by J. E. Parker
“This will end in disaster,” I said to Brantley, who stood behind me, his arms wrapped around my belly. “I see an ER visit in our future tonight. Whether it’ll be from one of the kids breaking a limb or from Grandmama breaking a hip, I don’t know.”
Resting his chin on the top of my head, he chuckled. “Hopefully not.”
“Hey, Mad, where is everybody? I haven’t seen Pop, Keith, Charlotte or Felix.”
“Daddy, Pop, and Charlotte are all working. Felix didn’t feel so well so he stayed home, and Carissa and Heidi are on the Ferris Wheel.” She looked over at me; our eyes met. “Don’t worry, Kyle is with them.”
“Course he is,” I replied. “Where else would he be?”
Hendrix snorted. “Where’s Ashley?” He asked me. “Wasn’t she with you? Don’t tell me you lost my niece, Clara.”
He looked close to panicking.
“No, I didn’t lose her.” I pointed toward the line of food trucks about fifty feet away. “Her, Hope, baby Ry, and Lucca are in the funnel cake line over there.”
He let out a relieved breath.
Brantley’s arms tightened around me. “Are you hungry, bella dama? If so, just say the word. I’ll get you whatever you want. I saw a taco truck—”
“I’m in!”
“Y’all want anything?” Brantley asked Hendrix and Maddie as we turned to walk off.
Both shook their heads no.
“No, but if you see Anthony or Shelby, tell them we’re about to leave so they need to return my oldest child. They kidnapped her,” Maddie said, chuckling. “We’ll keep an eye on the kids until you get back.”
“I’ll tell them!”
It was the last thing I said as Brantley dragged me away.
Thirty Minutes Later
We were sitting at a picnic table eating tacos.
I sat on one side of the table with Bella and Declan beside me while Brantley sat on the other side with Liam and Grandmama next to him. Everyone else in our group had called it a night and headed home minutes earlier. After we were done eating, we’d do the same. It was getting late and the kids, along with Brantley and I, were running on fumes.
Grandmama, however, seemed to have an endless supply of energy.
Must be all the moonshine she drinks…
“So,” Grandmama said, taking a bite of her taco. “Did everybody have a good time?”
Bella nodded. “Grandmama, look what Daddy won for me,” she said, holding up her new bear. “Isn’t it pretty?”
Grandmama smiled. “Prettiest bear I’ve ever seen if I say so myself.” She looked from Liam to Declan. “What did you two get? Did Mr. Good Looking win y’all anything?”
Both boys shook their heads.
“No, he got me extra ride tickets,” Liam said, grinning ear-to-ear. “That’s all I wanted.”
“He got me a funnel cake and ice cream,” Declan added.
A look of approval slid over Grandmama’s face. “And he bought me some of the best daggum tacos I’ve ever eaten. I’d say you earned yourself some bonus points tonight, B.”
She winked, and he smirked in return.
“Hey, Brantley,” Declan said, his head tilted to the side.
“What’s up, little buddy?”
“Can we come here again?” Before Brantley could reply, Declan continued. “Cause I like being with you and Bella.”
“Me too,” Liam added, his voice hesitant.
I held my breath, waiting for Brantley to answer.
“Boys, look at me,” Brantley said, his voice soft. Both of my little guys looked up. “You can spend time with Bella and me anytime you want. Doesn’t matter if it’s here, at home, at the movies, or at the park. If you want us, we’ll be there. Always.”
“Promise?” Liam asked, hopeful.
“I swear it.”
Judging by the look on Liam’s face, he believed every word Brantley said.
And so did I.
Brantley
My head was about to explode.
Clutching my cell phone in my hand, I stared at my laptop screen, re-reading the same email for what had to be the tenth time in the last two minutes. “Clara,” I hollered from where I sat behind my desk. “Get your pretty little ass in here.”
I watched through the window in my office as she muttered something I didn’t catch under her breath, rolled her chair back, pushed from her desk and stood. Her heels clicked as she crossed the room, making her way to my office.
