by Moose, S.
“Sure thing. What’s up?”
“Picture this. A cute cottage with land and four bedrooms, two and half bathrooms, a finished basement, a newly designed kitchen, and the living area is open for room to decorate and fill.”
A dreamy expression displays on her face. She covers her mouth with both hands and stares at me. “Are you telling me this because of what I’m thinking?”
“That depends. What are you thinking?”
“Don’t tease me. Please don’t.”
There’s a playfulness in her tone so I keep the joke going. “I like teasing you.” I run my fingers up and down her arm. “See? I’m teasing you.”
“Justin Louis. What are you hiding?”
“Nothing.” I move her closer to me and kiss the top of her head. “I put an offer on a house, and a few hours ago, I was notified they accepted it, so I guess we’re homeowners.”
“We are?” She gets up from my arms, holding the sheet against her naked body. “We’re homeowners. You bought us a house.”
I nod. “Yes.”
She nestles against me again and places her hand on my chest and lets out a sigh. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Believe it, baby. We’re going to start building our lives together and I think this is a good start.”
“It really is.” For a moment she’s quiet and I wonder what’s going on in her head. “Will you be mad if I suggest we get out of bed and go to the home decorating store?”
I laugh and kiss her again. “Whatever you want.”
“Okay! Let’s go.”
* * *
We’re walking through the store and the cart is nearly full of home good items. My girl’s happy and that’s all I want for her.
“Ah shit.”
Mallory turns around and looks at me. “What?”
“Angie’s cousin, Anna Beth is over there, and I need to avoid her.”
“What? Why?”
“Come on baby.”
We walk toward the silverware and plates and bowls section, thinking I’ve gone incognito, but I’m wrong.
“Justin?”
I turn and see Anna Beth looking at us. “Hey.”
Mallory comes and stands close by my side. It’s quiet for a beat until Anna Beth starts talking.
“I talked to Angie last week. She’s in California with my parents. She told me everything that happened, and I know this might be too late, but I’m sorry for what she’s done.”
“I appreciate it, Anna Beth, but it’s not you who should be apologizing. I’m glad she’s not here and listened to me.”
“I know you don’t want to hear any apologies from me. Please know we’re thankful you didn’t turn her in. There’s a lot about Angie you don’t know about. The reason she’s out in California is because she’s getting ready to enter a rehab facility. The reality of what she did caught up to her and my parents found her unconscious in their bathroom. She tried to kill herself with sleeping pills.”
Mallory gasps, placing her hand on her chest. “I’m sorry,” she tells Anna Beth.
“You’re Mallory.” She smiles and extends her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet you and I’m sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances.”
“It’s okay. It’s nice to meet you as well.”
“So, she’ll be okay?”
Anna Beth nods. “She will. Eventually.” She looks down and away from us, clearing her throat. “My mom convinced her to turn herself in as well. I don’t know all the details, but I know she’s going to get better first before coming back with my parents so I wanted to let you know.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what else to say other than thank you.”
“Not a problem. I know it won’t bring back Carson, but maybe this is the right step. I miss your brother every day.”
Anna Beth and Carson had an on-again, off-again relationship. After he died, she left and moved to be with her parents because it was too hard to be here. I don’t know how long she’s been back or if she’s staying.
“Mama.” A little girl in a stroller being pushed by a man comes down the aisle and over to us. I see Anna Beth’s face go pale for a moment before she starts smiling. “Mama done?”
“Almost baby girl.”
When I look at the little girl, my throat begins to close and there’s an instant connection. I know those eyes and that smile.
“Anna Beth?”
She looks at her daughter, then at me. “Carly, I’d like you meet someone.”
“Who?” She looks at the man pushing her, then to Anna Beth, and then to me.
“That’s your Uncle Justin.”
“Unc…Unc…”
“Yes, baby girl. Uncle Justin. He was your dad’s brother.”
She smiles and holds out her hands to me. The giggle from this little girl immediately makes me smile. I’m not sure how to feel. Confusion settles, and then happiness comes right in after. Instantly I go to my knees so I’m eye level with her. “Hi, Carly, I’m your uncle.”
“Hi.” She giggles and looks up at the man. “Hi.”
“Hi, sweet girl,” the man says. I get up and look at him, wondering who he is. “I’m Chad, Anna Beth’s fiancé.”
“Nice to meet you, Chad. I’m Justin, and this is my girlfriend, Mallory.” She waves at Chad, and he nods his head and smiles.
I turn my attention back to my niece. “You’re a beautiful girl, and I’m so happy to meet you.”
She giggles and looks at Mallory. “You’re pretty.”
“You are too, honey.”
“Justin, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do so I ran. When Carson died, a piece of me died with him, but then I found out I was pregnant with her. I should’ve told you. I’m sorry. We’re living here now. Chad got a job here in town, and I’m hoping you and I can talk, so Carly can meet Coach and Courtney.”
I look up at Anna Beth and nod. “Yeah. Not a problem. Come by the bar anytime, and we’ll talk.” I turn back to Carly. “I hope you and I will be good friends.”
