Page 13 of Gator's Gambit
Godric opening my door pulls me out of my reverie. I’ve been so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn’t even notice we’re not only back in Havelock, but stopped in the parking lot of Walmart.
“Come on then. Out you come. Shopping time.” A smile curves his mouth – a mouth I’ve fantasized over for longer than I’m willing to admit to – as he holds out a hand to me.
His touch as I lay my hand in his sizzles up my arm, short-circuiting my brain for a moment. Despite the situation I currently find myself in, there’s no denying the sexual pull I feel toward the man. I’ve lusted after Godric for years and loved him for even longer, but doubt I’ll ever gather up the courage to tell him. Apart from anything else, he’s Emma’s older brother. I’m sure there’s some unwritten law of friendship about fraternizing with siblings of your best friend. But you better believe I’d tap that if I ever got the chance.
Godric grabs a cart while I check my phone for the list Em sent me. Unlike New Bern, shopping for food for the crawfish boil tomorrow feels far more intimate – almost as if we’re an ordinary couple buying our groceries. That thought leads to others, and for just a moment in time, I allow myself the luxury of pretending that’s exactly what we’re doing.
I feel my mood lift as we work our way through the store, buying what’s needed and collecting the photos his mama ordered. By the time he drops me back home, the run in with Evan has pretty much been pushed to the back of my mind.
He pulls up to the curb outside the house and turns the engine off. “Thanks for going with me today. I’m glad I didn’t have to go alone.” He pauses for a second. “How are you getting to Mama’s tomorrow? Are you able to drive yet?”
“No, with the wounds still healing, I don’t have enough flexibility back yet, so I was just going to ask Mama or Daddy to drop me off in the morning. I promised Em I’d come by and give a hand.”
“I can swing by and pick you up. Save them the extra trip since they’ll be coming over for the boil.”
“That’s very thoughtful. Thank you. Well, in that case, I’ll see you in the morning. Thanks for lunch.” Godric surprises me by leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on my cheek.
“It was my pleasure – the least I could do for dragging you off to New Bern.” He chuckles.
I barely manage to refrain from touching my fingers to the spot where he kissed me, but damn it, that soft touch has me all kinds of hot and bothered. A simple buzz of my cheek. I seriously need to get a grip.
Still focused on the kiss, I’m startled when my door opens. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a fright.”
“Oh goodness, no need to apologize. It was me not paying attention.” He escorts me to the front door.
“See you in the morning. Say hi to your folks for me.”
“Will do. See ya.”
I enjoy the view of Godric walking back to the car, especially how his jeans hug his ass. With a last smile and a wave, he hops into the vehicle and drives away while I stand watching until he’s out of sight. Sighing, I let myself into the house and breathe in the comforting scent of my childhood home.
We spend a relaxing evening chatting and playing boardgames, but much as I’ve tried to avoid thinking about Evan and his crazy-ass stalking, I’m exhausted and turn in early. Once again, though, my dreams are plagued by disturbing scenarios, and I find myself out on the back porch, nursing a cup of herbal tea, watching the sun come up.
And that’s where Daddy finds me. “Morning, Pumpkin. You sleep well?”
“Morning, Daddy. I did, thanks. There’s a fresh pot of coffee in the kitchen, can I fix you a cup?”
“No thanks, my sweet girl. You sit tight, I’ll do it.”
He returns with his giant mug I bought for him years ago for one of his birthdays, I think. The sight of the silly mug makes me smile and lifts my spirits, easing my heavy mood.
“Before I forget, Godric is coming to pick me up so I can go over and give Em and Mrs. Soren a hand with prep work this morning.”
He nods. “Nice boy, that Godric. Has his head screwed on right, and takes good care of his mama. Good husband material.”
“Is that a hint, Daddy?” I ask, chuckling to myself.
“Not at all. Just saying, you know? Any girl would be lucky to have him.”
Not having a ready answer for him, I take a sip of my tea instead. We sit in companionable silence watching the sun rise, until we hear Mama shuffling around in the kitchen. It isn’t long before she comes out onto the porch, coffee cup in hand.
I watch my father extend his hand to her, and she comes over to take it, bending down to give him a good morning kiss. Even after all these years, my parents still behave like newlyweds sometimes. Something I love about them, and something I aspire to in my own relationship.
Not that there’s anyone on the horizon. Nor has there been in years. Not after the toxic situation I found myself in with my last partner. It took me years to make the choice to leave, and even then he found a way to make it my fault. So I’ve steered clear of romantic entanglement since. If I can’t find someone to treat me like Daddy treats Mama, I don’t want it.
My thoughts immediately turn back to Godric. Daddy isn’t wrong. I think he’d make a great husband, and it’s heartbreakingthat he’ll never be mine. Hearing my phone chime, I see it’s from Godric telling me he’ll be here to pick me up in an hour. Speak of the devil.
“All right you two love birds, I’m off to get gussied up. Godric will be here to collect me in an hour.”
