Page 23 of Wrecked

Then my hand falls a little, just over the buckle of my belt. Her eyes darken in response, and a pink blush colors her cheeks.

She clears her throat before speaking again. “What are you making?”

“Red rice, refried beans, and shredded beef,” I reply while taking an inventory of my supplies on the countertop. “I brought tortillas too. We can make tacos if you would rather have those…”

In an attempt to distract myself, I take a quick survey of her kitchen. The place is small but functional and well-equipped. Plus, she keeps it immaculately clean. The living room is a well-lived space. Davi’s toys are in two baskets in the corner, Melanie’s books—spicy romances from what I’ve read on the back cover—and tons of pillows over the couch.

As I open the bag of tomatoes, mayhem explodes as tiny feet run to the kitchen.

“Tacos? Who said tacos? David!!”

My son hurries to my open arms. Is he taller today? I haven’t been around kids, but it seems like he has grown up a little since yesterday.

“How are you, champ?”

Davi starts to tell me in very fast words about his morning with his three cousins, Callie, Chloe, and Courtney. Then about a new dinosaur movie he wants to watch, and lastly about the fort Ella has been trying to build for him in the backyard and hasn’t finished yet.

“Could you finish it for me, please?” His hands are under his chin. Doesn’t he know? I’d give him the world. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my son. Or for my woman. But I’m walking over quicksand here. I need to be careful.

“Let’s ask your Mommy first,” I reply, and even if he doesn’t like it, my son gives me a nod. Such a good boy.

“Davi.” Ella’s face is tight. “David works at church all day long. I don’t think he is in the mood to come here and finish the fort for you. We’ll figure it out later. Maybe we can find a cheap handyman, ok?”

Handyman? There is no need. My gaze catches Melanie’s. “What if after dinner, you show me what have you done, and we go from there, sound good?”

“Yay!” Davi cries with utter joy. “I’m building my fort with David!”

“Davi,” Melanie scolds him softly but I give her a silent nod, letting her know it’s ok. This is a bonding experience for us. We’ll survive.

“Let’s have dinner, ok?” I tell my son. “I’m starving, and I’m sure we will need all the strength to finish the fort.”

“I’ll eat everything,” he says solemnly, and he does.

After Melanie and Davi clear their dishes—I love a woman with a healthy appetite, and it excites me to no end, knowing the passion goes beyond the kitchen table—we walk to the backyard. My hand tickles to touch her, to have my arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to my body.

Thank fuck my son provides a good distraction. He’s such a chatterbox. I survey the wood Melanie has pilled at the side of the house. There are some four-by-two, a few plywood planks, and an assortment of nails and screws organized in plastic boxes.

“Did you plan to build a fort or a treehouse?” My gaze follows hers.

“I was thinking about a mix of both. We found a blueprint online. They provided us with the supplies list and everything.” She looks ashamed for a second. “But between my job at the school and taking care of Davi…” The project was the last thing on her mind. She doesn’t need to say the words. It’s understable, but she’s not alone anymore.

“I know you’re a busy woman,” My reply is full of the reassurance she needs. “You were doing as much as possible, and I respect that. But you’re not alone anymore. I’m here to take care of…”

Let me take your yoke, Ella. You’ve been lonely for a long time. I’m not promising you perfection, but I’ll try. I promise I’ll try.

My mind is driving fast, making calculations, she did a good job, but this won’t be enough to build a place for Davi to grow up. Those internet blueprints are sometimes good, but nothing like having a good architect dedicated to the project. For fuck’s sake, my company is building the facilities for the upcoming Olympic Games. However, the job in front of me will bring a lot of giggles, excitement, and pride. The stadium we are working on is for the world. This… this is for my own world.

“We don’t need a hero riding a white horse, David.” Melanie is so freaking hard headed, but her stubbornness is the way she has survived. The armor protecting her every day. Her fortress, and now it’s crumbling.

“I know,” I counter with a smile. “But it’s good to have someone to lean on. You’re not alone, Ella.”

She doesn’t look at me. Her eyes are glued to the wood aligned in front of us. “I have a family, and I’ve…”

She can feel it too. The walls are caving.

“It’s not the same, and you know it.”

She and Davi deserve way more than the little time her father or sister have to spare.

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