So Long: Bad Boy Next Door

by Kelley Harvey

  Halfway down the hallway, Mom’s unmistakable voice rips through the last vestige of peace I might have hoped for. “At last. What on Earth takes so long for you to get a swimsuit on?”

  Does the woman not know how to pick up a phone?

  I steel myself to deal with Mom by banishing all thoughts of a baby and Adam from my mind. No time to dwell on that right now.

  I paste on a smile and swallow the bitter taste of bile pushing at the back of my throat.

  “Hey, Mom. You didn’t call…again.”

  Mom waves away my comment.

  “I thought I’d stop in. I wanted to see my girl.” She gathers Clarissa into a big hug.

  I always find myself waiting for her little eyes to pop out of her head when Mom squeezes her like that.

  Clarissa starts to wriggle, so I say, “Mom. Let her down. You’re gonna make her shit herself. And you get to clean it up.”

  Mom almost drops Clarissa, steadying her at the last second.

  “Sorry, Sweetie. Granna doesn’t mean to hug so hard. I just love you so much.” Mom’s gaze falls on me. “And I don’t get to see you enough.”

  “Oh, please. Like that would make you stop squeezing the living shit out of us.”

  She lifts her arms, as though she’s showing off muscles she doesn’t have. “It’s all those water aerobics I do at the Old Bitches Club.”

  I wrap my beach towel around my waist. “Well, we’re heading to the pool. I’ve been promising the munchkin all day that I’d take her, so you can either go with or we’ll see you in an hour or so.”

  Mom’s eyes light. “Do you have a suit I can borrow?”

  “A suit? My suit?”

  She blinks as though I’m slow. “Of course, yours, silly. I can’t possibly fit into Clarissa’s suits.”

  Fuck it. She wants to stretch some spandex to capacity, who am I to stop her? Could be the best laugh of my week, and the Lord knows, I could use something to smile about right now.

  Besides, maybe she’ll finally understand what it’s like to be on the receiving end of one of her hugs.

  I pull out the only one-piece in my drawer. It’s old, and the elastic is a bit loose, so that might work in Mom’s favor. She heads into the bathroom.

  Oh shit. The pregnancy test.

  No. It’ll be fine. Mom’s not likely to dig in the trash. Surely.

  Mom returns to the living room, sashaying like a runway model. “Don’t I look divine?”

  The cleavage bulging over the top of the suit is in danger of busting out like two prisoners running for sweet freedom. Her summer hat flops over one eye, not helping her style in the least.

  Clarissa hops up and down. Her excitement to get to the water comes out in the form of a squeal, saving me from one of two unpalatable options. Either lie to my mom or tell her she resembles an albino seal strapped into a rainbow girdle.

  We walk around the block, and sweat beads on my forehead and rolls down my back. As we approach the hedge that lines the fence surrounding the pool, running children, splashing water, and lounging adults make appearances through the leaves and bald spots in the bushes. A muscular arm marked with familiar tats draws me up short.

  Adam.

  And I’m pregnant.

  And so not ready to face him.

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  Mom and Clarissa continue down the scorching walkway toward the relief of cool water, but I’m rooted to my spot. A sudden, overwhelming urge to run grabs me by the scruff of my neck and tries to shake me loose from the heated cement.

  My mother stops at the gate and throws a glance over her shoulder to me, eyebrows raised.

  Shaking my head, I point to my stomach, and then toward my house. I don’t even have to fake my grimace. She waves for me to head on home. Then she follows Clarissa into the pool area.

  A little girl, a bit older than Clarissa, in a sparkled turquoise swimsuit sidles up to Adam.

  Her sweet voice loudly whispers, “Mommy said I had to ask you all by myself. Will you take me to the daddy-daughter dance?”

  Adam chuckles. “I’d be honored, Maddie.”

  “You’ll take me?”

  “Of course, I will. That’s my job.” Adam raises his voice. “Ask your mom.”

  “That it is.” A melodic feminine voice calls from a short distance away. “And a fine job you’re doing.”

  “Thanks, Jen. It’s nice to be appreciated.” Adam’s smile is in his voice, and I don’t need to see it to imagine that one dimple deepening in his cheek.

  Jen?

