Falling For Him

by Ali Parker

  She’d spun on her heels and marched away from us. Jordan had looked at me, rolled his eyes, and only offered a low, “Dude. No. Just no.”

  Obviously, I’d never brought it up again.

  After a few years trying to convince her to move into the house I’d gotten for her, I’d given up. Her argument was always the same. She claimed not to want to leave the house she’d raised her boys in.

  Jordan and I both thought it was more about never wanting to move out of the house that she had lived in with our dad than it was about us, but that was her story, and she was sticking to it.

  As I parked in front the single-story, single-family brick home I had grown up in, my brother walked out of the house. “The prodigal son returns.”

  “Prodigal?” I said as I climbed out and walked to the back of the car. “It was a couple of conferences back to back. A week does not make me the prodigal son.”

  He shrugged before dragging a hand through his hair as he flashed me his pearly whites. “It’s longer than I’ve been away from her in years, and she only has two sons. Do the math.”

  “Whatever.” I popped the trunk and pulled out the big box stashed in there. “At least I came bearing gifts.”

  “Please tell me you didn’t.” He narrowed his blue eyes at the gift in my hands. “We’ve talked about this, Noah.”

  Batting my eyelashes, I slammed the lid shut and gave my brother my best sheepish grin. “We did, but I couldn’t resist ‘another noisemaker motherfucking toy that’s going to drive you insane.’”

  I quoted the words from the argument we’d had the last time I’d brought home a noisemaker toy. He hated them. Della and I loved them.

  “You’re keeping that one at your house,” he informed me, not taking the box from me. “You might as well put it back in your car. It’s not getting into this house.”

  “We’ll see about that,” I said to him, then looked over his shoulder just in time to see Della and Mom come running out. “You’ve got great timing. Come see what Uncle Noah bought you.”

  Della came running straight into my arms as I dropped to my haunches, her jet-black hair flying behind her and wrapping around my shoulders when she launched herself at me. “Another gift? It’s not even my birthday.”

  “No, but I like spoiling you all the same.” I gave her a tight hug before handing over the box and straightening up. “Better get that inside before it gets banned.”

  Knowing from previous experience that I wasn’t joking, she gripped the box and ran into the house. Mom sighed before walking up to me and sliding an arm around my waist. “What did you get her this time?”

  “A toy piano,” Jordan said, shaking his head on a deep sigh. “Congratulations. Now she’s going to spend the next few weeks convincing us that she wants to become a concert pianist.”

  “I think she’d be great at that,” I replied. “It’s as good an option as anything else.”

  “No, it’s not,” Mom said. “If she does become a concert pianist, she would have to travel more than you do. That’s not going to work for me.”

  “I don’t travel that much,” I argued, my tone growing more and more exasperated. “It was a fucking week. That’s it.”

  “Language, Noah,” my mom chided, patting my side before letting go of me. “I don’t understand why you’re still going to all these conferences.”

  “I’m with Mom,” Jordan said. “You’ve made your money on the filtration system. Why keep giving speeches and networking and all that sh—” He glanced at Mom before he finished. “Jazz.”

  “It’s not about money.” I motioned toward the house, prompting the two of them to fall into step beside me. “My name is a brand now. Attending these conferences is necessary because of that. I can’t just fall off the map.”

  “They’re using your system all over the world,” Mom said, walking ahead of us into the house when both of us stood aside. “You can’t fall off the map. You’re in too many places on it.”

  “It’s just a couple of conferences, Mom. Why do I feel like I’m back in high school, trying to convince you to let me go on a field trip?”

  “I know some of the things that you and Ryan got up to on those field trips,” she said nonchalantly enough, but hearing his name out loud still made the hole in my heart throb. “I was right not to want to let you go on them.”

  Trying to breathe past the gaping hole that always opened up in my chest when I heard my best friend’s name, I could only shrug in response.

  “Daddy, Unkie, I need help,” Della called from the living room. “I think it’s broken.”

