Me: All right, sweetness. It’s getting late, so I’ll let you go. Sleep good.
Danika: You too, honey. Talk to you later.
Me: You know it.
After getting more of those heart-eye emojis, I closed out of my messages with a chuckle and set the phone on the nightstand, and with the image of Danika’s smiling face on the backs of my eyelids, I drifted off.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Danika
Hardin’s sixteenth birthday party was in full swing. Leo’s house was so full of his friends and classmates, they were bleeding into the backyard. The music was loud, the kids were louder, and no matter how fast I worked, I couldn’t seem to keep the trays of finger foods and bowls of chips and dips from going empty. It was like the whole damn high school had turned out for this party.
My only saving grace was the fact that Nona and Tempie were there to help since their husbands worked with Leo and he’d invited them and his partner Micah. Of course, the men weren’t much help. They’d taken off to the back patio as soon as they got there, congregating with Leo around the cooler of beer he had just for the adults. When I’d asked if it was a good idea to have alcohol at a teenager’s party, he’d responded with “The booze is necessary. It’s the only thing that’ll keep me and the guys from tryin’ to arrest a bunch of minors for bein’ pains in the ass.”
I hadn’t agreed at first, but now I totally got it. Even Roscoe was overwhelmed by them and was currently crashed out on the floor mat in front of the sink.
Nona and I were at the island, restocking the vegetable trays—yes, even the vegetables were disappearing—and pigs in a blanket when Tempie came bustling in, looking harried as she dropped an empty tray on the counter. “Okay, so I don’t know what was on that, but when I reached in to take it so I could re-stock, I nearly got my hand taken off by no less than five teenagers. God, these kids are brutal!”
“Those were my double chocolate mousse brownies.”
Nona stopped working and they both turned to stare at me. “Please, God, tell me you have more of those and that I can stuff one or two in my face before we have to put them out,” Nona pleaded.
Tempie pointed at her. “What she said.”
“In the fridge, the two covered pans stacked on the bottom shelf,” I answered with a wink.
Tempie rushed to the fridge like it was at risk of going up in a puff of smoke any second, and she and Nona proceeded to snack down as we got back to work.
Leo came sauntering in a few minutes later, casual as could be, announcing, “Don’t mind me, just grabbin’ some more beer from the garage. We’re runnin’ low out there.”
I stopped what I was doing and turned to him. Shooting daggers with my eyes, I slapped one hand on the counter and the other on my hip. “You know, you and the guys are more than welcome to come in here and lend a hand whenever you feel like it,” I snapped.
He hit me with that smirk that he knew always melted me into a puddle and changed his direction at the last minute. “Aw, I’m sorry, sweetness,” he crooned, looping his arms around my waist and pulling me up against him.
I narrowed my eyelids into slits, glaring up at his gorgeous face even though I wasn’t really feeling it. “Nuh uh. Don’t try and be all sweet now when you and the rest of the men have been hanging out in the backyard while we’ve been doing all the work in here.”
“You know, you’re really cute when you get all mad and prissy.” He lifted his finger and dragged it across the bridge of my nose. “Your nose scrunches up in this adorable way that makes me really want to kiss you.”
I ignored the heat pooling in my core at those intoxicating words. “Tempie almost lost a limb because those kids are animals. You basically threw us to the wolves so you could drink with your buddies.”
“She’s right,” Tempie added. “I’m gonna go tell Hayes if he doesn’t want to sleep on the couch tonight, he better get his ass in here and help.”
“Trick too,” Nona chimed in, following her toward the back door. “He gets in here or he’s on late night diaper and bottle duty for the next week, so help me God.”
“Grab Micah while you’re at it,” I called after them. “Just because he’s single doesn’t mean he’s off the hook. It’s our job to start the domestication process for the poor, unsuspecting woman he eventually falls for.”
Leo’s chest shook against mine as he chuckled quietly. Looking down at me, he noted, “You know, you women are frightening when you get together.”
