Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  When Dani looked at the park where she’d agreed to meet Chris’ parents, her heart started racing. If she didn’t have to meet up with them for another ten years, it still wouldn’t be long enough.

  “Nini!” Reece called from the backseat as Georgia came into view. Dani hated that her daughter still loved these people.

  “Hold on, sweetie. I’ll get you unbuckled so you can go say hi.”

  Dani got out of the car and worked to get a squirming child out of her seat. The second she was free, Reece took off through the park, running into Georgia and Ron’s open arms.

  Dani hung back by the car, watching as the greeting took place with her heart in her throat. “Funny, they don’t look like scumbags.”

  “Looks can be deceiving.”

  “Well, shall we?” Reagan asked.

  “We aren’t getting any younger.”

  Dani wouldn’t admit to anyone else how much it upset her to see her daughter so happy with the people who had tried to take her away. She wondered if Ron and Georgia appreciated how much of an effort it took for her to even be here. Probably not. That’s why she and Reagan stayed to one side of the park while Reece and her grandparents played in the middle. She wanted nothing to do with them.

  “Momma! Nini said we can go get ice cream.”

  Fuck. It figured that Georgia would try to cross the line. Dani had specifically told her they’d meet at the park and nothing else. Now she would be the dickhead.

  “I’m sorry, but we need to go.”

  “But I wanna get ice cream,” Reece whined.

  “Hey, Reecie, come play with me,” Reagan interrupted, trying to get her mind off the cluster fuck happening before his eyes.

  She looked between Dani and Reagan as her bottom lip wobbled. Finally she nodded and reached for his hand. Dani mouthed a “thank you” to her brother and waited until they made their way to the far end of the park before turning her sights on Georgia.

  “You really tried to use a kid to manipulate the situation?”

  Georgia looked at her with an innocently. “I just wanted to spend more time with her.”

  “That wasn’t part of the deal. I said we’d come hang out at the park and nothing else. You’re lucky you get to see her at all after everything that happened. Trust me, it’s not for your benefit.”

  “You think because you have a big bank account now you can say all these things, but you better watch yourself because that won’t protect you.”

  “Georgia,” Ron warned.

  “What?” she asked. “We don’t have to roll over just because she says. We may have dropped the request for custody, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reopen it.”

  Dani sucked in a breath. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Maybe, maybe not.”

  “I have never pretended I knew Chris all that well, but I know he’d be disgusted at the way you’re acting.”

  “Don’t talk to me about my son,” Georgia spat.

  “Do what you’re gonna do, but you won’t be seeing Reece again. I’m sorry I even gave you another chance. I should have listened to everyone when they told me not to come.”

  “You’ll be sorry if you do that,” she warned.

  “I’ll be even sorrier if I don’t.”

  “This isn’t the last you’ll see of us.” Georgia didn’t seem to be backing down.

  “Bring it.”

  Dani looked over at her daughter playing with her brother and thanked her lucky stars for such an amazing family. If Georgia and Ron wanted to take her to court for protecting her family, she’d be ready.

  “Now, you have two options,” Dani whispered. “You can get in your car and drive away, or you can stand here, cause a scene, and I’ll call the cops. Your choice.”

  “We’re not doing anything. The police will tell you the same thing.”

  “I know, but do you want them here questioning you with everyone driving by watching?”

  Dani could tell when Georgia realized what that option meant because she narrowed her eyes and turned in a huff. When she started toward the playground, Dani called to her. “Just go. Don’t talk to her.”

  They both looked like they wanted to say something, but in the end, they got in their car and left. As soon as their car was out of sight, Dani fell on the bench and let the tears she’d been fighting off fall.

  7

  When Innominate announced last week that they’ll be taking a break after the close of the Dive Bar Tour, fans everywhere went crazy. To help ease fears, Austin King said this in an interview. “We aren’t breaking up. We all love what we do and want to keep doing it for as long as we can. The guys and I need just some time to recharge. I want to spend time with my wife. We have a few ideas we’re floating around to keep our fans engaged while we’re not front and center so it’s not like we’ll disappear.” When they asked Austin what those plans were, he smiled and said, “No comment.”

  * * *

  The tour was over, but the guys were still on the road. Nate never used to mind being on tour, but now that he had a family to go home to, he wanted to be with them. Now. It didn’t help matters any that Dani had insisted on going to meet Georgia and Ron the week before without him there. There was no question Dani could handle herself. She’d been dealing with them by herself for years and hadn’t even told anyone. But Nate was there for her now, and she didn’t have to do it alone. She shouldn’t have to shoulder all that by herself.

  “You okay?” Wil asked as he took a seat next to him.

  “Fine.”

  “You look like you’re about to come unhinged. I’d say you’re the furthest from fine there is.”

  Nate looked over at his best friend and realized there was no way he’d buy his bullshit. “I’m worried about Dani.”

  Wil sat back and propped his ankle on his leg. After he crossed his arms, he said, “That woman is the strongest I know, and that’s saying a lot. I get why you’re worried, but I think you need to give her a little credit.”

