by Sydney Logan
“We could do something. Go to a movie, maybe.”
“That’d be cool. It’s not the same, though.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
Eli keeps working on the chord while I check on some of the other students. I’m helping one of my girls with her violin when I feel someone watching me. Looking up, I smile when I see Skye standing in the doorway, peeking in through the glass window.
The last few days have been a weird combination of heaven and hell. We’ve spent every night together, and waking up with Skye is the happiest moment of my day. I hate the no-sex condition of our sleepovers—and I suspect she hates it, too—but I’m okay with it because I know it’s important to her. It’s when we’re apart that the reality of our situation comes crashing down, and I’ve come to realize that I’m not the same man I was just a few months ago.
I don’t want to marry Juliana. Not even for the sake of her mother’s happiness.
I was fine with it . . . before. Before Skye. Before I fell in love. But things are different now, and I don’t want to say wedding vows—no matter how fake they might be—to anyone but Skye.
She’s it for me. I knew it from the first moment I laid eyes on her. We still have a lot to learn about each other and this gigantic mess to clean up before we can even think about marriage, but I want it. I’ve wanted it since the day I saw her standing in that wedding dress. I don’t want to see anyone else walking down the aisle to meet me at the altar.
But that discussion will have to wait.
Right now, I’d settle for a kiss.
After a quick glance around the classroom to make sure the students are occupied, I slip out the side door and make my way down the small hallway. Skye’s still peeking through the window of the music room when I grab her from behind, wrapping my arms around her waist and burying my face in her hair. She melts against me, and I take her by the hand, leading her to a nearby classroom. I don’t even bother turning on the light before I kick the door shut and press her against it. Skye’s soft moan vibrates through me as I capture her lips with mine. Her arms wind around my neck while my hands roam every inch of flesh I can reach without completely ripping her clothes off.
“Wow,” Skye whispers breathlessly.
“Missed you.”
I trail my lips along the corner of her mouth and down to her chin before dipping to her throat. She slides her fingers through my hair and holds me close as I breathe her in.
“I missed you, too.”
“I’m glad. My day is absolute shit when you’re not within touching distance.”
“Same.” Skye laughs lightly. “Wow, we’re really pathetic, aren’t we?”
“Nah. Just in love.”
She smiles and kisses me softly.
“Class is almost over. Let me take you and Eli out to dinner.”
“You’ll have to settle for just me. I’m supposed to drop him off at his mom’s. It’s their Wednesday night thing. Jill loves to say it’s her son’s only chance for a decent meal. She’s not wrong. I rarely cook and Nick always orders take out.”
“Speaking of Nick, I think Eli’s missing his dad.”
“Did he say something?”
“He was just asking me questions about adults falling out of love with each other. He wonders if they fall out of love with their kids, too.”
Her eyes fill with tears.
“Nick’s not a bad guy. He’s just immature. Always has been. Jill’s out of town so much with her job that the two of them agreed that Eli should live with Nick, especially since I offered to help. But then he got promoted and started dating that girl. Now, he’s rarely with his kid. I honestly wouldn’t blame Jill if she filed for sole custody. It scares me to death, though.”
“Why?”
“Because she could move away and I’d never get to see my nephew.”
“She wouldn’t do that. You’re too good to him.”
Skye shrugs. “I don’t know. I try not to think about it. But if Eli’s upset then I probably need to have a Come to Jesus conversation with my brother. Again.”
“I’d like to meet Nick.”
“No, you wouldn’t. He’s a little on the protective side. A thousand times worse than my father.”
“I’d like to meet him, too.” I smile and press a kiss to her nose. “But right now, I better get back to my class. They might be talented and gifted, but they’re still kids.”
She grins, and I kiss her one last time before taking her by the hand and leading her to the music room.
“Why can’t I stay with you guys?” Eli whines as we pull into his mom’s driveway.
A tall woman with short blonde hair stands on the sidewalk, hands on hips and scowling like she’s pissed at the world.
“We’ve been over this, Eli. It’s Wednesday. You spend Wednesday nights with your mom.”
“But I don’t want to. All she does is say mean stuff about Dad the entire time and feeds me crap that tastes like cardboard.”
“That crap’s good for you.”
“It’s cardboard, Aunt Skye. And then, when I get home, Dad wants to know what she said about him. I’m not a yo-yo.”
I’ve never seen Eli this . . . whiny. Then again, I haven’t been around him when he’s about to spend the night with someone who’s marching toward our car like a woman possessed.
Skye takes a deep breath and parks the car. With a frustrated growl, Eli angrily opens the door and pulls his guitar case out of the backseat.
“He forgot his backpack,” Skye says softly. “Could you grab it for me while I deal with the banshee?”
Jill’s waiting for us when we step out of the car. “This is ridiculous. Where’s Nick?”
“Hello, Jill. It’s nice to see you.”
“Where is he, Skye?”
“He’s working.”
“Sure he is.”
I close the back door and offer Jill her son’s backpack. She eyes me warily.
“Jill, this is Caleb. He’s Eli’s guitar teacher and my boyfriend.”
