Page 35 of Tell Me Lies

They all pile into their trucks, all but Kolt, who is parked right next to me.

He leans against the truck door. “Hey, man, kinda perfect, isn’t it?”

“What is?” I say, confused.

“Well, aside from hockey, you hate to be away from home. But you’re a man. You obviously got you some needs.” He grins. “Now, you can get those needs met right at home.” He turns, pulling his door open. “If you ask me, it’s genius.”

Holding up my hand, I flip him off. “Whatever, asshole. I’m not fucking my kid’s nanny, okay? Would I? Fucking right, I would. But have I? No, I have not.”

“You’ve done something with her. Or you’re just really, really into the girl,” he mutters. “You’re always annoying, but the past week? You’ve been a whole other level of goofy.” He grimaces. “If I have to hear another dad joke, I might cut my own ears off.”

“They are funny though,” I call back. “And you know it.”

“Dude, no. Your jokes are fucking terrible.” He shakes his head before holding his hand up. “Catch you later, Sterns. Go on home and say hello to the nanny, why don’t you?” He pauses. “And tomorrow, try to leave your lame-ass jokes at home.”

“No can do, my friend. They are in adad-a-base. They go where I go.”

He doesn’t say anything; he just gives me a harsh glare and shakes his head again.

Once he closes his door, I get in my truck and do the same. I turn the key in the ignition, firing the truck to life, and shift it into drive.

Kolt is married, but he and his wife are separated. He doesn’t say much about it, but from what I’ve gathered, she wants thedivorce; he doesn’t. So, he hasn’t signed the papers, even though it’s been over a year since she served him with them.

I don’t think he’s ever been the same since that day. He’s grumpy and on edge all the time. I mean, hell, even my jokes don’t cheer him up.

He and the guys are right though. I’ve been in an exceptionally good mood this week. It’s been four days since I finger-fucked Maci on my desk and felt her pussy quiver around me, and even though I’ve flirted with her, she’s been stone-cold back. She’s polite, but she doesn’t want anything to do with round two.

Not yet anyway. She’ll be needy again. Or it’ll come time for her to write another spicy scene in her book and she’ll come knocking on my door.

Will I be ready? Fuck yes, I will.

“One … two …free…” Amelia yells before jumping into the water, just like she did at least ten times before. Her head bobs back up, her floaties keeping her upright. A huge grin spreads from ear to ear. “Did you see that one? That one was so big!”

“It was! The biggest splash yet, I’d dare to say!” I lift her up and spin her around.

She puts her face closer to mine, wrapping her arms around me. “Maci, can you stay here forever?”

Caught off guard, I just stare at her for a second. Unsure of what to say or how to say it. The past few weeks, I’ve been with her more than anyone. And truthfully, I can’t imagine it any other way right now. But this can’t go on forever. Can it?

“I’m not leaving anytime soon, kiddo.” I hug her back before dipping her down in the water and lifting her back up a few times. “Now, what do you say? Want to show me another cannonball?”

Quickly, she nods her head and begins to slowly paddle her way toward the stairs. Reaching out, I give her a slight push to help her get there faster, and within seconds, she’s jumping in again. Her giggles warm my heart, and I wish I could bottle them up and release them on a day when I’m feeling down. Those days seem to be growing further apart now that I’m here with Amelia and Logan. And now, I’m scared that when he does move on, I will lose my job.

Most places in New England close their outdoor pools on Labor Day weekend. Yet here Amelia and I are, swimming in Logan’s pool, which is set to a comfortable eighty-five degrees.

I would hate to pay his heating bill.

Never did I imagine I’d get a job where I could swim in an in-ground pool next to the ocean, yet here I am. The ocean has always been a calming force for me. So much so that, sometimes, I find places to write that give me a view of it. And I just breathe in that salty smell and feel that light breeze that instantly brings me peace.

The location of this house is perfect for writing, and for the past few afternoons, after Logan has come home to be with Amelia, I’ve brought my laptop outside, sat in one of the lounge chairs, and typed. It’s best that I’m not inside, where he can see my cheeks heat. After all, for some of the time, I was rewriting our encounter in my office. But yesterday, after that scene was written and the characters moved on to something less … sexy,I found my mind traveling back to what would come next when they were intimate again. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, I need Logan to be the one to map that out.

Truthfully, I love being here even though I know I can’t avoid going back to my apartment forever. Eventually, the men who broke into my apartment are going to get arrested. I hope so anyway. And the chances they’ll come back to the scene of the crime are low, I’m sure. That should make me feel better, but still, I’m not ready to go back there yet.

Clyde comes to the edge of the pool, looking over into the water.

“Don’t even think about it,” I holler at him.

Slowly, he backs away and lies in the shade. But not before sulking the whole way there.

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