I only had to think about that for a second. That was something I could definitely do. “Sure.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you. You’re saving my ass here, you know. I’ll owe you one.”
I smiled. “No you don’t. I like spending time with Braydon.”
He grinned. “He is a pretty cool kid.” I saw the pride flash through his eyes when he talked about his son. “But I’ll still owe you.”
I pushed a piece of hair hanging from the messy bun on top of my head behind my ear. “Is he awake or do you need me to come over there?”
He frowned. “He’s not awake yet and I need to leave,” He glanced down at his phone. “About ten minutes ago.”
“Just give me a couple of minutes and I’ll be over. I need to get dressed and stuff.”
His eyes scanned down my body and for the first time since I opened the door I felt uncomfortable, which was actually saying something considering two weeks ago I was crawling around my backyard to avoid eye contact with him. A grin slowly spread across his lips and I looked down, groaning inwardly when I realized what pajamas I was wearing. Elves. I had dancing elves on my pants.
“Are you ready for Christmas?” He teased.
I tried to defend my choice in pajama pants with a, “They’re comfortable,” but honestly, I was a grown woman with elves on her pajamas. There was really no saving myself from this.
He reached out and ran his finger along the strap of my red tank top. “I like this.”
I never wore long sleeves to bed, almost always preferring a tank top or something like it because I hated when my shirts twisted around while I slept. I’m an active sleeper so I’ve learned over the years if I wear a tight top, I can avoid fighting with my shirt all night. It happens with my pants too, and shorts when I tried those, but short of sleeping in my underwear, I’d found no solution.
I stiffened when his finger travelled under my strap and down toward my breast, which had decided to stand at attention, making it very known that I was enjoying what his finger was doing. Pulling his finger away, he laid his hand right beside my breast and tugged me closer, until we were close enough that his forehead almost touched mine.
He squeezed my side, his thumb rubbing the side of my breast, before pulling back. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
I jumped back. “Yep, I’ll be over.”
Then I slammed the door in his face. Well I’d almost made it through an entire encounter before I made it awkward. I was calling that one a win.
I leaned back against the door with my hand over my heart trying to slow my breathing. I don’t know why he does those things, and he’s done it twice now, but I need to keep from embarrassing myself. I’m great at misunderstanding those situations and all too often have humiliated myself when I thought something was happening that was not.
I hurried through my morning routine, throwing in my contacts, and combing my hair although I only had time to throw it back up in a messy bun. I changed into jeans and a cute t-shirt that fit snug along my breasts telling me I’d gained some weight doing my relatively no activity job. I really needed to start walking or something.
I grabbed my laptop, hoping to get some work done while Bray still slept, and considering the clock was reading 5 a.m., I figured I had some time. Beasley was watching me, but made no move to get up so I decided I’d come back over with Bray to let him out.
Jake was waiting in his driveway, his truck already running when I walked across the lawn to stand in front of him. “Any special instructions?”
He shook his head. “No, he’s pretty easy. Probably won’t nap, he fights sleep during the day.”
“Okay.”
“Door’s unlocked.” He said, opening his truck door and swinging up in. “Oh, and my brother Luke’s there, but you probably won’t see him too much.” He dropped his eyes. “He’s been keeping to himself.”
I nodded, watching while he shut his door and slowly backed out of the driveway. I made my way up the walk and let myself in, stopping to lock the front door and look around. His door opened into a small foyer just like mine with the living room off to the right and the kitchen to the left. It was the same floor plan as mine, but a much bigger version and a whole lot newer. I smiled looking around his living room, holding only a black leather couch, a recliner, and a television mounted on the wall, but it was more than obvious he has a son. Toys and trucks were piled in different parts of the room as if they cleaned them up but had no real place to put them.
Looking left, I immediately liked his kitchen so much more than mine and made a mental note that when I had the money to do some updates, I wanted to do just about everything the same. Although, looking around I realized I probably couldn’t because his kitchen had to be almost twice the size of mine. I put my laptop down on the island counter covered in white marble and marveled at the size, drooling a little over the stove top in the center of it, which I always thought I’d love, and the ultra-cool pendant lights hanging above it. I ran my hand over the top of five stools, yes five, that’s how big the island is, while I walked around to the Keurig I spotted the second I looked at the kitchen.
Opening the white cabinet door above the Keurig, I found coffee pods and cups and sighed already anticipating that first sip of my favorite hot brew, only challenged for first position by hot chocolate. Waiting for it to brew, I scanned the kitchen, noticing how clean it was. Almost as if no one ever eats in it or cooks. They are gone a lot, so maybe they don’t. A lot of single people like to do take-out too. Having been broke most of my adult life, take-out was a novelty I couldn’t afford. That’s why I started dabbling in cooking, to save money, but hoping to learn how to make some meals that I’d order if I went to a restaurant.
“Who are you?”
I jumped when a deep, husky voice rivaling Jake’s spoke from the mouth of the hall.
My head whipped to the side and I put my hand on my chest. “What is with your family and your near silent walking?”