“Me too.” She smiles again. “See you later.”
“See you, baby girl.”
I get up from my knees and hug Anna Beth. Seeing Carly feels like a piece of Carson is here and now I have the responsibility to help take care of Carly and get to know her, tell her stories of her dad and watch her grow.
Chapter 32
Mallory
The following morning, I wake up and feel an empty spot on the bed. I grab the robe hanging and put it on, tying the belt around my waist. When I open the bedroom door, the smell of bacon hits my nose and my belly starts rumbling.
I walk toward the kitchen and see Justin at the stove. He’s cooking us breakfast and my mouth begins watering.
Things have been going so well between us.
We closed on the house and will be moving in over the next few days. I’m moved out of the apartment so Jerry and Lisa can have their own space. It was hard leaving my best friend, but we’re both happy and that was important.
“Good morning,” Justin says, looking over his shoulder and giving me a smile.
“Good morning. I’m loving this kind of morning.”
“You’ve been working late hours, so I thought it would be nice to get up early and make you breakfast.”
“Thank you so much.”
I go over and place my hands on his shoulders, kissing his back. His very naked and sculpted back.
Down, girl. Food first.
I look over and see grocery bags scattered around.
“Did you go shopping this morning?”
“I did. Like I said you worked late so I didn’t want to wake you up to go to the store with me. There’s coffee in the pot. Pour us a cup.”
“Sure will.”
The coffee aroma hits my nose and it perks me a little. The hours I’m working are starting to kill me. It’s been project after project and my team isn’t working at the level, I need them too. A trip to Chicago wi
ll be in the works. I hate the idea of leaving and not having Justin come with me.
“Babe?”
“Yeah?”
I clear my throat, holding the coffee mug in my hands. “I need to fly to Chicago.”
He turns around from the stove with a pan in his hands. After he places the food on the plates, he sets it down and I slide him his mug of coffee.
“Oh? For work?”
I nod and pick at the bacon. “You cooked it perfectly by the way.”
“Good. I was nervous it would be too crispy. I think it’s gross the way you eat it.”
I laugh and pick up a slice, eating it and moaning in an exaggerated manner. “It’s not gross. It’s delicious. But yes, to answer your question, I need to go and meet with the team. I’ll only be gone for a few days. I think I need to leave on Tuesday.”
“I wish I could go with you.”
“I know. Me too. Can we eat breakfast now and talk about my trip later?”
“You’re hungry, aren’t you?”
“I so am!”
He laughs and we sit at the kitchen table, eating breakfast and talking about getting our house ready.
* * *
Walking into the office with a coffee in hand, I’m ready to whip my team into shape. Before going into the conference room, I head to my supervisor’s office to touch base.
“Good morning Ray.”
He looks up from his computer, taking off his glasses, and gets up from his chair. “Morning. How was your flight?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Eh. I’m here so that’s what matters.” I sit down on the chair in front of his desk. “How are you doing?”
“Stressed.” He laughs and hands me a file. “We need to make improvements on the site. I’ve talked to IT and they’re working on a solution as to why the designs aren’t loading.” He rubs his face. “It’s been a clusterfuck lately. I’m glad you’re here.”
I look through the emails and feel a headache coming on. “Well, it looks like we’ll need to make several adjustments and we need to start now, Ray. This isn’t acceptable. This is one of our highest bids and we can’t lose them.”
“I hear you, Mallory. Come on, let’s meet with the team.”
After one of the longest days, I’m finally ready to leave the office and head to my parents. It’s nearly ten in the evening, and some of my team is still working. I tell them to wrap it up soon so they can go home and rest.
I’m walking toward one of my favorite restaurants for some takeout when I hear someone call my name. Turning around, I see Calvin jogging in my direction.
“Mallory?”
“Hello.”
“It’s good to see you.” Calvin tries to move in for a hug, but I cross my arms over my chest and take a step back. “Alright. What’s going on? I feel like I haven’t seen you.”
“Well, it would’ve been impossible to see me. I’ve been gone. I live in New Orleans with my boyfriend now.”
“New Orleans? Boyfriend?”
“Yep.”
“Wow. That’s great. I didn’t think you would do something that crazy.” He laughs and I remain emotionless. “You look great, babe.”
I place my hand up. “Not babe. Mallory.”
“Got it.” I watch him checking me out and it makes me want to vomit. “You know I think about the years we were together. I miss you. I think it was fate that I ran into you tonight. Are you busy? Do you want to get a drink?”
I throw my head back laughing. “Yeah, no thank you. You had your chance to be with me, but apparently, I was boring and blah blah blah. Now I’m with someone who loves me and cherishes me. I moved on and maybe you should too.”
“Come on, babe. One drink.”
“Again …” I roll my eyes. “Not babe and no to the damn drink. Have a good night, Calvin.”
I turn and walk away, and damn, it feels good to be the one to walk away.
