Page 19 of More Than A Fixer-Upper
What the hell is going on with me?
I don’t mess with women who have kids.
I’m not father material.
I already raised two and they don’t even appreciate it.
Chapter Fourteen
Rosalie
Drewknocksonthedoor of the room I’m working in, pulling me out of my thoughts or more accurately, the dream I had about Chase. I blink, trying to shake it off.
“Mom, Seth will be here in about ten minutes to pick me up. It’s still okay, right?” The hopeful look on his face makes me smile. This kid thrives when he’s helping. He’s found a real interest in building, and it shows. From what he’s told me, Winnie made things awkward for him at the party, but some of the guys are into gaming, so they added him to their network. I hear him laughing with them while he plays.
“Winnie’s waiting for Ellen to take her and the girls to the mall,” he adds.
“Shit. I forgot about that. I need to give Winnie some money.” I stand too fast, and the room spins. My eyes flutter.Please don’t pass out.
“Mom.” Drew’s voice shakes. His eyes fill with tears as he rushes to steady me. “I’m calling Seth. I’m not going today.”
“Nonsense,” I say, grabbing his arm. “I just got up too fast. I haven’t eaten. I’ve been at it since six thirty. Come on walk me over to the house.”
I hook my arm through his, and we head to the kitchen. Winnie’s upstairs, music blasting. She must be getting ready. I grab the orange juice and chug a glass, hoping it’s just low blood sugar. Drew moves to the stove and starts making eggs and toast while I pour a second glass.
There’s a knock at the door. I expect Seth but it’s Chase.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, opening the door wider.
“Seth had to help his mom, so he asked me to pick up Drew. But then I got a text saying you were sick. Are you alright?”
I scowl toward the kitchen. “I had a dizzy spell getting off the floor while pulling up carpet. I skipped breakfast. Drew’s exaggerating.”
“Should we take you to a doctor?” Chase steps in, concern etched across his face. I stumble slightly as I close the door, and he catches my elbow, guiding me to the kitchen.
“Sit down. Let your son feed you.”
“Chase? I thought Seth was picking me up,” Drew says, surprised.
“His mom needed help, so I stepped in,” Chase explains. Drew offers him breakfast, and Chase nods. Drew smiles and went back to cooking.
“Coffees over there. Orange juice and milk are in the fridge,” I say.
“Since I’ve got time, my crew’s good without me. Want to go over some design ideas for the rooms?” Chase asks, grabbing a mug and pouring himself coffee. Watching him move around my kitchen like he belongs here is… strange. But not unwelcome.
He and Drew laugh about something, and Chase talks him into adding veggies to the eggs. He’s teaching him how to make an omelet.
“I need money,” Winnie says, appearing with her hand out. I glance at her outfit.
“I need you to change,” I say calmly, keeping my voice low.
She sighs.
“I wouldn’t let you wear that to a party. I’m not letting you wear it to the mall. Don’t change, don’t go. You’re thirteen. Still in my house.”
“All the kids wear outfits like this,” she mutters.
I raise an eyebrow as Drew places a plate in front of me. I smile up at him.
