by Kay Correll
AJ thought of himself as a brave enough man… but why did the thought of spending an afternoon alone with Bobby scare him half to death?
“Sure, I’m up for it if you are.” It was kind of a lie. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep the boy safe, let alone entertained. What would they do? Shouldn’t a person go to parenting class or something before they were asked to watch a kid? He turned to Courtney. “Mind you, I’ve never babysat a kid before in my life.”
“I’m not a baby.” Bobby puffed up his chest.
“See, I’ve already got it wrong.”
“You’ll do fine. You guys can play on the beach, go for ice cream, you could even go to the bungalow and play video games.”
“Really?” Bobby’s eyes lit up. “You hardly ever let me play video games.”
“Special rules for today only.” Courtney looked at AJ closely. “You sure you’re up for this? You sure you want to do this?”
“I thought we had a conversation about I wouldn’t offer to do things if I didn’t want to do them.” He just wasn’t sure he wouldn’t totally screw this one up.
“I know, but…”
“I’m sure.” He wasn’t sure at all but wasn’t going to let her know that. He’d keep Bobby alive and unharmed… hopefully.
“I’m off about eight or nine. Tereza is going to close. I have a frozen pizza in the freezer you guys could have for dinner but don’t give him a cola with dinner. Too much caffeine. His bedtime is eight.”
“Can’t I stay up until you get home?”
“Okay, just this once. We’re not going to make a habit about staying up late, though.”
AJ tried to keep it all straight. Video games were okay—but just today, not always. Something about an alien invasion on the beach—or had Bobby said starfish invasion? What was that? Ice cream yes, soda no.
Now was not the time to panic. He could do this.
Probably?
“Well, let’s go, kiddo, and let your mom get back to work. What do you want to do first?”
“Let’s go play space invaders. We’ll both be good guys, and we’ll have pretend bad guys.”
Courtney grinned. “Have fun saving the world.”
Bobby tugged his hand, and they headed off for the beach. How long could Bobby be out in the sun? He’d forgotten to ask. What other rules had he not even thought to question Courtney about? He looked down at Bobby’s small hand in his, and the responsibility for another human being loomed over him.
He had to get this right.
“Come on. The invaders are here.”
AJ was surprised he actually had fun playing Bobby’s intricate game of space invaders which somehow morphed into starfish invaders and back to invaders from the Planet of Bad Guys. They played until he figured it was time to let Bobby rest. Okay, let himself rest. “How about we go get some ice cream?”
Bobby halted in his make-believe laser chase with a particularly tenacious alien. “Ice cream is good.” He dropped his laser-stick onto the beach and turned to take AJ’s hand.
AJ was almost getting used to being tugged around by him. The boy stopped in his tracks and frowned.
“What’s wrong?” AJ looked toward where Bobby was staring at a group of palm trees and sea grapes lining the edge of the beach.
“I… I just thought I saw someone.”
AJ didn’t see anyone. “I got nothing, buddy. Who did you see?”
“I thought I saw… but it can’t be him.” His small face screwed up in confusion. “Nah, I guess it was nobody.” Bobby took one last look toward the trees then tugged AJ’s hand yet again.
He figured it was just part of the boy’s active imagination. Maybe another space pirate or something of that ilk was creeping along the tree line.
“Come on. Let’s get some ice cream. I want a banilla cone.”
They got their ice cream then headed back to Courtney’s bungalow. He took out the key she’d given him and opened the door. The cool air-conditioned air wrapped around him in a soothing, welcoming hug. He glanced around the apartment. The boxes that had been there the last time he visited were gone from the corners of the room. Courtney had hung up a photo of Tally, Eddie, Bobby, and her. A serene painting of a seascape hung on another wall. A small shelf filled with books and knickknacks sat against another wall.
The place was beginning to look like a home. Or what he imagined a normal home would look like. The huge house he’d been raised in had been decorated by an interior designer. A man’s man house, she’d called it. They’d moved there about a year after his mother had died, leaving behind all remnants of his memories of happy times in the cheery house they’d lived in with his mom.
“Come on. Let’s play some video games. I can’t believe Momma said I can play them as much as we want today.”
They played video games for an hour or so until Bobby announced he was hungry. AJ managed to cook the pizza without burning it and remembered to say no when Bobby asked for a soda with his dinner. He was almost getting cocky about how well he’d managed his responsibilities so far.
He looked at the time. Seven o’clock. Reinforcements would be here soon. Though, he actually was having a good time with the kid. Who knew? He was pretty certain his father had never spent a full afternoon and evening playing with him. Not even once in his whole life.
“More video games?” Bobby eyed him from across the table, his short legs perpetually swinging as he sat in his chair. The kid was in constant motion.
“How about I read you a book?”
“Really? That’s cool. I’ve got a million books. Momma reads to me all the time. I’m learning to read.”
“Okay then. Let’s get this mess cleaned up, and we’ll read.”
Bobby helped him clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. “The plates go like this, and you’re supposed to put the silverware in upside down. I don’t know why, but you do.” Bobby’s little shoulders went up and down, and the look on his face clearly said he thought his mother was a bit picky, but he wasn’t going to break her dishwasher rules.
