“So you like going out and doing things?” Nick perked up, lifting his head to stare at him. “Me, too. What kinds of things do you reckon you like to do?”
“I honestly don’t know. This has been trial and error for me. I do know that I have a liking for cheesecake; my mother made me some to welcome me home.”
“Who doesn’t like cheesecake?” Nick grinned lazily and let his head fall against the pillow again. “Is your mom nice?”
“She seems to be—how about yours?” He continued putting his clothes into drawers, glancing at Nick occasionally.
“She was really nice. She was the best.”
“Was?”
“She died a few months ago—Leukemia.”
He turned to face him and instantly regretted bringing up the topic of his mother, but how could he have known? This was part of the process in getting to know someone, wasn’t it? Asking such questions wasn’t against the law, but it did make him feel pretty crappy for bringing up something so fresh and painful. “I’m so sorry.”
“You don’t have to be.” Nick stood from the bed and rubbed the back of his neck, offering him another small smile. “She had a full, happy life. Well, it was full enough. I made sure she was happy. We traveled until she couldn’t anymore; I took her to see the Grand Canyon.”
“Sounds like an amazing time.” Toying with a loose string on the hem of his shirt, he chanced another glance in Nick’s direction and felt a warmth wash over him from the intense gaze he was giving him.
That’s not right, is it? He shifted nervously and broke eye contact, deciding the floor was much more interesting. Now is not the time to figure out my sexuality. I’ve got too much to worry about—like finding a job.
“It was pretty amazing.” Nick said softly. A few beats of silence passed between them before he cleared his throat and walked towards the door. “So, grilled chicken salad is good with you?”
“Yes.” Devin’s head shot up and he nodded eagerly. “Please. That would be great.”
“Good.” He gave him a pat on the shoulder and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Devin alone with only his thoughts.
And a weird tingling in his stomach.
—————
Kelly
“Mama, I don’t want to go to Mrs. Harrington’s.” Justin groaned as he entered the kitchen and wrapped his little arms around her waist from behind. “Her house is boring.”
“Mrs. Harrington isn’t that bad, Justin. She does try to make it entertaining for you,” Kelly replied, and then she quickly stirred the pot of spaghetti noodles she had boiling on the stove.
Two weeks had absolutely flown by. Nick and Devin would be there at 7 o’clock sharp and she wanted everything to be ready by then. However, getting two kids packed up to stay the night with trusted friends, getting herself ready, and fixing dinner at the same time was proving to be difficult.
“Besides, you’re not going to Mrs. Harrington’s tonight,” she added with a smile. “You’re going somewhere else. It will be fun.”
“Really?” Justin sounded more excited as he pulled away from her and ran to the table, pulling out a chair to sit down. “Where am I going?”
“You are going to stay with Auntie Tula and Uncle Paul tonight. They’ve even rented some movies for you and Skylar to watch.”
“Tula and Paul!” He gave a whoop of excitement and clapped his hands. “I love Tula and Paul! And Skylar! Their house is so big, Mama. It’s the biggest.”
“I know it is.” She nodded, glancing over her shoulder to gaze at him. “And Tula would like it very much if you stayed the night again. Would you like that?”
“Yeah! I love spending the night with Skylar. We have so much fun!”
“Good. You should go pack your overnight bag so you can—”
“On it, Mama! I’ll be back in a minute!” He darted out of the kitchen before she could get another word in.
“Don’t forget to pack your pajamas!” She called after him, but he probably didn’t hear her anyway.
Tula and Paul had been fighting to adopt for a long time and had finally gotten their first baby that past September, a beautiful little girl they named Harper. They fell in love immediately and they were the best parents a kid could hope for, but they wanted to expand their family, as one often did after getting a taste of parenthood. At least that’s how it had happened to her and Patrick.
In February, they adopted a 7-year-old boy named Skylar and their family was finally complete. Kelly was so happy for them, and Justin thought the world of Skylar, so it only made sense that they planned as many play dates as possible. It just so happened tonight was a perfect night for Justin to go visit his friend, and Tula had even encouraged it.
