by Claire Adams
I was a piece of shit for taking his money, and the realization of that came crashing in as I stood at the ATM earlier. It wasn't money that I needed. It was love. It was him.
"Yes," I forced the words out of my mouth. "Listen, my mom and dad saw the ring. I forgot to—"
"It's fine. I forgot to wear mine today, and my mother got all over my ass about it." His laugh was deep, genuine. It caused me to smile as butterflies danced around my chest.
"Well, they want you to come over for dinner tomorrow night. I don't think they're upset about not being invited to the wedding, but head's up... I told them your mom was the only one there."
"Alright." He cleared his throat, and I couldn't help but wondering where he was and what he was wearing. It seemed like something a dude would think, but I had my moments for sure.
"You sure? You sound unsure." I turned to find my parents walking back into the kitchen.
"No, it's good. My mother asked us to come over, but—"
"I'll tell them no then. We need to spend the time we have with your mom. It’s all good."
"No. We'll see my mom on Saturday. No worries." He sounded calm, peaceful. I decided not to argue with him, but instead, accept his kindness. It was rare somedays.
"Okay. Thank you." I glanced up to see my mom watching me with a quirky smile on her lips. I waved her away and gave her a look before turning back to the stove. "Mom and dad said hi."
He laughed. "Tell them I said hi, too."
"Okay." I glanced over my shoulder and found her watching me. "I love you."
"See you tomorrow." He dropped the call, and I put my phone back in my pocket. I didn't need to say it, but he would assume it was because of them. It wasn't, but maybe it was for the best that he didn't know.
I'd been completely honest for the first time in a long time.
I did love him.
Chapter Thirty-One
Gavin
I woke the next morning to someone knocking on the front door. Had to be Ron. No one ever visited me, and mom was too sick to get up without help. Though it could have been her with Karen's help.
After pulling on a pair of jogging pants that lay in a heap on the floor by the bed, I stumbled into the living room and opened the front door. A big yawn caused me to turn and lift my hand to my mouth.
"I brought breakfast." Maddie's voice was soft, sweet.
"Nice." I moved back to let her in and turned my attention back to her. The thin blue sweater she wore left plenty of creamy thigh on display, and I couldn't help wonder why her nipples were budded. Cold? Or had someone turned her on.
"Can I come in?" She stood still, waiting for me.
She thought I was the same cock that barked order at her two weeks before when I was still so pissed about everything. And maybe I was. Who the hell knew.
"Yeah. I was going to head over to mom's this morning and check on her. She wasn't doing too good yesterday." I ran my fingers through my hair and closed the door, turning to follow the pretty ray of sunshine into the kitchen. Her sweet ass shook in her romper, and I knew she wasn't wearing panties.
My body hardened a little more. I stopped by the counter and sat down on a stool, scratching at my beard as she moved around the kitchen like she owned it.
"What are you doing up so early?" I stifled another yawn. "And over here?"
She paused and gave me a worried look. "I can leave."
I smiled. "No, I'm just saying. It's Saturday morning before 10. Don't high maintenance woman like you sleep in or something?"
"High Maintenance?"
"Gold diggers? That a better term?" My smile widened, but her’s faded.
"I just thought you wanted me over here more often so your momma wouldn't ask questions. I can leave." She turned and pulled two small plates out of the cabinet, loading them each up with a muffin and a few other pastries. She had no plans of leaving.
"Yeah, you're right." I took the plate and stood. "I'm glad you remembered. Hate to have to pull out the rule book and spank you with it."
"I like spankings. Remember?" She moved around me, walking to the front patio, shaking her fine ass more than she needed to.
"I do recall something like that." I reached around her and opened the door. The scent of her perfume stained my lungs, and she glanced my way, her eyes filled with false innocence. "You're not wearing panties." I kissed her shoulder and caressed her ass, needing to validate my thoughts.
"They don't work with this outfit." She gave me a cocky grin and walked out onto the small porch. "Do you need to put on shoes and a shirt?'
