by R. Linda
Then one day she didn’t show up. She didn’t show up the next either. I felt hollow, like I’d lost a part of myself. The part that was keeping me together. Every day, I waited and hoped she’d come back, at the same time praying she took my advice and got as far away as possible. Johnny called me three weeks later to say she showed up at the roadhouse and was staying with him. It was the most relief I’d felt in years. I knew she’d be okay without me if she had him to rely on.
“Wish we could, but this place won’t run itself.” She sighed and began filling the napkin dispensers.
I wanted to help but didn’t know how. I didn’t know the first thing about running a roadhouse or any sort of business. But I had to do something. They’d been so good taking Harper in when she had no one, when I deserted her, and then letting me crash here while I found my own place. They deserved the break. And I would figure out a way to make it happen.
“We’ll find a way,” I told her and stood to walk around behind the counter. I kissed her cheek. “Hire some more staff or split the workload somehow to give you both a break. We’ll figure it out.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, darling. You have to worry about yourself. We’ll be fine.” She ushered me away with a glance at her watch, knowing it was time for me to hit the road if I wanted to make it to the garage on time. With a shout to Johnny, I left.
Work dragged on. It was a quiet day, so I busied myself with meaningless tasks to make the time go faster. It did nothing to stop me thinking about my new neighbour. I was curious about her, wanted to know more, but I knew Harper would kill me.
I’d gotten to know her a little over the few weeks I’d lived in town. She was always at the roadhouse visiting Harper or hanging out with the others—not that I paid them any attention. But Kenzie was the sort of person you couldn’t ignore. Combine her attitude with her looks, and you had a fascinating piece of artwork you couldn’t take your eyes off.
My phone rang as I climbed into the car.
“Hey.”
“Do you have something you want to tell me?” my sister asked without even saying hello.
“No. I just finished work,” I said as I put the key in the ignition but didn’t turn it. Never would I drive my car while talking. It wasn’t worth the risk.
“And?”
“And I’m going home. I’m beat. I need to sleep,” I told her, resting my head against the headrest. I wasn’t going to admit I’d lost sleep last night thinking about a certain pair of bright green eyes and long tanned legs barely covered by short shorts.
“Home to the roadhouse?” Harper asked with an edge to her voice.
I cursed. She knew. Kenzie told her. There was no other way.
“I was going to tell you.”
“When? Before I came home? After you’d sweet talked your way into my best friend’s bed? Huh?”
My eyebrows lifted as I imagined rolling around in Kenzie’s bed with her. “I was—”
She cut me off. “Did you already know you were moving before I left, or was it a last-minute thing?”
“It was—”
“And did you know you were moving in next door to Kenzie or—”
This time I cut her off. “Will you let me answer?”
“Fine,” she huffed.
“I was looking for a place before you left but didn’t want to tell you until I found somewhere. I didn’t want you to get upset or worry about me being on my own. And I had no idea your friend lived in the next apartment until she banged on my door last night complaining about my music.”
Harper laughed. “Sounds like her. So, why didn’t you tell me?”
“You’re meant to be relaxing and enjoying your holiday. I found the place after you left, and it was available immediately, so I took it. Relax. I’m a big boy, and I can look after myself.”
“I’m still not happy about it, and I really don’t like you living next door to Kenz.”
“I promise I won’t bite…hard.”
“Jeremy!”
I laughed. It was too easy. Though the image of sinking my teeth into her soft skin was hard to ignore. “Relax. I’ll behave.”
“You better. She doesn’t need anyone messing with her. Chace has done enough.”
“I know, okay? Think about it this way. I can look out for her and the kid. Make sure that dick doesn’t come around when he’s not wanted.”
The phone went silent.
“Harper?”
“I’m thinking.”
I groaned and tilted my head back. I just wanted to get home, have some dinner, and go to sleep.
“Okay, fine. I guess that’s one good thing about you living right next door. She won’t have to call Ryder every time she gets scared.”
Ryder. That was her brother’s name. I’d remember it one day. Wait, she got scared?
“She gets scared a lot?”
“I suppose. Sometimes. Chace has shown up a few times, drunk, banging on the door and demanding to see Cole.”
“Who’s Cole?”
“I swear you only hear what you want. Cole is her son.”
“Right. Well, you know with me living next door, one look at me, and that Chace dude would probably shit himself.”
Harper laughed. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Just hands off the merchandise, yeah?”
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I gotta go. I’ll see you when you get home.”
“Bye, Jeremy.”
I hung up the phone and threw the truck into reverse and backed out of the parking lot.
Kenzie
I needed to pick Cole up from my mum’s, but after a long day at work, I decided to go home for a shower. I’d be glad when classes started back and my work hours eased off a little. One more year of study, and I’d be a nurse like Mum. It was something I didn’t think would ever happen, not after having Cole when I was sixteen. I’d let the talk of the town get to me, make me think I was worthless, and I’d ruined my life as well as the golden boy’s—Chace. But with Mum’s and Ryder’s never-ending support, I was able to make something of myself and provide for my son on my own, without the help of his narcissistic father.