I saw a grin flirting around his lips and took a moment while catching my breath to appreciate the man leaning against the wall. This whole family is gorgeous and how the hell is that fair to the rest of us? He wore pajama pants and nothing else, but a large white bandage angled long and wide across his stomach, just left of his belly button. His chest was strong and broad, his biceps large. As a matter-of-fact he could’ve passed for Jake until I gathered the nerve to focus on his face and saw the differences. Jake’s features were more angled, and sharp, his cheekbones higher, while this man who I was assuming was Luke had broader features very similar to Jack’s. They shared the same blue eyes, which all the men I’d met in their family seemed to have, except Brody who had sky blue eyes that drew you in as soon as he landed those baby blues on you.
His eyebrows drew together, causing lines to form across his forehead. “Hello? Are you going to answer me?”
I’d forgotten the question, so completely lost in him. “What was the question?”
He cocked his head to the side. “Who are you?”
“Oh,” I giggled awkwardly. “Right,” I walked towards him and extended my hand. “I’m Lanie, from next door. I’m here to babysit Braydon since your parents went on vacation.”
“You here to babysit me too?” He asked sarcastically.
I kept quiet assuming he wasn’t looking for an answer and watched him move slowly towards the Keurig, pulling my now full mug out and turning to hand it to me.
“Thanks.” I said, but he had already turned back to make his own cup.
I found some creamer in the refrigerator and added it to my coffee, offering it to Luke who only shook his head no. I rounded the counter and pulled out a stool, sitting down and wondering what the hell to talk about. This was where I usually started babbling awkwardly, but I’d been trying to work on that and had been really proud of myself that night with Jake on the porch until I freaked out and ran in the house.
“So,” I started. Should I ask abo
ut his injury? Nah, I thought it was better to avoid that. “Jake says you’re a police officer.”
“Yep.”
He turned to face me and leaned back against the counter that surrounded a huge stainless sink with a very complicated looking faucet.
“Do you like it?”
His face fell and he nodded. “I did.”
He did? “Aren’t you planning to go back?”
He shrugged. “Don’t know what’s going to happen.” I thought he was done talking and I was pretty much out of questions, but he surprised me when he continued. “I’m not sitting at a desk though, I know that.”
“Why would you have to?”
He ran his free hand across his forehead. “I’m just not sure what’s going to happen and I don’t like that.”
I smiled. “Control freak, huh?”
For a second when he didn’t respond, I thought he didn’t appreciate my teasing, but I saw a grin play across his face and breathed a sigh of relief. “Maybe a little.”
“Hey,” I stood up quickly with an idea. “Would you like some breakfast?”
His grin died. “You don’t have to cook for me.”
“Okay well I was planning on cooking for me so if you want something just let me know.”
His grin returned. “What were you thinking about making?”
I opened the refrigerator door and saw eggs, bacon, some veggies, probably enough stuff for an omelet. “Omelets? I can do bacon too.”
When I didn’t hear anything I turned back, scanning the kitchen until I saw him sitting at the counter with a fork. He winked, making me laugh and I turned back to the refrigerator unloading everything I’d need.
CHAPTER TEN
JAKE
I pulled into my driveway after a long day meeting with inspectors, city planners, and the teams Ben and I are putting together for the large project we scored not too long ago. I hate the planning of all this, wanting instead to get my hands dirty building. We have twelve to fifteen houses to build and haven’t broken ground on one yet, not because of us; because of all the red tape we’re still cutting through. This is definitely more Ben’s baby than mine. He obviously loves all the planning and meetings. I never thought he would like that, but I guess it’s good one of us does.
I sat for a moment, getting myself together, worried about what I’d open my door to. Lanie texted me earlier from Luke’s phone that Braydon was doing well and I felt like an ass because I hadn’t even thought to give her my number. I took it as a good sign that Luke was out of his room. My family had been in and out all weekend so we hadn’t had much time alone, but in the evening when it was only the two of us, after Braydon was asleep, he’d head to his bedroom. He tried to talk to me a little bit, but I have no fucking clue what to say, so I think he gave up.
Realizing I’d hidden long enough, I climbed out of my truck and walked to the side door of the garage, wanting to get in the habit of leaving my dirty clothes and boots in the mudroom right off the garage. I walked through the garage until I came to the door leading to the mudroom, attached directly to the kitchen and took a deep breath before I pushed it open. Laughing got my attention first and I couldn’t help but smile when I recognized that laugh as Bray’s. I shut the door behind me and bent down to take off my boots, throwing them to the side and making my way into the kitchen. I could see straight into the living room from the kitchen thanks to the open floor plan and I stopped, standing still to observe what was happening in front of me.
A fort. Lanie had built a fort for Bray and they had to be inside because I heard laughing come from that direction. Blankets were draped everywhere, over the couch, the chair and beanbags scattered throughout held up the bottom corners. I felt something cold and wet hit my hand and glanced down to see Beasley standing beside me. I ran my hand over his silky hair, taking extra time to rub behind his ears, but my eyes never left the fort. I startled when I heard a deep chuckle, instantly pissed that she had company, especially a guy over while she’s supposed to be watching Bray.