Five seconds later, she waltzed through my door.
Even as irritated as I was, the sight of her stole my breath.
Goddamn she’s beautiful.
Hands on her hips, she stopped in front of my executive desk and leaned forward the slightest bit. “What is it now?” she asked, her voice bordering on irritated. “I just sat down.”
My jaw ticked. “Is the lobby empty?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Shouldn’t you have thought about that before hollering the place down?” she sassed.
“Is it?” I asked again through gritted teeth.
Huffing out a breath, she nodded once. “Your two-thirty rescheduled for next week, so yes, it’s empty. Now, what in the world has you twisted tighter than a pretzel?” Nibbling on her bottom lip, her unsure eyes darted to the open file lying on my desk beside my laptop. “Did I screw something up? Did Ashley? If so, I’ll fix it. Just tell me—”
My irritation disappeared.
Regret took its place.
I hated making her second guess herself when she had no reason to.
Hiring her was one of the best decisions I’d ever made.
For more reasons than one.
“No,” I said, my voice calmer. “Neither of you messed anything up. You never do.”
“Then what is it? I was trying to type up all the notes you gave me before I have to leave to pick up the kids in a few minutes.”
I lifted my chin in the air. “Come here.” When she quirked a brow and didn’t move, I smiled. “Please.”
“That’s better,” she said, smirking.
Eyes locked on me, she rounded my desk. I leaned back in my chair, and without me having to ask she sat down sideways on my lap. My arms circled her waist as she leaned against me, resting her head on my shoulder. Her chest rose as she took a deep breath, relaxing into me.
I turned my face, brushing my lips against her forehead. “Why didn’t you tell me you went apartment hunting?”
Her fingertips traced my forearm, leaving chill bumps in their wake. “How did you know I’ve been apartment hunting? Are you spying on me, Pretty Boy?”
“No,” I whispered. “Renee, the Complex Manager at Green Haven Apartments emailed me a few minutes ago requesting an employment verification for you in response to a rental application you submitted.”
Her fingers stilled. “Are you going to email her back?”
“Yes,” I replied. “If that’s what you want.”
Sitting up straight, she twisted at the waist, and slid her arms around my neck. “The boys deserve better than where we live now,” she replied, her eyes peering into mine. “Now that I can afford it, I want to move some place better, safer. Preferably one with a swimming pool and a playground. Maybe even a basketball court.” Her fingers snaked into the hair above my pressed collar. It was a fight to keep my eyes from sliding shut at the sensation. “Well, I can afford it as long as you aren’t planning on firing me anytime soon.”
Her tone suggested she was joking; her eyes told a different story.
“I’m not planning on firing you,” I replied. Lifting a hand, I slid my thumb over her bottom lip, caressing the tender flesh. “In fact, I’m about to offer you a promotion.”
Confusion flitted across her face. “A promotion?”
“That’s what I said, isn’t it?”
Her lips tilted up on one side in a half smile. “You’re such a smartass.”
I damn near rolled my eyes. “If that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black then I don’
t know what is.”
“What’s the promotion?” Her tone was filled with curiosity and apprehension combined.
“You enjoy being Bella’s nanny, don’t you?”
Her lips thinned into a straight line. “I will not grace that ridiculous question with an answer.”
I chuckled. “Fair enough.” Pausing, I sent up a silent prayer that the question I was about to ask wouldn’t be met with the resistance of a million-man army. “Work around here is picking up. We gain new clients almost every day.”
Clara nodded. “I know. I’m the one who organizes your schedule, remember?”
See? Smartass.
“I’ll be working late sometimes,” I said.
Again, she nodded. “I know that too.”
“Which means, you’ll be working late taking care of Bella.”
“Obviously,” she huffed. “Goodness gracious, Brantley, just spit it out already. I like to dance but not in circles and certainly not verbally.”
Fuck it, I thought. Just say it.
“Move in with me.”
