Page 9 of Make Me Whole

Skylar looked at us and bit her bottom lip to hold back a smile. I shoved my hands inside my front pockets and rearranged my semi at the sight of her teeth clamped around her juicy lip.

“Yes, it can,” we responded in unison as I took a seat across from her. I continued, “Don’t open it yet. Go get the food, and by the time you come back, the grill will be ready.”

Al muttered something underneath his breath and walked back to the house, leaving me and Skylar alone. I hadn’t considered the dangers of being alone with her when I told him to go get the food, but I wasn’t a caveman. I had enough self-control to remain—mostly—celibate for a decade. I could surely talk to a beautiful woman without making things awkward.

Her eyes turned to the kids, and mine followed. Both Aiden and Ella were doing God knows what in that tree house, but they seemed happy and that was all that mattered to me.

“I’ve never seen Aiden this happy while playing with another kid.” I wasn’t sure if I said that to her or myself. Maybe to both of us.

She looked at me from the corner of her golden eyes. “Doesn't he have friends?”

I sighed and took a sip of my beer. “He’s got some, but he doesn’t like to play with them outside of school. He also hates parks, teams, and going anywhere where kids and their mothers hang out. Reminds him that he’s an orphan, which makes him sad.”

She let out a breath so full of compassion and understanding it gave me an extra layer of appreciation that went beyond her looks.

“I get that. And he has a lot to miss. I remember Margery. She was lovely and very kind.” I smiled in gratitude but said nothing. She continued, “Ella used to love her soccer team, but last year, she started hating it. Since I left Eli, she’s refused to go. I think it’s the same thing. The coach is one of the dads, and the other fathers are always around, cheering for their kids and bringing Gatorade or snacks. She only has me and her Grandpa. The team is a reminder that her dad doesn’t care.”

Her words tugged at my heart. I always thought that Aiden had the worst luck, but being neglected by a parent seemed far worse than being an orphan. Margery didn’t choose to leave him, but Ella’s father chose not to care. The asshole.

“If you think it would get her excited again, Aiden and I could go to her games and practices.”

Why I offered that when I should stay away from this woman beat the shit out of me. But the gratitude in her gaze made me damned glad I said it.

“She would love that. Mostly, because of Aiden.” Her cheeks turned pink with the admission. I laughed, and it deepened her blush. She fumbled to explain. “She doesn’t know you well enough yet, but I know she’ll be happy to have you once she does. I always enjoyed having you around. But she’ll be thrilled about Aiden. She’s always wanted a brother or even a cousin to play with, and I know that’s how she’ll end up seeing him.”

“I hope so.”

My words hung in the air when Al came out of the house. One of his hands carried a tower of plastic containers and the other a pink phone. He set the phone down at the table and muttered, “It was ringing again.”

The lightness in Skylar’s face disappeared as she looked down at the device. Her brows knitted as she unlocked the screen and read something. A moment later, she got up and bolted to the house. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

Confused, I joined Al at the grill. “What was that about?”

He huffed and shook his head angrily. “Eli. He’s been calling a lot lately.”

Anger bubbled inside me. I didn’t want her talking to that asshole. I didn’t want her getting upset over him or even remembering that he existed.

If I had my way, her world would be Eli-free, even if, for the sake my friendship with Al, it had to be Max-free as well. That man was bad news and heartache, and I didn’t want her to experience any more of either. Both mother and daughter deserved flowers, kindness, and love, not abuse, harassment, and abandonment.

But there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t march into the house and demand that she not return that asshole’s call. He was her daughter’s father, and I was nothing more than an acquaintance. Besides, Al wasn’t stupid and would see all my inappropriate thoughts through a fit like that.

For fifteen minutes, I kept my cool, drank my beer, and talked to my friend while I watched the house like a hawk. When the burgers were nearly done and Skylar still hadn’t returned, Al looked toward the house and sighed.

“Couldyou tell Sky that the food is ready? I don’t want to send in Ella in case the call has gotten nasty.”

I casually nodded while forcing myself not to smile. “Sure.”

As soon as I walked into the house, I heard Skylar’s agitated voice. What I didn’t expect was to hear an angry male voice talking over hers. They were too far away for me to understand their words.

At least they were until Skylar shrieked, “Get your hands off me.”

Hands already balled into fists, I ran to the living room.

4

SKY

“It was ringing again.”

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