“Good,” I grumbled, but there was no harshness in my words, in fact, I was already leaning against him, sucking up his warmth. “Maybe if you get scared enough you’ll finally realize the truth.”
“Oh? And what’s the truth?”
“That we’re the ones who run the world. We just let you exist here, so wash your hands and get to work.”
He lowered his head, nuzzling against my neck as he whispered into my ear, “Jesus, how is it you manage to turn me on even when you’re tearin’ me a new one?” To prove his point he pulled me tighter against him so I could feel his hard length pressing against my belly, and as soon as I did, my panties grew wet.
Just then, Jed came into the kitchen, asking, “You got any more of those mushy brownie thingies? I only got one before those hoodlums snatched the rest up.”
I pulled away from Leo and looked from father to son and back again. “You want food, you’re gonna have to work for it.”
Jed’s mouth dropped open in mock affront. “I’m a frail old man, Dani girl. It’d be cruel to expect me to work for my meal.”
Frail my ass. Sure, Jed wasn’t back to 100 percent after his stroke, but the man could probably still run laps around me without much effort.
“Those are the rules, Jed. And I require at least one vegetable to be consumed between each dessert. That way I won’t have to feel guilty if you lapse into a diabetic coma.”
Jed looked to his son. “I liked her better before you got your hooks in her. She was sweeter then. I blame you.”
“I can live with that,” Leo said on a chuckle as Jed took off. He yanked me back to him, leaning in to plant a quick, hard kiss against my lips, and damn, even that made me all melty.
“Dad. Dani.”
At the sound of Hardin’s voice, Leo shifted me to his side, curling an arm around me and turned us both toward Hardin who was coming our way with a beautiful girl tucked under his arm in much the same way Leo was holding me. “I want you guys to meet Amy. Amy, this is my dad and his girlfriend, Dani.”
So this was Amy. I took the girl in from the toes of her Converses, past her cute yet stylish-in-a-casual-trendy-way outfit, all the way up to her long ash-blonde hair that framed her shy grin and slightly flushed cheeks, thinking, well done, Hardin.
Leo
Okay, yeah. My son had done good.
Just one glance and I could already see the similarities between her and Danika, specifically that bashfulness that guys like me and my son saw and instantly wanted to protect.
“Hi, Amy,” Danika said, leaning forward as far as my hold would allow in order to shake her hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Hardin’s told us great things.”
That flush grew pinker as she looked up at him, her grin turning into a beaming smile that lit up her entire face. “He has?”
Oh yeah, that comment from my woman just won Hardin some serious brownie points, and I could tell by the way his shoulders straightened that he really liked it.
“Definitely.”
“Glad you were able to come today,” I added.
She turned her attention back to us. “It’s nice to meet you both,” she said timidly, giving Danika her eyes. “I really love your coffee shop. I’m there at least once a week.”
“Well next time you come in be sure to ask for me. I’ll make sure your next treat is on the house.”
She ducked her head, smiling big as she whispered, “Awesome. Thanks.”
I totally got how Hardin would want i
n there with this girl. My boy was all me, through and through. Shy and sweet was our kryptonite.
We were suddenly interrupted when the back door swung open, and Micah was shoved through, followed closely by Hayes and Trick.
“All right, all right. Christ, I said I’d help, didn’t I?” my partner grumbled. He turned and spotted me, announcing, “Damn, brother. These women are vicious.”
Before I could get a word out, the room—hell, the whole house—filled with the blast of a car horn honking over and over.
“What the hell?” I mumbled, breaking away from Danika and moving to the front door. I felt the rest of the adults at my back, following after me. The first thing I noticed when I stepped outside was the large chunk of party-goers who’d already spilled onto the front lawn to see what all the noise was about. The second thing I saw was Whitney alighting from the brand new, shiny, cherry red Mustang that was parked in my drive, right behind Danika’s Explorer.