Clara’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
“Have you lost your dang—”
“I want you to become a live-in nanny,” I said, interrupting her before she could work herself up more than she already had. “You’re already at my house until eight every night, the boys made friends with the kids down the street, you’ll get to see Bella more, and two of your best friends, plus Grandmama, Pop, Keith, and Charlotte live within spitting distance.”
Clara remained mute.
I kept talking. “You wouldn’t have to throw away money on rent nor utilities, and the commute would be shorter than if you moved to Green Haven. And I have all that shit you want. There’s a pool in the backyard, a swing set under the oak trees, a basketball hoop at the top of the driveway, and I know how much you love my shower.” I smirked. “Whatever else you want or need, I’ll buy or have put in.”
“Brantley, I can’t—”
Goddamnit! I mentally screamed.
“You don’t have to sleep with me, if that’s what you are worried about,” I continued. “I have five bedrooms. You and the boys can have the extra three. I’m not trying to push you into anything”—it was a lie—“and I’ll respect whatever choice you make”—that was the truth—“but moving in with Bella and me is better than moving into an apartment.”
It was a bold, yet accurate, statement.
Unwinding her arms from me, Clara started to stand.
I tightened my hold on her in response.
“Brantley, let me up,” she demanded.
I released her even though I didn’t want to.
Once on her feet, she walked to the other side of the room. Back facing me, she lifted her hands and ran her palms down the sides of her face. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking of me?”
I stood but remained in place, giving her the space she needed. “I know I’m asking a lot, bella dama,” I replied. “But I swear to God I don’t have ulterior motives here.” I didn’t. “I just want what’s best for everybody involved.”
She turned, facing me. “And you think it’s best for the boys and I to move in with you?”
There was no hesitation on my part. “Yes.”
“So, what, we’d be like roommates or something?”
“Something like that.”
Biting her thumbnail, she shifted her weight between her feet, the wheels in her head smoking they were spinning so fast. “You’d let me sleep in a separate room than you?”
I lifted my hands, placing them on the back of my head. “Clara, I told you I’d never force you into anything you didn’t want. I meant it. If you don’t want to sleep in my bed, that’s fine. And if you don’t want me to eat your sweet pussy and fuck you to sleep every night, then that’s fine too. I’ll just jackoff in the shower. I’ve been doing it for years. Pretty much an expert at it now.”
My girl’s eyes sparkled, and I knew she was about to say something that would rock me.
I was right.
“But I thought your dick was an amenity? Like the pool and basketball hoop. I mean, what’s the point of living with you if I don’t use”—she pointed at the front of my slacks—“that.”
I chuckled. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—if you want my cock, baby, all you have to do is ask for it.”
Eyes still sparkling, she nodded. “Right, but after I get it, I’m free to go back to my room and sleep by myself, yeah?”
Eyes narrowed, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I have never felt more insulted in my damn life,” I teased. “You want to use my cock, but not even give me the satisfaction of having you fall asleep in my bed? That’s cold, Firecracker. Just plain cold.”
Tossing her head back, she laughed. Hard.
It was one of the most beautiful sounds I’d ever heard.
“What if I promise to tuck you in before I go?”
“That will lessen the sting, but I’m still highly offended.” She laughed some more, and I continued running my mouth, willing to do anything to keep her the way she was in that moment. I promised the boys I’d continued to make her smile… “It’s not funny. I feel used.”
Shaking her head, Clara stepped forward. “I’ll make you a deal.”
“Hell,” I groaned, rubbing my palm across my chest. “Here we go.”
Ignoring my theatrics, Clara placed her hands on her hips and gave me a look similar to the one my madre used to give Evan and I when she wanted us to shut up and listen to whatever she had to say. “I’ll move in with you but only under three conditions.”
“Name them,” I replied quickly, proving my eagerness to get her under my roof.
“One,” she said, “The boys and I get our own rooms like you offered.”
“Done.”
“Two,” she continued, “I get access to”—she pointed at the front of my slacks—“that whenever I want it.”
I chuckled. “I don’t think giving you my cock will be a problem.”
“Three”—she smiled—“you have to agree to let me invite the ladies over for girls night once a month.” She paused. “Starting tomorrow.”