“Good to know.” He reached down, grabbed the fork he’d put in, and turned it tines up.
Bobby grabbed a stack of books from the shelf, and they settled on the couch. He helped Bobby read a short book, but then Bobby wanted him to read a chapter book about a boy who found a hidden treasure chest. Bobby curled up next to him, resting his head on AJ’s arm. He looked down after just reading a few pages when he realized Bobby had quit asking questions.
And just like that, the boy was sound asleep.
He closed the book but was afraid to move, afraid he’d wake Bobby. He sat there, listening to the boy’s soft, even breathing. It was one of the most peaceful moments he’d ever had in his life.
And that scared him half to death.
Chapter 17
Courtney walked through the door of the bungalow a little after eight. She stopped in her tracks, and a small smile crept across her face. AJ was sound asleep on the couch with Bobby curled up against him. Her heart fluttered in her chest. She stood and drank in the scene and the pure serenity of it.
When she closed the door behind her, AJ’s eyes opened. He gave her a lazy grin as she tiptoed over to the couch.
“Has he been out long?” she asked.
AJ glanced at the clock on the wall. “About an hour. I was afraid to move. Afraid I’d wake him up.”
“I should have warned you. Once he’s out, he’s out. You can pick him up, carry him, and he doesn’t even wake up.”
She leaned over to pick Bobby up.
“Here, I’ll get him.” AJ gently turned, scooped the boy up in his arms, and stood with one easy motion.
She led the way down the hallway and into Bobby’s room. AJ carefully set him on the bed. She tugged off her son’s shorts and slipped him under the covers. Smiling, she bent down and kissed his cheek. He looked just like an angel when he slept. No sign of the constant whirl of activity that followed him all day long.
AJ leaned down and brushed a lock of Bobby’s hair away from his face in a slow, gentle movement. Her heart flipped in her chest at the simple sight.
“Night, kiddo,” he whispered.
They left the bedroom, their soft footsteps in sync as they walked down the hall.
AJ stood for a moment in the middle of the front room. “I guess I should go now.” But his eyes said he wanted to stay.
She could see it plainly. And since when did she know what his eyes said? “Do you want to stay for a bit? I could use some time to unwind.”
“Sure, I can stay.” His eyes lit up, and she liked that. Liked that a lot.
“Get you a beer?”
“Sure.”
She headed to the kitchen, but he followed after her.
She got him a beer and a tall glass of ice water for herself. She felt him watch her every move. The tension in the air crackled between them. Did he feel that?
He moved closer to her and reached for the drinks. He carefully set them both on the counter. “Court?”
“Hmm?” She watched his eyes as they burned into her.
“I’d really like to kiss you.”
She swallowed, uncertain if she was ready for this step. Kurt had done such a number on her. Made it so she didn’t really trust men. But AJ wasn’t men. AJ was… AJ. And she trusted him. She knew in her heart she trusted him. She swept her gaze over his face and locked on his eyes. Yes, yes, she was ready for this. She nodded. “I’d like that, too.” Her words were barely over a whisper.
He slowly lowered his lips against hers. A thrill of emotions rolled through her, and she didn’t have time to sort them all out.
He pulled away. “And another one?”
She nodded.
He kissed her again, this time a long, leisurely kiss that left her breathless. When he finally pulled away, he picked up their drinks and handed hers to her. He took her hand in his and led her back to the couch. He sat down, pulling her close beside him.
She watched as he took a long swallow of his beer, his strong hand wrapped around the bottle. Taking a slow breath, she forced herself to look away. She couldn’t just sit and stare at him forever, could she?
She pressed the cool glass of water to her lips, the chill a sharp contrast to the fire of his kisses. Ignoring all thoughts of his kiss, she took a quick swallow.
Talk. They should talk. She turned to him, trying not to stare at his lips again. “So, tell me about you. You know a lot about me, my family. You don’t say much about your life or your family. All I know is your father owns restaurants.”
He set his beer down carefully on a coaster. “There’s not much to tell. I have a father who lives in Washington, DC. My grandmother lives there, too. But, as you know, I’m staying here with her at her rental. I…” He paused for so long she wasn’t sure he was going to continue.
“I was actually banished here. My father is ticked off at me.”
“Banished you?”
“I used to work for him, but we had a falling out. I’ve been… well, I haven’t been doing much of anything the last few years. Just traveling around. Hanging out with friends.”
“You haven’t worked?” The concept of not working just boggled her mind.
“Nope.”
“But how do you live? I mean…” Embarrassment raced through her. She’d almost asked him what he did for money, which was none of her business.
He looked at her and shrugged. “I’m a trust fund baby and have access to some of the funds now, much to my father’s dismay. He’d rather me be penniless, but my great-grandfather set up these trusts, and, well, I can access some of the money, but not the rest until I turn forty.”
She still couldn’t quite wrap her mind around not ever working. Just having money to spend on anything you wanted without earning it. A different lifestyle for sure.