“Oh, you’ve got dinner with a man? Of course I’ll watch Justin. You need to meet a nice guy, Kelly. I hope it works out.”
Those had been her exact words, and while Kelly wanted to believe things would go in the right direction—if any direction at all—she’d kinda sorta forgotten to mention the fact Devin would be there, too. The last thing she needed was for someone to freak out about it; especially someone like Jeb.
I am not interested in Devin. This dinner is happening because Nick is a nice man and he fixed my pipes. There’s never been any indication this is a date.
True, but even Lydia had said otherwise.
“Ooooh – dinner? Kelly, this is a big deal. Guys don’t ask you about dinner unless they’re interested in getting to know you. Remember: the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
She was such a nerd, but Kelly loved her anyway.
And sending Justin to Tula’s for the night, and Jamie to Mrs. Harrington’s, would definitely be a very appreciated break. The kids never got to see their paternal grandparents and that meant Kelly was lacking one very serious advantage other people took for granted.
Justin often asked about his Grandma and Grandpa Spencer, but she didn’t have the heart to tell him they weren’t interested in being involved in his life or Jamie’s. She didn’t want to hurt him like that, and never would.
Besides, Tula and Paul, though young, made great surrogate grandparents for her children. Kelly would never voice it in front of her, but she got the feeling that Tula was like Lydia. It didn’t make a difference to her either way, solely for the fact that Tula and Lydia were two of the most wonderful people she’d ever met, but it would have been nice if they both trusted her enough to let her in.
But it’s not my business anyway.
As she stirred the noodles and gazed at nothing in particular, she began to think about how a lot of things weren’t her business. God, she was turning into her grandmother, wasn’t she? A natural Nosey-Rosy. It wouldn’t surprise her if she ended up like those old ladies who constantly hid behind their curtains with a pair of binoculars.
Devin isn’t my business.
Poor Devin. She still felt so bad for him and she was ashamed of her behavior when she’d stopped by Nick’s house to deliver those cookies. It was just a surprise; she hadn’t expected to run into him any time soon, and then to find out he was Nick’s new roommate? How would that even work out?
Nick seems like a very trusting, open guy. I hope he knows what he’s getting into.
But that wasn’t very fair to Devin, was it? Sure, he’d been a total douchebag when they were in school together, and what he did to her friend was terrible, but how could he be blamed for something he didn’t remember? How long would he have to be punished for those mistakes when he clearly wanted to move on with his life and make things right?
Why do I even care?
Why did she care? Devin wasn’t important to her. He was only accompanying Nick to dinner because it was the polite thing to do...right?
Maybe. Who could be certain? When he’d tagged along to help Nick fix the pipes, he’d been nothing but polite to her. He seemed so...so not Devin. If she hadn’t known him previously she would have found him to be a very nice guy.
; It was almost a shame, really.
“Okay, Mommy. I’m all ready to go to Auntie Tula’s!” Justin re-entered the kitchen with his suitcase in tow, inhaling deeply. “That smells yummy—are you sure I can’t stay for just a little longer?”
And the doorbell rang, right on time.
“Auntie Tula’s here! Auntie Tula’s here!” He let out a crow of excitement and bounded into the living room. “Hurry, Mommy! Let her in before the rain gets her!”
“She won’t melt.” Kelly teased. Hastening into the living room and listening to the rain as it pelted against the windows, she tugged the front door open and was greeted by a very wet Tula. “Oh, maybe she will.” She giggled. “Hi, Tula.”
“Hello, Kelly!” Tula wrapped her up in a quick hug, seemingly unaware of the fact she was dripping wet—in turn getting Kelly wet—and then made her way inside, followed by Skylar.
“I really told her to use the umbrella.” He said as he shook the rain off his umbrella and closed it, stepping onto the linoleum floor. “Bad luck. You have to close these things.”