“It’s very nice to meet you. Your son is a wonderful guitarist.”
“Thanks.” Jill eyes the two of us. “So . . . my son’s guitar teacher is also dating his aunt?”
We nod.
“Okay. Whatever. So, Skye, you’re picking him up at eight?”
“I can, but doesn’t he usually spend the night on Wednesdays?”
“Not this week. I have a meeting at nine. I tried to get it rescheduled but the guy flew in from New York and has to leave first thing tomorrow. I told Nick, but obviously it went in one ear and out the other. Like always.”
“We’ll be happy to pick him up at eight,” Skye says patiently.
Eli grabs his backpack and mutters something about yo-yos before stomping toward the house. We follow him inside and watch as he collapses on the couch.
Jill sighs. “That kid’s getting such an attitude.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Skye mutters.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Skye squares her shoulders. “Eli, do me a favor? Go to your room and do your homework. Put on your headphones.”
“Why? So you guys can fight?”
“We’re not going to fight. It’s just an adult conversation. Please?”
Eli’s eyes search mine. “You guys will be back at eight?”
“Yes.” I nod.
Seemingly content with that promise, the boy grabs his guitar and backpack and heads to his room. Skye waits until we hear his door slam before turning to her former sister-in-law and unleashing her fury.
“It means that your kid is tired of being caught in the middle of his parents’ bullshit. He’s ten years old, Jill.”
“I’m well aware of his age, Skye.”
“He’s growing up and his parents are driving him crazy.”
“What am I supposed to do? I see him once a week and every other weekend.”
“And that’s a choice you made.”
Jill’s eye
s actually well with tears. “Nick gets his kid and his career. Why can’t I have both, too?”
“Nick’s not an investment banker. His job doesn’t keep him on the road or in the air almost year round.”
“Maybe not, but it sure keeps him at the police station, doesn’t it? I bet Nick sees his kid just as much as I do these days.”
I can tell by the expression on Skye’s face that’s probably true, but she doesn’t say anything. Nick Douglas may be a slacker dad, but he’s still her brother.
Jill snorts. “That’s what I thought. I really should ask for sole custody.”
“Yeah, but you won’t, so let me talk to Nick.”
“Eli is not your problem, Skye.”
Problem? Problem??
That’s when I lose it.
“He’s nobody’s problem. He’s this awesome kid whose parents are driving him batshit crazy. Do you know what he asked me today? He asked me if adults fall out of love with their kids. No kid should worry about something like that. You and Nick need to get your shit together. He loves you . . . now, because he’s a kid and that’s what kids do. But he’s getting older. He’s not always going to love you no matter what. That time’s coming sooner than you think, so you and your ex-husband need to figure your shit out and quit tearing your son apart at the seams. The only reason the kid isn’t completely off the rails is because he has an amazing aunt who practically raises him and loves him like he’s her own child.”
Jill blinks rapidly.
“So, Mom, go make your son something for dinner that doesn’t taste like cardboard. We’ll be back at eight.”
I take Skye by the hand and lead her to the car. She drove to the house, but I open the passenger side door and help her in. She doesn’t say a word as I climb into the driver’s seat and start the car. It’s only when we’re on the highway that she finally looks my way. She doesn’t seem pissed, which I guess is a good thing. I meant every word I said, and I’d say it again. And I will, just as soon as I meet her brother.
“Caleb, that was—”
“Listen, Skye, I know it’s none of my business. I tried to keep my mouth shut, but when she called him a problem I just . . . I lost it. I teach kids all day long. They have no idea how great their son is, and for her to call him a problem? And then she yells at you when you’re the one picking him up from practice and taking him home with you tonight because she’s too busy to be a mother? Who the hell does she think she is?”
“Caleb?”
I sigh heavily. “Yes?”
“I was just going to say . . . that was hot.”
Oh.
“Yeah?”
“Really hot.”
Not the reaction I was expecting, but I’ll take it.
“However, you do realize I’m a fiercely independent woman. I don’t need you to defend me, especially to my brother’s ex-wife.”
“I do realize that.”
“Then why’d you do it?”
“Because I love Eli. And you.”
Skye smiles and laces her fingers with mine as I continue to drive.
When we arrive at her apartment, I get out of the car first and head over to the passenger side. But Skye’s already standing there, and when I reach out to take her hand, she pushes me gently back against the car and slides her arms around my waist. She kisses me then—a deep, wet kiss that leaves us both breathless.
“Sorry,” she whispers against my lips. “Just had to get that out of my system.”
“Feel free anytime. I didn’t know that defending your honor would be such a turn on.”
“Neither did I.”
“Hot, huh?”
“Very much so. I’m seriously reconsidering our no sex rule.”
“That’s your rule. I’m happy to reconsider it anytime you’d like.”
Skye sighs softly, her green eyes shining with happiness.
“I really love you, Caleb.”
“I really love you, too.”
I tenderly kiss her forehead as we hold each other close. It’s easy to forget all the upheaval in our lives when it’s just the two of us. Someday, we won’t have all these obstacles. I won’t be engaged to another woman, and she won’t be playing referee between her brother and his ex-wife. We’ll simply be . . . us.
