Page 71 of Promiscuous Lies

“You don’t always have to ask for help, Posie. Sometimes, people simply know when you need it.”

She stares at me as if I’d just slapped her, so I reach out and grab her hand. She doesn’t look like she slept much, either. I feel guilty for putting her in this position. I didn’t realize her past weighed so heavily on her, and although patience is not a virtue I usually possess, I was willing to wait until she let me in a little more and trusted me. I’d fucked up by agreeing to Billie and Eli’s suggestion, and I feel like shit for it.

The front door opens, and her head whips in that direction. Bentley rubs his eyes and then runs over to us. She drops her hand from mine and holds her arms out for him. He jumps into her embrace and gives her a tired hug, still looking drowsy. I try not to smirk at the similarity between them, both clearly not being morning people.

That’s when he seems to notice me and asks, “Where is Dawson?”

“My father?” A pang of irritation runs through me at his question. How is it that this kid has only met my father once but still wants him more than me? I shouldn’t feel jealous of my father, but a small part of me does.

“Yeah, I like him,” he says, as if it’s obvious.

“It’s Sunday morning, so he’s probably with my mother.”

Bentley rubs his eyes again. “She’s nice too. Can we go see them?” he asks his mother.

“Probably not, sweetie.”

“Maybe we can see him at work after school tomorrow? He does go to school, doesn’t he?” I ask, realizing the kid might not even be in school yet. How old are they when they usually go?

“Yes! Can we?” he says, suddenly fully alert and ready for the day.

Posie glares at me. “Promising a kid something should be an offense.” Her eyes grow wide. “Oh shit. I forgot I was getting that delivered today.”

A van arrives, and I’m out of the car, following her to meet it.

“Calm down, it’s just a delivery driver,” she scolds as she puts Bentley down. “Do you want to go and pick out what cereal you’d like for breakfast while Mommy sorts out the new big bed?”

“Bed?” I ask.

“Yeah, I got a new frame. I completely forgot about it. Want to put it together for me?” The question comes out casually, so I’m not sure if she’s serious or not.

She greets the driver and signs for the bed. Two men lug large, heavy-looking boxes from the back of the truck and then carry them inside at her direction.

Put it together?

I’ve never fucking built a bed in my life.

“I’m kidding, pretty boy. I know you only play with knives,” she says, her fingers doing some woo-woo motion. “I don’t expect you to know how to use a screwdriver.”

“I can put together a bed,” I grumble.At least, I hope I can.

She arches an eyebrow. I can tell she’s considering it, but she’s hesitating because that would mean asking for help. But then a mischievous grin curves her lips.

“Okay, let’s see what you’re capable of.”

And I fucking devour that smile like it’s my reason to live. It’s the first time she’s willingly let me into her home. And I feel like, ever so slightly, Posie’s letting me into her life, too.

CHAPTER 35

Posie

“It would’ve been much easier if you just bought it prebuilt,” Dutton complains as he sits on the floor in my bedroom.

I lean against the doorframe, smirking as I hold two coffees.

“That would’ve cost extra money,” Bentley says and points to what looks like the instructions. “You just have to put it together like Lego.”

Bentley is sitting on his knees beside Dutton, picking up bolts and random pieces of the bed’s hardware. I bite my bottom lip and quietly place the coffees on the side table. I take a step back and pull out my phone.

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