“I mainly haven’t gotten another job because it irritates my father to see me not work. And I find a bit of joy in annoying him.” He picked up his beer and took a swallow. “I know it sounds shallow, but he’s… well, he’s a tough one. I can’t ever do right in his mind, so I’ve pretty much quit trying.”
“Why is his opinion so important?”
He looked at her and did one of his long pauses again. She sat waiting for him to continue… or tell her to mind her own business.
“Honestly, I don’t know. My whole life I tried, I really did. I’d get straight As in high school, and he’d be mad I wasn’t first in my class. I’d score a goal in lacrosse, and he’d be disappointed because someone else on the team scored two. I’ve never been able to measure up to whatever it is he wants me to be.”
“Maybe you should quit trying.”
“I should, but it’s a habit that’s hard to break.”
“How about your mother? What does she say?”
“My mother is dead. She died when I was six. My whole world turned upside down that year.”
“That must have been so hard.”
“It was. She was my biggest supporter. I remember her smile. She smiled a lot. And laughed. We lived in this big, sunny house. But then… she was gone. We found out she had cancer, and she was gone in months. My father sold the house, and he and I moved to a cold, sterile house. We never talked about my mother.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal, but she could see in his eyes how much this all still haunted him.
She put her hand on his hand resting on the couch, trying to connect with him, trying to say to that little boy who lost his mother, without words, that everything would be okay. She’d never known her own mother, but would it be worse to know your mom and lose her? Both were horrible things to happen to any child, and it tore at her heart.
“Anyway, I made the gossip page of the paper one time too many. My father sent me away with my grandmother, threatening to find a way to cut me off. I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s ruthless. My mother was the only one who could bring out a softer side of him.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ll be fine. I’ve always been fine. I always find a way to land on my feet. I’ll do my penance and get back to my own life.” He shrugged again. “Or he’ll cut me off, and I’ll move on.”
AJ looked at Courtney. He could see pity in her eyes, and he didn’t want that. He’d also seen the surprise when he said he didn’t work. It was getting embarrassing, even to him, that he still hadn’t found another job. It was getting tiring not working just to irritate his father. After seeing how hard Courtney worked and seeing the joy that owning Magic Cafe brought to Tally, his drift-through-life approach was beginning to lose its appeal.
He swooped his beer off the table and took a long swallow. Just like that, it was decided. He was going to start looking for a new job on Monday. But first, tomorrow he was going to help Courtney in any way she’d let him. He knew she was a bit overwhelmed with Tally being gone.
“So, how about I watch Bobby again tomorrow? We had a good time.”
“I couldn’t ask you—” She stopped and grinned at him. “But I didn’t ask.”
“So, that’s a yes?”
“If you’re sure. I was going to bring him into work early tomorrow with me and feed him breakfast there.”
“How about I just come here? I’ll pick up something for breakfast on the way. We’ll just hang out all day.”
“I’m sure Bobby would love that.”
“It’s settled then.” He reluctantly stood though he really, really wanted to just sit by her side for hours more. “I should go. It’s getting late, and I know you have another long day ahead of you tomorrow with Tally gone.”
He reached down, and she slipped her small hand into his. Her hand was delicate and warm. He deftly pulled her to her feet. She bumped against him, and he circled his arm around her waist. He tilted her head up and kissed her. He’d been wanting to do it again, ever since they sat down on the couch.
A small sigh escaped her lips. He tightened his hold on her, pressing her closer. Sh
e finally pulled away, a small, shy smile on her face.
He cleared his throat. “Yes, I should go.” He released his hold, and she stepped back, leaving an empty loneliness in her place.
She walked him to the door and opened it. He leaned in for one more quick kiss and then started across the courtyard. Partway to the street, he looked back and waved. She returned the wave then closed the door. A crunching sound across the courtyard caught his attention, but when he looked, he didn’t see a thing.
He turned and headed down the street, whistling a random love song as he ambled along the sidewalk. A fleeting thought entered his mind. He could almost imagine himself in a life like this. Picnics on the beach, family dinners, quiet evenings.
Ah, but that was silly… wasn’t it?
Chapter 18
AJ balanced a tray with two coffees and a sack of delicious-smelling baked goods from The Sweet Shoppe as he knocked on the door to Courtney’s bungalow.
She answered after a moment, and he almost dropped his packages when she flashed him an I’m-so-glad-to-see-you smile. He wanted to kiss her but had no idea if Bobby was watching and how she’d feel about that. Instead, he simply said, “Good morning.”
“Come in. Bobby’s still sleeping.”
He instantly regretted not kissing her and considered whether he could sneak one in now.
She stepped back and motioned for him to come in. He set the tray and sack down on a table and handed her one of the coffees. “Thought you could use this before work.”
“Thank you.” She took the offered cup. “I didn’t have time to make a pot this morning. I try and grab some at work, but this is wonderful. I’ll drink it on my walk to the restaurant.”
“There’s cream in the bag if you need it.”
“Nope, just black, thanks.” She looked around the room. “Got to find my purse and get out of here. Bobby should be up soon. Oh, there it is.” She crossed over, picked up her purse, and hurried back to the door. “I’ve really got to go. Thanks for the coffee.” Her words were like one long stream of consciousness.
