Page 18 of Everything I Desire

“Thanks for updating me, Porter. The good news is we have a good case for you to get permanent guardianship, but it won’t be a quick process unless Maura is found and agrees to sign over rights. The past is not on our side with that happening.” She sighs.

“I know. Luckily, she doesn’t have the trailer to go back to, she has nowhere so I might be an asshole, but I’m kind of pushing her hand if she comes back. At this point, I can almost guarantee she’d take money to just leave.” I run my hand through my beard. I know I’m being an asshole, but I don’t care anymore. I had to stop caring when I realized that neither Maura or my parents saw me as family, rather than someone to bail them out of tight spots. I’m going to lose my sister either way, and the best I can do is make sure I don’t loseKayla in the process.

Stacey and I discuss more about the next steps regarding guardianship. She prepares me for a long battle with the courts, especially because no one knows where Maura is still.

While I was on the phone, Ronnie came in. He went upstairs to his office without stopping. “Hey, boy, come on up here.”

I drop my rag on my stool and head up the stairs to Ronnie’s office. The office overlooks the shop, a loft over some storage space. He always says he wants to look out over his kingdom. But really I think he just never wanted to trust any of us not to fuck around instead of working.

“Hey Ronnie, what’s up?” I sit on the corner of his desk.

“You give any thought to buyin’ this place?” He asks, moving around papers, looking for something.

“I have. And I want to. I just want things to be settled with Kayla, or at least know the path we’re taking. They haven’t found Maura yet but got a tip she might be in Jersey. Can I have just a little bit more time? I’d be happy to take over though if you’d like to go on an extended vacation.”

Ronnie puts his papers down and stares at me, processing what I’ve said.

“I think an extended vacation might just keep the ol’ lady happy until you’re ready.”

“I think she’d like that,” I add.

“I’ll talk to her and let you know when we have a plan.” He nods indicating this conversation is overand I let myself out of the office without anymore from him.

I’m left to work on the corvette in silence with my memories of a seventeen year old Addy sitting on my toolbox sipping a milkshake, looking at me like I hung the moon.

God, I really fucked up with her. I wish I could be the man she deserves.

The man she deserves wouldn’t run away from her, even if it was to protect her. No matter what she tries to tell me.

Chapter Seven

Adelaide

Kayla and I ran to the store after school and we are just about to start cooking his favorite meal when Porter walks in.

I can take one look at his body language before he is even through the door and know he’s had a terrible day. His shoulders are slumped forward, he shuffles his feet along, and his eyes are off in a different world, like he isn't even here with us. I knew when Stacey told me that Maura is possibly in Jersey, that Porter was going to have a bad day.

He had text me earlier to ask if I could bring Kayla home so he could stay and finish something at work. I was happy to do that.

Stacey stopped by to tell her about Maura at Porter’s request. He thought it would be best coming from her. Thankfully she was okay with it. Her only question was if they were going to take her away from Porter. She’s really bonded with him, and I can tell that is her biggest fear at the moment, that she’ll have to give up the only stable home she’s ever known.

“Hey Kayla, we forgot to grab pie crusts. Do you mind running to my house and grabbing some out of the freezer for me?” I ask her, trying to get Porter alone for a moment.

“Yea, of course! I’ll grab your keys from your purse, that okay?” she asks.

“Great. They’re in the bottom drawer of the freezer. If there isn’t any in there try the one in the basement. I know Mom stocked me up last time she made pie crusts.”

Kayla is out the door and into my house without even noticing that Porter walked through the garage door before she left.

“Hey,” I say softly, walking toward him.

“Hey,” he replies, standing still in the doorway, hands in his pockets.

He looks every bit the teenage boy who’d confess all his darkest secrets to me in the safety of our spot at the lake, tangled in each other.

I step closer, Porter unmoving. I reach up to cup his cheek with my hand, and he places his hand over mine. I always loved how large his hands are compared to mine. It gave me a sense of safety with him.

“She’s okay, you know? She was just worried about being taken from you but Stacey assured her she’s safe for now.”

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