One little word never sounded so good.
Fearful that Jill really did serve cardboard for dinner, Skye and I decide to wait until we pick up Eli to grab something to eat. Back at her apartment, the three of us share a pizza, and after dinner, Skye relaxes in the recliner and checks her email while Eli and I sit on the couch and work on the chord that was giving him so much trouble this afternoon. When he finally gets it right, he jumps off the couch and hugs me tight.
As a high school teacher, I don’t get a lot of hugs, but it happens from time to time, and when it does, I never hesitate to hug the kid back. I figure if a student is hugging their band teacher, then the kid probably needs a hug.
After a day like today, Eli really needed a hug.
He pulls away and asks Skye if he can play video games in his room.
“Sure,” she says softly. “Lights out by ten, okay?”
Something in her voice sounds off, and when I look over, I’m surprised to find tears in her eyes.
“Got it.” Eli takes his guitar and rushes off to his bedroom.
She closes her laptop and climbs out of the recliner.
“Skye, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m gonna take a bath, I think.”
“Okay.” I walk over and take her hand. “But if nothing’s wrong, why are you crying?”
“You’re just . . . really good with him.”
“He’s a great kid.”
“He is,” she says, nodding. “I think I’m just emotional. It’s been a really long day. Lynsey and I aren’t really talking—”
“What’s going on with you and Lynsey?”
She shakes her head. “I really don’t want to talk about it. But tonight’s been really wonderful. Thank you.”
I lift her hand and bring it to my lips.
“Should I . . . do you think I should go home tonight? I don’t want it to be weird with Eli in the morning.”
“I think it’d be weirder if he woke up and you weren’t here.”
I nod. “Okay, good. Go take your bath. I’ll make sure he’s in bed on time.”
“Thanks.”
Skye kisses me softly before heading to her room.
For the next few weeks, I immerse myself in music and Skye—my two favorite things in the world. I have no idea how the wedding plans are going, and I don’t ask. I’m still determined to find a way to tell Luisa the truth without sending her into another fainting spell . . . or worse.
Yesterday at lunch, Juliana introduced me to Deacon, a photographer she met at that conference in Albuquerque. He seems like a nice guy, but I could tell when she made the introductions that he has no idea that she’s supposed to get married next month. Later that afternoon, I called Jules and told her that she needed to come clean, but she said they were just getting to know each other, and she’s too afraid to burst their happy bubble. It stunned me, because for the first time in our very long friendship, I saw Juliana’s selfish side. After all, I’d been forced to tell Skye the truth, and I’d nearly lost her. She won’t even let me take her out to dinner because she’s afraid someone might spot us, but Juliana and Deacon are going to the movies and visiting art galleries and doing whatever they damn well please.
Needless to say I’m pissed.
Skye and Lynsey are having a girls’ night at the apartment, so I’m killing time at The Boombox. She won’t tell me why, but I know there’s been some tension between them. I’m happy to stay out of the way for a couple hours while they drink wine and watch Netflix if it means they make amends.
“Another one?” Jesse asks, nodding toward my bottle.
“Nah. Maybe a club sandwich, though.”
He nods and gives the order to the cook bef
ore turning back to me.
“So, Skye’s still determined to make you go through with it, huh?”
“That’s the plan, I guess. I keep hoping Juliana and her new boyfriend will elope and put us all out of our misery.”
“Speaking of misery, talked to Dane lately?”
I shake my head and finish my beer. I know I owe Dane an apology for punching him in the face, but truthfully, I couldn’t care less. It’s not like we’re friends. He’s Juliana’s cousin. Let her deal with him.
Suddenly, a man sits down on the stool next to me. He must be a regular, because Jesse immediately asks if he wants a Bud Light.
“Can’t. I’m on duty. But could I get a bacon cheeseburger and fries to go?”
“Sure. Rough night?”
“It’s always a rough night when I’m forced to have a conversation with my ex. Between her mouth and my double shift, all I want to do is go home and sleep for a solid week.”
Jesse takes the order to the cook and returns with my sandwich.
“Thanks, Jess.”
“No problem.” He turns his attention back to the man. “Jill giving you shit again?”
Jill?
The man snorts. “When isn’t she giving me shit? Now she’s threatening to ask the judge for full custody because I’m apparently not spending enough time with my kid. What am I supposed to do? I have to work, right?”
I glance at the man by my side. He doesn’t resemble Skye at all, but he does look like my favorite ten-year-old guitarist.
“Are you Nick Douglas?”
He glances at me skeptically. “Yeah. Who’s asking?”
I offer him my hand. “My name’s Caleb Lynch. I’m Eli’s guitar teacher.”
And Skye’s boyfriend. But I don’t mention that.
He slaps me on the back. “Hey, it’s good to meet you! Eli talks about you all the time. Good job on that B7 chord, man. I can’t believe his little fingers can do it.”
“He’s really talented.”
“I’m proud of him. So, I guess you know my sister?”
“I do.”
“I couldn’t do this without her.”
“She’s amazing.”
Nick grins. “You know, she’s single. I could hook you up.”