Chapter 33
Justin
It’s a little after three in the afternoon when I get to my parents' house. I park my truck and hop out, waiting for Anna Beth, Chad, and Carly to arrive. I hate doing this without Mallory by my side. She’s stuck in Chicago for another day or two because of work and insisted I do this and when she comes back home, we’ll have to plan a dinner.
The purr of the engine gets my attention and I see Anna Beth getting out of the SUV and helping Carly down. The little girl with bright blue eyes and blonde hair comes barreling up the driveway and jumps into my arms.
“Hi.”
“Hi!” I laugh and hug her. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too.” Her giggles fill my ears, and I turn around to see Coach and Courtney rushing over to us. Carly points at them and looks at me. “Who?”
“That’s your grandma and grandpa, sweetie.”
“Oh.” She squirms down and waits for them to get to where she’s standing.
Anna Beth comes over and holds my hand, while Chad stands behind us. The three of us know we need to give them a chance to meet and talk to Carly. A piece of Carson’s here and it’s only fair they get their time with her.
Seeing my mom crying while holding Carly brings us to tears. This is her chance to be in a child’s life again. I remember what Mallory says about life and how it works in mysterious ways. This is the best kind of mystery. My family is slowly becoming whole again, and things are going well for everyone.
I gulp the lump in my throat when Coach starts crying. In all my years of knowing him, this is the third time I’ve seen him cry.
The first time was when Carson and I were leaving for boot camp.
The second time was when Carson died, and he had to bury his son.
And this was the third time—meeting Carly.
“Thank you for being here for us and setting it up. I just hope they don’t hate me.”
I squeeze Anna Beth’s hand. “No, they won’t hate you. My mom gets it. You had to do what you felt was best. You’ve brought home a piece of Carson and we’ll always be thankful for that. I hope you realize how much it means to all of us to have him here and back.”
She wipes her tears with a tissue and turns to look at me. “I do. I took her to see his grave this morning. Chad stayed in the car. He wanted to give us space and time. I let Carly go up to the tombstone alone. I thought she’d see it and want to leave, but she sat down and started babbling and talking. Her words aren’t as clear and I feel bad because it’s hard to understand, but when she was talking to Carson, I don’t know, I understood what she was saying and she wasn’t nervous.”
“That’s awesome you brought her to see him. How else did she do?”
“Great. When we got back in the SUV, she said she wanted to see her Daddy again. I’m sure one day I’m going to have to explain all of this to her, but for now, I like that she can have a sweet imagination. She’s a little girl. I don’t want to take anything away from her.”
I nod my head in agreement. “I get it. You’re doing a great job. In case no else tells you, you’re a great mom and you deserve to know that.”
“Even though I took her away from you and your parents.”
“You were young and scared. You’d just said goodbye to Carson, and you left because it felt right.”
Anna Beth rests her head on my shoulder, and we wait until Courtney tells us to follow everyone to the back.
* * *
The door opens and closes, waking me up from a light sleep. I turn my head and see Mallory trying to walk into the apartment quietly.
She’s not quiet.
“Oh.” She pouts and sets her things down. “I wanted to surprise you.”
I jumped from the couch and rush over to bring her into my arms. “You’re not quiet, baby. I heard you a mile away.”
She pouts again and it’s the cutest damn thing. “How were Chicago and your flight?”
“Good and good. I ran into stupid Calvin and he tried taking convincing me to go out with him, but I told him no. He kept trying, and it
got annoying, but don’t worry I handled myself out there and everything’s fine.”
It pisses me off that her asshole ex-boyfriend thought he could try to get back into Mallory’s life. Not going to happen. This beautiful woman in my arms is going to be mine forever.
I’ll make sure of it.
Chapter 34
Mallory
The weeks fly by, and soon, I’m standing in our new kitchen in our new home. It’s everything we want. Jerry and Lisa are in the apartment loving on each other. The Cure’s still drawing people in and staying busy every night. The weekends are crazy. Lisa and I have been helping. I love being there helping and supporting the man I love and his dreams.
His arms wrap around my waist and he kisses below my ear. “You’re the most beautiful woman in this world. Have I told you today how much I love you?”
I pretend to think, tipping my head to the side and tapping my chin. “I don’t believe so.”
“I love you. Forever, baby. Our dreams are coming true.” He spins me around and lets me go. “Ready for tonight?”
“Yes. Everyone should be here in about twenty minutes. All the caterers are ready, and things have come together so nicely.”
We’re throwing a housewarming party with our family and friends. The Cure’s closed tonight for this special event. My parents are here for the next few weeks. They’re staying with Coach and Courtney. Those four are trouble with a capital T.
“Baby, I think people are starting to come early.”
“Okay.” I’m not going to stress out. Not today.
I’m learning to go with the flow and not stress over things I can’t control. For example, the time. It clearly says six o’clock, but people want to show up early. I can’t complain. If this is the worst thing that happens today then I’ll be ecstatic.
By the time seven o’clock rolls around, our home is packed with family and friends. I’m trying to push people to go outside where we have a tent with tables and chairs. You’d think we’re having a wedding reception here or something.
