Page 65 of Mayhem
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, Bug. How are you? Still settling into your new place well?”
“I’m good, Dad, and I’m settling fine. It’s different from Florida, of course, but I like it. I’m looking forward to the snow this winter. How’s work?”
“Same old, same old. If you’re free next week, I was thinking about flying in for a few days for Father’s Day if nothing comes up.”
“I’d like that, Dad,” Erin responded.
She hadn’t seen her father in person since Christmas. He’d video-called her on her birthday, and they talked on the phone at least once a week, but she missed seeing his face in person. It was hard being so far away from him and her grandmother, but living with him or moving every year or so to follow where he was stationed was not what she wanted to do. And while her grandmother lived in a retirement community, Erin had thought about moving closer to her at one point.
Since losing her sister and mother, she’d had an issue being apart from people she cared about. When she was still seeing one, her therapist told her it stemmed from the trauma, causing anxiety about being alone or left behind to manifest. He’d called it autophobia, and Erin hadn’t known what she felt was an actual medical disorder until that day.
“Great. I’ll book a hotel room and send you my flight information.”
“You don’t have to book a hotel. You can stay with me. I don’t mind sleeping on my couch for a few nights.”
“I’m sure you don’t, Bug, but I mind. So, I’ll be booking a room.”
Erin decided not to argue with him because she got her stubbornness from him, so she knew he wouldn’t change his mind. Instead, she told him about the plans for her shop and asked him if he was seeing anyone yet. She made it a point to ask every so often when they spoke. Her father hadn’t seriouslydated since her mother died, and Erin wanted him to know that when he decided to, she would support it.
They spoke for about an hour before saying their good nights and hanging up. Erin looked at the time before turning off the television and entering her bedroom.
She went into the bathroom, started the shower, and washed her face as it heated up before stepping in.
After her shower, she dried off, rubbing her body butter into her skin before slipping into shorts and a tank top and getting into bed. As she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, she made a mental note to text Cruz and Paetyn in the morning.
18
Erin opened her front door to find Paetyn on the other side. She smiled at him, and he leaned down and kissed her, his left hand cupping her face as he walked her backward into the apartment and closed the door with his free hand. He kissed her slowly like he hadn't seen her in months, and Erin felt the same way. She hadn't seen either of her men in over a week, and she'd be lying if she said she didn't miss them. She was glad to know the feeling was mutual.
"Hello, Angel," he greeted against her lips.
"Hi, baby."
Paetyn gave her a soft kiss before pulling away. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you. You look handsome as usual."
Erin walked over to her couch, picked up her purse and a blanket, and turned back to Paetyn. "I have an entire day planned for us, but since you're more familiar with the city, will you drive?"
"Of course, baby," Paetyn responded.
Erin led them out, Paetyn making sure the door was locked as she set her alarm through her app. When they reached his car, he opened the door for her, and Erin slid in. He reached in and put her seatbelt on her, and she knew she would never stop being surprised by their gestures.
"Where are we going, Angel?"
"We're going to Cheesman Park."
Erin leaned back in her seat as Paetyn pulled out of the parking space. They listened to the music filter from the speakers, and at some point, Paetyn reached over and took her hand in his, kissing the back of it before resting them on her thigh.
When they pulled up to the park, Erin looked around the expansive area for the activity she wanted them to do once they'd gotten out. Once she found it, she took Paetyn's hand and led the way over. She'd already paid the deposit online to reserve their easels.
She gave the attendant at the table her name and reached into her purse to pay for the package she'd chosen for them. When Paetyn grabbed her elbow, she turned to him with a playful glare.
"No," she told him. "I'm paying, and you aren't stopping me."
The woman behind the table laughed when he held his hands up in surrender, and Erin turned back to her, paying. Paetyn grabbed the two easels, and Erin took the large basket wrapped in cellophane that held their materials. They found a quiet spot under a tree, and she set the basket down before spreading the blanket.
