Scalding Hot Chocolate

by Jaliza A. Burwell

  “Maddie.”

  A whimper almost escaped me at the way my name sounded on his lips.

  “All set.” Adam came out with some sheets of paper. “Alaria will help you with the rest of it. Are you ready, Maddie?”

  I nodded and slipped by Dr. Campos, my shoulder brushing against his chest. If this were some fantasy book, I’d have felt sparks and wanted to claim him as mine. Since it wasn’t, I didn’t have that excuse and had to keep walking until I was in Adam’s office and the door was closed.

  “What did you think of our new employee?” Adam asked. He sat down across from me as I settled on the couch.

  “I think you’ll definitely bring in more clients with him here,” I said carefully.

  He smiled. “I thought so. Now we’ll be able to write prescriptions and won’t have to refer our patients elsewhere. So, how was your week?”

  “I broke up with Felix,” I blurted out. That was not where I’d intended to go, but like most sessions, the moment he asked, the thing bothering me most came out, even if I buried it deep within.

  “Oh?” His eyes widened.

  I nodded and went into the whole ordeal, leaving nothing out. Dr. Adam had to listen to me, after all. And I had a lot to say.

  Chapter Three

  After the session ended, I headed home to get a couple hours of work in before I needed to pick up the twins. I checked my mailbox and frowned at the set of keys in them. No doubt they were Felix’s and that meant one thing. He’d come and gotten all his stuff.

  No bonfire or smores for us.

  That was unfortunate.

  My heart twisted as I worked my way up to my apartment, afraid to see how it would have changed without Felix’s things there. I had moved there only a little over a month ago, so it wasn’t like he would have been ingrained into the place like my old apartment. I had needed something bigger, and this apartment had three bedrooms, two baths and an open space for the living room, dining room, and kitchen. It was the perfect size for the three of us. When the twins refused to sleep in different rooms, I turned the extra bedroom into my office.

  I played with the keys in front of my apartment door. I had two neighbors. One across from me, and one next to me. Neither would be home at this time of day, being good old office workers with the traditional nine-to-five jobs.

  “Okay, Maddie, you can do this,” I whispered. “Open the darn door.”

  Before I could get the nerve to do it, my phone made a shrill noise that had me jumping.

  “Yeah?” I answered, my hand to my chest as I tried to calm my paranoid heart.

  “Madison Daniels.” Kenni’s voice came through the phone with anger. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  I winced, knowing exactly what my best friend was going on about, even if I wasn’t going to admit to anything. Kenni and I had the typical roommate to best friend story, meeting each other in college. While she traveled a ton now, she had a way of finding everything out. She was a goddess in human skin.

  “Kennedi Panders, I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  “I’m not in the mood for playing games. I just got back to Boston only to find out that you and Felix are done. No text from you, no call, nothing. I have to hear it from our circle of friends. You are all everyone is talking about.”

  “Circle of friends? What circle of friends? I’m not part of any circle. If anything, I have a line of friends. A straight line to only you.”

  She snorted. “Keep telling yourself that, babe. Either way, people are talking. What do you need from me? Need me to get the shovel?”

  “Uh… tempting.”

  “Okay, then. If we’re going to pretend he didn’t break your heart, need me to bring the wine? Once you get the munchkins to bed, we can drink and roast the male population in general. Frankly, I need a little of that right now too. Just say the word. After a quick nap to get some sleep, I’ll be right over.”

  Suddenly, the door to my apartment wasn’t scary at all. I felt silly for even seeing it as such and smiled as I unlocked it and stepped inside. “No, today’s Wednesday, so I’m going to work late and then call it a night.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  I flicked on the lights and glanced around. Not much was different. For some reason, I had anticipated a lot of things being gone. He was a big part of my life for a while, and I had expected my apartment to reflect that.

  “I’m sure. I promise, I’m okay. I talked with Dr. Adam; he gave me some pointers and perspective. I’m okay.”

  “Right…” She didn’t sound like she believed me.

