Hard Break (Deadlines & Diamonds, #5)

by Morgan Kearns

  Chase looked down at his fingertips, probably imagining the burns that thankfully wouldn’t appear. Thanks to his mother. He jerked his gaze to hers and nodded. “Good point, Mom. And I am hungry.”

  They walked out toward the kitchen. Kayla put her arm around Chase’s shoulders. “So, how did you like Stephanie?”

  Chase shrugged. “She was nice. The girls really liked her.”

  “You didn’t?”

  He looked up at her, duh! glittering in his eyes. “I don’t need a babysitter. I’m eleven.”

  “You’re ten.”

  “Almost eleven.”

  “You are almost eleven. In six months, which means you’re not there yet. And we’ll have to try out your babysitting abilities a little bit at a time, and not when I’ll be gone for hours past your bedtime.”

  “Oh, please.” He scoffed. “Watching everyone sleep is the easiest thing ever. Did you know Ian sucks on his lip in his sleep?”

  “No. I didn’t know that.”

  Chase stopped walking to fling his arm over his eyes and lean against the wall. He sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, suckling it.

  Her son looked absolutely adorable. She could imagine Ian looking just as adorable. And yet, there was something sexy about the thought of Ian sucking…anything. Her body heated and she shoved the thought out of her head. She couldn’t go there. Not with anyone. Especially not with Ian.

  “Stop it.” She playfully cuffed Chase upside the head. “You look silly.”

  He frowned. “I was going for grown-up.”

  Kayla shook her head. “Yeah, ‘cause so many grown-ups walk around sucking on their lips.”

  “Maybe the world would be a better place if they did.”

  “Maybe it would.”

  “I don’t think I’m going to give Ian a hard time about it, though.”

  “Yeah, why’s that?” she asked.

  He lifted a shoulder. “Because I don’t want him givin’ me a hard time for all the goofy stuff I do when I’m sleepin’.”

  “Good point. What goes around, comes around.”

  “Yeah, to bite you in the—” He smiled at the warning flashing in her eyes. “—butt. Geez, Mom.” He shook his head and took off, loping down the hall, hollering over his shoulder, “Would you hurry up, I’m starvin’!”

  Fourteen

  “Yes. Uh-huh. I understand.” Although Kayla didn’t understand at all. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “The sooner the better, Mrs. Black.”

  “Understood.” She disconnected the call, wondering what the hell had just happened. Chase, Mr. Easy-goin’, was currently sitting in the daycare’s office for fighting.

  Chase didn’t fight. He stomped and snorted, but he didn’t fight.

  Regardless of the what-the-heck, he wasn’t allowed at the after-school program for a week. She wanted to cry. Up until this moment, she’d thought life was getting back to normal. They’d fallen into a pattern, a groove, and bam! Wrench.

  Dr. Monroe sauntered into the room. “Kayla, what’s wrong?”

  She blinked up at him. “I need to take off. My son—”

  She stopped talking when he frowned.

  “Go on. Handle things and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “That’s the thing.” She bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to break down. “It might be a couple days. Maybe even a week.”

  “I expected this might happen.”

  She couldn’t tell if that expectation counted for or against her.

  “I know you’re in a tough position—” Against. Definitely against. “—but you’re needed here, Kayla. Take care of your son. Of course, they need to be your priority.” He lifted his glasses and rubbed at his eyes. “Keep me posted.”

  Heavy hearted, she looked down at the files on the corner of her desk, the same files she’d been trudging through when her cell rang. She gathered them up, shoved them into her bag and raced out the door.

  The drive to the daycare became the longest twenty minutes of her life. Her thoughts tumbled, stumbling over her son fighting. She wanted to make sure he understood using his fists was never the answer. And yet…

  She certainly needed all the facts before she came unglued. She’d already flipped out more times than made her sane. Leon surely was looking down, shaking his head.

  The thought stopped her in her tracks. She’d never considered where Leon ended up. The inner part of him that made him Leon. His body, she knew where his body was. Hell, exactly nine months ago she’d watched as they lowered the casket into the cold, dark ground and had even thrown in a handful of dirt. At least she’d had the presence of mind to send the children to the car when the guys put the backhoe to use.

