Page 6 of His for the Taking

“Then your hair needs to be done, you need to change, and you need shoes and socks.” Josephine starts shaking her head, tossing her hair back and forth, but I’m relentless. I’ll give her the not going to school bit; that shit wasn’t sitting right with me either. Which means I’m going to have to ask my family for help or talk to Shaun. Either way, I’m not prepared for the ‘I told you so’ or the full-time hard-on that Kody seems to induce when I so much as think about her.

“No socks.” She crosses her arms over her chest, plops out the bottom lip, and prepares the waterworks.

“Shoes and socks, or we’re not going to the park.” She attempts to wobble her bottom lip. “We’ll bring snacks.” I’m bartering with the queen right now, and I know the second I bring food into the equation, she’s golden.

“Otay.” She pauses before finishing her sentence. “You win.” She stands, launching herself into my arms, her little legs wrapping around my midsection much like her arms do around my neck. “Tanks, Daddy,” she says into my shoulder, and damn, JoJo has me wrapped around her pinky finger.

“You’re welcome. Go get ready. I’m going to get the snacks together and make a few calls, then we’ll head out the door.” She pulls away from our hug, lips going to my cheek, and lays a wet one on me. I’m adding more work for myself today, calling the schools to cancel the appointments last minute, as well as my mom.

“Be back!” She wiggles her feet, signaling she’s ready to get down and tired of me holding her.

“Shoes and socks,” I remind her. Josephine nods, and then she’s darting for the hallway as fast as she can.

8

KODY

“Tell Kari everything, seriously. How are you liking small-town living? Are you happy to be back?” I’m on the phone with my best friend while I walk down the streets of Lane County for the second time in three days. There was no looking for a job when Mom started shopping. Every time I wanted to go one way, she’d pull me in another direction. She finished our day with several bags in her hand, and after we dropped the purchases off at her car, we headed to lunch. I thought the shopping would be over afterwards. Boy, was I wrong. She was hell bent on finding me an outfit, told me I wasn’t buying it, and to shut my pie hole. So, needless to say, I’m now the owner of a new vintage-style band tee, a pair of jeans that are lightly distressed, and a pair of clog-like shoes. All a perfect combo to wear together or mix and match with other stuff in my closet. Specifically the shirt with leggings, flannel, socks, and the clogs. No one likes jeans unless they have to wear them, at least not me.

“I’m really happy to be home. It’d be nice if my best friend were back from traveling, but we can’t all have the dream boat of a man and follow him on his business trips,” I tease. We met in Chicago before she was married to Johnny. I was her maid of honor, and she was my saving grace when I needed to vent about Richie. In fact, if it weren’t for Kari, I probably wouldn’t be as successful as I am. Kari and Johnny had me do their engagement shoot, she posted about my business, and I received a slew of new clients. The pisser was being pulled in two directions—wanting to do her wedding photography and be her maid of honor. Anyways, once the honeymoon was over, Kari decided she could do her job anywhere and wanted to be with Johnny. So, now they’re currently in Italy while he does his thing, and she does hers.

“I’m glad, and I’m not glad. I know you’ll never move back to Chicago, and that sucks for me. Not that we’re there all that much.” Kari pauses, probably taking a sip of wine since she’s ahead of time by hours upon hours. “And If Johnny had a brother, I’d have made him fall in love with you just so we could be sisters. Not to mention my husband is pretty spectacular. Oh, before I forget, text me your new address.”

“Yeah, but that man cannot be duplicated, Kari; we all know it. And why do you need my address?” I ask. This time, it’s me taking a sip, of my coffee instead of wine. Another expense I shouldn’t have splurged on. I’m seriously going to become addicted and will need a job just to keep up with my habit.

“I’m sending you a divorce gift, silly. I only hate that I wasn’t there the day you signed the papers. I wish you had let me come home instead of insisting I stay in Italy.” Sure, how selfish would that have been? I signed the dotted line, got in my car, and drove the fuck away. There was no use in her coming home for an hour only for Kari to fly right back.