  Little hands grab his tattooed bicep as a delighted giggle erupts from the girl.

  Adam’s daughter?

  Of course she is. Why else would it be his job to take her to a daddy-daughter dance?

  My throat tightens.

  That dirty-dog liar.

  My eyes sting.

  Doesn’t want any kids—my ass.

  My gut aches.

  Any more kids, maybe.

  The bile in my stomach lurches. I clamp my hand over my mouth and make a run for the house.

  No way am I embarrassing myself, in full view of the entire neighborhood, by collapsing in a heap of vomit and tears.

  Clarissa jumps into my lap.

  I gather her in my arms. “Where’d you come from, Pip?”

  She hugs me, laying her head on my shoulder as though to say she’s happy to see me.

  Jen’s eyebrows almost hit her hairline. “Well. Someone’s made some friends in the neighborhood.”

  I scan the pool area for Kelsey. Instead, a familiar woman I recognize as Kelsey’s mom, waves her hands at me as she rushes around the corner of the pool. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Clarissa, leave the nice man alone and let’s get into the water.”

  Setting Clarissa on her feet, I stand and hold out my hand. “I’m Adam. I live next door to Kelsey. Don’t worry. Clarissa’s not bothering us.”

  Her pale skin almost glows in the sun, her blush creeping over her chest and cheeks. “I’m Gina, Kelsey’s mom. It’s lovely to meet you.”

  She trains her eyes on Jen. “And you are?”

  Jen smiles and offers her hand. “I’m Jen, a friend of Adam’s, just visiting for the day with the kiddos.”

  “Oh? You have children? Maybe they’d like to play with Clarissa.” Gina’s smile is almost as wide as the brim of her hat.

  “Of course they would. I bet she and my Maddie will get along fabulously.” Jen waves to Maddie who’s dog paddling at the edge of the pool. “Sweetie, come meet Adam’s friend, Clarissa.”

  Maddie drips her way over to us. She stands beside her momma, shy at meeting someone for the first time.

  “Maddie, this is Clarissa. She’d probably love to play. Would you like that?”

  Maddie holds up her hand and wiggles her fingers in a weird little wave. “Hi.”

  Clarissa copies Maddie.

  “I said hi.” Maddie tosses me a skeptical glance.

  Gina leans close to Clarissa, taking her beach towel from her shoulders and looking Maddie in the eyes. “I’m Clarissa’s Granna. It’s nice to meet you, Maddie. She doesn’t talk, honey. But she understands most everything.”

  Maddie casts wary looks at her mom, and then back to me. “She doesn’t talk?”

  Jen pats Maddie’s back. “Look at it this way, Toots. You get to talk all you want and Clarissa won’t interrupt.”

  Maddie’s eyes go wide, and then she grins. “Let’s play!”

  She takes Clarissa’s hand and leads her to the pool’s steps.

  Gina calls. “She can’t swim, dear. So stay in the shallow end, please.”

  “Don’t worry, Maddie’s still not doing much more than the dog-paddle.” Jen shakes her head. “I knew telling her she could talk all she wants would get her going. That kid gabs more than any child I’ve ever known. Her brothers get sick to death of it and are constantly telling her to shut it.”

  Gina drags a chair closer and drapes their towels over the back of it. “You d
on’t mind if I join you, do you?”

  “Of course not. Adam and I were discussing what women want from a guy.”

  Gina gets a mischievous glint in her eye. “Really? I have a few things I could share on that subject.”

  I have to wonder if Gina knows what her daughter does for a living.

  Jen says, “I was explaining to Adam that women are easy. Guys think we’re complicated, but we’re not. It’s all about how a man makes a woman feel.”

  Gina leans forward. “She’s so right, Adam. Is there a particular woman you’re trying to woo?”

  I keep my eyes trained on her face. Her—um—breasts might spill out of that suit any second. “Well, I do have someone in mind. But she doesn’t think we’re going in the same direction.”

  “Same direction?” Gina laughs. “What two people are? Everyone has their own agenda. You just have to decide to work it out so everyone gets something they want from the relationship.”

  Sounds reasonable to me.

  I should have given more to Kelsey. Kept my doubts about the future to myself. Told her I’d be around longer. Said whatever it was she wanted me to say.