Pissed now and wanting to see what was going on, I walked towards the fort and pulled the top blanket up so I could peer into the middle.
Bray squinted but looked up immediately. “Daddy!”
He climbed out and reached for me to pick him up, which I did, tossing him over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold. Lanie looked up next, smiling and I saw her company was actually my brother, making me feel like an ass. I looked between them while they both stood up, moving around to step over parts of the fort, Luke making it first. Lanie moved close behind Luke until her foot got caught in one of the blankets, causing her to stumble. I yanked Bray down from my shoulder ready to set him on the floor so I could reach her before she fell. Luke’s head snapped to look behind him when she squealed reaching out to grab onto something to catch herself. His arm shot out, wrapping around her waist, and yanked her towards him, tight up against his side, a flash of pain marring his features.
He helped her step out of the bevy of blankets her feet were caught in, chuckling while she laughed, her face bright red. They turned to face me, her still pressed tight against Luke, his arm still around her, hand settled on her hip.
“I’m such a klutz.” She groaned.
I nodded, but had no words. I had no fucking clue what to say to either of them. I should be happy, my kid had a great day and my brother seems more like himself than I’d seen him in weeks, but I wasn’t.
I was irritated.
I moved my eyes slowly from Luke to look at Lanie. “Thanks for watching Bray.” I said dismissively.
Lanie nodded and moved away from Luke. “Uh sure, no problem. We had fun, right Bray?”
He laughed and threw his hands up in the air. “Fun!”
She ran her fingers along her bracelet, her gaze dropping towards the floor and I immediately felt like more of an asshole than I already had. She had been talking and laughing, not being shy or awkward at all until I opened my fucking mouth.
“Okay, well I’ll just go.” She started towards the front door, motioning for Beasley to follow her. “Beasley.”
“Bye Wanie!” Bray yelled. “Bye Bweasy!”
She turned and gave my boy a wide smile. “Bye sweetie.” She avoided my eyes, but shot a look at Luke and nodded. “See ya Luke.”
He grinned. “See ya Lanie. Thanks for cooking, Paige was right you are fantastic in the kitchen.”
She blushed. “Sure, it was fun.”
She threw another small wave, grabbed her laptop off the counter and was out the front door as fast as she could manage without actually running.
“Well done brother.” Luke brushed past me heading towards the kitchen.
I set Bray down. “Go clean up your trucks dude.” Then turned to face Luke. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Just that she was having fun until you walked through the door.”
He pulled open the refrigerator and grabbed a beer, gesturing with the bottle towards me and I nodded. He popped the caps before handing me one.
“Should you be drinking with your pain meds?”
“I’m not taking them anymore.”
My head jerked back, eyebrows drawn together in confusion. “What? Why the hell not?”
Luke shrugged. “I don’t like how I feel when I take them. So I stopped them this weekend and have started just the ibuprofen.”
I sat the bottle in my hand onto the island’s counter in front of me. “Is that okay, just stopping like that?”
He nodded, lifting the bottle and taking a long drink before answering. “Yeah, but I figured I’d have some side effects from it.”
“Did you?” I picked up my bottle also taking a long drink of the cold brew.
“Yeah, sweating, trouble sleeping, that kind of shit.”
I slammed the bottle back to the counter. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “I needed to do it on my own.”
I knew my
brother well enough to know the conversation was over. He’d needed to do it, he did it, in his mind it should be over and forgotten. That didn’t mean I wasn’t pissed about it, I just knew there was no point in arguing about it. I brought the bottle back to my lips.
He leaned his hip against the counter, his expression thoughtful. “You got a thing for Lanie?”
I met his stare, stopping with the bottle partially toward my mouth before shaking my head and taking a long drink, swallowing before I answered. “Nope.”
“Why not?”
I huffed. “Luke man, I’ve got one crazy bitch I’m dealing with, I don’t need to add another.”
Luke narrowed his eyes and I realized my mistake. “I know you did not just call Lanie a crazy bitch.”
“That wasn’t what I meant.”
“I didn’t think so.” He took a drink from his bottle before letting it dangle from his fingertips.
I turned my attention to the window over the sink, glancing briefly at Lanie’s house before giving my attention back to Luke. “Why do you care, man? You got a thing for her?”
I stood up tall when he didn’t answer. In fact, he looked like he was contemplating. “Do you?” I asked again, my voice low.
“She’s a nice girl.” He replied.
“She’s too fucking young for you.” I argued.
He smirked. “Age is just a number brother.”
“She’s not your type.”
He chuckled. “Well she sure as shit isn’t yours.”
I knew that, but it really pissed me off that he thought so. “Why the hell not?”
This time he laughed outright, causing Bray to start laughing while he pushed his dump truck around the couch in the living room. “You’re kidding right?”
I stared at him expectantly, waiting.
“Brother, every girl you’ve been with,” His expression turned thoughtful. “I won’t say dated because I’m not actually sure if you’ve ever taken a girl out on a date, but they all had one thing in common. They were cold and kind of nasty.”
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