  As a war correspondent, she could spot bull poop all the way on the other side of the planet. And she was the type of person that never accepted that. The word relentless existed because of her. She was going to dig the moment she had food and enough sleep to think straight. She’d been gone for three weeks this time, so she’d need some recharging time before she was back on her A-game. No doubt all that energy was going to be coming my way too.

  She sighed. “Call me. You can always call me. You know that, so call me. When you’re ready, I’m here. Call me.”

  I laughed. “I think you stressed it enough.” My voice softened as I said, “Thank you, Kenni. I will. Not like I have anyone else to go to.”

  We hung up, and after one more glance through my apartment, noting what was missing, I went into my office. It was hard to see the little bit that had been taken out of the apartment. It felt like he took a part of me with him, even though he only took what was his. Would it be sucky to say I kind of missed him already?

  I shook my head. No. I couldn’t think like that, not anymore. He wasn’t mine, and I wasn’t going to change my mind. There was no way I could be with a man who used the twins as an excuse.

  ~*~

  I managed to get a couple of hours of work in before needing to pick up the boys. I was just climbing out of my car at the school when my phone rang. For a moment, I considered ignoring it, but it could have been one of my clients. As a freelance financial advisor, I was expected to answer the darn thing, day or night, on my deathbed or not. Clients had a way of hunting me down otherwise, and I liked them exactly where they were—away from me.

  The number on the screen was unfamiliar, and the adult voice in my head said not to answer it. Answering the phone when knowing it was a stranger was a big no-no. There was an extremely high chance that it was a telemarketer. They were spawns of the devil himself, and I pitied anyone stuck with that job.

  “Hello,” I answered. Mentally, I was repeating, ‘Don’t be a telemarketer. Don’t be a telemarketer.’

  “Hello, is this Miss Daniels?”

  I narrowed my eyes. Not an automated message. My chances were better. Maybe a potential future client. My number got around, the little hussy.

  “This is she,” I said.

  “My name is Mr. William Taylor. I’m Mr. and Mrs. Hansen’s lawyer.”

  “Um. Okay. If they’re in jail, they’re guilty and you should just let them stay there.” And that meant I wouldn’t have to have dinner with Olivia on Friday.

  He was quiet for a moment before clearing his throat. “That isn’t why I’m calling.”

  “I won’t testify for them. Though, who is the other lawyer. I am willing to testify against them.”

  “Miss Daniels, they wish to set up a quiet meeting with you in regard to the twins, Lawson and Lee Hansen.”

  My body grew cold as he continued.

  “I think we can find a favorable outcome where everyone can benefit.”

  “Benefit?” I asked. “And who exactly will be benefiting from this meeting? I know it won’t be me, and if this is about what I think it’s about, neither will the twins.”

  “That is why I’d like to set up a meeting with you soon. I was able to talk them out of taking this to court, but we are willing to do that if needed.”

  “Oh, right to the threats. Nice. What is this for exactly?” I asked, pacing back an
d forth next to my car as the cold seeped into my skin. Or at least I hoped it was the weather that made my core cold, almost numb.

  “They want custody of the twins.”

  “No.”

  “You should hear them out. They are concerned—”

  I snorted, interrupting him. “They are concerned about no one. They weren’t concerned when they kicked their pregnant daughter out of the house, cutting her off. They weren’t concerned when she was in labor for over eight hours and they had to perform an emergency c-section. They weren’t concerned when those babies were stuck in the hospital for a week because they were preemies. Nor did they give a fudge when help was needed in covering the costs for those twins. In fact, I can cite, word for word, the very colorful language they used when Mandy did ask them for help. But I’m a lady, and I will keep that to myself. Unless, of course, this goes to court. They don’t get the twins. I do. Mandy wanted me to have Lawson and Lee. And considering that couple was never interested in being grandparents, I refuse to put that kind of stress on the twins.”

  He was quiet for so long that I had hoped he hung up. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

  “I see. Well, I suggest coming to the meeting next week, and then we will go from there. I will email you the details. I suggest getting a lawyer.”

  “They’re going to lose,” I said.