“Surprise!” she shouted, holding her arms out at her sides. “Happy birthday, baby.”
What the fuck?
“Mom?” Hardin asked, his voice full of trepidation. “What are you doin’ here?”
“I wanted to bring you your present. Do you like it?”
“Ah, hell,” my dad muttered from behind me.
I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t fucking move. I was too busy trying to keep my head from exploding as she came over and grabbed Hardin, pulling him back to the car as she rattled off all the features it had.
“Leo,” Danika whispered, taking my hand and giving it a hard squeeze. She could sense the fury roiling around inside me and knew I was only seconds from blowing.
“Mom,” Hardin said, his voice hard as he pulled away from her. “What is this? I already have a car.”
“But honey, this car is way better. It’s got leather seats and seat warmers—”
“Enough,” I barked, making Whitney jump. I pointed at her and ordered, “You stay right there,” before turning back to Danika, my tone much lighter as I requested, “Baby, help me out and get all the kids back inside, yeah?”
She hesitated for a beat, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. She didn’t want to leave me, not when she was so uncertain about the scene that was about to unfold. But she eventually nodded her head. “Okay, honey.”
With the help of Nona and Tempie, she started wrangling all the kids back into the house. My dad, Hayes, Trick, and Micah stayed where they were, standing just a few feet behind me. “You good, man?” Hayes asked, his arms crossed over his chest, his severe frown pinned on Whitney.
“I’m good. You guys head inside while I handle this.”
“You sure that’s wise?” Micah asked, knowing me better than most anyone. “We can hang out here . . .”
“I’m good,” I assured him. Then I looked to my old man, reading his concern. “I’ve got a lock on it. Just gimme a few minutes.” I waited until they turned to leave before spinning back around. “Hardin, inside, yeah?”
He took the same stance as Hayes had just seconds ago, arms over his chest, narrowed eyes pinned to his mom. “I’m stayin’.”
“Bud—”
“No, Dad. I’m stayin’. This involves me, so I got a say in it. And what I wanna say is, this was a total dick move, Mom.”
I hadn’t been expecting that, and by the shock written on Whit’s face, neither had she. It was a damn good thing Macie was having a sleepover with some of her friends from gymnastics tonight, because she did not need to see what was about to go down.
The shock quickly gave way to anger, and she scowled at my boy, crying, “Hardin! You will not talk to me like that.”
“Why?” he threw back. “Because you don’t like hearin’ the truth?”
“Hardin—” I started, but he cut me off.
“Dad, you know I’m right. You know. I’m not stupid. I know what this is. Even before you guys divorced, you talked about this, and I know you talked to her about it again weeks ago, ’cause I heard her on the phone with you. You guys agreed, you’d be the one to get the car, and it wouldn’t be somethin’ new and expensive ’cause a sixteen-year old kid doesn’t need somethin’ like that.” He threw his arm back at the Mustang.
“Baby, I just wanted to do something nice for you.”
At Whitney’s bullshit declaration, he spun back around on her. “No, this was you pullin’ the same crap you always pull, trying to make me pick a favorite parent. That’s totally messed up, and I’m sick of it.” He whipped around to face me, and the anguish I saw in my boy’s eyes fucking wrecked me. His cheeks were flushed, his chest was rising and falling at a rapid pace, and I could see it all, right there, he was fighting a battle not to lose it. “I’m done. I can’t do this anymore, Dad. I wanna live with you.”
Ah hell.
“Hardin, honey—”
“No!” he shouted at Whitney. “What you’ve been doin’, putting me in the middle of all this shit, it’s so wrong, Mom, and I’m done.” His eyes returned to me, and there was no missing the desperation in the hazel depths as he pleaded, “Please, Dad. I know I’ve been a jerk, and I’m sorry. I promise I won’t do it anymore. Just . . . I wanna live here, and I swear, no more bein’ an asshole. Just let me live here.”
“We can discuss this later, bud.”