I no longer cared what people thought of me or what they may be saying behind my back. All I cared about was giving my son the life he deserved, and that didn’t include his father, the boy I stupidly gave my heart to when I was young. The boy who was best friends with my brother. The boy who told me to get rid of my baby. The boy who basically had me run out of town in shame and embarrassment.
The man who was currently sitting on the steps to my apartment building.
Head in his hands, I couldn’t see his face, but I knew it was him from the pretentious shoes and his highlighted golden-brown hair, his suntanned forearms and soft pink polo shirt. Yeah, that was definitely Chace. I didn’t stop the car. I continued past the building and made my way to Mum’s to get Cole. I hoped by the time I got back, Chace would be gone.
Why was he here again? I wished he’d just leave us alone. I knew what he was like. He was so determined to see Cole now, but when the next bitch crossed his path and fluttered her eyelashes at him, he’d be gone again. He was notorious for moving on from one girlfriend to the next. He forced me out of town and began dating Bailey immediately after, knowing my brother was in love with her, and when he got bored with Bailey, he cheated on her with her best friend. For a guy who wore pink shirts and white canvas shoes with no socks, he certainly had a way of destroying friendships and breaking hearts. I would have thought by now he’d have grown up and developed some morals, but it didn’t appear so.
Pulling into Mum’s drive, Cole was waiting on the front step, with Mum standing at the door watching.
“Mumma!” he yelled and ran into my arms before I’d even got out of the car.
“Hey, little man. Have fun today?” I ruffled his blond curls, cut the exact same way as his uncle. Ryder was his idol. He even dressed the same, right down to the skinny jeans and plaid shirts. His excitement was contagious, and I ski
pped along with him.
“Yeah. We went to the beach and collected shells. Come see what I made you.” He grabbed my hand and dragged me inside.
I said hi to Mum and followed Cole into the kitchen where he presented me with a small package wrapped in brown paper that he had coloured in and drawn all over.
“This is for me?”
“Yep. Made it myself.” He pointed to his chest proudly as I carefully peeled back the paper and folded it neatly. I saved everything he made, including wrapping paper.
“What is it?” I asked, pulling him onto my lap.
“Open it, silly, and you’ll see.” He giggled.
I lifted the lid and peered inside. “It’s beautiful. I love it. Thanks, buddy.” I kissed his head and pulled out the chain with a perfect white shell as the focal piece. I placed it around my neck and ran my fingers over the smooth blue and green gems on either side of the shell.
“Look on the other side,” he told me, and I flipped the shell over to see his photo stuck inside the shell, like a locket. Tears welled in my eyes. It was stunning.
“Oh, Cole.” I hugged him to my chest and blinked the tears away. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
“You really like it?”
“Yes. I’m never going to take it off.”
He grinned at me, flashing his dimples like his uncle. “Can I tell you something?”
“Sure.”
“I had a little bit of help. It was too hard.”
“That’s okay. Did Nan help you?”
“Nope.” He shook his head.
“You went to see Mrs. Mitchell today, didn’t you?” I asked, knowing my mother wouldn’t have a clue how to make a necklace like this, but Bailey’s mum did. She was known for her eccentric clothes and jewellery.
“Yep. We saw Aunty Bailey on the beach, and she said we should make you a gift.”
I kissed his forehead and whispered, “Thank you. Mrs. Mitchell is pretty clever, isn’t she?”
“She showed me all her cool stuff, Mum, but the house smelled funny.”
I laughed at his statement. Mrs. Mitchell was a bit more free-spirited than most.
“It made me sneeze.”
“That would be the incense she likes to burn.”
He screwed his face up. “Yeah, it smelled like something was burning. But she said I can go back anytime and make more things with her.”
“That’s nice.”
“Cole, honey, why don’t you go and get your stuff ready to go home?” Mum suggested.
Cole ran out of the room, and his footsteps echoed up the stairs while Mum eyed me warily.
“What?” I asked, busying myself with placing Cole’s wrapping paper into the box that had held my necklace. Anything not to look at her inquisitive face. It was a family trait, the ability to see more than a person was letting on.
“You’re on edge.”
“I’m not.” I tapped my nails on the table top and glanced out the window, anywhere but at her.
“You are. What happened?”
“Chace is back.” I sighed. There was no point lying to her. She’d find out eventually, if not from me, then from Ryder or Bailey.
“What did he say?”
“Nothing. He was waiting out the front of the apartment when I finished work. I didn’t stop and came straight here.”
“Have you talked to him at all?”
“I don’t want to. He doesn’t deserve to be in Cole’s life. He’ll only mess things up, and I can’t risk Cole being hurt.” I refused to speak to him.
He was crazy. Showing up at my apartment at all hours of the day or night and getting angry when I wouldn’t let him see Cole wasn’t the way to earn back my trust. After everything, he didn’t deserve a second chance.
“I think you’re going to have to take this further.” Mum reached over and squeezed my hand gently.
“It won’t work because he hasn’t technically done anything wrong. He just scares me, and the police won’t act until he commits a crime. I don’t want it to get that far. I don’t know what to do.”
Every time I heard a noise, I jumped, thinking he was there. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. The fear of not knowing what he was capable of was crippling. But at the same time, I refused to let him get to me again. He won once, causing me to skip town and have my baby alone. But I wouldn’t let him run me out of my home again.