“Oh, Kari, I don’t need anything. Honestly, remember I’m staying with my brother right now. As for you coming home, that wasn’t happening. You FaceTimed me practically the entire drive back home. You did more than enough.” As I walk and talk, I keep an eye open for help wanted signs but haven’t seen any as of yet.

“Whatever. I’m still sending you something. You deserve it, and I want to do it, so please quit trying to tell me no. I’ll call Shaun if I have to.” Between Kari and my mother, I don’t know which one is worse.

“Fine, I’ll text you the address when we get off the phone. Tell me, is Italy as wonderful as all the photos and videos you send me?” One day, I hope to go there and capture it with my own eyes as well as my camera.

“Beyond beautiful.” Kari keeps talking. I’m half listening, half sipping my coffee, and half looking for a job. I’m beginning to think Lane County is fresh out of jobs when I hear my name being called.

“Kody, Kody, Kody!” My head turns on a swivel, trying to locate where that voice is coming from. I look from left to right, and back again.

“Kari, I gotta go.” I pull the phone away from my ear. My coffee cup drops to the ground as I find Josephine running toward me, my eyes glued to the little girl who is attempting to do the worst thing ever. Why is she trying to cross a street alone, and why does she have a foot out on the asphalt already? There’s no way in hell I am going to allow that to happen.

“Josephine, stay!” I yell out, not looking in either direction, worried that she’ll keep coming toward me. Of course, that’s when she takes another step. My heart is quite literally beating out of my chest, my stomach is sinking, and tears are starting to roll down my cheeks. I really hate being an emotional basket case sometimes. It doesn’t matter if I’m happy, sad, or angry, the fucking tears flow without me wanting them to. I hightail it, lungs burning, because one thing I am not is athletic, not in the least.

“Kody!” A car honks, and Josephine’s voice sounds more worried now. She can probably feel it coming off me in waves.

“Josephine!” Jameson’s voice can be heard for probably miles. My eyes move from JoJo’s to Jameson’s. The look of pure terror holds him in its grasp. Jesus, there is no way something can happen to her right after he lost her mom. This must be killing him. His eyes are never off Josephine; the same could be said for the rest of his family. I make it to the other side, my body trembling. Holy shit, my heart is beating out of my chest.

“Thank God,” I breathe out, or more like puff with barely any oxygen as we both reach Josephine at the same time. Jameson picks her up with one hand. The other moves to my lower back and brings me with them and out of the street.

“Thank you,” he mouths. Josephine's arms are wrapped around his neck, her little whimpers being muffled by his shirt. And Jameson’s hand is still holding me close. Maybe he needs the grasp to calm down his nerves. I know I sure could.

“You’re welcome.” I act like it’s no big deal; meanwhile, all I’m doing is playing a reel of what-ifs in my head. Not one single snapshot is of me being run down by a car. Everything is centered around JoJo. A shudder rolls through my body. Jameson must feel it because now he’s soothing me by rubbing his big hand up and down my back. The man who looked like he was ready to spit fire at me at the funeral seems to have changed his tune.

“Josephine, you can’t run off like that, okay?” She lifts away from him, nodding like a bobblehead.

“I sorrwy,” she hiccups cries. “I saw Kody.” With each word, she takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. A part of me wants to question where Jameson was and how she was able to get away from his watchful eyes. The other part of me remembers my babysitting days and how easy it is for kids to dart off.

“It’s okay. Come on. I think we’re done with the park. I’ll build a damn swing set before we come back here.” I take a step back, not wanting to intrude on their family time any longer than I already have.

“Kody come wif!” Jameson is reluctant to put her down, and for good reason. I’m pretty sure my kid would have one of those stuffed animal backpacks with a leash attached. Not really, but it sounds like a really good idea right now.

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