Chapter 39
brEAK ON THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE
WILL
After I left Natalie’s, I headed home for a shower and to get some work done. There was a note waiting for me on the kitchen counter.
Will,
The kids were great. Hope you had fun.
Love,
Sarah
I smiled at her neat handwriting, grateful for her help as always.
Upstairs, I turned on the shower and stepped in, letting the hot water pour over me as I sorted through the day ahead.
I needed to call Kelly and set up a time to meet.
There was plenty we had to cover, starting with Madison having her boyfriend over when I wasn’t home.
We needed to be on the same page—no boys in the house without supervision.
And then there was the harder part. I needed to tell her that Natalie and I were getting serious.
Once I was out of the shower, I dialed her number. She answered after a few rings.
“Hello, Will.”
“Hey, Kelly, do you have time to meet up this afternoon before the kids get out of school?”
“Will, I just got back from our trip last night.
But I do need to talk to you about something important, too. Let’s plan to meet at the coffee house—say, around 1:00?”
“Great,” I said. “I’ll see you there.”
After hanging up, I finished getting ready and headed to my office to work through some leasing details for The City Center. I had a stack of papers to review, including a few potential tenants for open spaces. Lori called me while I was working, her tone brisk and impatient as usual.
“Will, I’ve got a restaurant owner interested in another spot,” she said. “Alan wants to work with Natalie on the design. He was impressed with how well Pier and Table turned out.”
“That’s great news,” I said.
“Sure is. So, what’s up with you and Natalie? I thought you were going to keep your dick in your pants,” she added, half-joking but full of attitude.
“Lori, it’s not just messing around. It’s the real deal,” I admitted.
“Oh, Will,” she said with mock pity. “Well, it took me three tries to get marriage right, so who am I to judge? Now I’m married to the sweetest asshole around.”
“Thanks for the pep talk, Lori,” I said dryly. “Can you set up a meeting with Alan and the new possible tenant next week?”
“Will do. And bring Natalie. He values her input.”
At 1:00, I arrived at the coffee house. Kelly was already seated at a small corner table, her planner open in front of her.
“Hello, William,” she said, looking up briefly before returning her attention to her planner. “I ordered your usual, black coffee.”
“Thanks,” I said, sitting across from her.
She wasted no time. “While we were in Hawaii, Jeff proposed,” she said. Her tone was even, but there was a slight edge to her voice. I haven’t told the kids yet. I was planning to do it tonight.”
“Wow,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “Congratulations. You seem happy.” I meant it.
“Yes. We’re planning to get married after the kids are out of school in June. We’re taking them to Hawaii, it feels right to go back to where we got engaged.”
“That sounds nice,” I said.
Kelly flipped a page in her planner. “So, do you want to go over the schedule for the next few months?”
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about two important things,” I said, leaning forward. “First, Madison had her boyfriend, Kellen, over while I wasn’t home. I told her to wait until I got back, but she decided it was fine to let him over anyway.”
“Yes, she told me,” Kelly replied, her expression unchanging. “She also mentioned you were at Natalie’s house with Ivy and left her to babysit the boys.”
I frowned. “Madison is old enough to babysit, and I was gone for three hours. Don’t turn this into something it’s not.”
“Why are you chasing after that woman, Will? You already ruined her marriage. She’ll never make you happy. She’s beneath you.”
I leaned back, her words stoking the frustration I’d tried to keep at bay.
“Really? Let me get this straight. I’ve supported you with Jeff, trusted your choices, and had your back.
But you’re more than okay with our teenage daughter having a boy over unsupervised than with me spending a few hours at Natalie’s house with Ivy?
I’m serious about Natalie. I was hoping you’d support me. ”
“You’re serious about her?” Kelly’s tone sharpened. “And spending time with her while you have our kids?”
“You’re joking,” I said, my voice rising. “I left for three hours and had Ivy with me the whole time. Real fair, Kelly.”
I stood, my patience gone. “Thanks for the support. Good luck with your next husband.”
I didn’t wait for her reply. I turned and walked out, ignoring the stares from other customers as I left.