  “Have a good day, Miss Daniels.” He hung up.

  With my heart pounding hard and an ache forming in my stomach, I tucked my phone away and blinked back tears. I wished he’d been a darn telemarketer. I preferred it over a stupid lawyer. Even his name was all lawyer-ish. I had a feeling the man cost a fortune. The Hansen powerhouse couple moved about in life believing that the more money something cost, the better it was.

  I wasn’t sure how I did it, but I managed to walk up the sidewalk and open the door to the elementary school. Once inside, the heels of my boots clicked against the floor as I slowly made my way to the twins’ classroom. The entire time, a scream built up in my throat. I needed to lash out at something, anything. Fear crawled so deep inside of me that I felt like I was going to shut down and fade away, only leaving behind a sniveling mess of a human being. They’d need to admit me to the psych ward. Then I’d definitely lose the twins.

  No way. I couldn’t let that happen.

  Pausing outside their classroom, hearing the sounds of laughing kids along with the deep chuckle of their teacher, I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall. The familiar sounds of chaos wrapped around me, became my comfort. They were here with me. They were happy.

  A deep voice rumbled as it spoke, and I smiled. And they had a delicious looking teacher. Pulling on breathing techniques Dr. Adam had taught me, I grounded myself before pushing off the wall and walking into the room.

  It was chaos that only kids could create. I laughed, spotting the birthday cake currently smashed all over a table. There were also cupcakes on the same table that had fared better.

  “What happened here?” I asked as Lawson zoomed by.

  “Cake!” he said before chasing after a kid with a foam sword.

  Lee had another sword, and he stood back-to-back with his brother as he fended off two other kids trying to sneak up on them. They even added in sound effects.

  Their teacher, Mr. Killison, was currently kneeling on the floor, a massive cardboard in front of him with some of the other students. They were painting something that would never make sense to an adult. Only a child would be able to understand the intentions of the big globs.

  It looked like fun.

  Letting the twins continue their fun, I put my coat on a chair and went over and kneeled down between two girls talking away at each other. I was pretty sure the two of them were holding completely different conversations.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  They grinned at me.

  “Designing our own castle! Look, this is where the princess will be,” the girl with pigtails said. She pointed to a huge triangle, no doubt on top of the castle.

  “Oh?” I asked and leaned forward.

  “Careful, you’ll get paint on your dress,” Dayton said. I looked down to see paint seeping off the edge and creating a small puddle on the floor. The only thing saving the rug from the paint was a plastic sheet underneath.

  I shrugged. My clothes were washable. I’d become an expert at getting paint out of them, and I knew he wouldn’t let the kids use something that wouldn’t be able to wash out.

  “What does the princess look like?” I asked the little girl.

  The one with a bob cut answered, “Like you!” Her cheeks turned red before going back to creating what looked like it could have been a bridge.

  I grinned big. “I’m flattered.”

  “Want to help?” the girl with the pigtails asked.

  I nodded and met Dayton’s gaze. He was grinning big as he stared at me. With a slight nod, he went back to helping the little boy at his side create what looked like a car.

  The next few minutes passed by, and I hummed as I helped the two girls paint. Once we were finished, the two of them admired the work. There was now a gray blob on top of the tower. I thought it was their attempt to add me in.

  “This is beautiful,” I said to the two girls.

  They beamed at me.

  “Well done,” Dayton said, and I jumped, not realizing he had moved to stand behind me. I tilted my head way back to look up at him from the floor, causing an ache in my neck.

  “We have a couple of little artists in the making,” I said.

  He held out his hands, and I raised my own. He helped me to my feet, his arm wrapping around my stomach to keep me from falling forward. For a moment, I enjoyed the strength in Dayton’s touch. It told me he’d never let me fall. When was the last time I’d felt something like that from a simple touch? Not even Felix made me feel like that.

  “Thanks,” I said. “I don’t think they’ll appreciate it if I end up making a paint angel with their artwork.” Which ended up sounding like a super fun idea.

