by Lea Coll
“No worries, man. I can go back home.” He took a step toward his door, but I stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “No. We came to cook dinner and spend time with you. Taylor wanted to meet you. Please.” I wanted him to know that nothing—no one—would come between us.
“Okay,” he said. When I was sure he wasn’t going to bolt, I unlocked the door, letting Zach and Taylor precede me into the apartment.
“What do you say about fried chicken?” I asked them.
Taylor smiled softly. “What can I do?”
“Can you get the chicken out of the fridge?” I pulled out my heaviest pot and placed it on the stove. “Can you peel and cut potatoes?” I placed the bag of potatoes on the island.
“Sure.” Taylor got to work washing the potatoes.
“Did you want to help, Zach?” Taylor gathered a cutting board, a peeler, and a knife.
“Me?” Zach asked surprised.
“I can show you if you don’t know how.” Taylor stood by the counter waiting for Zach to answer. “Knowing how to cook is a good life skill.”
Especially when his mother wasn’t providing for him.
“Okay,” Zach finally conceded.
A rush of gratefulness flew through me. Why had I never thought of that? That teaching Zach to cook would be a good life skill if I couldn’t be there for him. Impressed with Taylor’s forethought I kissed her forehead and squeezed her shoulder before gathering the breading and seasoning for the chicken.
I heated the oil, coated the chicken with seasonings and breadcrumbs, and carefully placed the pieces in the heavy pot.
We worked quietly, the only sound was Taylor’s soft instructions for Zach. It was nice. It was like we were a family. While the chicken fried, I watched the two most important people in my life interact. Taylor was patient and sweet with him, and Zach seemed to respond to her in a way he hadn’t with me. He soaked up Taylor’s attention and I even saw him smile at her when she placed the potatoes into the oven to cook.
Checking the chicken, I used tongs to pull each piece out to cool. “The potatoes will take longer, but if you’re hungry you can eat the chicken once it cools.” I said this for Zach’s benefit as he was always starving on the weekends.
“Yeah, I’m starving,” Zach said, taking a seat at the counter.
I gave him a plate overflowing with fried chicken. “I talked to Omar, he owns the general store down the street from the bar, about giving you a job a few days a week. He wants you to come in sometime next week to interview.”
“Really?” Zach looked up from his plate in surprise.
“Yup. But don’t tell those guys where you work. Omar doesn’t want any trouble. I’m vouching for you, so don’t let me down.”
“I won’t. Thank you so much.” He was quiet for a few minutes eating. “Maybe if I get the job, I could give the money to my mom and she won’t make me quit school.”
I hated the idea of him giving her his money. I had no idea what she’d do with it—alcohol or drugs. I wanted him to have it.
Taylor stilled. “Why would she make you quit?”
“She wants me to quit school when I turn sixteen to earn extra money. If I can show her I can earn money in the evenings and on the weekends maybe she won’t make me.”
I could see the turmoil in Taylor’s eyes as they shot to mine. I placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Hopefully, it won’t come to that.” I was speaking to Zach but trying to convey a message to Taylor. Let it go. We’ll talk about it later when Zach’s not here. She seemed to get the message because she nodded and opened the oven to check the potatoes.
I had every intention of speaking to his mother if she insisted he quit, and even going to the school if necessary. Someone needed to stand up for Zach’s well-being if his mom wasn’t going to.
Taylor pulled the potatoes out when they were done and we sat down to eat. The apartment smelled like fried chicken and rosemary and garlic.
Once we’d eaten, Taylor started to clean up and I helped her. Usually, I packed all of the food for Zach to take with him, but I didn’t want him to leave yet. “Did you want to pick a movie to watch?”
“Sure,” Zach said, scrolling through the menu and picking an Avengers movie. We sat down to watch when the kitchen was cleaned up.
When the movie ended, I handed him the container of chicken, potatoes, and corn to take home with him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said to Zach.
“It was nice meeting you, Zach,” Taylor said.
He smiled at her before walking back over to his apartment.
Once my apartment door was closed, we made our way back to the couch, Taylor facing me. I wondered if we could head back to the bedroom, but she looked like she was thinking hard about something.
“I think what you’re doing with Zach is wonderful.” She spoke slowly and softly like each word was meaningful.
“I’m just feeding him.” There was so much more I wanted to do for him. I wanted to step in as a parental figure. I wanted to protect him from bullies or people who tried to use or hurt him.
“No, it’s so much more than that. You love him. You’re guiding him. You’re helping him.”
“It’s what anyone would do. It’s nothing special.” I said the words, but my heart was strung tight. I wanted to hear what she had to say.
“No, you are. You are special and you have no idea.”
Her words were potent. She saw me differently than anyone else ever had. It was addicting to be told you’re worthwhile after hearing you’re nothing for so long. “I’m starting to get an idea.”
“Good,” she said softly. “Want to go to bed?”
That’s what I thought I wanted. “I just want to hold you.”
She smiled brighter. “I’d like that.”