"For what?" I sat down on one of the chairs and glanced up at her before picking up a fruity looking tart.
"Hey! That plate is for your mother and Karen." She lifted hers. "This one is ours."
"Oh. Shit. I thought that one was yours and this one was mine." I handed her the plate and opened the door to walk back in the house.
"You were going to eat four pastries?" she called after me, and damn if I wasn't falling in love with her. She was worried about my weight, or my health. Either way, I enjoyed her attention.
I pulled on a t-shirt and slipped my feet into some shoes before rejoining her. "My hair sticking up anywhere? My mother will bitch at me about it as if it's not her fault that I have cowlicks everywhere."
She laughed and moved closer, handing me one of the plates and reaching up to brush her fingers through my hair.
It felt good. Too good.
"There. Much better." She brushed her hand down my face and lifted to her toes, kissing me softly. "We have to act married."
"Agreed. Sit on my lap at mom's." I winked as she gave me a soft sound of disapproval. "I take that as a no?"
"You're corrupt." She walked off the porch, her body causing mine to ache.
"And I'm yours," I mumbled. At least for a little while longer.
She moved up to the house and knocked, but I reached around her and opened the door. "What? It's rude to just walk in."
"You knock at your mom's house?" I gave her a cocky grin and walked in, calling out. "Mom? Karen?"
"She's in her room, watching that bird again." Karen walked out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "What are you two up to?"
"Maddie went and picked up some goodies." I lifted the plate and smiled back at her. "I'm going to go check on mom."
"Go for it." She winked at me and turned to Karen. "Try the blueberry one. It's to die for."
I walked down the hall, knocking on mom's door before slipping into the room. "Mom?"
She turned and gave me a weak smile. "Hey, baby."
"Hi. Maddie brought you some treats." I walked to the bed and sat down beside her as she glanced back toward the window.
"Thank you." She closed her eyes. "I'm not hungry. I'm tired, and I wanna see your daddy soon."
The hot ball of fear stuck in my throat choked me. "Well, then I'll just eat them." I tried to keep my voice light as tears burned my gaze. I prayed like hell that Maddie would stay out. I didn't want her to see me choked up.
"You know how much I love you?" Her voice was a rough whisper.
"Yes, mom." I stood and moved to the desk near her window, setting down the treats. "You know we forgot something at the wedding, right?"
"Your chapter?" She patted the bed beside her, barely moving her thin fingers. "Read it to me now? Please?"
"Only you." I pulled a chair to the edge of the bed and sat down, pulling out my phone and opening the document. I reached out and picked up her hand, kissing it softly. "I love you so much."
"Me too." Her eyelashes fluttered, and she closed them again. "Don't mind me if I fall asleep. Just keep reading."
I nodded and cleared my throat. I was so fucking close to breaking down. We didn't have six months. We didn't have six days from what I could tell. Maybe going to Maddie's parents for dinner was a bad idea.
No. Mom wouldn't feel up to eating anyway, and if anything happened, Karen would call me right away.
> I started reading and glanced up to see Maddie stick her head in the room. I motioned for her to come in, suddenly more than willing to have her hear the story too. My voice broke a little as I neared the end of the first chapter and glanced up to see my mother sleeping, her skin almost translucent.
"Gavin," Maddie whispered as she walked toward me. "Come on. Let her rest."
I nodded and stood, turning and welcoming Maddie in my arms. I kissed the top of her head and closed my eyes. Life was beyond fleeing, and I was a man that couldn't seem to hold onto anyone I loved.
"I'm happy we did this." Mattie glanced over at me in the car as I drove us out to her parent's place. She squeezed my hand softly.
"You must have seen the money." I licked the side of my mouth in hopes of curing the dryness on my tongue. My mom wasn't going to last much longer. I should have been right beside her. I didn't want her to die alone. It scared the fuck out of me. "I deposited it earlier this past week. It just takes forever because—"
"Hey. It's not the money, okay? It's you. I'm glad all of this happened because of the friendship that you and I will have when it's done." She pulled her hand back, and I realized she was pale.
