Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection

by Gianna Gabriela

  He motions for us to go before him. “I’ll walk you guys to your car. Where are you parked?”

  Liv shrugs her shoulders. “You drove, Opal,” she reminds me.

  Shit, how embarrassing. “Oh, yeah. Duh.” I smack my forehead. “In the lot over here.” I hurry ahead, keeping my head down and hoping the blush goes away. Ryan, with Olivia still in his arms, and Liv follow.

  “Jesus.” Ryan grabs my arm, yanking me back a split second before a car tears out of the lot. Olivia screams, the sudden movement jolting her, and Ryan immediately begins bouncing with her and shushing her even as he continues to steady me.

  “Oh, my God. Are you okay?” Liv gasps.

  I shrug out of Ryan’s hold. “I’m fine,” I snap unintentionally. I feel so out of sorts, and I hate it. I’ve strived to take control of my life, and in no time at all, a complete stranger has tipped the scales in his favor. “I’m fine.” I take my daughter from his arms.

  “Damn, he was flyin’.” Ryan glares at the car that’s now at the light.

  “I saw it,” I yell defensively.

  “Well, thanks again.” Liv sighs. I’m putting Olivia in her seat, so I can’t see either of them.

  “My pleasure. Hopefully, I’ll see you around.”

  I turn around and slam the door, my eyes colliding with his. The intensity makes me fall back a step, and I hold on to the door for leverage. “Nice meeting you, Ryan.”

  Hurrying to the other side of the car, I get in, and once Liv’s buckled, I take off. As soon as we’re out of the lot and sitting at the stoplight, I groan. “That was so embarrassing.”

  “It was not,” Liv tries to assure me.

  “I wasn’t even paying attention to where I was going and… holy shit.” I reach over the console and dig my nails into her arm.

  “Ouch.”

  “Is that him?” I can’t drag my gaze away from the man straddling a motorcycle.

  Liv curses under her breath, knowing what that means to me. “Yeah. That’s him.”

  The light turns green, and I accelerate, getting the hell away from him. “Well, there goes that,” I mumble. I will never in my life be with someone or allow someone I care about to ride anything with less than four wheels. He revs the loud bike, and when he pulls out into traffic, he winks at me as he passes.

  2

  RYAN

  It’s not the first time in the past five months, nor will it be the last that I’m distracted by thoughts of Opal. It happens everywhere at any time. I should be back home right now. Hell, I should have been there a long time ago, but for some insane reason, I took on another assignment.

  Since first meeting her, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. I’ve never had a woman on my mind like this, and it’s driving me crazy. Luckily, since she’s essentially my buddy’s sister-in-law, I’ve gotten to see her more. And every time I do, I want nothing more than to get more from her. But she’s closed up tight, and as much as she thinks it’s going to deter me, it only spurs me on. I didn’t pick a job where I chase people for a living for no reason. I get off on the thrill of it.

  I love the game.

  And I’m playing it right now. The fugitive flicks his cigarette on the ground, then at least has the decency to stomp out the ember. When he starts walking toward two young women as they make their way to the trail, I slowly and quietly push myself off the ground.

  I don’t know how he’s gotten away with it for this long; the bald head and full beard do nothing to hide his true identity.

  He’s so preoccupied he doesn’t notice me until I’ve got my knee in his back and the side of his face pressed against the uneven cement. “What the fuck?”

  I silently throw some cuffs around his wrists and yank him up.

  “Fucking dammit.”

  Every time. Every single time I apprehend somebody, they struggle. I just don’t get it. He knows he’s not getting away, especially because I was the one who caught his sorry ass the first time five years ago. I lift his arms up behind him more and bend his wrists. That’s all it takes for him to give up. After opening the back door to the unmarked Tahoe, I get him situated before I get in and drive away.

  “Come on, man. I didn’t even do anything,” he whines. “This is fuckin’ bullshit. Let me go. Please.” Bribery, pleading, threatening—you name it, they do it. But that’s not my job. My job is simple: catch them.