It made me remember the first night she worked for me in the bar and how her smile lit her from within. Now that she directed that smile on me, it heated my cold spaces. I wasn’t embarrassed by my meager apartment. I hadn’t felt self-conscious or less than from the moment she walked in the door tonight. Instead I felt accepted, supported, and loved. Was that what this was? Love? No, it was too soon.
I wouldn’t scare her off by telling her what I was feeling, especially when she might not feel the same way. She was probably used to being with men who were wealthier and better educated than me. It was possible I was a diversion for her—one she wouldn’t need forever. She’d get tired of me eventually. It was only a matter of time.
I pushed those thoughts aside, picking out sweats and a T-shirt for her to wear. I left her in my bedroom to get dressed while I brushed my teeth. When I was done, I lay in my bed waiting for her to take her turn in the bathroom. When she came out, she smiled shyly, and crawled into bed, until she was cuddled up to my side. When had I ever cuddled with a woman? Never. But I pulled her close, enjoying the warmth of her body, her breath on my chest, the tickle of her hair on my shoulder.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked, tilting her head back to see me.
“For everything—coming tonight, being understanding and open-minded, and not judging me or Zach.”
“Of course. I want to know you and be a part of your life.”
I squeezed her tighter to me and kissed her forehead. The question was, for how long?
Chapter Nineteen
TAYLOR
Sitting at my desk at work on Monday morning I couldn’t stop replaying the weekend. Gabe stayed overnight at my apartment last night. I suspected he’d worked so much overtime that Isaac gave him the weekend off.
I’d left him this morning with a chaste kiss to his lips before he’d pulled me down on top of him and pulled my suit back off. I touched my lips, which still tingled from his kisses. It was a great way to start my morning. I wanted him in my bed every morning, which was ridiculous. Sex with Gabe had been amazing, but the moments we’d spent together cuddling, watching movies, and cooking with Zach had been even better. I cou
ldn’t stop smiling.
“Wow! I take it the apology went well,” Hadley said plopping into the guest chair across from my desk.
“Yes.” I closed the file I was supposed to reviewing.
Hadley studied me closely for a few seconds. “You’re practically glowing. I told you make-up sex is the best.”
When Gabe and I had sex it was hot, but also sweet and intimate. How could I explain that to someone else? That whenever we were together it was more. That it was special. Did I even want to tell her?
“When do I get to meet him?” Hadley picked a piece of lint off her black suit pants.
“We need to plan the block party. We’ll need to talk to the business owners and see what they envision for the party, hire a band, get banners to hang over the street as an advertisement.”
She snapped her fingers. “I have a band that would be perfect for this.” She scrolled through her phone. “Let me handle it.”
“Gladly. I wouldn’t know where to start hiring a band.”
“On it. Anything else?” She stood ready to go back to her office. She probably wanted to get started.
It was hard to think of anything but Gabe’s hands on my body, his mouth on my nipples, and his cock in my—
“Seriously? Are you even paying attention?” Hadley asked.
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Is there anything else we need to plan for the block party?”
“I can’t think of anything right now.” My mind hadn’t focused all morning.
She pointed at me. “You’re not leaving me alone with Preston this week at happy hour. So bring your man with you if you have to.”
“He works on Fridays usually. Why don’t we go to his bar? We can talk to some of the business owners and grab a drink after.”
“I like it. That’s a good excuse to get out of happy hour.” Hadley smiled.
I lowered my voice. “As long as you don’t tell Preston where we’re going.”
“No. Definitely not. I’ll leave you to your daydreaming.” She paused at the doorway. “Let me know if Gabe has a hot friend or brother.” She winked and was gone.
He didn’t. He didn’t seem to have any friends except for Isaac and Zach. I guess that wasn’t cause for concern. I barely had any friends either. We were both coming out of our shells and trying new things in this relationship.
My phone buzzed. I smiled when I saw Gabe on the screen. Opening the screen, I read: How’s your day?
That was surprising. I never thought Gabe would be the kind of guy who asked how my day was. Of course, I hadn’t thought he was the type to take teenagers under his wing and cook for them. The more I got to know him the more I was intrigued by him.
Taylor: Not getting much done, honestly.
Gabe: what’s distracting you babe?
Thoughts of this weekend. His body. His mouth. Taylor: You obviously.
Gabe: I like that.
I couldn’t stop smiling. After he’d left my bed Friday night, I didn’t think we’d be here. That I’d have the most amazing weekend with him. That we’d be flirting via text message at work.
Gabe: work for me tonight?
My legs clenched together and I bit my lip. Thoughts of sex in his office or the bar stock room came to mind. I’d never done anything crazy like that before, but I knew being with Gabe would be exciting and different from what I was used to. I didn’t hesitate to type: yes.
Gabe: Great. See you tonight.
Taylor: Can’t wait.
I wanted Gabe with an intensity that was scary, especially when I had no idea where his head was at. I needed to protect myself because Gabe had a pattern of pulling back when things got too deep or real. And things between us were both.
I focused on yet another file in front of me where the defendant was arrested after soliciting children online. I sorted through the evidence consisting of videos and pictures of the children he’d acquired. The more I read, the sicker I felt. I didn’t know how I had thought I could do this job. The only bright spot was the community outreach focus and Gabe. I needed experience in this department and then maybe I could transfer to another one with less disturbing evidence and crimes.