"What's up?" I pulled into the drive away as a cold sweat ran across me. I hadn't seen Maddie's parents in years. Were they still kind and welcoming? Would they be pissed about us being married?
Not that we really were, but we were still sporting rings like we were. I hadn't been in front of a girl's parents that I was dating since high school.
Dating? Is that what I thought we were doing? It was laughable.
"I just want you to like them." She got out of the car and walked to the front, waiting for me.
"I already like them, silly woman. We grew up together. Your cousin is my best friend in the whole world." I reached her and pulled her into a hug, needing her warmth.
"Kiss me. Please?" The need in her eyes left me with no choice, not that I would have denied her anyway.
I wanted her kisses every day. All the damn time. As many as I could store up.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Maddie
His lips were soft against mine, but a hunger showed in his eyes that had me wishing we were back at his place and not standing three feet from my parent's front door.
"Maddie? Gavin?" My mom's voice caused me to pull back from the kiss. "Come on in and stop making out on the porch. Jeez. Silly kids."
Gavin's cheeks bled pink, and I couldn't help but laugh as I walked toward my mom for a quick hug.
"Don't embarrass him or me." I hugged her tightly.
"Now, that's no fun." My dad walked out the front door and gave me a hug before putting his arm around my shoulders and extending his hand to Gavin. "Hey there. I sure wish you would have come to see us before you proposed to my little girl here."
"I know. I'm sorry. It was—" he started, but my father cut him off.
"We know." He smiled. "And we're proud of you for honoring your mother. I'd just always imagined the day when Maddie's boyfriend came limping up the front lawn and—"
"Why does he have to be limping?" I glanced up at my father and smacked him in the chest.
"Cause love hurts." He smiled and turned back to Gavin. "And I'd be in the living room, cleaning my guns. We'd talk for a few minutes, and I'd scare the hell outta the guy because, well, that's what dad's do, right honey?" He glanced over at my mom.
"Oh, brother." She walked past all of us toward the house. "Gavin ignore him and get in here. He's definitely where Maddie gets her great acting abilities. They're both so darn dramatic."
My dad released me and followed my mom in, talking about his dreams of one day being on Broadway.
I groaned and rolled my eyes as Gavin walked toward me. "Make a run for it. I'll divert them and you drive like your ass is on fire. Go! Let me save you."
He cupped my face and leaned down, kissing me softly, like we were together, like he truly loved me. "Not a chance in hell. I gotta see how this plays out." He kissed me again, and I pressed up into it.
"Can I stay with you tonight? I'll sleep on the couch." I moved back and ran my hand down his strong chest. "I just don't want to be alone in the apartment."
"Of course you can." He took my hand as we walked toward the house. "But you have to promise me one thing."
"What that?" I moved in behind him and clasped my hands behind me to keep from reaching out and touching him. I didn't want to get too familiar with him. He was paying me, and I was his fake wife for a few more weeks at most. He was being nice, but it might be short-lived if I weren't careful.
He waited until we walked into the living room where my parents were standing close together. "You let your mom and dad tell me all of the stories from your childhood that they want to."
"Yes!" My father yelled and pumped his fist in the air.
"No way." I shook my head and turned to go back into the kitchen. "Mom, come on, and I'll help finish dinner."
"Behave." My mom walked into the kitchen and stopped beside me with a huge grin on her face. "Oh my God... he's beautiful."
I snorted. "I told you he was good looking."
"He's way beyond good looking."
"You're being creepy. Stop, please." I smirked, teasing her as I opened the fridge and pulled out everything we would need for a salad. "He's a great guy. There's so much more to him than his looks."
"Oh, I know. Your Aunt doesn't shut up about what a great man he is. You know him and Ron have been running the roads together since they were old enough to get into trouble together." She pulled the top off a cake dish and smiled. "Wa-la! I tried a new cake recipe."
