I couldn’t help but think the worst and wondered if he’d been in some sort of accident or if whatever was going on with Missy was worse than he’d let on. Maybe it was Blaine, and his brother had relapsed. All of the horror stories went through my mind as I tried to call, but got no answer.
I tried Blaine’s number, and it went straight to voicemail. And before I could text Missy, I heard his car pull into the drive.
At least I knew he was alive.
I breathed a sigh of relief and woke Sierra up. “Time to get ready if you still want to go Christmas shopping.”
“I want to buy Daddy something special.” She sat up and tossed back the covers, then she stepped into her slippers and ran to the bathroom.
I heard the front door open, and I shook my head not allowing myself to run after him. I wasn’t going to do that. I was going to carry on with my morning like nothing was bothering me. But that was easier said than done.
“Alli? You guys are up early.” David unbuttoned his shirt and cuffs.
“We’re going to spend the day out.”
“I’ll just shower and come with.”
“No, you can’t.” I wondered how long it would take him to explain.
“Come on, why not?”
“Because your daughter is buying your Christmas gift and it’s a surprise.”
“I’ll go off alone while you guys do that, but I’m not letting you two go off into the city alone this time of year. There’s too much craziness. No way.”
“Whatever.”
“You act like you don’t want me to go at all.”
“I said whatever. I don’t care.”
“Cool, then. We need to talk.”
“I’m sure we do.”
“You’re pissed.”
“You didn’t come home. Last I heard, you were supposed to be late, but I didn’t think we’d wake up and you’d not be here. I was scared to death. I called around and got no answers.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I thought I’d be home before you woke up.” He walked over and pulled me into his arms.”
“Yeah, well you thought wrong.”
“Hey, I don’t want to fight. I’ve spent the night watching my sister’s family fall apart.” He let out a long breath. “She’s getting a divorce. Kevin’s been cheating with the manager down at the club.”
“Where you play golf?” I hoped he wasn’t talking about a nightclub.
“Yeah. Well, she used to be. I’m sure she’d gotten the news by now. Kevin has. Blaine and I approached him last night and told him how shit was going to go down. He didn’t take it well, but finally listened to reason.”
“Why couldn’t you just tell me? You’re so quick to want to make me a DeVant, yet you can’t share that with me?”
“It’s not like that. I didn’t mean to keep it from you; I just wanted more details before I got you upset. I know you want the best for Miss.”
“Yeah, is she okay? I could have gone to her.”
“She’s okay. A bit hung over, but the girls are with friends. She’s going to tell them today that their dad’s not coming home and they’ll have to have arranged visits.”
“I know how hard that can be. I hope she knows she can call me.” A flood of memories from when I had gone through my divorce came rushing back, but then I had thought that Sierra was Doug Simon’s baby. Things would have been an awful lot easier had I known the truth.
“She knows. She told me to tell you not to worry, and that she’ll call you.” He followed me down the hall to our room and took my hand as I walked past him. “Hey.”
“What?” I searched his eyes. I wasn’t angry, but I was hurt he hadn’t thought enough to include me and had me worried.
“I’m sorry, okay. I should have called. I promise it won’t happen again, alright?”
“If you want me to be a DeVant, you’re going to have to start treating me like one. Include me. Stop leaving me out, and at the risk of sounding like a needy person, I’d like a bit more attention.”
“Okay. I promise.” We finished getting ready, and he drove us into the city. We went to our favorite mall, and he gave us a bit of space for when we needed to buy his gift.
While the clerk was busy gift-wrapping our purchase, Sierra turned to me. “Mama, why are you mad at Daddy?” Her question stung my heart.
“I’m not mad at him, honey.” I brushed my hand through her hair, and she pulled it away and held it tight.
“You used to be mad at my other daddy, and I saw how upset you were earlier.” The lady behind the register gave me a strange look, and I thanked her and pulled Sierra away. I didn’t need everyone in the mall knowing our troubles.
I walked her to the nearest bench and waited for David who was going to meet us there in half an hour. “I love your dad, Sierra. I just was a little upset because I want more of his time. That’s all.”
“Are you going to leave him like you did my other dad?” My heart fell to my gut like a stone.
“No, and we talked about that. Doug wasn’t really your father. I think that’s why I never got along with him. Maybe deep down I knew it. Maybe that part of you that was your father was speaking to me, making me know it in my soul.” I let loose a breath and realized this would be the first Christmas without Doug. We’d followed the court orders to keep Doug from being pissed off and suing us the year before, but shortly after that, we’d filed to keep her from him.
“Do you miss Doug?”
She shifted in her seat, and I could tell she was uncomfortable. “He doesn’t even remember me.”
“He does, pumpkin. He’s just living his life. I’m sure he thinks about you at times. Do you want to reach out?” I knew if this were the case, it would break David’s heart, but I breathed a sigh of relief as she scrunched up her nose.
“No way. I used to hate it there with him. He wasn’t nice to you, Mama. So, he wasn’t nice to me either. Even though he tried. I guess I just don’t want you to leave Daddy. I want us all together. But you haven’t even gotten married like you said you would.” I hadn’t realized it was going to affect Sierra so much. It was time to set a date. Perhaps she could help.