I headed home after work to change into my bar uniform of black skinny jeans and a tank top. Butterflies exploded in my stomach the closer I got. How would he act now that we were together?
I opened the door to the bar to find Gabe behind the counter. I walked up to him and smiled. “Hey.”
I sensed Isaac watching us from the other end of the bar.
He leaned over to kiss me on the lips. It was quick and chaste but he’d kissed me in front of everyone.
“That’s a nice greeting.”
“I missed you.”
My heart sped up. “I missed you too.” Was this it? We were going to be together without him pulling back? I wanted that more than anything.
“Are you ready to work?”
“Yes.” Waitressing wasn’t my favorite job but the tips were great and I loved meeting new people. Working near Gabe didn’t hurt either.
Gabe’s gaze traveled down to my cleavage and he leaned in to whisper into my ear, “I can’t wait to peel those clothes off of you later.”
His softly spoken words shot straight to my core and I swallowed. Then he was behind the bar saying something to Isaac before turning and winking at me. My face was so hot. If I thought Gabe was intense before—it was nothing like now. I grabbed my black apron, tied it, and spoke to Anna about the tables I’d be working tonight.
I was busy for a couple of hours before I noticed Zach rush in and say something to Gabe before Gabe guided him to the back.
“Anna, watch my tables for a minute?” I asked her as I walked by.
“Sure,” she said.
The door to Gabe’s office was slightly ajar and I heard murmuring. I hesitated for a second before I knocked. Was I overstepping? No, Gabe introduced me to Zach this weekend and seemed to want me to be involved. I could ask if they were okay and go back to work. I knocked softly. “It’s Taylor.”
The door opened and Gabe pulled me inside, closing the door behind me. Zach sat slumped on the black leather couch in the room staring at his feet and Gabe was tense. “Is everything okay?”
The room was silent for a minute before Gabe said, “Do you mind if we tell Taylor what’s going on?” When Zach was quiet, he continued, “I trust her.”
I knew that was a huge statement for Gabe, and Zach must have too because he looked up in surprise at us before nodding.
“Thanks, buddy. Zach’s mom was home today when he came home from Omar’s. She wanted to know where he was.”
I didn’t know his situation but my impression was his mom worked a lot and wasn’t involved. Judging by the mood of the room, it didn’t go well.
Zach cleared his throat. “Yeah, she’s happy I found a job. She wants me to ask Omar for more money and full-time hours.” He shifted his attention to Gabe. “I’m sorry, man. I know you didn’t want her to find out.”
“I didn’t but you didn’t do anything wrong. She’s your mother. You should be able to talk to her about this stuff.” Gabe paced the small space in front of the couch.
“I offered her my paycheck,” Zach said.
“You haven’t even been hired yet—not officially,” Gabe said. “And if you do get it, she’s going to take whatever money you earn.”
“She said I owe her.” Everything about Zach’s demeanor—his slumped shoulders, his tone, was resigned.
“What?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking. I knew I was out of my depth in this conversation. “Why do you owe her?”
“Because she pays for the apartment, food, and clothes.”
I looked at his scuffed shoes from wear and the holes with his toes sticking out, his too-short pants, and his T-shirt, which had seen better days. “But she doesn’t.” I wasn’t sure if I was overstepping.
“You’re right. She doesn’t take care of him. She provides a
roof over his head and that’s it. Zach’s mom is physically and emotionally absent. She does nothing for him. She doesn’t provide him with security, basic necessities, love. I’m sorry, Zach. I just want something different for you.”
“But you have our love and our attention. We’d like to help you,” I said, dropping Gabe’s hand to sit next to Zach.
Zach’s face filled with relief. He had two adults in his corner and hopefully he’d have more soon. “I wish we could talk to his teachers. See if they’re aware of what’s going on.”
“When I went to school, no one cared. They dared me to fuck up and I did. I did what they expected,” Gabe said bitterly.
“I hope things are different now. That teachers are trained to look out for situations like this,” I said.
“I don’t want social services snooping around.” Then softer and more anguished, “I don’t want them to take him.”
“I don’t think they would.” He shot me a look which said: how would you know?“I know a little. Social services works with the parents. It sounds like she needs some coaching on how to be a parent. Maybe she is really struggling and isn’t aware of government programs to help. She doesn’t think she has any other options.”
Gabe looked at me with newfound respect. “I hope you’re right.”
“Why don’t we talk to her, see what the situation is, and offer our help?” I didn’t want to offer her money. I didn’t trust that Zach would ever see that money if I did. I didn’t know that her intentions were altruistic. She could be using her money for drugs or something else illegal. I wouldn’t know until we talked to her. “Please, I’m pretty good at judging if someone is truthful from reading trial transcripts and watching witnesses testify in court.”
“Let me think about it.” Gabe stopped pacing during my speech and was sitting on his desk, his legs crossed in front of him, and his arms braced on the desk, muscles rippling.
“Is your mom home now?” I asked Zach.