  “My pleasure,” he said, and I shivered at the intimate sound of his voice near my ear. I had to force myself to step away from him before turning to face him.

  His eyes widened as he looked me over. “You got paint all over you.”

  “Totally worth it.” I shrugged off his concern. It was sweet of him.

  Dayton grinned big. “You’re amazing,” he whispered, and I wasn’t so sure he’d meant for me to hear it. So I pretended not to and turned to face the room. Things had calmed down over the past couple of minutes. A teacher’s aide was cleaning up the cake mess with the help of another student. Lawson and Lee were huddled in the corner with two boys as they whispered about something.

  “World domination?” I said.

  “Huh?”

  I pointed to the group. “I bet they’re planning world domination. One dinosaur at a time.”

  “Why dinosaurs?” Dayton asked.

  Shrugging, I said, “Why not? A little bit of gene manipulation, toss in some training, and you’ll have the perfect killer.” I grinned. I would so be down for that.

  “You’re a little evil, aren’t you?”

  “Maybe.” I walked over to the kids. “Okay, my little minions, we need to sail off into the sunset.”

  Lawson groaned. “Kurt’s mom is bringing cookies when she gets here. Can’t we wait.”

  “Cookies, huh?” I asked, crouching down to their height and considering it. “And what is in it for me? Do I get a cookie?” I asked.

  “I can give you my cookie,” Lee said.

  “No. I don’t want a pity cookie. I want one with my name on it. And frosting. Lots of frosting.”

  “She won’t have that,” Lawson argued.

  “Really?” I made my eyes big. “Then I guess no cookies.”

  “Please,” Lawson begged. The pout even came out. Ugh, be still my fragile heart.

  “Fine. But!” Lawson stopped from doing his celebratory dance that in
cluded wavy arms and a big butt wiggle. “That means no ice cream. I promised Lee I’d take you guys to Licks after school, but with all this sugar, we’ll just go straight home. No ice cream.” I lowered my voice into a teasing tone. “No arcade games.”

  “Time to go!” Lawson said. Lee was nodding in agreement.

  I laughed. “Ice cream and arcade games it is. Sorry, Kurt, they’re mine now.” I gave the other two boys a wicked smile, not sure who was who. Like I’d let some punk kid win them over with just cookies. He needed better game than that.

  “Go get your things.”

  They ran off to grab their bag.

  “Mr. Killison, I hope they weren’t too much. They get dangerous after they eat cake.”

  He chuckled. “Please, call me Dayton. I already said it’d be okay.”

  “Dayton,” I said, loving how it felt on my tongue. He had a good name.

  “The twins have been a great help. They’re always volunteering to help clean. I’m looking forward to learning more about them this year.”

  Someone might as well have poured ice water over my body. My smile slipped away as I imagined them no longer being there. If my father and the evil stepmother got what they wanted, the two of them would probably be in some stuffy boarding school.

  “What’s wrong?” Dayton asked.

  I blinked back tears and gripped my dress tight enough for my hand to ache. I swallowed. “I, uh…” I blew out a breath. Too much emotions too fast. I felt overwhelmed. I was about to break and the last place I wanted to be was in a first-grade classroom.

  “Maddie?”

  I met his concerned gaze and a tear escaped my traitorous eyes. Darn them. His eyes widened and he grabbed my arm, moving me off to the side and turning us so I faced away from the room. He fluidly put me in a position where no one could see me break down. Gosh-darn, he was good.

  “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

  I nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re not. What’s wrong?” When I didn’t answer, he practically growled out, “Maddie.”

  “I need a lawyer,” I spilled. “I don’t know lawyers. If I don’t find a lawyer, the super lawyer is going to swoop in, throw laws in my face, twist words, and make me seem like I belong in a crazy house. I don’t belong in a crazy house—I swear. But he will do that, because that’s what lawyers do. He even has one of those stupid lawyer-y names. He’d never be mistaken as anything else other than what he claims to be. I bet he even has those fancy suits that cost as much as my rent does, which is saying a lot. I pay a lot for rent. Boston is ridiculous.”