Page 27 of Finding Home

Aubrey shrugs. “For the next three weeks, I go where you go.”

I look at her incredulously. “I’m going to walk the dirt path around the lake. Last time I checked, there weren’t any liquor stores or weed dispensaries on the trail.”

Aubrey shakes her head. “I took your word for it last night, by necessity, but that was the last time. When I send in that form every night, swearing under oath you were in my line of sight all day and never had access to drugs or alcohol the whole time, I want to be one-hundred-percent certain my statements are the absolute truth.”

“This is overkill, Aubrey.”

“You’re famous, Caleb. For all I know, you might walk past some rowdy bachelor party, or maybe a group of women having mimosas on their deck, and when someone recognizes you, they’ll invite you to join their party.”

I exhale in frustration. “You’re not going to let me out of your sight, even once, for the next three weeks?”

“I mean, you can go to the bathroom on your own. But only if I’m sure you’re not smuggling something in there. You can also go to bed on your own every night, but only after I’ve done a sweep of your room and confiscated your car keys.”

“My car keys?”

“After we said good night last night, I realized I should have done that. I blew it.”

“You don’t need my keys.”

“What if you get the bright idea to wait for me to fall asleep, so you can drive into town? It’s in your best interest for me to have your keys, just in case.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“To answer your question from before, yes, Caleb, I’m going to be stuck to you like glue at all waking moments, other than the scenarios I’ve mentioned, including trailing you on your little nature walk this morning. Don’t worry, I’ll stay far enough back not to overhear whatever you’re saying to your girlfriend or whoever. In fact, I’ll put in my earbuds and listen to loud music, if you like. But you can’t get rid of me, whether you like it or not, so you might as well stop fighting it.”

Aubrey rambles on for a bit longer, but I tune her out and let my thoughts spiral, the second she uses the wordgirlfriend. Maybe I’m reading too much into that word, but I can’t help thinking that was Aubrey’s subtle attempt, whether conscious or not, at finding out if I’m single. Now, why would Aubrey want to know about that? Could it be, when she barged into my bedroom and gaped at my hard dick in my hand this morning, I made an unforgettable impression on her? That was my plan, of course, when I purposefully groaned out her name, loud enough for her to hear. Did my diabolical plan work like a charm?

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” I say evenly, trying not to accompany the comment with a smirk. “Haven’t had one for a very long time.”

“Not that I care.”

My smirk breaks free.Sure, Aubrey. “If you must know,” I say, my skin tingling at the blush in her cheeks, “I need to call my sister and let her know I’ve got a toddler I’ve never bothered to tell her or my mother about. And after that hard call, I’ll need to call my attorney and get an update on the lawsuit.”

Aubrey perks up. “Can I listen in on the phone call with your lawyer?”

“No. But I’ll give you a recap afterwards about anything that affects you.”

“Everything regarding Raine affects me, Caleb. I’m the closest thing she’s got to a parent.”

The comment stabs me in the heart; but I can’t deny the truth of it.

“I promise to tell you everything you need to know. But you can’t listen in, or else the attorney-client privilege goes up in smoke.”

Aubrey narrows her eyes. “Don’t screw me over, Caleb. I swear to God, if you make me regret helping you get close to Raine?—”

“I won’t screw you over, Aubrey. I promise on my mother. I’ve seen how much Raine loves you and your family. I understand that fucking you over would mean fucking Raine over, and I’d never do that.”

Aubrey assesses me with dark, piercing eyes for a long beat, before finally murmuring, “If I find out you’re not telling me the truth, if you’re simply using me with the intent to discard me later, then I’m going to fight you tooth and nail, when the time comes.”

“I’m telling you the truth.”

Aubrey gnaws at her lip for a long moment while assessing me. Finally, she says, “If you’re gonna make your Zoom call, you’d better get walking. Can we make it around the entire lake in time for your counseling session?”

“Not even close. I’ll turn around and head back at the right time.”

“I’ll set a timer and let you know when it goes off.” She presses a few buttons on her phone, her tongue jutting to the side with concentration, and when she looks back up, she frowns at whatever she’s seeing on my face. “What?” she barks out. “Why are you smiling at me like that?”

I didn’t realize I was smiling, so I don’t know how to answer the question, other than to say, “I’m just amused by what a little rule follower you are.” Is that really the source of my grin, though? More likely than that, I think I’m just impressed with this woman, period. She’s a force of nature, wrapped up in the hottest little package I’ve ever beheld. Who wouldn’t smile at the sight of her kicking ass and taking names?

---