  Jordan’s eyes became slits as he shook his head. “If you bought her another toy that requires batteries without bringing them with you, I’m making you drive her to the store to get some this time.”

  “I planned ahead.” I reached into my pocket and handed over a package of slim batteries. Then I went to wash my hands or something. Anything to buy myself some time to stitch the hole back up and get rid of the lump that had just appeared in my throat.

  When I got back from the bathroom, I grinned at Della and Jordan. They were on their knees on the carpet, Della watching Jordan put the new noisemaker together. “Still need any help?”

  He shook his head. “Not from you, we don’t.”

  “Fair enough.” I winked at Della when she looked at me over her shoulder and went to grab a drink from the kitchen instead. “Want a beer?”

  “Please,” Jordan called back.

  Beer in hand, I went to lie down on the couch to watch Jordan and Della after setting his drink down next to him.

  Mom walked in a second later and swatted my feet off her couch as she walked past.

  “We’re having chicken for dinner,” she said as she took the armchair in the corner.

  It used to be bright red, but now it was faded and shiny in all the places she usually touched it. “I don’t want to hear any complaints about it not being lasagna. You need chicken and vegetables too.”

  She directed the last comment to me, then smiled. “If you would find a good woman, I wouldn’t have to worry so much about your eating habits.”

  I patted my stomach. “How can you be worried about my eating habits when my abs are this hard?”

  “There’s more to life than looking good in your jeans, Noah. You might work out regularly, but I can’t remember the last time I saw you eat anything in the fruit or vegetable category.”

  “There’s tomatoes in lasagna,” Jordan offered, tossing me a look as a smirk formed on his lips. “But I agree with you, Mom. Noah does need a good woman in his life.”

  “You don’t have a girlfriend either.” I knew Jordan wouldn’t take offense to the comment.

  We were close enough that he knew I only said it because I was trying to get our mother off our backs. This wasn’t our first rodeo on this particular topic. Mom just usually aimed her comments at me instead of Jordan out of respect for Hillary’s memory.

  Inevitably, the tables would always turn on him too eventually, and she’d point out that there was no shame or guilt to be felt over him finding someone else to love. I was simply speeding along the process so we could get through this conversation faster tonight.

  Jordan’s smirk grew wider, which was my first clue that he’d changed teams on me again. It happened occasionally when he really didn’t feel like being thrust into the spotlight. I didn’t mind.

  “True, but I’ve also produced a grandchild. What have you done?”

  “Produced a multi-billion-dollar product,” I shot back. “Isn’t that enough?”

  Mom shrugged, a playful smile on her lips. “It’s not a grandchild.”

  I rolled my eyes and got to my feet. “You guys are impossible. I’m going to go get some air.”

  I was smiling to myself when I walked out onto the deck in the backyard. Despite frequently being badgered about when I was going to settle down, I loved my family more than anything.

  There was nowhere in the world
I could be myself the way I was right here. At least not anymore.

  There used to be, but I hadn’t set foot in that house in over half a decade. I doubted I was even welcome there anymore.

  A wooden floorboard behind me squeaked. I didn’t need to turn around to know that Jordan had joined me on the deck. “Mom’s playing with Della. She sent me outside. Apparently, they’re in need of some girl time before dinner.”

  “Funny how they always need a little girl time after she’s raised the subject of there not being a woman in my life. Think she really still thinks you’re going to convince me to change my ways when she sends you out here?”

  My brother came to sit down next to me. “I don’t know, but she’s not wrong.”

  “Are you serious?” My eyes widened as I swung my head around to face him. “What the hell, man? Where is this coming from?”

  “It might not be the worst idea to find someone to settle down with.” He held his hands up with his palms turned out. “That’s all I’m saying. It won’t hurt to consider it.”

  I arched an eyebrow at him. “It will hurt. All the women I’ve met only want me for my money. Every dollar they try to mooch off me hurts. Can you imagine how much it would hurt to have to pay alimony to someone who only ever wanted the money in the first place?”

