by Piper Rayne
“I’d love to have you, but Ethel would complain about Calista staying in the senior center. She’s such a pain in my ass.”
I inspect the backseat where a new car seat is waiting.
“No worries, Kingston installed it. He does the safety checks to help the fire department when he’s not jumping out of planes. That kid, I swear he’ll give me a heart attack.”
Kingston. Kingston. I’m not sure I remember which one that guy was.
I put Calista in the car seat and secure the straps. Dori climbs in next to her and I throw the diaper bag in the passenger seat, arranging the mirrors and seat to fit me. When I turn over the keys in the ignition Elvis music blares out of the speakers.
I glance in the rearview mirror as I lower the volume. Calista’s ears are covered.
“That’s the king, baby girl. You never cover your ears when he’s playing.” Dori pries her hands off her ears.
“You never know, he might be watching from the forest,” I joke about the rumor that he’s really alive somewhere.
“Yeah, he might,” Dori says, no humor inflected in her voice.
Okay then. No jokes about the king.
Don’t even ask how we got to Holly’s in one piece. I mean, I made so many sharp right and left turns because of Dori’s last minute directions, cutting people off, I’m sure they thought it was Dori driving.
I park outside a nice log cabin-style house with a three-car garage. It’s secluded with a long winding driveway. There are no neighbors to be seen unless you’re counting wildlife. I’m not sure this is for me. Might as well ask for a bear to visit you for breakfast.
There are already three cars parked in the wide paved area in front of the house. It looks like they’re used to always having company and have sectioned off part of what would be their front yard for their guest’s vehicles.
“This was Rome’s parents’ house. Austin, his older brother, and his fiancée, Holly, live here now.”
It’s then that the article I read on Buzz Wheel comes to mind. Karen’s daughter Holly is the person it was talking about.
“It’s very nice,” I say as we approach.
Dori opens the front door, the diaper bag on her shoulder, leaving me to hold Calista. “We’re here!” she screams, not waiting for me as she walks farther into the house.
I shut the door, not sure whether I should wait here or what.
But by the time I turn around, one of Rome’s sisters (I assume), is there. She’s tall with blonde hair and she’s wearing a pretty navy pantsuit. She looks completely put together and in control of her life and it makes me feel a little like a hot mess given the situation and the messy top knot in my hair.
“Hi. We haven’t properly met. I’m Rome’s sister, Savannah,” she holds out her hand.
“Hi. Harley and this is—”
“Calista.” She doesn’t try to take her but smooths her hand down her hair. “She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Come. We’re just opening the wine and Holly made these awesome sandwich things. She has some stuff we think the little one can eat, too.”
The kitchen is buzzing with women talking. Karen and another woman are behind the counter, opening the stove, moving from the fridge to the food. They work well together and that’s when I realize, the other woman must be Holly.
A blonde and an auburn-haired girl slide off their stools at the breakfast bar, walking toward me.
“Juno,” the auburn haired one says. “Auntie Juno,” she says to Calista, touching her arm.
“Brooklyn,” the blonde introduces herself. “Number one auntie,” she whispers to Calista, holding up her finger.
“Oh.” The other auburn-haired woman behind the counter wipes her hands on the small apron wrapped around her waist. “I’m Holly, welcome.” She doesn’t shake my hand, she pulls me into a hug and kisses Calista’s temple. “I was able to scrounge up a highchair and I have a small area blocked off in the circular gate for her to play in. We have two dogs, Myles and Daisy. Austin is walking them to get rid of some of their energy. Myles is a tad…”
“Spastic,” Brooklyn cringes.
Holly shakes her head. “No, he’s just easily excitable.”
“He’s tried to eat Wyatt’s balls like three times,” Brooklyn says, sipping her wine with her eyebrows raised.
“It’s only him,” Holly says. “Probably smells his money or something.” She laughs, waving her comment off like a joke. “Come in and make yourself comfortable.”
