a complete and utter failure as a husband and father, but I wanted to keep things as normal for Maddox as I could, and I didn’t want my son to think because we weren’t together didn’t mean I didn’t care about his mother.
So now, every Valentine’s Day, I pick him up from school and we go pick out flowers and candy for Amelia.
I tap out a text to Dre to remind him I’ll be home a bit later because Maddox and I are going out, just as Maddox opens the car door.
He piles in with a big grin on his face, carrying a giant box full of party goodies.
Valentines, candy, toys. I note his box is covered in lightning bolts and it looks like he’s taped a toy motorcycle on top of the box.
Not going to lie, it looks cool as hell, so I tell him that.
He goes on and on about the party, and I can’t help but smile because seeing my kid happy like this, especially after these last couple of years? Knowing it’s because of Dre and Rylee…
My chest tightens at the thought.
When we get to the grocery store, it’s packed with husbands and boyfriends scrambling at the last minute to get stuff.
I grab a box of chocolate-covered cherries for Amelia, since they are her favorite, and a heart-shaped box of assorted chocolates with a llama on the front for Rylee, while Maddox peruses the flower selection.
When I head over to him, he’s staring at them with a very intense gaze.
“What’s the matter? Can’t find one you like?” I ask.
He shakes his head as I lean in to grab a large bouquet of red roses.
“These look good. Can’t go wrong with a classic dozen roses,” I say seriously as I hand them to him. Then I pick out a bouquet of six pink roses with gold glitter on them for Rylee, and turn to move, but Maddox stands still, staring at the flowers, still.
“Everything okay, buddy?”
He turns to me, twisting his lips as his intense gaze lands on me, and I worry he’s going to tell me he got in trouble or something and ask me not to tell his mother. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time.
“Do boys get flowers, too?” he asks.
I’m taken aback by his question, because it’s so blatant, but also because he looks genuinely curious.
Ever since Dre told him we were together, he hasn’t said a word to me about it, which I was kind of relieved about. He hasn’t acted differently towards either of us, and honestly, I have been pretty thankful.
But now, here we are in the middle of Target, and he’s asking me if boys get flowers.
Shit.
“Umm…” I swallow the lump in my throat as he looks at me, and answer him as best I can. “Yeah, of course.” I blink, feeling strangely on the spot. Maddox nods as if he understands. “Do you want flowers?” I ask carefully. “Because if you do, we’ll get you some.”
He rolls his eyes at me.
“You’re supposed to buy flowers for your valentine, Dad.” He raises a brow at me, and my cheeks heat with embarrassment.
Fucking kids know just how to shame the hell out of you.
He crosses his arms and taps his foot impatiently, glaring at me then looks at the flowers.
“Yes, you are,” I say, clearing my throat as I look at all the flowers, feeling like I’m picking out a house. Suddenly the choice is difficult, because they all look great, but… I am not sure what would be best for Dre.
Maddox carefully points to a bouquet of white roses that have red edges.
“Those are pretty.”
I smile at Maddox and reach for the roses.
“Yeah, they are,” I say, and he takes off for the candy aisle. “What are you—”
Maddox returns with a small heart-shaped box of Reese’s Cups.
“Don’t be cheap, Dad.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Oh, Maddox…” I shake my head as I grab the box of candy from him. “What would I do without you?” I tease him as we head for the registers.
“I don’t know,” he says seriously as I start scanning our stuff. “Be single forever.”
He’s probably not wrong. As always, Amelia thanks us for her flowers and chocolate, and then Maddox heads inside to play his game. Usually, I have him on the weekends, but he asked if he could spend the weekend with Amelia, and she was fine with it, so of course, I was fine with it, too.
By the time I get home, it’s nearing seven, which means I’ve got at least a half hour before Rylee goes to bed to give her—and Dre—their stuff.
When I get inside, I smell pizza lingering in the air, and the faint melody of music plays in the air.
I set the flowers and candy down as I carefully approach the living room.
When I stop near the edge of the room, I see what the commotion is.
Rylee is in her pink party dress and sparkly heels, so I know Dre must have lost track of the time.
The music settles on my ears, and I recognize the song before I recognize the movie.
Beauty and the Beast.