  “She’s damn strong. I’m not happy she’s dealing with this shit on her own, though. I should be there.”

  “Remember when you talked to Shelby? You did that because you were certain they could figure out a way to make things work. They have. You can do that too. Sure these feelings are new for you because you finally have something you love the same, if not more than our sorry asses, but if you gave all this up, that’d be it. Innominate would be gone. You’re our glue. Without you, we’d be finished and just biding our time for our reunion tour. I’m not ready for that. Are you?”

  Nate thought about all the stuff they’d done as a band. They’d far exceeded everything he’d set out to do, but down in his heart he wasn’t ready to call it quits. “No, we’re not old enough to plan reunion tours.”

  “Damn straight we’re not.”

  “I imagine it’s taking a toll on you, being away from Dani and Reece, but we’ll be back in a couple of days.”

  “When did you get so smart?”

  Wil smiled. “Shocker, huh? That’s usually your job.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  “You’d do it for me.”

  “Hell yeah I would. We’re family. That’s what we do.”

  Wil’s phone sounded with an alert, and he got a dopey look on his face. This wasn’t the first time Nate wondered what was going on with his friend.

  “Looks like you have someone special.”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “Looks like it from where I’m sitting.”

  “Nah, we’re just friends.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “I’m not sure,” he admitted.

  Nate looked at his friend dumbfounded. “What do you mean you’re not sure?”

  “It’s hard to explain.”

  “Try.”

  “When we first talked, we didn’t ask for names. It was all done under aliases. She hasn’t asked, so I haven’t told.”

  “So she doesn’t realize she’s talkin
g to the Wil Harris then?”

  “Not a clue.”

  “This won’t end well. You know that, right?”

  Wil grimaced. “Yeah, I kinda figured that.”

  Nate wouldn’t tell his friend to tell the girl who he was because it wasn’t that easy. He wasn’t sure what he’d do in that situation, if someone didn’t know who he was. Being in a situation like they were made life difficult sometimes and there wasn’t always an easy answer.

  “I wish you the best,” Nate said.

  “Thanks, man.”

  Wil got up, looking at his phone with a smile on his face. Nate wondered why Dani wasn’t answering him. Did it mean things had gone badly? Or was she busy? It could be either one, but Nate was worried it wasn’t good.

  Nate: You around?

  Dani: Sorta.

  Nate: You okay?

  Dani: Dandy.

  Yeah, something was up with her, but pushing her when she didn’t want to be pushed made her shut down more. It also drove him crazy not to help her and make her feel better.

  Nate: I’ll be home in the morning.

  Dani: Can’t wait. We’ve missed having you here. Let me know what you want for dinner, and I’ll make it happen.

  Nate: Whatever Reece wants. I’m happy to eat anything you cook. It’s better than road food.

  Dani: You don’t eat badly while you’re on tour.

  Nate: No, but I hate eating out, and that’s what it’s been since we left, one meal after another.

  Dani: Just asked Reece, and she said she wants pizza.

  Nate: LOL then pizza it is.

  Dani: You just said you wanted something from home.

  Nate: I also said whatever Reece wants. Pizza is fine.

  Dani: I’ll see you in the morning then.

  Nate: See you then.

  Dani: <3

  Nate: Love you too.

  Nate snuck in the house and put in the code for the alarm. He was glad Dani had set it. She didn’t always think the alarm should be set or the doors locked. She would give a bull crap line about how it was a small town and no one ever locked their doors, much less used an alarm system. It made him feel better when he was gone that she had one though.

  Poking his head in Reece’s room, he saw the little girl spread out. Her head was down at the foot of her bed, and the blankets had fallen to the ground. From what he’d been told, she’d always slept like this. Once he’d checked in on Reece, Nate made his way to the room he shared with Dani. There were pillows all over the side of the bed he usually occupied, and Dani was curled up with them.

  He pulled his shirt over his head and made his way into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Once he finished, he went to the bed and pulled the pillows off one by one. He got them all but the one Dani was holding onto for dear life. Instead of fighting her, he slipped in and pulled her as close as he could.

  “Nate?” her sleepy voice asked.

  “You have other men sneaking in your bed at night?”

  “How are you home?”

  “I couldn’t wait until the morning. Austin and I got in the car and made our way here as soon as we got finished.”

  Dani snuggled into him, and Nate felt like his world was coming back together. Being apart from her for the past few months had been hard. Like Wil had said, he wasn’t ready to call it quits, so he’d have to figure out a way to make things easier for them the next time, whenever that came.

  “I’m glad you’re here.” Dani’s arm had wrapped around his middle and her head was on his chest. Nate was her pillow now.

  “I’ve been worried about you.”

  “You don’t need to worry about me.”

  Nate pushed a piece of hair back from Dani’s face. “I’ll always worry about you.” After a second he said, “You didn’t say how everything went with those I won’t name.”

  She didn’t answer for a long time. In fact, Nate wondered if she would even answer. Finally, she said, “It was awful.”