I sit in the seat they pat for me and prop Calista on my lap. She peers around the table, unsure of who to focus her attention on. Brooklyn’s obviously the most eager for her attention because she starts playing peek-a-boo.
“Oh, she loved playing that with Brian at the diner,” Karen says, leaning over and patting my hand. “Welcome.” Her smile conveys a message—you’re safe here. There’s still that kindred feeling I have with her, like she knows what I might be going through.
“May I?” Brooklyn asks, standing and holding her hands out. “We’ll just go in the other room and play. We each brought her something.”
I nod and of course Calista has no problem going to her. Her fingers immediately entwined in her hair.
Tears prick my eyes, but I suck them back. All these people unconditionally loving my child and wanting to be a part of her life feels overwhelming. Buying her things to make our life easier. I never in a million years thought me coming up here would turn into this.
“So, you’re going back to Seattle tomorrow?” Savannah asks, closing her phone and picking up a sandwich.
“Yes.”
I look around, wondering where Grandma Dori went to.
“She’ll be back, this is her MO. She tricks you, goes MIA. Don’t let your guard down. Next thing you know a priest will be at the door with Rome.” Savannah laughs.
“She usually goes directly to the Bailey child though. Tracked Austin down,” Holly smiles from where she’s assembling the food at the counter.
“She went to Wyatt for me,” Brooklyn says from the family room. “Meddling woman,” she mumbles to Calista which gets rewarded with a laugh and drool.
“Yeah, we apologize ahead of time. But thank you for coming over and spending some time with us.” Savannah smiles and pulls up her phone again.
For the next ten minutes, Juno tells me about her matchmaking business while Holly and Karen joke about the Buzz Wheel article. It isn’t until the man I believe is Austin comes in with two dogs, one jumping up and down on his leash, that all of this feels like déjà vu. I’ve never been here before. Why does this feel so familiar?
“Don’t let him off,” Holly says, but Austin’s fingers have already unclipped the leash and Myles barrels into the other room, giving Calista one long-tongued lick up her face.
Her face scrunches like it does right before she cries. I stand to go over to her, but the front door opens, and slams shut drawing all of our attention.
“This is the last straw!” Rome’s voice booms through the house.
He stops at the entryway where their family room and kitchen come together, sees Brooklyn with Calista and beelines over, picking Calista up out of her hold and brings her into his chest. He inspects her like Myles mauled her and then stares down his family. “You have all crossed the line.” He looks around. “Where is she?”
Fourteen
Harley
“She’s gone.” Juno points to the window and sure enough, we all run over in time to see her Cadillac fishtail down the driveway.
I take Calista from Rome and wipe away the one tear that leaked down her cheek.
“She’s going to get herself killed,” Austin mumbles. “Does this mean I get a sandwich?” He kisses Holly on the cheek and runs into the kitchen.
“NO!” she screams, chasing him. “They’re for our guests.”
He grabs one right as she catches him, and he holds it above her head. “Surely she can’t eat all of these,” he
says, his gaze directed at me, waiting for my agreement.
“Have at ‘em, big guy,” I say and kiss Calista on the cheek.
She seems better now.
“Your mutt is a problem,” Rome says.
“He licked her.” Austin’s eyes are focused on his fiancée, laughing as she attempts to jump up and get the sandwich. “Rome, go into the other room. You don’t need to see this,” he says, watching what we can all see, his fiancée’s tits bobbing up and down.
“Nothing I haven’t seen before,” Rome says, picking up his own sandwich and holding it out to Calista. She nibbles on the edge of the bread.
Sometimes I’m surprised at how instinctive being a parent seems to have come to Rome. I feel like I’m failing every day and he’s like Clark Kent.
“You haven’t seen hers, so leave.”
“Fine.” Rome nods his head toward the other room.