Driving along the PCH after leaving the coffee house, I cranked up the volume as Jim Morrison’s voice poured through the speakers.
The haunting vocals and ominous rhythm felt like the perfect soundtrack to my mood.
The salty ocean air drifted through the open window, but even the calming sound of the waves couldn’t compete with the storm brewing in my mind.
I grabbed my phone at a stoplight and texted Evan.
Will: Can I come over?
Evan: Sure, I’m nursing my raging hangover. About to order burritos, want one?
Will: No thanks. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes.
I knocked twice on Evan’s door. I could hear Bear barking at my knock.
Evan opened the door, Bear greeted me.
“Bear, get down.”
Evan was squinting against the sunlight. “Hey,” he said, his voice hoarse. “You look like shit.”
“So do you,” I shot back.
He smirked, stepping aside to let me in. “Please, come in. Misery loves company.”
I followed him inside, where he immediately flopped onto the couch and grabbed a bottle of water from the coffee table. “So, what’s going on? You look like you’re ready to explode,” he said, popping a couple of Aleve into his mouth.
“It’s Kelly,” I said, sitting across from him. “I told her about Madison having a boy over when I wasn’t home, and she twisted it into me being neglectful. Apparently, leaving Madison and the boys at home for three hours is some cardinal sin.”
Evan raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess—you were at Natalie’s?”
I nodded. “Yeah, Ivy wanted to visit Bebe after her surgery. It wasn’t even a big deal.”
“Wow,” Evan said, shaking his head. “Kelly really knows how to make everything your fault, huh?”
“Yeah,” I muttered. “And, she got engaged in Hawaii.”
Evan whistled. “Well, that’s rich. She’s moving on, but you’re not allowed to?”
“Exactly. She had a problem with Natalie from the moment she knew I was interested.” I said, leaning back on the couch.
Evan walked over to the pantry and grabbed a bubbler, packing it with weed. “Will, you need to relax. Take a hit. You’re too wound up.”
I shook my head. “No thanks. I don’t need to cloud my mind.”
My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen. It was a text from Natalie.
Natalie: Hey, I just got the email about the meeting next week with the Italian tenant? The guy studied in Italy. I hope we get to taste test!
Will: I’m sure food will be involved at some point. Can I see you tonight?
Natalie: Sure. Any chance you can come here? Meredith’s passed out on the couch. I hate to leave her on her last night.
Will: Is there anything I can bring?
Natalie: Your overnight bag. You could stay until Sunday. Meredith’s flight is at noon tomorrow, and I have the day free.
“I’m going to head to Natalie’s,” I told Evan.
He raised an eyebrow. “Can I come, too?”
I shot him a look. “You just want to see Meredith, don’t you?”
“Hey, what can I say? The woman’s magnetic,” he said with a grin.
“Let me ask her if it’s alright,” I said with a groan.
Will: Is it okay if I bring Evan? He’s being a needy hot mess, and apparently, your sister isn’t sick of him yet.
Natalie replied with a photo of Meredith sprawled out on the couch, her hair a wild mess, her face half-buried in a throw pillow.
Natalie: As hot of a mess as this?
I laughed and sent a photo back of Evan.
Will: Even worse.
“Go grab your stuff and clean up,” I told Evan, rolling my eyes.
“Perfect,” he said, standing up. “Give me ten minutes. Let me take the dog out and give him some food.”
Just then, I felt my phone buzz again.
Natalie: Evan could bring Bear, so he doesn’t have to leave him for long.
“She said you can bring the dog,” I called after Evan.
“Sweet, I’ll pack up his things.”
We made our rounds and stopped at my house so I could grab my bag. On the way to Natalie’s, I picked up Thai food for everyone, hoping it would help cure the hangovers.
When we arrived at Natalie’s, Meredith was awake, her hair wrapped in a towel. Bear trotted straight to her, tail wagging like he just found his long-lost soul mate.
“He missed you,” Evan said, unmistakable flirtation in his voice.
“I missed you too, Bear,” her eyes locked on Bear but, presumably she meant this to Evan.