  “I’m telling you, Adam. We only want to feel safe and loved,” Jen says.

  “Safe and loved? That’s it?” I cock my head. “I don’t know about that. I thought I was making her feel safe.”

  Gina’s hands flutter. “Wait. Wait. Safe doesn’t just mean safe from physical harm. She has to feel secure that she’s not going to get her heart broken.”

  My asshole puckers.

  I fucked that one up when I told her I had no idea where I’d be in a month or a year.

  Well. Shit. It’s not like they give out handbooks, Love 101.

  A gurgle yanks my attention. Clarissa’s floatie bumps against Maddie’s legs where she stands on the top step. Her hands cover her mouth as Clarissa struggles to get her head above the water five feet away.

  I leap from my chair and splash down next to Clarissa, grabbing the strap on her swimsuit. Adrenaline spikes through me as I haul her above water level.

  She sputters and coughs, her face turning red.

  Well, better than blue.

  Gina rushes to the side of the pool.

  “Oh, Lord.” She reaches for Clarissa. “Are you okay, Baby?”

  “She just jumped in.” Maddie pipes up.

  Gina thumps Clarissa on her back. “Kelsey’s going to shoot me for taking my eyes off of her.”

  I climb up, sitting on the edge of the pool, feet still in the water. I will my heart to slow.

  Seeing Clarissa under the water like that. Struggling. Helpless. My ribs tighten at the thought of her being gone. What that would do to Kelsey. What that would do to me.

  After a few more seconds of back pounding from her Granna, Clarissa takes a good, deep breath. She pulls away from Gina and throws herself against my back, her arms around my neck, squeezing for all she’s worth.

  I reach behind me and pat her shoulder. “You sank like a rock, Pipsqueak. Don’t do that again. You scared the hel—um—heck outta me.”

  She lets go of my neck. Little hands find my face, turning me toward her. She presses a kiss to my cheek.

  And that’s all it takes for a grown-ass man to know what love is—a three-year-old’s kiss and silent gratitude.

  I brush the water from my eyes, blinking away the sting.

  Those aren’t tears. It’s the chlorine.

  I grab Clarissa and cradle her tight until she wriggles loose to get into the pool—all of about thirty seconds.

  Gina smiles down on me. “She likes you.”

  “I kinda lo—” I cover the crack in my voice with a cough. “I like her too.”

  For the next hour, I stay in the water. Tucker and Ryan swim over to join in a game of toss a kid. When it’s the girls’ turns, we double check that their floaties are good and secure.

  Jen eventually gathers her crew and herds them to the car. Gina and Clarissa follow us out of the pool area to say goodbye.

  Maddie gives Clarissa three hugs before she climbs into her booster seat. “You’re my bestest friend now.”

  “It was so nice to meet you, Clarissa.” Jen tweaks Clarissa’s nose. “Okay, Maddiekins, let’s get going.”

  Clarissa’s bottom lip pokes out, and her doe eyes glass with tears.

  I swing her up into my arms. “It’s all right, Pipsqueak. You’ll see Maddie again.”

  Gina hikes their towels onto her shoulder and waves goodbye to Jen. “I guess I need to get my girl to her momma, so she can have a nap.”

  “I’m headed that direction myself.” I turn toward home, patting Clarissa’s back as she rests her wet head on my shoulder.

  As we approach Kelsey’s front walk, Spike bounds around the corner of my house.

  Fuck. He’s loose again.

  He dance-bounces his way across the yard toward Gina.

  “Oh my. What a happy pup.” She tries to block his attempts to jump high enough to lick her face.

  I deepen my voice, while trying not to wake Clarissa. “Spike. No. Get down.”

  His doggie smile seems to grow, as though he thinks I’m encouraging him to maul Kelsey’s mother.

  I stick out my foot, trying to slow his jumping. He leaps over my leg and takes off to make a lap around the front yard.

  “We should get on inside.” I try to move her along a bit faster. But damn, the woman moves in slow motion.

  As Spike approaches from the side, I holler. “Spike, no! Gina, wat—”

  But it’s too late.

  He makes a flying leap for her. His clod-hopping feet hit her square in the back. She flies forward, landing in a heap of towels with a great oomph. Her hat flips off and lands in the grass next to her.