  And I’m really, really good at what I do. But now that I’ve got him, I need to leave and go back home. It’s time. My entire family is in Washington, and I only came here to help out for a high-profile hearing in Chicago… initially. But then I took on a case and caught a fugitive. Then another. Now this guy.

  After a three-hour drive, I return to Chicago to drop him off and fill out some paperwork. I switch vehicles so I can get back on my bike and then head to my rented apartment to take a shower and eat some left over pizza. When I’m finished, I check for missed texts and respond to Jay, telling him I didn’t forget about coming by for the game tonight.

  When I see Opal’s car in the driveway, I feel the weight of the shitty day fall away knowing I get to see her pretty face. I get a jolt of excitement every single time she’s close enough to touch. Part of me thinks it’s just the thrill of the chase, but as soon as she smiles at me, I know that’s nothing but a lie.

  It’s been a long time since I actually tried or wanted more with a woman. And with Opal, it’s not just more, though… it’s all of it. Hell, I didn’t even recognize what the hell it was at first. She tries to avoid me by going to the other side of the room or turning her back to me when we’re at the same place. But I’m a fuckin’ US Marshal; I can put together the evidence. She probably doesn’t realize I see her lick her lips or watch her face turn pink every time she thinks I’m not looking.

  I make it a point to talk to her, and I’m never disappointed. Her voice is so sweet. I didn’t even know a voice could turn me on, but every time she opens her mouth, I have to adjust myself. Like just now as I’m walking to their house just knowing she’s in there.

  Almost before I ring the bell to Jay and Liv’s, the front door swings open, and Liv greets me with a smile and a hug. “Hey, Ryan.”

  “Hi.”

  “Jay’s in his cave.”

  I follow her inside and through the kitchen. Jay had a poker night a few weeks ago, and his brother-in-law, Smith, and his ex-partner, Brandon, came too. Definitely have some envy for his kickass den. I’d love to have a house like this, but my apartment is fine for now. Besides, the couple of times I thought about getting a house to share with a woman, those plans got fucked. Literally.

  She points down the hallway. “I’m sure you’ll hear him screaming at the TV. I’ll bring you a beer in a second.”

  “I can get it.”

  “I’m pregnant, not paralyzed. I can walk to bring you a beer.”

  “Thanks, Liv.” I turn the corner when Opal runs smack dab into me, and I smile at my luck.

  “Oh, crap,” she shrieks.

  My hands close over her slender arms to steady her, my fingers lingering longer than necessary. Just like I like them to anytime I get the opportunity to touch her. “Sorry, doll.”

  “It’s okay. I wasn’t looking.” She steps back, face flushed. “I tend to do that a lot.”

  The first time I had my hands on her was when that car sped out of the parking lot; the split second it took for me to yank her out of the way has fucked with my emotions ever since. I barely even knew her at the time and I don’t know her as much as I want to now because she won’t let me. “How have you been?”

  “Good. You?”

  I’m about to answer when Olivia tears into the hallway, giggling and pulling a stroller behind her. “Hi!” She skids to a stop in front of me, and I crouch down.

  “Hey, short stuff.”

  “Are you coming to my party?”

  “What party?”

  “I’m gonna be four!” God, she’s cute.

  I la
ugh at her enthusiasm and bob my head as I watch her jump up and down.

  “I’m sure Ryan’s busy, sweetie. He probably can’t make it.”

  “Oh, no. Please. Can you come?” Olivia reaches out for me and grabs my cheeks between her itty-bitty hands. “Pleeeeeease?”

  “How can I say no to that face?” I pinch her nose and stand. “When’s the party?”

  Opal clears her throat. “This Sunday at the new Fun Center. Two o’clock.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Yay!”

  Olivia continues tearing through the house, leaving Opal and me alone in the hallway again. “You really don’t have to come. I know you—”

  “Why wouldn’t I want to?”

  She crosses her ankles and bites her lip. “Because I’m sure you have better things to do than hang out with a four-year-old.”

  “Oops, I almost ran into you.” Liv holds a beer out for me. “Here ya go. Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you two.”

  Damn, this is a busy hallway.