I follow but glance over my shoulder to find Austin stuff the small sandwich into his mouth, grab Holly’s ass, and hoist her up into his arms. Man, that’s sexy as fuck. She playfully swats at him when I’m fairly sure she’s probably thinking, take me upstairs.
Pulling my eyes off of them, a tingle ignites between my thighs. It’s been a long time since I felt like a guy wanted me like that. Shane is a considerate lover. He makes sure I come before him and he has no problem with going down, but everything feels like it’s a list and he’s crossing off the steps as we go. There’s not much passion or spontaneity in our sex life.
Rome sits on the floor, pushing Myles back with his forearm.
“Woof,” Calista says, reaching out to pet the dog.
“Bad dog,” he scolds.
“Give Myles a break.” Brooklyn takes her two hands and buries them in the husky’s fur, petting him until he lays down beside her.
Calista crawls out of Rome’s lap toward the dog.
“Oh no, you don’t,” he says, but she keeps up with the wiggles. He looks over to me and I nod. “It’s on you if something bad happens,” he says, pointing to me.
Calista toddles over and sits up next to Brooklyn, her small hand reaching out. Brooklyn keeps petting Myles and Calista slowly moves her hands over the spot Brooklyn shows her. It’s so cute how she stares up at Brooklyn like she’s eleven-years-old and Brooklyn’s Taylor Swift.
“Why would Dori bring us here and leave?” I ask.
Savannah sits down on the couch next to me, Juno in the chair by Rome.
“She’s meddling. Told us all it would be a chance to get you to stay in Lake Starlight. She even brought these brochures.” Savannah points to the table where there are some massage therapy pamphlets.
“But, why would she leave?”
“Be thankful you didn’t have to hear any stories about her and our grandpa.” Austin comes in and Holly places a plate of crackers and cheese on the coffee table then sits close to her fiancé. Watching them together would make anyone believe in true love, that’s for sure.
“I’m so confused,” I say.
“She’s trying to smother you with Baileys,” Rome says. “Thinking if you meet all of us and see what we can offer you, you’ll stay. She’s an old bird who can’t keep to herself.”
Austin smacks him on the head. “Respect,” he says.
Rome grabs the back of his head and nods.
“She means well,” Austin says. “She’s always felt like she was our mother, father, and grandmother after our parents died. I have no complaints about her meddling.” He and Holly stare at one another and my stomach clenches. What must it feel like to know someone loves you that much?
I pick up a pamphlet and read it for a minute. When I look over the top of the paper, I find Rome’s gaze on me. Both of our eyes shift to Calista who’s playing with Brooklyn and then we lock gazes again.
“The next session starts in three weeks,” he says in a low voice.
“How do you know?” I whisper.
“I looked it up.” He shrugs.
I nod my head.
“I could watch her while you have class.”
I scan the room. Everyone is distracted but it feels weird talking about this with other people around.
“I need a minute,” I say. “Holly, where is the bathroom?”
She stops flirting with her fiancé for a second and looks over to me. “Oh, down the hall to your right.”
“Thanks.”
I glance one more time at Calista, but Rome is here, and he might be more protective over her than even I am. My little girl is more than fine here.
Why does that make me sad?
Oh yeah, because we’re leaving.
I open the bathroom door to find Rome there with his hand extended, asking permission to lead me somewhere.
“What about Calista?”
“My sisters have her. Remember there’s nine of us.”
I nod.
“She’s good. I promise.”
I lock my hand in his. A flood of emotions rush over me. How can this man I really don’t know at all make me feel so safe?
We walk out the back door and down the stairs of a balcony that overlooks a fire pit and a wooded area. Following a trail, Rome doesn’t say much, and I have to wonder what it is he’s trying to do right now.
When we come upon a small lake surrounded by the woods, he guides me to a bench on the side. I sit and he slides in next to me.
“I really wanted you to come to this realization on your own, but I fear you won’t. So, I’m just gonna do it.”