“Well, your father wants me to pick a day that I want us to get married. When do you think we should do it?” I’d let her choose and make it easier for myself.
“Today.” Her eyes widened.
I winced. “We can’t today. We have to buy a license, and it takes a bit of time.”
“Christmas?” I couldn’t help but think about her pageant and knew it wasn’t a good time.
“Sierra, you have your pageant.”
“What comes next, Mama? You know, holidays.” She had her heart set on a holiday, and New Year’s wasn’t that bad of an idea.
“New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day. Valentine’s, but that’s not until February.” I thought about David handing over the company. That would be after the Super Bowl, and things would have died down considerably by then. “That would be romantic.”
“Do it then, Mama. We’ll have everything in red and pink.” I imagined myself in a gorgeous lace gown and Katrina in red beside me. Sierra could wear pink.
“We’ll talk to Daddy when we get home.” Sierra let out a little squeal of delight, and then David showed up early, and I waved him over.
“You two look excited,” he said picking up Sierra as he gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Did you get lots of shopping done?”
I patted his gift and gave him a wink. “All done.”
“I can’t wait. I got you two ladies something too.” He flashed me a wink as we headed out, but then I heard a voice calling my name.
“Allison!” I looked up to see Katrina rushing over, with Greyson in her wake. David’s eyes widened, and then he cut me a knowing glance.
“What are you two doing here?” David asked Greyson.
“Doing a bit of shopping like yourself, I’d imagine.”
“Indeed.” The two continued to exchange looks as Katrina ticked off
a list of items she’d bought for her mother.
“I can’t believe the sales I’m hitting, and I even got a few things for the café,” she said with a bright smile. “It’s so good running into you guys.”
“Good to see you two as well.” I gave her a big hug and patted Greyson’s back. We said our goodbyes and carried on to the car.
David huffed. “Can you believe that? She was just with my brother last night, and now she’s with Greyson?”
“They’re business partners; they were looking for things to go in the café. You heard her.” I blew it off.
“I just wonder if Greyson even knows about my brother.”
“Maybe you should talk to them both. Find out their intentions for my friend, before she gets hurt.”
“I’m worried about the guys. Your friend is the one who needs to make up her mind.” I let out a long breath and bit my tongue. I didn’t want Sierra to think we were fighting again, but I wasn’t happy that he thought Katrina capable of hurting anyone.
***
David
Sunday the girls got up and were ready early for another day out.
“And why can’t I go this time?” I asked Allison as she brushed her hair.
“You went yesterday, stop acting like you’re being left out.” Allison let out a big yawn. “We’re going to meet up with Missy and the girls for a little girl time.”
“Fine. I’ll just call Greyson for a little boy time.” I didn’t know how awful that sounded until I’d said it.
Allison laughed. “That’s so sweet. You know, if you were to talk to him, I’d probably have a date for you.”
“You have a date, don’t you? Why not tell me?” I couldn’t believe that after all this time she wasn’t going to share yet.
“Not yet. I’m still debating, and I wanted to talk to Missy about something first.”
“Okay, but I’m not sure my sister is going to want to talk weddings at a time like this.”
“I’ll be sensitive, I promise, but I think she’ll have the answer I need.” She turned and called Sierra from her room. “Let’s go, honey.”
“Coming Mama. Sorry, Daddy, no boys allowed today.”
“It’s okay. I’m going to hang with Uncle Greyson.”
“Daddy’s having a boy’s day.” The two of them giggled at me and then left me to my own devices.
I picked up the phone. “Wake up, asshole. We’re spending the day together.”
“What? What if I had plans?” Greyson’s voice was so rough he sounded like he’d gargled acid.
“With who, Katrina? The woman you supposedly have no interest in. Get your ass up and come over.”
“Fine, but give me an hour. I need time for the three Ss.”
“Too much information, my friend. Too much.” The three Ss was man code for shit, shower, and shave. I hung up the phone and got my own ass into the shower and was done by the time my doorbell rang.
“Where the fuck are we going? I’m not hanging out here all day breathing sawdust.” He was stuffy and smelled like a cough drop.
“You’re sick?”
“No, it’s sinuses. I’m not contagious.”
“If I get sick, I’m kicking your ass.”
“Fine, just kick it all the way back to my bed for me, okay? You dragged me out, now what are we going to do?”
“Golf.” I walked to the table behind the sofa and grabbed my keys to the Jeep.
“No way. I didn’t wear my lucky pink pants.”
“Good. We’re staying off the course anyway; driving range only. Besides, I need to scope out a situation. Kevin’s been screwing this chick that worked as a manager. I want to make sure they’re both gone.”
“Fine, but I’m not staying all fucking day. I’m going to freeze my balls off. And I want you to buy lunch. Wait, did you say Kevin? As in your brother-in-law?”
“Yes, Missy is getting a divorce.”
“No shit?” He cracked a sly smile. “You know you’re sister sure is looking good, these days.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Come on, why not?”