  “You’re being dramatic.” Jordan snorted, trying to hold back a laugh. “Look, I know you’ve been proven right on that count a few times. I’m not talking about the women who throw themselves at you for the money. I’m talking about finding someone real.”

  “Yeah? Where do I find myself one of those? It’s not like there’s someone real waiting for me right around the corner.”

  I took a long sip of my beer, closing my eyes to try to stop yet another onslaught of memories. Jordan’s off day yesterday and Mom’s offhanded comment about Ryan earlier really had fucked with my mind.

  There were memories being shaken loose than I hadn’t dug up in a long time. Some of them were even about the only “real” girl I’d ever been with. And just look at how well that turned out.

  I blew out a breath, shaking my head before opening my eyes again. “The only girl I need in my life is Della.”

  “She does love you,” he agreed. “But she’s still not your child. Maybe you should consider finding someone to make a child with.”

  Surprised laughter tore out of me. I expected this kind of stuff from Mom but not from Jordan.

  “Oh hell no. Thanks, but no thanks.” Looking him right in the eyes, I made sure that he could see I wasn’t kidding. There was only one woman I’d ever even have considered adding to the earth’s population with, and she was long out of the picture. “There’s no way in hell that’s happening. Ever. I’m serious, Jordan. Forget about it because hell would freeze over and snowballs will start falling from the sun before I’ll have a wife or a child.”

  Chapter 4

  Maggie

  “Bacon’s ready,” I called to my mother. “I’m going to start on the eggs now so you can come get it.”

  She walked into the kitchen from the dining room where she had been setting the table. She smiled as she picked up a tub of yogurt from the counter. “We’re all set out there, too. Where’s Lydia?”

  “Playing with her dolls in the living room.” Lifting the last pieces of bacon out of the pan, I put them on the plate beside the stove. “I’ll go get her in a minute. How many eggs to do want?”

  “Two,” she said without hesitating. “There’s no point to life if you have any less than that.”

  I laughed, reaching for the carton to start cracking the eggs. “I’d almost forgotten all your random nuggets of wisdom.”

  “I’m glad you realize it’s wisdom. Means you’ll listen to it. Happy to give you a reminder whenever you need it.” She winked and walked to the fridge, opening it to retrieve a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice. “What are your plans for today?”

  “Job hunting.” I’d spent the night scrolling through some advertisements, and while there was nothing available in my field, I was determined to find a job as fast as I could. Any job would do for now. Freeloading at my mother’s for any extended period of time was not an option for me. “I’ve sent in some applications, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to hit the pavement as well.”

  She cleared her throat. “I might be able to help you with that.”

  “What do you mean?” I turned to face her after resting the spatula on the side of the pan.

  Pressing the corners of her lips in, she lifted her shoulders. “One of my friends runs a small dry-cleaning business. She’s looking for someone to help her out. I know it’s not what you went to college for, and I don’t want you to think that I’m putting any pressure on you to find a job. I’m only mentioning it because she brought it up at bingo a few nights ago.”

  “Bingo?” My eyebrows lifted. “Since when do you play bingo?”

  She made a shooing motion with her hand, a small smile playing on her lips. “Since a couple of weeks ago. I had to do something to pass the time until you arrived. Don’t you dare make fun of me for it.”

  “Wasn’t gonna.” I smirked, holding my hands up. “I’m just saying, if you need me to run out to get you a box of purple hair rinse, I can do that for you.”

  “Oh, hush.” Her cheeks became rosy as she laughed. “It was a terrible idea inviting you to come stay here. Terrible.”

  Oil simmering in the pan reminded me that I was actually busy with the eggs. I winked at her before turning to flip them. “You know you love me.”

  As soon as the eggs were saved, I grew more serious again. “I really appreciate you letting us stay here. I’d love to meet your friend. A job is a job, whether it’s what I got my degree for or not. I have to start somewhere, and it will help with the bills.”