“Do what?” I ask, worried he’s about to pull out a ring and drop to one knee or something equally crazy.
“Lay my cards out.”
“Okay,” I say, tentative as to what card he’s holding.
“I want you and Calista to stay in Lake Starlight. I want you to finish up your degree here. I can watch her and if I can’t, I have plenty of family who will help us. You’ll get your degree faster and I’ll be able to have my daughter in my life.”
I sigh and stand, walking toward the water’s edge. With warmer temperatures the last few days, the lasting snow piles are dwindling to nothing.
“It makes perfect sense and I get that you have the lawyer back in Seattle.”
“Shane,” I correct.
Rome nods. I fear he doesn’t say his name because that would make him too real.
“Come on. I wasn’t there for the first eighteen months or during the pregnancy. Let me be there now.”
I have to admit, it’s tempting. Plus, all the relationships with family members that Calista could form is an added bonus.
What do I really have in Seattle? Shane and Miranda. Miranda is going to have her own life one day. And Shane? I haven’t had a real conversation with him since I’ve been here. It’s all been through text. But he is nice and there could be a future there.
“I have nowhere to live.”
“You’ll live with Savannah,” Dori’s voice comes out of the woods.
“What the hell?” I gasp, startled by her sudden appearance.
“G’Ma D?” Rome asks, looking behind us and finding her on the bench now. “Are you a witch?”
She laughs. “No. I came back after dropping Ethel’s dentures back off at the home. I was holding them for her earlier today and forgot to give them back.”
Rome massages the bridge of his nose. “I don’t even want to know.”
“Probably not dear,” Dori says.
“What are you doing out by the lake?” he asks.
“This was your grandfather’s and my spot. I come here when I miss him.”
I look over at Dori with sympathy. “I’m sorry.”
She waves me off. “He’s been gone a long time. Anyway, you two get back to what you were talking about.”
Rome looks back at me with pleading eyes. “You’re going to ruin it. I almost had her.”
“You think so, huh?” I ask.
He nods. “Definitely. It’s too good of an offer.” His tongue slides out and skates
over his bottom lip. He’s right. If anything, I’m looking for excuses to stay, but they might be for all the wrong reasons. This thing between us is developing and progressing and I want to know what that means. But I can’t get involved with this man and ruin my daughter’s hope of a future with a family who loves her. Especially when it’s my entire reason for staying here to begin with.
“And the job at the restaurant? It’s mine?”
“Definitely.” He nods, a hesitant smile in place.
“I’ll go tell Savannah,” Dori says right before her footsteps can be heard stepping on twigs.
“Rome, if I do this, I’m uprooting my entire life.”
He nods. “Trust me.”
“Trust you?” I stare out at the lake, wishing it could grant me some guidance.
I’ve gone on my gut my entire life. I’ve never had parental guidance. Sure, there were counselors, but they just want to make sure you’re good enough to transition into society. They think they’re doing good by making sure you’re not abused or malnourished. Every once in a while you’d come across a fresh-faced counselor who still had the hope of saving the system, but eventually they all wave the white flag. Asking for my trust is like asking for every foster kid to live in a caring home with people in it for the children, and not for the money. Impossible.
My hands fall to my stomach. Tell me what to do. What’s best for me and Calista? Rome steps up to the water’s edge, his shoulder rubbing across mine and a flush of warmth spreads through my body. My gut screams at me to stay, so the words fall out of my mouth before I can take them back. “I’ll stay.”
He leans closer. “Tell me I heard that right?”
I giggle like the schoolgirl he makes me feel like. “We’ll stay.”
He picks me up and swings me around. “I promise you won’t regret it. I’ll give you all the good shifts. Savannah will love having a roommate. And all my sisters and Holly, hell, Denver will love to babysit Calista.” He lowers me to the ground, my body slowly pressing against his on the way down. His large hands land on each side of my face. “You won’t regret this.” Then his lips land on mine.