  “You didn’t,” Opal rushes to say. “We’re about to get going anyway. It’s almost Olivia’s bedtime.”

  “Sure, okay.” Liv backs away. “I’ve just gotta…” Her voice fades as she disappears around the corner, and if I wasn’t so damn infatuated with Opal, I’d find her sister trying to discreetly leave us alone hilarious.

  Opal drops her head and follows Liv, but just as she passes me, I grab her wrist. She looks at me over her shoulder, question and confusion written on her face, along with desire and need. If it wasn’t for the latter two, I’d think I was a glutton for punishment, but I see her. I just need to wait for her to notice. I rub my thumb along her pulse point and then drop her arm. She scurries away, and I take a swallow of my beer before heading into the den where Jay is screaming at the TV.

  “Hey.”

  “What’s up, man?” He half stands, and we shake hands before I plop down on the opposite end of the couch.

  “Nothin’.” I take a large swallow and unintentionally release a pent-up breath as I lean back.

  He kicks his feet up on the coffee table. “Nothin’, huh?”

  I don’t get to answer because Olivia comes running into the room. “Bye, Uncle Jay!” She throws herself at him, and he grunts when she lands on him.

  “You’re leaving already?”

  “Yep. I need to go take a bath.”

  He kisses her cheek and sets her back down on the wood floor. “You do need a bath. You’re stinky.”

  “I am not.” She crosses her arms.

  “You’re right.” He sets his beer on the table and then leans closer to her and takes a big whiff. “You smell like bubblegum.”

  “That’s ’cuz I ate some.”

  I can’t help but laugh at her. Freakin’ adorable. I love kids, always have, but something about this little girl yanks at my heart. Just like her mama.

  She either just notices I’m in the room or just remembered I was. “Hi.” She jumps up into my lap. “Are you still coming to my party?”

  “If you still want me to be there.”

  She nods. “I do.” And then she yawns.

  “Then I’ll be there.”

  Instead of hopping down, she twists the leather bracelet on my wrist. “Where’d you get this?”

  “My niece made it for me.” Olivia twirls the black beads on it and rests her head on my chest. A minute or two go by, and before I know it, her little body becomes heavier.

  “Dude, is she asleep?” I whisper-shout.

  Jay tears his eyes away from the TV for a split second, then nods before turning back.

  My sister has triplets, all girls. And my brother has a stepdaughter and a son. I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I’d like to since I’m always so busy with work. I hate being so far away right now, but I took the original assignment as a favor for an old boss of mine and never expected to be gone this long.

  “Olivia, come on. I said it’s time t… ” Opal stops at the doorway and frowns at me. “Sorry, I didn’t realize she fell asleep.”

  “She’s fine. I’ll carry her to the car for you.”

  “Oh, no.” She rushes into the room. “You don’t have to do that.”

  I ignore her and stand with Olivia, who barely stirs. “Are you ready?”

  She doesn’t respond with words. Her eyes soften as she looks at her daughter snuggled up against me. A level of pain surrounds Opal, whether she thinks she’s giving off the vibe or not. A sadness in her eyes that has me wanting to know why and, in turn, do everything in my power to make it better.

  “Opal?”

  She blinks. “Yeah, sorry. I’m ready.”

  I follow her out to her car and don’t look at her ass once. I do it about twelve times.

  When she opens the back door to her little sedan, I set Olivia in her seat and then buckle her up. Again, she barely stirs, even when I slam the door shut.

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” I take a step closer to her, and she doesn’t move. “She’s a heavy sleeper.”

  “Yeah, she’s just like me.”

  I could think of so many ways I’d like to wake Opal up. If I thought she was the type of girl who’d be up for some fun, I’d tell her exactly what I’m thinking, but not only is she Jay’s family, she’s also shy. And sweet. And beautiful. Everything about her calls to every part of me. And every part of me wants every single part of her; the good and the bad, especially the hurt. I want to take whatever’s hurt her and beat it to death so it doesn’t haunt her anymore. “Are you good to get home?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean it’s like nine at night, dark, a storm’s heading in, and you’re alone with a baby.” Which reminds me that I need to leave if it does rain. I should have driven the truck, but I don’t want to miss an opportunity to be on my bike. I like to ride too much.