"Oh no." I groaned and walked over to check it out. My mom was a decent cook, but a horrible baker. "Wait. Is that peanut butter frosting?" I ran my finger around the edge, dipping it into the light brown icing.
"Yep. Just for my baby." She beamed.
"Oh. Wow." I licked my finger clean and went in for another taste as she pulled my hand back.
"Nope. Not until after dinner. I have steaks ready for dad to put on the grill and there are potatoes in the oven. Should be yummy." She picked up her phone as it rang and let out a frustrated sound as she turned the ringer off. "Creditors. All the damn time."
Guilt raced through me. "One day I'll be able to help with all of that."
"I know you will." She cupped my cheek and smiled. "I love you so much. I can't imagine how hard it must be for Gavin to lose his mother. How is he holding up?"
The sound of my dad laughing in the living room with Gavin warmed my heart. He was such a good man. And I'd taken his money. I needed to give it back, but knowing how badly my parents needed my help stop me from thinking about it. I would make my decision soon. Give it back and tell him that I loved him, or keep it, help my folks, and get on the first plane to Cali.
Just because I had deep feelings for Gavin didn't mean that he shared them. He was playing his part just like I was playing mine, but the act had run up for me a while back. It wasn't hard to pretend we were together because in my heart... we were.
"Hey. You still here?" My mom waved her hand in front of my face.
"Oh yeah. Sorry." I let out a soft sigh. "I was just thinking about Ms. Hayward. She's not doing well at all. She couldn't even hold her head up this morning when we went to see her."
"Oh, no." She moved back and crossed her arms over her chest. "And how is Gavin handling it all? Getting married so fast is a tall order, but having his mother dying, too? Poor boy."
"He's doing okay." I moved up to the door and glanced through, looking for him. He was holding one of my father's guns, aiming it at the wall as my dad excitedly walked through the features of the gun. He would fit into my family so well. So well that it hurt, driving a stake of loss through me that felt like it might never heal.
"Well. Thank God he has you." She wrapped her arms around me from behind and pressed her chin to my shoulder. "You're a good woman, baby. You'll get him through it."
I nodded, unable to lie anymore. I was weary from all of it.
After helping her fix the rest of dinner, we met the boys at the table and sat down. My father and Gavin had been outside cooking the steaks and telling stories about the town and Ron from what I could tell. My handsome fake husband looked at ease, his eyes filled with merriment.
"Tell me about Maddie as a teenager." Gavin winked at me and turned his attention to my mother as she picked up his plate and started to fill it.
"Oh, my. We'll be here all night," my mother said.
They all laughed as I groaned. The stories started after we prayed and somehow I ended up laughing right alongside them.
We finished up and walked out on the front porch with my mom and dad in tow behind us.
"I really wish you'd let me and Maddie clean up the kitchen," Gavin said as we paused and turned to face my folks.
"Not a chance. We do that together every night." My dad wrapped his arm around my mom's shoulders and leaned down to kiss her. "It's something you and Maddie should do, too. There's something cleansing about it." He snorted, and my mom popped him in the stomach.
I gave them both a hug and walked to the car with my hand in Gavin's. I was dreading the moment we parted, but it wouldn't be that night. He'd agreed to let me stay, and though it wasn't good for either of us to grow closer, I couldn't help wanting to try to.
"You okay?" he asked as we got out of the car and walked up to his house. I wanted him to reach for my hand, but there was no one to perform in front of, so he didn't.
"I guess." I glanced down and breathed in deeply. "Just worried."
"About?" He opened the door and walked toward the bedroom, pulling off his shirt and kicking off his shoes.
"Everything." I walked behind him and crawled up on the bed as he flopped down on his back.
"Wanna talk about it?" He opened his arms, and I took advantage of his kindness straight away.
"No." I laid on his chest and brushed my fingers along the soft hair that lead into his jeans. "Just hold me and let me pretend like I mean something to you."