Page 69 of Make It Without You

“How are you here? Where’s Dylan?”

Adam bends down to pick my fallen bags up off the ground and slings them over his shoulder. “I was waiting for him at home. But he promptly informed me that he’ll be at Sandra’s pool, one of the baseball team moms, with the rest of the team and they’re having a sleepover. I was told their pool is better than ours. I even took today off for his last day. But now that he’s occupied I have a free night.”

We get to my car and I fish my keys out of my bag Adam is holding. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying, Mr. Montgomery?”

He crowds me against my car. “What is it you think I’m saying?”

“That you have a free house and an empty pool just waiting to be used.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Will you join me for an at-home date?”

I feel my smile spread across my face so I turn my head and kiss his forearm. “Yes, I would love to. Let me go home to change and get some clothes.”

“Deal,” he leans forward and kisses my forehead, then pulls out his phone and I hear mine chirp a few seconds later. “I just texted you my address.”

Leaning up to kiss him, I unlock my car and get in. Sending him a finger wave I drive off. The good thing about the last day of school is that it was a half day. This means we teachers get more than a few hours of sunlight to enjoy the start of our break. And it’s a rare weather pattern where it’s already sweltering in the early summer.

Adam wasn’t joking when he said the last day of school I was his. And if the joy I feel from one slightly public moment at my school’s parking lot is any indication of what being his feels like, then I’m in for the ride of my life.

Adam

Once I see Emily turn out of the parking lot, I hurry back to my truck and head to the store. Although I had planned for her to come over, I didn’t expect it to be so soon. But I’m not one to complain.

Pulling into the Whole Foods parking lot, I grab a small cart and head to the butcher section. Picking out two slabs of steak that will cook perfectly on the grill, I make my way around the store to pick up more necessities: wine, vegetables, bread, and another bouquet of her favorite flowers.

When everything is paid for, I hightail it home. Placing the wine bottle in the fridge I get to marinating the steak with a dry rub, then pop them in the fridge.

Emily: Headed to you.

Me: See you soon.

I blow out a breath and wipe off my hands. I should not be nervous. I’ve had my tongue down her throat for crying out loud. But this is the first woman I’m having in my home. And that means something to me.

To take my mind off of my nerves, I head outside and sweep off the patio. Walking into the shed, I pull out the leaf blower and do an air-sweep of the cushions on the cabanas. When all of the fallen leaves, grass, and bugs are gone, I turn the pool lights and hit the switch for the waterfall that’s off to the side of the pool. Heading back inside, I jog upstairs to my bedroom and change into my swim trunks, making sure to put some sunscreen on.

My phone lights up from the security camera at the end of my driveway signaling a car. Checking the app, I see it’s Emily and grab the towels from the hall closet before heading to the door to meet her.

I hold in a laugh as her mouth hangs open at seeing my tattoos and piercings for the first time. I also have to take deep breaths to keep from sprouting a boner. She’s not in anything too revealing, but her legs are bare and it’s the first time I’m seeing her not fully clothed.

As she’s walking up the front steps, I survey her closer. The scent of sunscreen wafts towards me as a gust of wind ruffles her hair around her face.

“I like seeing your car in my driveway,” I speak out loud. If I didn’t care to save face I would puff my chest out.

“Funny. I like seeing you without a shirt,” she quips back.

I step aside to let her in my house. When I close the door it becomes even more real that she’s here.

I lead her towards the heart of the house, the kitchen that opens into the living room, and take her bag off of her shoulder.

“Adam, your home is beautiful,” Emily states as she continues to roam her eyes around the space.

I do my best to see my home through her eyes. My biggest goal was to make this home as inviting as possible with color splashed on the wall in the form of accent walls and art mixed with photos of Dylan and me decorating the space. It’s a placewhere I could raise my son as normal as possible and where he would want for nothing.

The living room is fitted with an oversized sectional, that’s seen better days. A coffee table that houses this morning's coffee and some of Dylan’s action-hero toys. It’s home.

“Thank you. Pool?”

Her eyes meet mine and I swear, it’s like I’ve never been with anyone that takes my breath away from a simple look. But she does.

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