“Yes, you do.” Kelly gave him a smile and patted the top of his head. He really was such a cute, intelligent kid. She could see why Tula and her husband had fallen in love with him. “Are you excited to have Justin over for a sleepover?”
“Uh huh. Yes, ma’am.” Skylar blinked and pushed his glasses back up on his nose. “No Jamie?”
“Not tonight, sweetie. She’s going to be staying with Mrs. Harrington. But don’t you worry about that—just have fun with Justin, okay?”
“Yep.” He wandered over to Justin and Tula, leaving her shaking her head with another smile on her face. Skylar was an eccentric child, but that made perfect sense. Tula was also eccentric; it must have been a writer thing.
After receiving a few more hugs from Justin and saying goodbye to the trio, Kelly hurried back into the kitchen to check on her garlic bread, only to be interrupted by the sound of giggling on the baby monitor.
That was suspicious giggling.
“Oh, Jamie.”
Hurrying up the steps as fast she could, she peered into the nursery and was surprised to see her little girl climbing out of her crib.
“Jamie! No!”
On most days, she could be pretty clumsy, and sometimes gravity didn’t agree with her, but when it came to the safety of her babies, she somehow developed super powers. She sprinted towards the crib just as Jamie made her way over the rail and dived in like a jet fighter pilot, scooping her up into her arms.
Collapsing to the floor, mostly because she needed to catch her breath, she cuddled her daughter against her chest and tried to calm down.
“Oh, Jamie my love, what were you doing?”
“Mom-mom-mom.” She jibber-jabbered, and smiled.
“I’m here now. If you were trying to get my attention—you got it. Oh my god, don’t ever do that again.”
Jamie stared up at her with eyes that were identical to her father’s, big and sparkling and there was definitely a hint of amusement as her chubby little hand pressed against her mother’s cheek. “Mom-mom-mom!”
“It’s almost time for a big girl bed, isn’t it?” Kelly laughed, and then she nuzzled her nose against her daughter’s cheek. “Why don’t you come downstairs and help me finish cooking before Mrs. Harrington gets here, hm? Doesn’t that sound fun?”
She stood with her daughter in her arms and then gasped when the doorbell began ringing.
“Oh, I guess we’ll have to cook together another time, sweet pea; it seems Mrs. Harrington is already here.”
Grabbing the pre-made bag full of goodies she always tried to keep on hand, she made her way back downstairs with Jamie on her hip—she basically stayed there most of the time.
“Okay, sweetie. Let’s find your coat after we let her in, hm? She’s probably cold. We don’t want Mrs. Harrington to get sick, do we?”
“Mom-mom.”
“That’s what I thought.” Kelly laughed and then pulled open the door, surprised to find Devin standing there.
He’s most certainly not Mrs. Harrington.
“Hi.” She blinked, feeling her cheeks heat up.
So much for dressing up for dinner.
She hadn’t even had a chance to get ready yet! What was he doing?
“Hi.” His voice was soft and his eyes softer as he gazed at her. Something about his stare made her stomach twist into nervous knots. Why was he staring at her like that? She looked terrible, wearing nothing but her old, torn blue jeans and a faded t-shirt. There wasn’t anything to be staring at, right?
“You’re early.”
“Um, yes. I’m sorry about that.” He raked his fingers through his hair and glanced around nervously. “Nick wanted me to come over and get some measurements real fast; he wasn’t sure about some of the wood he bought today.”
“Wood? What wood?” She moved Jamie to her other hip and shook her head in dismay. “Why did he buy wood?”
“I, um, I can’t tell you that.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Honest, I can’t. It’s meant to be a surprise.” His face reddened and he pursed his lips together. “Which I probably just ruined...”
“I told him not to do anything like that. Wood is expensive. Ugh. I need to pay him back.”
“Kelly, I don’t think—”
“I am paying him back. I don’t like surprises, Devin, so you need to take this money to him.”
Turning and heading straight for her purse, she mentally cursed the stubbornness of men. Nick was cute, sure, but he was inevitably stubborn. It must have been infused into every man’s DNA.
Why the hell did he buy wood?