  But, even after all this time, she hadn’t really considered where his ghost? spirit? essence?—What the hell was she supposed to call it?—ended up. Or if he ended up anywhere besides the cemetery.

  Boy, that was a depressing thought.

  Yeah, she couldn’t go there. She had to believe he went somewhere.

  God, Satan. Heaven, Hell. Good, Evil.

  She had to believe he went somewhere good. Because that’s what Leon was. Good.

  She looked up at the big, white, puffy clouds and sighed. “Wish me luck, Leon. I’m gonna need it.”

  A soft breeze blew across her cheek, lifting her hair. Coincidence? Probably. But Kayla would take it.

  She slammed the door to her SUV, sighing against the late summer heat, punched the lock button on her keyfob and headed in to advocate for her son.

  Ian pulled into his driveway, exhausted. It’d been a long day. He’d gotten the early morning phone call—more like the midnight ring-a-ding-ding—insisting he come in early. No big. Overtime was a sweet thing. Except he’d hadn’t fallen into bed until nearly ten after having grabbed pizza and beer with Denali. Damn, he really liked her. And the more time he spent with her, the more he thought there might be a chance he could love her.

  Cracking the door of the news vehicle, he stepped out into the sunshine. Thank heaven for sunglasses. He stretched and yawned. His jaw cracked. He rolled his neck on his shoulders and headed for the house.

  Kayla, in her SUV, rounded the corner. He glanced down at his watch. Yeah, it was exactly the time he thought it was. Way too early for Kayla to be home with all three kids in tow.

  His heart stuttered.

  He locked the Explorer and hustled across the landscaping rocks dividing their yards.

  “Hey,” he called, stepping up to the opening of their garage just as the brake lights went out. Three doors cracked open. “Hey,” he said again, “whatcha ya’ll doin’ home?”

  Chase got out and turned around, looking grim.

  Ian cringed. “Nice shiner.”

  The corner of Chase’s lip quirked. “Thanks.”

  Kayla got out and harrumphed. “All three of you get up to your rooms. I want spotless, not a single thing on the floor.”

  “How are we supposed to move our beds?” Sadie asked, big blues blinking.

  Ian dipped his head, smothering a grin with his hand.

  Kayla scowled at him, then frowned at her kids. She jerked her chin toward the door. “Don’t be a smarty-pants. Go. Now.” Three sets of feet scurried from the garage. “And don’t forget under your beds,” she hollered just before the door slammed.

  She huffed, crossed her arms around her middle, looked at the ceiling and closed her eyes. Her head dropped, then shook. “Seriously. I don’t know what I’m going to do with him.”

  “What happened?” Ian followed her into the house.

  She put her purse and keys on the counter, popping the fridge open to retrieve a Diet Coke. “Want one?”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m good. Thanks.”

  She cracked the can, took a swig, sighed. She leaned against the counter. She flipped her thumb nail over the tab on the can. Twang, twang, twang, twang.

  Ian cleared his throat. “Should I ask how the other guy looks?” />
  “No. You shouldn’t.” Her glower made her absolutely adorable.

  He raised a brow. “Is the other kid sportin’ a shiner too?”

  She bit down on her bottom lip, but the smile refused to be tamed. “And a fat lip.”

  “Niiice!” Ian held out a clenched fist and Kayla bumped his knuckles with hers. “So what happened?”

  “I’m not sure. He’s not saying.”

  “What’d the school tell you?”

  “Daycare, not school.” She shook her head. “I know he doesn’t like it, but none of us have a choice. I guess he wanted to make sure he didn’t have to go back. At least for a week.”

  “What? They kicked him out?”

  “Suspended him.”

  Ian’s jaw dropped open on a, “Daaaaamn.”

  “I know. And now I’ve got to figure out what to do with him for the next week while I’m at work.”

  The wheels chugged to life in his head. He entertained the idea for only a split second before blurting, “He can hang with me.”