“I want to discuss it now,” he insisted. “I can’t go back there, Dad.”
Christ, I was completely and totally gutted. “Emotions are high right now, son. I’m not tryin’ to brush you off, but you need time to think and to cool off. That said, you know I want you here as much as I can get you, so after you’re done thinkin’ on it, if it’s what you’re still wantin’, no way I’d ever say no.”
“I’m not gonna change my mind,” he insisted.
Moving to him, I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed, giving him the tiniest shake. “Just think, bud. That’s all I’m askin’. Now I need you to do me a favor and go inside. I need a private word with your mom.”
The struggle warring inside of him registered on his face clear as day, but he finally nodded and headed for the house. I watched him, letting out a sigh of relief when the door opened to reveal Danika and Amy, already waiting for him. His girl threw her arms around his neck in a hug while my woman met my eyes and smiled reassuringly. Between those two, I knew they’d do what they could to take care of my boy until I could get to him.
I turned back to Whitney once the door closed behind them, not at all surprised when she jumped right in. “If you think for one second that I’m gonna let him live here with that . . . that woman running around, you’re out of your mind.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I barked so loud her mouth clamped shut. “Christ, do you ever listen? This is precisely the bullshit your son just laid out, and you didn’t hear a goddamn word. If Hardin decides this is what he really wants, there isn’t a fucking thing you can do to stop it. If I have to take your ass to court, spend every cent I have, I’ll do it, gladly.”
“You can’t—”
“I can, and you know it. He’s old enough to make that choice on his own, and if you fight it, I’ll make sure he has everything he needs at his back to get what he wants. You came here, playin’ another game, and it blew up in your face. I warned you if you didn’t stop screwing with our kids’ heads you’d regret it, and you didn’t listen. You never listen. These are the consequences, Whitney. You’ve alienated your own son; that’s somethin’ you’ll have to live with until you either get your head out of your ass and start actin’ like a mom or for the rest of your life. That’s your call.”
“I-I . . .” Her eyes filled with tears. These weren’t fake, they were genuine and filled with fear and sadness. “I don’t know how this happened.”
“If that’s really true, then you haven’t been payin’ attention, and that’s on you too. Not sure if you just burned up your last chance with Hardin, but you still have a shot with Macie. My suggestion, don’t fuck that up the way you have this.”
With that, I turned on my heel and headed back inside.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Danika
I sat in the middle of Leo’s bed, my legs crossed in front of me as I waited for him to join me as soon as he finished checking on Hardin.
After the showdown out front with Whitney, we’d all done what we could to salvage the party. It took him a while, but with Amy’s close attention, Jed’s gift at making everyone and anyone laugh, and Leo’s watchful eye, he’d managed to shake off some of the hurt and at least enjoy the rest of the day.
But now the party was over. His friends had all gone home, the house had been cleaned, night had fallen, and Hardin had commandeered Roscoe, taking my pup with him to his room. What we were concerned about was Hardin slipping into a dark mood. That was what Leo had wanted to check on before coming to bed.
I was in the middle of rubbing my nighttime moisturizing lotion into my hands when the bedroom door opened and Leo walked through, shutting it firmly behind him. I quickly screwed the lid on the jar, leaned over, and deposited it on the nightstand on the side of the bed that had been silently designated as mine.
“Is Hardin okay?” I asked sitting up straight.
His movements were tense and agitated as he began undressing, chucking his clothes in the direction of the hamper, but missing by at least a foot.
“No,” he bit out. “He’s still dead set on livin’ here. Says he’s done with his mother’s shit.”
I couldn’t say I blamed him. He’d been forced into the middle of his parents’ divorce and everything that came after, all because of her. The more I thought on that, the more pissed I got. I couldn’t wrap my head around a mother putting her own child in that position. I was so angry I wanted to hop in my car, track her down, and beat some sense into that foul woman.
Waiting for Forever (Hope Valley Book 8) Page 21