  Spike must take my momentary, shocked silence as consent. He grabs the back of Gina’s thigh between his paws and straddles her calf. She tries to roll over, but he must be too heavy.

  Hell, he probably doesn’t even realize she’s not enjoying even one moment of his undivided attention. I should’ve gotten him neutered months ago, but after my own injuries, I just didn’t have the heart.

  If ever there was a decision I’ll regret.

  Kelsey’s front door opens.

  Shit. My dog all but attacked her mom. Now I’ll never make her see that she loves me.

  NINETEEN

  Mom lies prone on my front lawn while Spike humps away on her leg. His half-lidded eyes make him look like he’s smoked a joint and had his fill from the snack bar.

  I rush outside, waving my hands, trying to save my poor mother. “Bad dog! Shoo!”

  Adam has his arms full of Clarissa. He juggles his pool gear and manages to set her down on the edge of the porch. “Stay here, Pip.”

  I grab Spike’s collar, also throwing my arm around his neck, not trusting the piece of leather to hold. I learned my lesson on that one already. I roll away, dragging the dog with me.

  Adam comes toward me, but I shake my head.

  “Get Mom up, would you?” I grit through my teeth.

  I wrap the dog’s torso with my legs. His hips are still pumping, and I suddenly feel weirdly dirty.

  Adam manages to get Mom upright. But her girls have sprung free of their confines. By her dazed expression, I assume she doesn’t even realize that she’s giving the neighborhood a show.

  Well, better her than me this time. Serves her right for tempting Murphy by squeezing into that suit.

  Adam smartly nabs her oversized hat from the ground and holds it over her—womanly assets. “Let’s get you inside, Gina. Hold your hat.”

  Mom moves to put her hat on her head, but Adam grabs it, thrusting it against her chest. “No. Let’s hold it right here.”

  Once Adam has deposited Mom and Clarissa inside, he comes back out and takes a slightly calmer Spike off my hands. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what got into him. He never does that.”

  I get to my feet and brush the grass from my behind. “I just hope
she’s all right.”

  Mom calls from the front porch. “Oh, I’m fine. That’s the most action I’ve had since the last time your father and I went at it—you know, before he up and left.”

  I close my eyes and shake my head, but there is no getting rid of that mental image now that it’s lodged in my brain.

  I let out a sigh and mumble, “At least she covered herself with a towel.”

  Adam nods and grins. “Okay. I’m going to take Don Juan here to his kennel. He’s grounded—again.”

  “I’m going to shower and wash off the—grit.” I move toward the house.

  Adam gets a glint in his eyes. “Think of me.”

  He has no idea how much I’ve thought of him lately, especially today.

  All I can think of is the baby nestled in my womb and Adam.

  No. I don’t think I want to think of him. Not any time soon—but I have to.

  How do I tell him? Will he bolt? Will he be happy?

  Will I end up with another Matt situation?

  Wiser choices?

  Yeah. That worked out great, didn’t it?

  I have to tell him. But when?

  I can’t just spring it on him, not with Clarissa right here to witness whatever fallout erupts.

  I turn to him. “So, Adam…”

  His gaze meets mine, his hazel eyes bright. “Yeah?”

  “I—I was thinking of throwing a couple of steaks on the grill later. Want to come over and help me eat them?”

  His eyebrows rise. “Steak? Sure. I’m always up for a good steak. Throw in some time with you, and there’s no way I’d turn that down.”

  “Okay. Seven?”

  “Seven will work.” He lifts his hand in a half-wave as he drags Spike to his punishment—time-out in his kennel, I’m sure.

  I have no idea how to I’m going to handle breaking this news to him. I’m so far out of my depth.

  Inside, Mom tugs and pulls on the wretched swimsuit. “You know, this might be a little on the small side for me and my girls.”

  “Ya think?” I rub my temples. “I’m sorry, Mom. Are you okay? The dog didn’t hurt you?”

  “No, I’m all right. I’m old, but not completely breakable. Not just yet, anyway.”

  “Hey, would you like to take Clarissa home with you? I have some things I need to take care of this evening. It’d really help me not to have her underfoot.”