  “The shop is on Homer Street. Two doors down from the hardware store.” She carried the jug of orange juice to the table and came back to help me with the plates of warm food. “I think you’ll like Addie. She’s marvelous, a real character. Working for her should be fun.”

  I smiled, even though I wasn’t really feeling it. “I’ll go talk to her today. Thank you for telling me about it.”

  “No problem.” Her eyes softened as she looked me over. “You don’t have to take it. If you’d rather wait to see if you can find something in your field, that’s fine. Let me go grab Lydia. The food’s getting cold.”

  When she turned the corner out of the kitchen, I sighed and turned the knob to shut off the stove. A job in a small dry-cleaning business definitely wasn’t where I’d pictured myself if you’d asked me five years ago. Hey, at least it’s still working with clothes.

  Deep down inside, I was an eternal optimist. I hated that hopeful little voice sometimes, now being a prime example of such a time.

  I sighed, but my subconscious wasn’t wrong. Dry cleaning was still working with clothes, so at least there was that. Besides, I didn’t have to work there forever. I could always keep my eyes open for something in the fashion industry. In the meantime, at least I’d be able to contribute financially to the household. That was what was important.

  The older lady behind the counter at the dry-cleaning business my mom had told me about was hunched over an ancient credit card machine, muttering quietly. “Don’t do this to me today, Joe. You’re better than this. Don’t get stuck on me now.”

  The bell above her door hadn’t chimed when I walked in, so I cleared my throat to get her attention. I didn’t know who Joe was, considering that I was pretty sure I was the only person in here.

  “Excuse me. Are you Addie?”

  She lifted milky blue eyes to meet mine, a polite smile spreading on her thin lips. I nearly gasped as I took her in and the full effect of her hit me.

  A grandmother straight out of the pages of a fairy tale had nothing on this woman. Gray hair pulled into a bun at the back of her head, a dusky pink cardigan, and a pair of thick glasses hanging from a chain around her neck made her the
epitome of the classic grandmother character.

  I couldn’t help but smile at her. “I’m Maggie, Gayle’s daughter.”

  “Yes, of course. I’m Addie. It’s nice to meet you, dear.” She reached for something under the counter before starting to come around to my side. It was a cane.

  She has a cane? Oh, this just keeps getting better. I wonder if she smells like cookies.

  She offered me her free hand. Her skin was paper thin and wrinkled, but her grip was still strong and firm. “Your mother mentioned you were looking for a job.”

  “Yes.” I had to fight the urge to sit down at her feet and ask her to tell me a story. Adulting had been tough recently, and this woman exuded comfort and safety that made me feel like a kid again.

  Even if just for a few seconds, it was a really welcome reprieve. “She told me you were looking for someone to help you.”

  She nodded, letting go of my hand to wave hers around to indicate the interior of the shop. “After careful consideration, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m too damn old to keep this bustling business of mine running by myself.”

  Deep wrinkles creased the sides of her eyes when she grinned. “Really, I should have hired someone years ago. I was just too stubborn. My Danny always said I was as bullheaded as a mule.”

  She shrugged her thin shoulders. “Guess he was right.”

  Ohmigod. I’m in love with this woman.

  I laughed, shaking my head. “It looks like you’ve done a great job, so I’d cut myself some slack if I was you.”

  “I’ve cut myself plenty of slack.” She winked, jerking her head toward the back. “Now come on. Let me make you a cup of tea and tell you exactly how little I can afford to pay you before you go getting all excited about possibly joining the team.”

  “Team?” I suddenly remembered what she’d been saying when I walked in. “If you’ve been doing everything by yourself all these years, who’s Joe?”

  A cackling laugh burst out of her as she led me past rows and rows of clothing in the back to a small office. “Joe is my credit card machine. He’s definitely part of the team, all right. I’ve had him for forty years, and he hasn’t given up on me yet. Christ, he’s lasted longer than my first marriage. I’m afraid he’s on his way out now, though. I need to get me one of those fancy little machines they have in the grocery store.”