  Her Diet Coke paused mid-air. She placed the can on the counter. “I can’t—”

  “Ask? You didn’t. I volunteered. Come on, Kay. I love hanging with Chase. He likes hanging with me. Most importantly, you need me.” He grinned, wide and cheesy, and she rolled her eyes. “Don’t argue with me, Kayla. It’s only for a week.”

  She wanted to say no, was going to say no. He couldn’t let her.

  “I promise to make it rough on him. He can pull weeds in my back yard. I won’t even let him use gloves.”

  She laughed and shot a look at the ceiling. Probably praying for strength. Skepticism shone in her eyes when her gaze rested on him. “I don’t know.”

  He cocked his head. “Like you got so many other choices?”

  “Maybe I could call your sister.” He wasn’t sure what his face looked like, but she burst out in a giggle. “Maybe not.” She stepped forward and put her hand on his arm. “I really don’t want to bother you. We’re already a burden.”

  He took her by the shoulders, gazing into her eyes, hoping his feelings would speak for themselves. “You’re never a burden; not you, not the kids. Never. I love you.”

  Her eyes flared wide.

  Shit! “All of you.” So much for keeping his feelings to himself. Damn, he was an idiot. And a fool! He plowed his fingers through his hair. “I’m not some creepy stalker, Kay.” He shook his head. “Shit. Don’t get weird.”

  She placed a palm on each side of his face, stretched up on her toes and kissed his cheek. She stepped away. “No weird. Truth is, we love you too. Thanks, yet again, for being there for us.”

  He exhaled in relief. “So, when does the sentence begin?”

  “Effective immediately,” she said and he had the impression she was quoting some stuffy administrator.

  “Do you need to go back to work today?”

  She shook her head.

  “Do I need to pick him up or—”

  “He can ride the bus home. You can’t make this fun for him. He’s being punished.”

  “Got it.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Just curious, does he deserve to be punished?”

  “He got suspended!” Her voice went shrill, her eyes sparked.

  He held up his hands. If he’d had a white flag he’d have been violently waving it. He spoke softly. “All I’m saying is that you don’t know the facts.”

  “He got suspended.”

  “Yes, I know. But do you know the details of why?”

  “He was fighting.” Her tone insinuated his stupidity.

  He barely refrained from groaning. “Yes, I know. But do you know why?”

  “I told you, he’s not saying.”

  “What did the school tell you?” he asked.

  “That they have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to fighting and that Chase punched the kid. They were rolling around on the ground when the playground attendants pulled them apart.” She rubbed at her eyes, looking exhausted. “Sadie was there. She’s not talking either.”

  “There’s more to the story, Kay.”

  “I know.” Her cheeks puffed with air. She released the breath on a rush. “I know my kids, Ian.”

  “I’m not saying you don’t. I was just making an observation.”

  “A stupid observation,” she muttered.

  He laughed, stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug. He twirled her around until her anger dwindled and she giggled. She pressed gently against his chest, dropping her head back. Happiness swirled in the air. Ian could get drunk on the emotion. He kissed her on the tip of her upturned nose. She sobered instantly and pushed out of his hold.

  He cursed. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. You just looked so damn happy. I couldn’t…I’m sorry.”

  She smiled, but backed away further. “No need to be sorry. Really.”

  But she wasn’t asking him to kiss her again, either.

  He got it, understood it. Didn’t mean he had to like it.

  “Won’t happen again.” As he made the promise, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it.

  “Don’t worry about it.” A thud rumbled upstairs, sending both of their gazes to the ceiling. “I’d better go check on that. I’ll call you tomorrow when it’s okay to send Chase home.”

  Leaving no room for dispute, Kayla raced up the stairs. He let himself out and crossed over to his yard. At least not all women shuddered when he kissed them. Maybe it was time to move forward in the relationship with one who actually liked spending time with him. He tugged his phone from his back pocket, punching in a number as he walked out of Kayla’s house.

  Three rings preceded the sexy, “Hey.”

  “Hey, Denali. Wanna catch a movie?”

