Page 151 of Single Teddy
“Awww,” he cooed and hugged me. “Is that why you got with me? You had your sights on my house all along?” There was no hint of seriousness in his voice and a whole lot of snark.
So I answered like for like.
“You know it.”
I pulled his head close, to the crook of my neck and was immediately inundated with the lavender smell I’d come to associate with him.
This was what life should be like. Full of simple but wonderful moments like these. Of hugs and kisses and love, but also of conversations like these while naked. This should be the normal. Not abductions and abuse and drugs and death.
I needed to make sure that’s how things stayed.
“Right. Let’s talk later. I need to get ready.” I pulled away from his arms—a crime by all accounts—and got dressed. “Are you sure you’re okay to watch Bear? I can still take him with me.”
Wesley stopped putting his underwear on and rolled his eyes.
“Of course I’m okay. Besides, the poor kid needs a rest.”
I chuckled with a sigh. Wasn’t that the truth? Bear needed a break. And I needed to get my shit in order so I didn’t have to drag him everywhere with me. But I’d already missed enough work with my injury and Zach needed me.
I watched Wesley get dressed and even though he wasn’t, it was as if he was putting on a show just for me.
God! I love this man.
My phone burst into life, interrupting the silence that permeated the house, making both of us jump.
I turned to find it, and Zach’s name was written across the screen.
My brows knotted in confusion as I answered the call and brought the phone to my ear.
“Good morning, Zach? I’m just about to walk out the door.”
“It’s gone,” came back a hyperventilating voice that made me sit up a little straighter. “It’s all gone, Teddy. All gone.”
“Wh-what’s gone?” I asked. “Are you okay, Zach? Where are you?”
Wesley approached me with concern in his eyes and put his hand on my shoulder.
“The truck. It’s gone. The bastard set it on fire. He burned it, Teddy. My business, my lifeline, my passion…it’s gone.”
My throat tightened and my stomach dropped.
“Shit. I’ll be right there.”
FORTY
WESLEY
8 Months Later
“Here. I’ll take that,” Donovan said and grabbed the box marked as sweaters off me.
“Oh, ever so kind,” I said. “Maybe you can help me with the pencil case next.”
Donovan stuck his tongue out and entered my house while I looked into the van for the next box. I reached for the one marked as kitchenware, when Teddy appeared and stepped in front of me to take the box from me.
“I’ll take that. It’s okay,” he said.
I glared at him with my hands on my hips, but he just blew me a kiss and turned his back on me to go into the house.
