Page 46 of Needing Your Love
“A handful of friends usually show up—it’s not a family thing,” Jamie said, giving me his attention again. “The door is always open, and you’re welcome to join us.”
Even with the lack of judgment, why was Jamie being so nice to me? Pity was the first thought I had, causing me to frown, but I was starved for attention and inclusion, a sense of belonging.
“You sure?”
“Yeah,” Jamie replied to my hesitant question.
“Maybe you ought to run it by your dad first,” I suggested, my tone still wary in wondering if the chief knew about my past.
Jamie huffed a laugh. “I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
Iwasn’t so sure, but I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to step inside Sutton’s home and breathe in the scent of him that doubtless covered every inch of the house. Just daydreaming about it made me half hard.
“Does he know about…” I waved a hand, too damned worked up to ask outright.
Jamie’s gaze softened. “Yeah. He’s been stalking you ever since you left.”
“He—” I snapped my jaw shut, blinking hard.
Sutton’s son chuckled. “Yeah.”
“Holy fuck,” I whispered, my heart racing at the possibilities… “Why?”
“That, you’ll have to ask my dad.”
“I’ll be there,” I stated, hopping up, my pulse thrumming, limbs twitchy as fuck. “What time, and what can I bring?”
“Two and a six-pack of beer—Dad likes Stella.”
I bid the guys a good rest of the day and headed into the reception area on light feet.
“What are you doing?” Chaz asked Jamie quietly, but I had ears like a hawk and slowed my steps because I needed the answer to that question too.
“Dad has been saying since I got home that he wants someone to take care of. According to him, Jimmy’s always been a needy handful, and considering he’s been pining for the guy for a few years…”
I could imagine Jamie’s shrug as his voice trailed off.
But wasIthe one he’d said pined, or did he mean Sutton?
“They kinda makes sense,” Chaz mused while I stood on the edge of hyperventilating.
“Yeah,” Jamie agreed without a hint of judgment in his voice.
Butterflies fluttered in my belly.
Sutton was looking for a man to “take care of”, and he wouldn’t find someone better than my desperate ass.
Hope like I’d never experienced flooded through me as I snuck out the shop’s door.
Sunday afternoon couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter 19
Sutton
“You didwhat?” I frowned at my son, who wore torn jeans, a red flannel, and a backwards ball cap as he waltzed into my kitchen like he still lived here.
I missed having him at home but wouldn’t change our living arrangements for the world. His and Chaz’s house on Pippen Creek Pond was nicer than mine a little north of downtown, and they had each other for company.