“Talk to the police again and tell them you’re being harassed and that you’re afraid for your son and yourself, that you don’t feel safe in your own home or workplace. The more you complain to them, the more they’ll have to take it seriously.”
“I don’t think that will make a difference. They’ve already told me that because I don’t have a custody arrangement in place, Chace has every right to see Cole.”
“Then we’ll get a lawyer and fight for full custody.”
I dropped my head to the table and groaned. That was the last thing I wanted to do. Dragging Cole through a custody battle was something I wanted to avoid, but if Chace didn’t back off soon, I’d have no choice. It scared the hell out of me too. Chace had money, could afford the best lawyers, and basically buy custody of Cole. I’d hardly stand a chance against him.
“I’ll speak to him when I’m ready.”
“Speak to who?” Cole asked as he bounced back into the kitchen.
“Uncle Ryder and see if maybe you can stay with him for a couple of nights.” I smiled at Cole and shot Mum a warning glare. I had to work the next couple of days, and so did she, so Ryder’s was the perfect place to hide Cole.
“Cool!” Chace jumped up and down and fist pumped the air. “Can we ask him now?”
“Sure. We’ll stop there on the way home. You ready?”
“Yep.”
I grabbed Cole’s things and kissed Mum goodbye with a promise that I’d sort it out, even though I didn’t have a clue how.
Ryder was washing his car when we pulled up at their house, so Cole was out of his seat and running across the yard in an instant wanting to help.
“Hey, buddy.” Ryder greeted him with a special handshake they’d been practising and handed Cole the hose. “You rinse, okay?”
“Yeah!” Cole cheered and started waving the hose around, squirting water everywhere but on the car.
“Bailey inside?” I asked my brother.
“Yeah.”
I left Cole with Ryder and went in search of Bailey.
“Hey,” she said when I walked into the kitchen where she was pulling cookies out of the oven. “How are you?”
I shrugged and screwed up my face. “Okay.”
“I know that look. Here, have a cookie.” She placed the tray in front of me along with a plate. In Bailey’s world, food fixed everything. Cookies, ice cream, peanut butter. Her response was to just eat. “What’s wrong?”
“Can Cole stay with you guys for a couple of days?” I asked, breaking a steaming hot cookie in half and putting it on my plate.
“Of course. He’s welcome any time. You know that.”
“Thanks.”
“Want to tell me why, though?”
I filled Bailey in on Chace and why I wanted to keep Cole away from the apartment for a few days.
She growled. “Well, Cole can stay here as long he likes. And you too. You know you can always stay here with us.”
I appreciated the offer but didn’t want to be forced out of my own home. I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. I just don’t want to risk Cole seeing him, that’s all.” I picked up my cookie and took a bite. The chocolate chips were gooey and oozed down my fingers. It was delicious.
“Okay. The offer is always there, though. Cole can stay tonight. I don’t want you taking him home now in case Chace is still waiting.” Bailey frowned.
I shuddered. I hoped Chace would be long gone by the time I got home. “I haven’t got clothes or anything for him, though. I wasn’t prepared for this.”
“Have you seen the kid’s room?” Bailey smiled
and pointed down the hall in the direction of the room Ryder had set up for Cole. “The closet is full. Pretty sure we have more cars and trucks here than you do at home now.”
I laughed. “True. Okay, thanks.”
I didn’t doubt her. Since moving back after finishing uni, and Ryder stepping in to take over the bookstore in town when the old couple retired, he and Bailey had doted on Cole. Making up for lost time had been Ryder’s excuse when I questioned him on it.
The front door opened, and Ryder whispered loudly to Cole, “Let’s go give your Mumma and Aunty Bailey a big hug.”
Cole giggled. “Okay.”
And they both came running into the kitchen, covered in bubbles and dripping wet. Cole jumped onto my lap and squeezed me tight while Ryder wrapped Bailey in a bear hug.
“Urgh…you’re all cold and wet.” I tickled Cole.
“Unca Ryder did it.” Cole stared at me with wide eyes and nodded for reinforcement.
“I did not. You got me first.”
“Did not.”
“Did too.” Ryder ruffled Cole’s hair.
“All right, you two. Shower and bath now! Go get cleaned up for dinner,” Bailey said, pushing Ryder away.
I released Cole, and he looked at Bailey in all seriousness and said, “We are clean. We washed ourselves when we washed the car. Look. Bubbles.”
Bailey laughed. “Well, if you want to sleep here tonight, you’ll go and have a real bath and put your pyjamas on.”
Cole frowned. “Fine. Come on, Unca. Bye, Mum.” He kissed me on the cheek and walked off with Ryder, whispering loudly, “We’re not really having a bath, are we? We can just pretend.”
“Of course not. We showered with the car. We’ll have to pretend real good, though. Otherwise, Aunty Bailey won’t make dessert.” Ryder shot a wink at Bailey over his shoulder. “See ya, Kenz.”
“Bye, Mum,” Cole called again.
“Good luck with those two,” I said to Bailey and stood to leave. Ryder and Cole together were nothing but trouble.
