Page 3 of The Love of Secrets

I shake my head. “No. But I’m a fast learner.”

He shrugs. “Okay. I don’t have many options right now. We’ll do this on a trial basis. I’ll give you two weeks to see if this’ll work out. Can you start tonight?”

I let out a breath. Ms. Scottensburg said she could help with Oliver at night. I hope she can start right away. “Yes, I can start tonight.”

“Great. I’ll see you at eight. Crowd usually picks up around nine.”

I clap my hands together, smiling. “Thank you so much. I promise I will not disappoint.”

Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I turn and quickly make it back to my car, not trying to hide the excitement running through me. For the first time since Oliver was born, it actually feels like things are starting to fall into place.

Driving home, my thoughts run back to the sexy man I met this morning when I went to inquire about the classes at the gym. Mateo. The sound of his deep timber sent goosebumps down my back and left my nipples pebbled. I imagine what his beard might feel like in between my thighs. How the scruffiness would leave red marks along my skin as he slowly kissed up my leg. Would he suck on my clit right away, or would he tease me by flicking it a few times before plunging his tongue into my channel? I rub my legs together, seeking friction as I try to relieve the ache between them.

Beep. A horn sound behind me jolts me out of my daydream and I drive my car forward through the stoplight. Fuck, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt any type of attraction. Not since I met Michael and I’m not even sure I was really that attracted to him. Now, looking back, I think I was attracted more to the power he seemed to hold and how sophisticated he appeared. My hands tighten around the wheel as I push out a breath. Now is not the time to think about that bastard.

You’ve moved on and now it’s time to look toward the future.

As soon as I park the car, I hurry to my apartment. Grinning as the excitement of today fills me, I can’t wait to see the one person who makes it all worth it. It’s the first time in my life that I’m living on my own terms. I open the door to my apartment, and I hear the best sound ever, “Mommy.”

Our apartment is empty of material things, but I hope my son can feel that it’s full of love. Sitting in the center of the living room, there’s only a used couch I’d found at a local Goodwill. My neighbor and babysitter, Ms. Scottensburg, is sitting there with a delightful smile as she watches Oliver move from her to me. Turning toward my chubby sandy blonde-haired boy teetering over to me. I squat down in front of him, holding my arms out while he flings himself into them. I wrap my arms around him. “Hi, my baby boy. I missed you.”

I kiss his chubby cheek and come away with a bit of stickiness. “Did you just have a snack, buddy?”

“Mmm…yummy. Berries.”

Ms. Scottensburg stands up from the couch after watching our greeting. “Dear, were you able to get the job at Gary’s Place?”

I stand up too, smoothing my hands down my pants. “Yes. Ricky could give me a two-week trial and then we’ll go on from there.”

“That’s great, dear.” My retired neighbor smiles at me.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous about asking her if she could watch Oliver while I go to the self-defense class at the gym. She has only been kind to me, offering to help on the first day I moved into this apartment two weeks ago. I know she won’t have any problem helping me, but for some reason the guilt of leaning on her is strangling. Tears well in my eyes. She must see it because her eyes soften.

Thankfully, she changes the subject. “When do you start?”

“He wants me to start tonight at eight.” I chew my bottom lip, nervous about the last-minute need for her services.

“That’s great, Cecilia. I’ll be here at seven thirty to watch Oliver. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

I clear my throat. It’s now or never. “Do you think you could also watch Oliver at four for about an hour so I can do a self-defense class?”

Ms. Scottensburg knows about my past. The reason we left and ran to Rose Valley. It’s something that we found in common. When she was younger, she also had to leave a terrible relationship and wound up in Rose Valley. If anyone understood, it was her. “Of course. I think that’s a great idea. Just bring him over on your way to the gym.”

“Thank you.”

“Not a problem, I’m happy to help. I’m going to let you spend some quality time with this wonderful young man,” she declares as she gracefully makes her way around me and out of the apartment.

Sighing, I plop myself down on the couch. It feels as if some of the weight that’s been resting on my shoulders has been lifted. I just need to keep myself and Oliver hidden. Smiling to myself, I think this small town will be the best blessing.

Chapter three

Cecilia

When four thirty rolls around, I convince myself once again that this is another thing I need to make sure we’re safe. Michael doesn’t have an issue with putting his hands on me, but I won’t let it happen again. I will never feel that helpless again. A memory flashes in my mind, laying on the ground covering up Oliver’s body and trying to keep Michael’s focus on me while he yelled and smashed items around the room. Right then, I’d known what I needed to do. I wouldn’t survive if he ever took his anger out on Oliver. It was time to get us out of there. Thankfully, I was able to leave before that happened.

I straighten my spine. That feeling of helplessness feeds this need to protect myself and my son.

I open the door to the gym and am greeted by another good-looking man at the desk. Fuck, is looking good a requirement to work here?

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