Page 4 of Trust Me
I finish loading the dishwasher and turn to look at my mom. She watches me with that motherly look that leaves no question in my mind that she supports me in the difficult decisions I’ve had to make. “I’m okay with being alone right now, Mom. As bad as it hurt, at least I found out before we got married. That’s the important part. Plus, I got the best out of that relationship the day I had Brooklyn. I don’t need anything else.”
A throat clears and we both look over at Jake and Maddox standing in the doorway.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I think Bean is getting sleepy,” Jake says sheepishly, after walking into what he would define as an “uncomfortable conversation.” Anytime there’s “girl talk,” Jaketakes off faster than a racehorse heading toward the finish line.
I look over at my daughter curled up on Maddox’s chest, doing everything she can to fight closing her eyes. Seeing my daughter curled up against his big, broad chest causes my stomach to flutter, and my insides give a little quiver. My heart stops and then speeds up again like I just finished running a half marathon.
“It’s getting close to bedtime. We better head out,” I say, glancing down at my wristwatch, hoping no one notices my words were slightly breathless.
“I’ll help you gather her stuff,” Jake says and turns to go collect Bean’s belongings, most likely strewn from one end of the house to the other.
“I’ve got leftovers bagged up for you too, honey.” Mom reaches into the fridge and pulls out a bag of delicious goodies.
Maddox strolls through the front door, still holding my baby girl in his arms. Jake already walked through the door a few moments before and has started piling the travel bag and leftovers in the seat of the Wrangler. As I lean forward with my hands extended to take Brooklyn from Maddox, I breathe in an intoxicating whiff of hiscologne. It’s a combination of the outdoors and a wild musk that makes me want to wrap myself around his body and run my nose down his neck, inhaling the deliciousness. I feel an uncontrollable shiver rake through my body at the intense reaction I have to him, to his scent. “I’ll put her in her car seat,” Maddox’s voice breaks into my naughty little daydream.
“Okay. Thank you,” I say, and it comes out a little squeaky.
As Maddox buckles Brooklyn into her seat, the rest of the family starts filing out of the house and approaches my Jeep. I offer a round of hugs to my parents, Will, Nate, Travis, and even Clint.
“See you next week, baby girl,” Dad says giving me another big, all-consuming hug.
“I’ll see you soon, honey,” Mom chimes in as she kisses my cheek. I join her at the bakery during my lunch hour almost every day. I enjoy spending that little bit of time with her without too many customer or family interruptions.
I climb into my Wrangler and give everyone a wave goodbye. The family drifts back into the house as I start up my vehicle and shift into reverse. Glancing back to the front door one more time, I see Maddox standing there,watching me go. He gives me a small, sexy half-smile before he turns to head back into the house.
That smile.
“Well, damn,” I say out loud with a sigh. I pull out of the driveway and head back toward Rivers Edge, picturing the beautiful smile and chocolate-brown eyes that will surely be filling my dreams tonight.
*****
I decide since Brooklyn is trying to sleep in the back seat, I’ll take a little detour and drive past my favorite house in Rivers Edge. I am drawn to this house like a moth to a flame. It’s a beautiful two-story home with a tan-colored brick on the bottom level and tan siding on the top. Bay windows beside the front door overlook the large front porch. There’s a hand-paved stone walkway, with a beautiful flower border that blooms in the spring and early summer, and a privacy fence around the large backyard. A two-car attached garage with a shop area on the back sits toward the rear of the lot. This house is my dream home.
I park at the curb and stare into the darkened house. When I close my eyes, I can seethe kids running up and down the front steps, riding bikes in the driveway, and swinging on the swing set in the backyard. I picture the barbecues in the backyard and quiet nights on the back patio.
I have no idea what the inside looks like because I’ve never actually been inside the house. It’s a fairly newer home, built within the past ten years. The couple who built it relocated somewhere north for work but didn’t sell the house. Rumor has it, they kept it exactly as is so when they are ready to move back, it’ll be here waiting. It’s a shame for such a beautiful house to sit empty.
I sit in my Jeep in front of the house, lost in my daydream for a little bit longer. Finally, I sigh and put the Jeep in gear, heading home. Someday. Someday, I’ll be able to give Brooklyn this kind of home with plenty of room to play and run. Maybe I’ll even fill it with the sounds and laughter of a larger family.
Someday.
Chapter 4
Maddox
“You wanna hit Jack’s Pub tonight?” Jake asks as we walk toward his older pickup truck. I throw the leftovers up on the dash as we head out of the driveway back toward town.
“Better take a rain check. You know we have that early staff meeting before our shift starts.”
“You’re just avoiding the place because you don’t want to run into Vanessa again,” Jake smarts off with a cocky smirk on his face. Vanessa, AKA “the clinger,” was a girl I dated a handful of times. We had a great time, a few dates that turned into a few nights back in her bed, but I realized real quick she was the clingy, husband-hunting type.
If there’s one thing I don’t do, it’s long term. No commitments. I’m not husband material. Even after breaking it off, she has continued to call and text me. She has dropped by the precinct on several occasions, going so far as to stop at my house at all hours of the night. Now, she’s started frequenting my favorite hangout, which is precisely why I have been avoidingJack’s on the weekends for the past several weeks.
I don’t bring girls to my house, as a rule. They start getting ideas about staying the night. After we’ve had our fun, I just want to head out and go back to my own place. I don’t want to snuggle or spoon or any of that other mushy shit girls want to do. I want to fuck. Show a girl a great time for a little while and then leave. I learned in high school there are plenty of girls out there looking for a little fun. Hell, Jake and I are sort of pros at it. We head to our favorite pub, have a few drinks, buy a couple of drinks for the like-minded ladies, and then pair off with our choices back at their place. But I always wake up in my own bed the next morning, and I’m always alone.
That’s the way I like it.
I realize Jake is watching me, waiting on me to confirm what he already knows. “You’re right. I want to avoid all that Vanessa shit tonight. I think I’m gonna go for a run and just relax. Maybe have a few more beers.”