The attraction between them was impossible to ignore. I have never seen Evan like this before.
“You brought food, William. You’re a saint,” she said dramatically.
Natalie appeared from the kitchen, giving me a soft smile as she set out plates.
“How are you feeling, Evan?” Natalie asked, glancing at him as he unloaded his dog’s stuff by the door.
“Like death,” he admitted, rubbing his temple. Then, he added, “How are you feeling after your superstar night?”
She blushed, fiddling with the edge of a napkin. “Just tired and relieved it’s over.”
Bear wandered over to Natalie to greet her.
“Well, hello there.” She said in a cooing voice.
We all sat down to eat, the comforting aroma of Pad Thai and drunken noodles filling the room. Meredith and Evan didn’t even bother with small talk as they dove into their plates. After eating, the hangover twins disappeared outside to smoke, leaving Natalie and me alone in the kitchen.
“I talked to Kelly today,” I said, leaning against the counter.
Natalie’s face softened with concern. “Oh? How did it go?”
“Not great,” I admitted. “She spun it around, saying I left Madison and the boys alone for you.”
Her expression darkened. “I’m so sorry. That’s not the response you were hoping for.”
“And she’s engaged,” I added, shaking my head.
Natalie blinked in surprise. “Wow. You’d think that us dating wouldn’t matter then.”
“Yeah, you’d think,” I said bitterly. “Whatever. I’m not going to let her dictate who I date. She’s trying to control me.”
Natalie didn’t say much after that. Her posture shifted slightly, and I could tell the conversation made her uncomfortable.
“Want to watch a movie?” she asked, her tone lighter.
“Yes, we do,” Meredith called out as she and Evan wandered back inside and plopped onto the couch.
We settled on “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Within twenty minutes, Evan was snoring, his head tilted back against the cushion. Meredith wasn’t far behind him, her head propped awkwardly on his shoulder.
By the time the movie ended, Evan startled awake. “I should probably head out,” he mumbled, running a hand through his hair. Bear lying on the ground beside him.
“You’re welcome to stay,” Meredith said, still half-asleep.
Evan glanced at Natalie. “You sure?”
“It’s fine with me,” Natalie said. “I’m heading to bed anyway. I’m wiped.”
“Me too,” I added, following Natalie upstairs.
She pointed toward the bathroom as we entered the room. “I left your toothbrush out for you,” she said, her voice soft.
I stood beside her, brushing my teeth in comfortable silence. At one point, I slid over closer to her sink.
“I like your side better,” I said, grinning at her through a mouthful of toothpaste.
She smiled back, her dimples peeking through, even as she finished brushing.
When we finally lay down in bed, Natalie turned toward me, her hazel eyes searching mine. “Are you okay? I know today was kind of a blow.”
I let out a slow breath. “It’s fine. It’s typical Kelly. I just thought she’d be over it by now, maybe even a little supportive. But I do think we need to stay united on the no-boys rule for Madison. If we aren’t strong together, she’ll find a way to beat us down.”
Her gaze softened, full of sincerity. “You’re right,” she said quietly.
“Thank you for not getting scared of this hurdle,” I told her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
“I don’t think this will be our last one,” she replied.
I pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She melted into my chest, fitting perfectly into my nook. We lay like that for a few moments, the weight of the day fading into the stillness of the night.
Then she kissed my cheek. It was a soft, fleeting gesture that sent a ripple through me. Her lips brushed mine next, and before I knew it, I was pulling her on top of me.
She moved over me, her hair falling in long waves around her shoulders, her body illuminated by the soft glow of the dimly lit lamp. Her tiny curves were perfect, her confidence intoxicating.
I held her hips as she moved, the rhythm between us building until I couldn’t take it anymore. As I released, she fell forward onto my chest, and I wrapped my arms tightly around her, holding her close.
We didn’t say anything as we lay tangled in each other. Sleep pulled at both of us, the steady rhythm of her breathing lulling me into calm.
I really could get used to this. Now, I just needed to get the four people who mattered most to me to be okay with it too.