Page 35 of Abel

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Abel

Ilean down, kissing Kara on the forehead. "Sleep good, don't get up until you have to. Hell, be here when I come home, if you want."

She yawns, snuggling in deeper under the covers. "I probably will. Your bed is so much better than mine."

My heart swells in my chest, as she appears to be so comfortable in my home. It's everything I've ever wanted, and damned if it doesn't feel amazing. "Sleep good, sweetheart. I love you."

A sleepy smile works across her face. "Love you too, Abel."

I get dressed as quietly as possible, hoping to not disturb her as I get the amount of clothes on I'll need for the day. The closer we get to Thanksgiving, the colder it's getting. Once I have my layers on, I grab my boots, carrying them down the stairs, so I can put them on next to the door and not disturb her. I put them on and then open the door. "Oh, absolutely not." I grumble as I see snow on the ground. It's early, but not unheard of. I'm already wishing for summer.

It takes longer than I care to admit, but I'm finally on the road headed to our work site. Thirty minutes into what should've been a ten minute drive, I'm wishing I had called in sick. People don't know how to navigate slick roads and driving defensively takes longer than I anticipate. When I pull into the work site, Jasper and Barrett are just now getting out of their trucks too.

"Where's Dad?" I don't see his truck anywhere.

"He dropped Alexis off. I saw them at the intersection next to Hank's. He didn't want her driving herself."

"He knows she can drive herself. She's from here." I tuck my hands into my jeans pockets. "But that's sweet. I've never seen him be this way about anyone before."

"They're gonna get married, and she's gonna be your stepmom. You're probably gonna have a much younger sibling. I think it's time you come to grips with that fact." Jasper runs a hand through his hair.

I hadn't actually thought about them, maybe having a kid. How weird will that be if there's twenty-five years separating us? Not only for me and the kid, but for Dad too? Sheesh, there's so much going on with all of us right now. I don't think any of us thought that a couple of months ago, we'd be here, but yet we are. "We'll wait and see what happens, I'd prefer not to think about it before I have to."

As we're talking, Dad pulls up, and gets out, stamping his feet. "How is it so fuckin' cold already?"

"Global warming?" I shrug. "I can't believe you took Alexis to work. She grew up here, I watched her drive to school in some of the worst weather we've ever had. Were you really worried about her?"

"No." He shakes his head. "I knew she could handle herself, but it's my job as the one who wants to take care of her, to do it. Where's Kara?" He looks at me pointedly.

"In my bed. She's not working today, so she doesn't have to worry about it."

"God, I wish I could..." Jasper shivers.

"You wanna be in Abel's bed?" Barrett lifts an eyebrow.

"No dumb fuck. Not worrying about it. That's what I wish. God, I hate you two sometimes, you purposely make things sound like they aren't."

He's still grumbling as we head inside. "What's with him lately?" Barrett asks. "He's taking things a lot more seriously than he used to."

"Don't know. I mentioned it last time we were drinking at Monroe's, but he didn't want to get into it. I'm slightly worried about him, but you know how he is. Won't talk about whatever it is until he's ready to kick somebody's ass or make a life-altering decision."

"Quit your gossiping out there, and let's get started." Dad's voice breaks into our conversation.

* * *

When I get home nine hours later, I'm tired, but not exhausted. Kara's laying on my couch, blanket covering her legs as she's watching what appears to be SVU on my TV. "You're watching Peacock, aren't you?" I give her a wink. "That Law and Order channel is my kryptonite. I start watching and then I can't stop. Next thing I know I've gone through two seasons and haven't moved."

"Guilty." She gives me a grin. "But it's been nice. At my own place, I can find a million things I have to do, so there's never any down time for me. I look around and see something I've been putting off, and I feel like I have to do it right then and there. This has been what I needed. I gave myself permission to not do anything here. Although I did wanna go cook in your kitchen. It really is one of the sexiest things about you."

I give her a smile, before laying down beside her and pulling her body into my arms. "I'm glad you were able to do that. You work way too hard, and never take a break."

"I'm trying to learn. I've been going so hard for so long I don't know what it is to take a day or a night off. But if we wanna see each other, I'm gonna have to do that. Otherwise, we might not ever get time together."

"Speaking of." I tilt my head down to kiss the tip of her nose. "I know we've only been together a little while, but I wanted to know if you'd come over to my dad’s for Thanksgiving. I don't know what you had planned with your family, but I want you to come if you can."

The eyes looking at me brighten, and a smile spreads across her face. "Are you sure? That's like real relationship stuff."

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