  “Oh, then yeah. I’m fine.”

  She walks around to her side, but I call her name, so she stops. There is no way in this universe that I’m okay with this scenario. No woman who is in my life drives in the dark and goes home to an empty house alone. Not my mom or my sister, and now… definitely not Opal. “I’m going to follow you home.”

  “We’re fine, Ryan.”

  “I’m sure you are, but I won’t be able to sleep until I know for sure that you guys are locked in safe for the night.”

  When she crosses her arms, I thank the Lord for giving me amazing peripheral vision because I’m able to get a glimpse of her cleavage while still looking into her eyes. “I have an alarm system.”

  “Not good enough.”

  “Wha… why are you being like this?”

  “Like what?”

  Instead of answering me, she shakes her head. “We’re fine, Ryan. Thank you for the concern, but I’m fine.”

  My sister tells me that all the time, too. Even though she’s married—and to a sheriff nonetheless—I still worry. “At least call me. Or text me when you get home.” It’s the biggest compromise I’m willing to make.

  “I don’t have your number.” She yawns but shakes her head. “I’ll just text Jay when I get home.” Then she leaves no room for argument when she gets in her car and takes off.

  Once she’s out of sight, I head back inside. My beer’s warm, but I drink it anyway. “Olivia wake up?” Jay asks.

  “Nope. She was out like the dead.”

  “She’s a crazy heavy sleeper.”

  “That’s what Opal said. She also said she’d text you when she got home. I don’t like that she’s going to an empty house by herself.” Then it occurs to me that maybe she lives with someone. A man? That thought makes my damn brain hurt. I know Olivia’s dad isn’t in the picture, but if she had a boyfriend, surely, I’d have seen him by now. She doesn’t have a ring on her finger; I checked that the first time I saw her. I don’t know why the hell it just now occurred to me that she might have a man. Probably because she looks at me like I’m the only man in the wor
ld.

  Jay leans back into the armrest and gives me a knowing stare. “You don’t like it, huh?”

  “Do you?”

  “Not even a little. But after arguing with her about it every single night, she finally conceded and got an alarm system. I have the app on my phone, so I know when she gets home and then resets the alarm.”

  Makes sense. I knew from the first time I talked to Jay that he was the same kind of man as I was. One who takes care of who’s important to him even if he can’t be there.

  And Lord help me, but somehow, she’s become important to me without even so much as a kiss. I’m legit afraid of what’s gonna happen to me when I finally get my mouth on her.

  “Don’t fuckin’ think about it,” Jay practically growls at me.

  “What?”

  “She’s been through a lot, Ry. The last thing she needs is a complication of a guy whose nickname is Heartbreaker.”

  I want to kill whoever came up with that ridiculous fuckin’ name. “It’s a stupid name that doesn’t mean shit.”

  “You break a lot of hearts, Ry?” he jokes.

  It’s bad enough he heard it when he was at the office a while ago, but he’s not about to get the actual history behind it. The reason for that name is not what he thinks, and quite honestly, the only good thing about being away from home is I don’t have to hear that stupid fuckin’ name all damn day.

  So I ignore his question and ask instead, “What am I up against?” He doesn’t need to know that I’ve already extended my visit because I can’t stand the thought of not being in the same city as her.

  “A lot.”

  “Not gonna make it easy on me, are you?”

  He shakes his head. “Opal and I are tight. Almost as close as me and my sister, Mellie. She went through a lot, Ryan. Under the fake independence and attitude is a lonely girl with a heart of gold, though. She’s strong, and it’s gonna take a lot to break through. There’s one thing specifically, and if you figure it out, guarantee it’ll be worth it.”

  Cryptic bastard. I dangle the bottle between my fingers.

  “You’re solid, Ry. Hate to admit it, but you’d be perfect for her, but it goes without saying… you fuck her over, I will fuck you up.”