Shit. “Does that include Shelby and Grandmama?”
“Well, duh. It also includes, Maddie, Charlotte, Hope, Carissa, Heidi, and Ashley.”
“You sure you want to invite the Crazy Old Biddy? My ass is already covered in bruises from all the pinching she does. And don’t get me started on Shelby.”
Clara shrugged. “We’re a package deal, Pretty Boy. Me, the boys, the Crazy Chick Club.”
I blew out a breath in faux exasperation. “Guess I’ll have to suck it up. But don’t say I never sacrifice for you. I mean, damn Firecracker, the Crazy Chick Club? In my house? Every month? Is it not enough that half of them live within fifty feet of me?”
“Us,” she added. “They live within fifty feet of us.”
My palms began to sweat. “You’re saying yes?”
She nodded once. “I’m saying yes.”
“Clara, you—” I started.
“Hold on,” she interrupted. “I have one more stipulation.”
“Name it.”
“Every Friday. You, me, date night.”
My heart pounded so hard I was surprised it didn’t burst right out of my chest. Moving around my desk, I closed the space between us. Coming to a stop in front of her, I slid my hands into her hair, and tilted her head back. “You just made me the happiest man in the world, bella dama.”
Scrunching her nose up, my girl smiled. “Feel free to pay me back in chicken wings and tacos. My butt didn’t get this size by itself and it takes work to keep up my physique.”
It was my turn to laugh.
This woman… Just damn….
“Go pick up our kids, Clara. I’ll be home in a little bit.”
She quirked a brow. “Are you going to order me tacos tonight?”
“Of course, baby. Wouldn’t want you to lose an inch of that fabulous ass, now would we?”
I didn’t give her a chance to respond before pressing my lips to hers.
Brantley
Clara had been gone for less than five minutes when my cell phone rang, and Ashley, who wasn’t due to clock in for another thirty minutes, hadn’t arrived yet.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I glanced down at the Caller ID.
My good mood vanished.
Jaw clenched tight, I stared at the name flashing across the screen with disdain. “Son of a bitch…” Heart pounding, my thumb hovered over the ignore button. I was tempted to say fuck it and send the call straight to voicemail.
But I couldn’t do that.
If I did, she’d just keep calling.
Or worse, show up.
Irritated as hell, I lifted the phone to my ear. “Well, if it isn’t my ex-wife,” I answered, my voice laced with disgust. “Haven’t heard from you in over a month, Chastity. Guess you didn’t care enough to call and find out if our daughter made it to Georgia okay.” I paused. “Oh, yeah”—I chuckled humorlessly—“I forgot you don’t give a shit about my little girl. No worries though, I care enough for both of us.”
“You son of a bitch,” she growled, pissing me off further.
I didn’t have time for this.
I really didn’t.
I had work to finish, an office to close, and a family to get home too. The last thing I wanted, or needed, was to have Chastity slowing me down.
“What do you want, Chastity?”
“You lied to me!”
I leaned my head back against my chair and closed my eyes. “I haven’t lied to you about anything,” I replied through gritted teeth. “I don’t know what kind of delusion you’ve worked yourself into this time, but I’ll be damned if I sit here and entertain it. If you want someone to listen to your bullshit, then call your father. He’s always been good at coddling you.”
“You took my daughter from me!”
My eyes popped open. “You mean my daughter?” I felt the vein in my forehead bulge as my blood pressure rose. “The one you haven’t spent over ten minutes with in the last two years?” I stood and leaned over, bracing my free hand on top of my desk. “You gave up your visitation rights, Chastity. You have no claim to my daughter. Not anymore. Why you’re calling me with this bullshit, I don’t have the slightest clue. I don’t care to find out either. For years, I gave you the chance to do the right thing, to be a good mother, but you didn’t care to do either. The only thing you’ve ever cared about was money, and you’ve chosen it over Bella at every turn. So hear me when I say this—I. Am. Fucking. Done. Don’t call me, don’t text us. Just forget that we even exist.”