For a moment, I am transfixed; unable to move as I watch him spin her by the hand, her shoes throwing sparkles across the room.
She really does look like a princess.
When she turns, she sees me and lets go of her father’s hand, squealing with excitement as she runs towards me. I sweep her up off the ground quickly as she hugs me and starts going off about the party, talking a mile a minute.
“Guess what?” I say, as I swing her around and head for the kitchen.
“What?” she asks, kicking her heels against my side.
“Maddox and I got you something.”
She squeals with delight as I carry her into the kitchen, Dre’s footsteps behind me.
She squirms, and I have to put her down so she doesn’t launch herself like a frog out of my arms.
I grab the chocolate and hand it to her.
“This is from Maddox,” I say, and she takes it from me shrieking with happiness.
I grab her small bouquet and kneel before her, offering them to her. “These are from me.” She grins wide. “Thank you for my cinnamon roll this morning.”
Rylee hugs me, smooshing her flowers before she runs off to show them to Dre. I look up to see him, noting the tears in his eyes as he mouths thank you to me silently.
And then I stand and grab the last box and bouquet from the table, my heart in my throat as I head towards him. He watches me steadily, and I stop a few inches away, not wanting to crush Rylee, who’s still squealing with happiness, in front of him.
I give him a smirk as I offer him the flowers first.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Daddy, you got stuff for Valentine’s Day too! Is that because you love him?”
Dre smirks, looking me in the eye.
“Yeah, pumpkin. I do.” He looks down at her. “Is that okay?”
Her little face scrunches up in confusion.
“Why wouldn’t that be okay?”
Dre shrugs. “Just wanted to make sure.” Then he looks at me again. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Paul.”
I am just about to hand him the box of candy when he leans in and kisses me. It’s quick, but it’s warm and bright, and perfect.
He pulls away in a flash, and that’s when I feel small arms around my legs, hugging me, and I think my heart might actually explode out of my chest.
And then Dre sets his and Rylee’s flowers down on the island, and she tugs my hand.
“Can you read to me tonight?” she asks.
“Of course,” I tell her. “But you should probably get into your jammies first.”
Rylee speeds up the stairs, and I take my time following her, but when I get to the top of the steps, she’s already in her pjs and waiting for me.
She grabs my hand and drags me to her room and shoves Sleeping Beauty at me.
I grin as I take it and she launches onto her bed, her smile full of warmth.
I swear, she looks just like Dre when she smiles like that.
I’m half-way through Sleeping Beauty when she’s asleep, and I notice Dre watching me from the door. I close the book and get up, meeting him in the doorway.
“Thanks for the coffee,” I say, my voice a low whisper. But it’s the strangest thing. Thanks for the coffee sounds different. It sounds like I’m saying something else.
I open my mouth, the words making their way out of my throat. “I—”
Andre leans in, swallowing up my confession with his perfect mouth and kisses me, this time slowly.
Deeply.
I stumble from the shock, back against the doorframe, and my hand comes up to rest on his neck as I kiss him back.
When he breaks away, I look up into his eyes, my heart beating so loud against my chest I think he has to be able to hear it.
It’s quiet for a moment, and I suck in a breath as I say, “I’m going to head into the shower.”
Dre nods wordlessly as he lets me exit, his knowing gaze full of unspoken things.
I almost don’t want to leave him, and the thought of doing so makes my stomach twist, but…
It’s not like he’s going anywhere. He’ll be up inside me in ten minutes, I know it.
So what am I worrying about?
Nothing.
It’s probably just my insecurities getting the best of me.
At least that’s what I tell myself as I undress and head into his shower.
I’m barely under the spray before the curtain opens, and his hands are on my hips, and he’s shoving me against the wall.
I gasp as he nudges my legs apart and slides into me, and though I expect him to start fucking me hard and fast like he’s been doing the last couple of weeks, he doesn’t.
His thrusts come slow and steady as one hand holds my hip, and the other finds my cock.
It’s like I’m a puppet and he knows every string that holds me together. I look back at him, at his shadowed blue gaze. His mouth finds mine, and everything else disappears.
There’s nothing but his slow, deep thrusts, nothing but his touch. I don’t know who comes first. All I know is that I don’t want to lose this.