  He wasn’t going to say anything. He feared if he did, she would stop talking. Hell, she might not say anything else as it was.

  “They threatened to open the case back up. I was so mad at them and told them I’d give them time with Reece because she wanted to be with them. I asked that they follow one request, and they didn’t even respect that. When I told them we were leaving and I wouldn’t be back, they said they would try and take her again.”

  Nate pulled her in tightly. “I’m so sorry you had to deal with that on your own. I wish I could have been there.”

  “It’s finished now. I’m not sure how I’ll explain everything to Reece. She’ll be heartbroken.”

  “We’ll figure it out.”

  “Nate?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m glad you’re back. Home isn’t the same without you.”

  Nate one hundred percent agreed, and he was determined to spend every day showing Dani just how much she and Reece meant to him.

  8

  Planning for the annual Harvest Festival is underway. The committee still needs your help. This year’s chair, Millie Simmons, said there’s no one too young or old to lend a hand. Still need your arm twisted? If you help out, you’ll be entered in a drawing to put a pie in Mayor Ross’ face. Now get out there and make this year’s festival the best one yet!

  * * *

  “Unc Nate, can we go to the park?”

  Nate looked at Reece in the rearview mirror and smiled. He never imagined he’d find someone like Dani, and that she came with Reece made the deal even sweeter. Some guys might run away from women with children, but not Nate. He was head over heels in love with Dani, and Reece had him wrapped around her finger.

  “I’m sure we can go to the park. I need visit your Uncle Austin, and I thought we’d go see what your Granny was up too. Should we go to her house too?”

  “Granny! I love her. We have to go see her.”

  Nate wouldn’t tell Austin that Reece didn’t even mention him. The guy was certain he was the favorite, but it was all in his head. Everyone knew he was full of himself.

  “Okay, we’ll head to her place after we see Uncle Austin.”

  As he drove out of town toward the old farm Austin had bought, Nate thought about how different his life was now. Several months ago he was single and living life in LA. He had a fast car, a penthouse apartment, and he didn’t have to answer to anyone. Now he was driving around a toddler in a sedan and living in a family home in Nebraska. Yet, he wouldn’t trade it for anything.

  Nate was already making plans to take care of his things in LA. He would keep his apartment so they’d have a place when they were in town, but the rest could go if it needed to. He had everything he needed right there in Nebraska. Now he understood why Austin fought so hard to stay.

  When Nate pulled into the driveway, he shut off the car and went to the back to get Reece unbuckled. As soon as she was free of the harness, she slipped under his arm and out the door. He should warn her not to run in because with Austin, it was anyone’s guess what you might walk into, but Nate had told him the night before he was coming.

  Nate made his way through the open door that Reece had forgotten to shut. He found her in Austin’s arms. His friend looked like he’d hurried to put his clothes on, his shirt being inside out, but Austin didn’t seem to mind. He had a smile on his face, and he was genuinely happy to see his niece.

  “Whoa, slow down, Reecie. What’s that?” Austin asked as she talked a mile a minute. No one could keep up with her.

  “Unc Nate said we were going to Granny’s and the park!”

  “What about me? You don’t even care that you came to see me?”

  “Where’s Annie Shelby?”

  “You’re chopped liver,” Nate told Austin with a laugh.

  “Auntie Shelby is in the shower, but she’ll be out soon. Did you have breakfast? I’ll make you something,” he told her as he walked with her to the kitchen, putting her down on a barstool on his way.

  “Yo
u think I starve her or something?” Nate asked.

  “No, but have you met my niece. She’s always hungry. She’d out eat anyone.”

  “How about it, Reecie? I can make eggs, pancakes, a side of cow?”

  “Side of cow? Really?” Shelby asked as she came out from the hallway.

  “You’ve seen her eat. She’d totally put a mad hurt on it.”

  “You’re not feeding Reece cow for breakfast,” Shelby said and then turned to Nate. “Hey you.”

  Nate gave her a quick hug. He was happy for his friends and how far Austin and Shelby had come. That’s what he wanted. He was all in, ready to have a family with Dani and Reece. He just had to convince Reece’s mother that she was ready to take the step to make it official too. Dani did everything in her own time, and heaven help anyone who tried to make her do otherwise.

  “Eggies, please,” Reece told her uncle.

  “Coming right up, big girl. Nate?”

  “None for me. Thanks. I’d take coffee if you’re making it, though.”

  “If we’re making it,” he guffawed. “There’s not a day we don’t make coffee.”

  “Then I’ll take a cup.”

  Austin got to work cooking breakfast, and Shelby took a seat beside Reece. Nate wasn’t sure what to do, but then Shelby looked up and said, “Take a seat. It’s not every day the mighty Austin King cooks. Live it up while you can.”

  “Hush, you.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” Shelby told him.

  “You got awful sassy while I was away, sweetness. I think I need to remind you who’s boss around these parts.”

  “Children, children, there are young ears here,” Nate reminded them.

  “Don’t worry about Austin. I’ll explain it all to him.”

  “Unc Nate?” Reece interrupted.

  “Yes?”