  Kayla raced up the stairs with her thoughts qualifying for the Indy 500. She wasn’t at all sure what had just happened with Ian and she wasn’t sure whether or not she liked it. Being in his arms, twirling, laughing, it’d all felt so…right. And so very wrong. She couldn’t let herself go there. No matter how much she wanted…

  No, hold up, she didn’t want to feel anything for Ian.

  Ignoring the torrent in her mind, she ran into Chase’s room. Three faces blanched upon her appearance.

  “Hi, Mom.” Chase tried for no-big-deal.

  “Where’s Ian?” Sadie went with diversion.

  “It was axdent.” And Pene was nothing but honesty.

  “What was an accident?” Kayla punctuated the question with raised brows.

  Chase glared at his sister then sighed. “I was showing them how I got Scottie on the ground.”

  “By tripping him,” Sadie inserted helpfully. “I landed as hard as Scottie. But since it was on the carpet I didn’t hurt my elbow. Like that jerk Scottie.” She grinned, flashing her missing front teeth.

  Kayla frowned. “Why is Scottie a jerk?”

  All three mouths clamped shut and conspiracy passed between them. She definitely knew her kids, and there was definitely more to the damned story. The knowledge both pissed her off and saddened her. She wanted to be the one her kids turned to when trouble brewed. Instead, they clammed up, locked down and shut her out.

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” Chase said, breaking their code of silence. “I know I really messed up. I can stay home alone.”

  Kayla shook her head. She’d been hoping for an explanation, not an apology that told her nothing. “You won’t be coming home to an empty house.”

  “I’m old enough,” he protested.

  “No, you’re not.”

  “You have to work.”

  “Yes, I do,” she agreed. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re ten and not old enough to come home to an empty house.”

  “Then what…”

  “Ian has agreed let you come to his house after school. Wipe that smile off your face. He’s going to have chores for you to do once your homework is done.”

  He bit his lip and tried to look contrite, but absolute glee s
himmered in his baby blues.

  “I wanna go to Ian’s,” Sadie informed her.

  “Me too. Me too!” Penelope bounced on the balls of her feet. “I lo’ Ian!”

  “You girls will go to Smiling Sun.”

  Sadie frowned. Penelope pouted. Both girls narrowed their eyes and crossed their arms over their chests. Sadie ground her teeth. Pene snorted. Mischief sparked in Sadie’s eyes.

  “Then I’ll just punch Scottie,” she announced as if that was the completely logical solution.

  “No. You cannot punch Scottie.”

  “Even if he says Daddy deserved to die?”

  The breath left Kayla’s lungs as if she’d been on the receiving end of a cheap shot. Tears blurred her vision.

  “Is that why…” She couldn’t finish her question.

  Three heads nodded. Three lips quivered. Three sets of eyes shimmered.

  Chase’s hands clenched into fists. “I’m not sorry, Mom.”

  She swallowed against the lump in her throat. “You don’t have to be.”

  “I don’t want to go back to Smiling Sun.” Sadie sniffed.

  “And I don’t want you to either.”

  “Yay!” Penelope jumped, both hands in the air. “We stay with Ian.”

  Well hell. “But you have to go back until I can come up with other arrangements.”

  “I don’t have to, right?” Chase asked. “’Cause they won’t let me come back. Right?”

  “Chase.” She bit back the violent reprimand burning the end of her tongue. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. After releasing it on a sigh, she sat on the floor, tugging her children down to join her. “Listen guys, this isn’t a great situation. Can we agree on that?”

  All three nodded.

  “Chase, you can’t be fighting.”

  “But—”

  She held up a hand. “I get it. I probably would have slugged him, too, but that’s not the way problems are solved. You have to use your words.”

  “I did use my words, Mom.”

  “It’s true, he did,” Sadie corroborated with a stiff nod.

  “I told him to stop saying it. I even walked away, just like Dad always said to do. But he wouldn’t let it go. He followed me around the playground, and even said it while I was trying to pee in the bathroom.” Tears shone in his eyes. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I’m sorry for making you mad. I’m sorry I have to ruin Ian’s schedule. But I am not sorry I hit Scottie.”