Devin caught her attention by clearing his throat. “May I come in?”
“Oh. Oh. Of course, Devin; come in. I’m sorry.”
He’s so well mannered. He doesn’t act like the Devin I remember.
The guy she remembered from her teenage years was very different from the timid, polite man currently entering her house. Devin Rose had always been known as an arrogant, cocky, self-centered bully; this guy was the complete opposite in every way.
Or maybe he is just a really good actor. Maybe Jeb wasn’t being as extreme as everyone claims.
Watching Jeb McIntosh lose his cool was nothing out of the ordinary, especially when it came to Laney. Kelly remembered many instances in which Jeb got into fights with boys much older and bigger than him—all for the sake of defending Laney’s honor.
And he was such a brave little boy when it came to Johnny, too.
Johnny was no more, she understood that, but Lydia surely hadn’t forgotten the countless times her itty bitty brother had curled up his itty bitty fists against the likes of Devin Rose.
Well, mostly Devin Rose.
She wasn’t sure what Devin had against the McIntosh clan. Why had he always given them such a tough time? She couldn’t recall him ever having given anyone else as much trouble.
Watching as he shoved his hands into the back pockets of his jeans and noting the small smile on his lips, a thought suddenly struck her.
Of course!
I bet he really did give them shit because he was insecure with himself. He has to be gay.
“Take this and give it back to Nick for me, okay?” She held three twenty-dollar bills out for him to take and frowned when he made no motion to grab it. “And let me know if he needs more. Devin?”
“Sorry, no can do.” His shoulders shrugged. “He said you’d probably try to do that and I’m just here to get measurements, so if you’d be kind enough to show me the way...”
“Stubborn.” She mumbled, rolling her eyes. “Fine. It’s this way.”
He followed her into the kitchen and waited patiently for her to open the door leading to the basement.
“She sure is a cute kid.”
Tugging the door open with one hand, she glanced back at him and couldn’t help but laugh. He was making the most ridiculous face she’d ever seen in her lif
e and Jamie was giggling at him.
“Thanks.” A sense of pride washed over her as she nuzzled her nose against her daughter’s cheek again. “She looks just like her daddy.”
Devin’s eyes wandered to a picture hanging on the wall in the hallway and she watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed. “That’s him, huh?”
“Mhm.” Her grip on Jamie tightened.
She remembered the exact moment that picture was taken. The chaos of the morning leading to that photograph was always fresh in her mind, much like every other memory of her late husband.
“Honey, would you stop messing with your hair? You look beautiful.” He stepped up behind her and pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, giving her his boyish grin through the mirror. “Just like always.”
“Don’t try to sweet talk me now, ‘honey’.” She teased, carefully putting on her favorite pair of earrings as his lips danced down her neck. “And stop distracting me. We’ll never make it there if you keep this up.”
“But what if I want to keep it up?” His breath was so hot against her skin, and it was doing wicked things to her body as he pressed up against her. “You know I can’t resist you; that’s a known fact.”
“Mm, I do know that.” Her eyes closed against her will and she found herself leaning back against him, shivers of delight racing over her as he slipped a hand beneath her skirt. “Patrick, behave! The kids are awake.”
“Correction, babe; Justin is awake and he’s playing in his room. Jamie’s still asleep.”
“Not for much longer—you should have already had her dressed. That’s all I asked you to do for me. Ugh.”
But she was hardly upset with him. He’d been playing with Justin all morning. What more could she ask for? At least he paid attention to his children.
“I’ll get right on it, I promise.” His voice became husky as he gently pushed her forward, bending her over the surface of her vanity. “I just need some of you first.”
“Patrick...”
She pulled herself out of the memory before it had a chance to play out. Remembering those beautiful, tender moments with Patrick always caused so much pain. Even the pictures on the walls were agony for her.
But she wouldn’t take them down again. She’d tried that before things got bad...really bad...but thankfully Lydia and her friends had put them back up.
The Lost Days (Prairie Town Book 3) Page 7