“For one, you can’t tell me you’re not banging Katrina.”
“Please. I already told you. We’re friends. I mean, I tried, okay. But turns out, she’s already banging your brother. I thought you knew.”
“I did. That’s why I wanted to know what the fuck was up with you. You didn’t want her one minute; then you wanted her the next.”
“Well, she’d actually just turned me down before we met up with you guys in the mall. That’s why I was a bit quiet. I should have known she’d choose a DeVant over me. You guys get all the luck.”
“Come on; your day will come, my friend. I promise. But not with my sister.”
“Why not? Don’t you think I’m good enough?”
“No one is good enough. I never thought Kevin was either for the record. Besides, I have bigger plans for you.”
“Oh yeah?” I headed to the door and waved him along.
Once we were on our way to the driving range, I decided it was finally time to tell him. Allison had finally chosen a date, and I was eager to hear when it was. If I went back to her with the news that I’d officially talked to Greyson, promising him the company, then maybe we could start planning a wedding.
“So, what did you mean you have big plans for me?” Greyson gave me the side eye and then looked ahead to the road.
“My father had it in his head that a DeVant needed to be at the head of the company because our name is on the building. Since his death though, you’re the one who is really keeping things afloat. I’ve decided that I’m going to step back and give it all to you to run.”
“What?” Greyson’s eyes ringed red, and he sat up straighter in his seat. “You mean, you’re quitting?”
“I’ll always have ownership of the company and be on the board of directors along with Blaine and Missy, but I think it’s time I get out of your way. With the promotion, you’ll be able to earn a better salary, and you’ll work right out of your coffee bar.” I laughed, and he reached over and clapped me on the shoulder.
“You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
“No, it’s yours. I’ve known it needed to be that way for a while, and Allison’s known. She’s been pressuring me to retire and stay at home with her, make a family. It’s what I want to do too. I just didn’t want to leave you hanging during the Super Bowl craziness.”
“So, when do you plan on doing this?”
“First of the year. We’ll go ahead and start transitioning. I’ll announce it to the others tomorrow.”
“Thank you, David.”
“No, thank you, brother. You’re an honorary DeVant if I ever knew one, and I can’t think of anyone else worthy to run our company. Dad should have left it to you.”
“Do we still have to go to the driving range?”
“You bet your sweet ass, we do. But not for long. Then we’ll go, and I’ll buy your lunch to celebrate.”
“Would you really kill me if I hit on Missy?” He gave me a sly smile.
“I just gave you my fucking job, man. Now you’re getting greedy.”
“I’m serious. Answer the question.”
“Look, if you want to pursue my sister, you’re going to have to give her time. If you can be respectful of things, and not jump the fucking gun and fuck up her custody battle, I’ll give you my blessing to ask her out. But, when she turns your sorry ass down, I get to laugh at you.”
Greyson held out his hand, and I took it shaking to seal our bargain. “Deal. And when she says yes?”
“Never going to happen, my friend.”
“Don’t be so sure. She’s always liked me.” I was going to have to have a long talk with my sister. “Seriously, and then there was that time when we kissed. She wanted me. I could feel it.”
“That never happened.”
“Are you sure. I spent many, many nights at your house. I may have bumped into her a time or tw
o in the kitchen. You know how much I used to like midnight snacks.”
“I swear to God, you better be joking or I’m going to pull this fucking Jeep over and feed you your nuts.”
“I’m kidding. It never happened, but I do want to ask her out. She’s so hot for an older woman.”
“Oh, God. Please shut up.”
We busted out laughing and despite his teasing, and my urge to choke him, I felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. I couldn’t wait to get back to Allison and tell her the good news.
***
Allison
By the time David came home, girl’s day had been over for hours. Sierra had gone to my mother’s house for a little bit of holiday cookie baking, and I’d had a long talk with her about staying the whole night to give me and her Daddy some time. She’d agreed, but it remained to be seen if she’d try anything or not. I also spoke with my mother as well and explained the situation so she could run interception if needed. Not only did I need time for David, but I'd also spent the entire afternoon gift wrapping, and David caught me kneeling by the warmth of the fireplace as I stacked gifts under the tree.
“You look beautiful in that light.” His voice was low and seductive.
“How did boy’s day go?” A soft smile spread his lips, and he came over to join me on the floor, taking my hand.
He gave me a soft kiss. “It went great actually. I talked to Greyson.”
“The talk?” My heart began to race.
“Yes, that talk.”
“When?” I cupped his face.
His hands fell on mine. “New Year’s.”
I kissed him hard and pulled away to meet his eyes. “But I thought you wanted to wait until after the Super Bowl?”
“I did, but I have other things I need to do. More important things.” He kissed me again, this time letting his mouth linger a bit longer than before.
“Yeah?” I whispered against his mouth. My face warmed with a smile as the need grew deep within me.
“Mhm.” I figured he was going to ask me about the date, but instead, he took me into his arms and laid me back beside the tree and made love to my mouth.
Mister Big Stuff: A Single Mom Friends to Lovers Novel Page 23