by Liz Lovelock
Theo’s reply is instant.
Theo: I heard the call. I needed to sit down. It’s been a long time since I heard him talk to you like that. Do you have a food stash? Maybe the apocalypse is happening. But I did try and fill him in on Craig’s doings lately.
Theo, always the exaggerator.
Scarlett: Haha. Maybe that’s what’s happening. How crazy is it about the money? You haven’t used it, have you?
Theo: I have no need to. Plus, we all agreed we’d talk before we touched that money. It’s Mom’s, and after we got our part that she left us, the rest of it mostly gets used for charity work. That’s what we all agreed to.
Scarlett: I know. Hopefully the police and Dad can figure it out. Well, I’m going to enjoy my week. Talk to you later.
I place my phone on the counter, pull a notebook from my bag, and write a list of things I need from the store. All the chocolate, sweets, and carbs.
Grabbing my keys and handbag, I head for the door and pull it open.
“Lachlan,” I almost scream, my heart skipping a thousand beats. “What the hell are you doing here, and how the hell did you get my address?”
Her face flames bright red, and I’m not sure if it’s in anger or embarrassment. I should be the one embarrassed. Stooping to bribery was a little low. But offering game tickets to Vivian in exchange for Scarlett’s address was worth it.
“Explain yourself,” she says as she crosses her arms over her chest and taps her shoe.
“Okay, okay. Vivian told me where you were.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m going to kill her next time I see her.”
“I had to bribe her. She told me you were pissed and that you didn’t want to talk to me. But I need you to listen. I have to explain something to you.”
“Actually, Lachlan, I should explain,” Levi says from behind me. Urgh. I should not have told him about this during the car ride here.
Scarlett leans around me and stares at him.
“I thought I told you to wait in the car?” I give him a direct look.
He hangs his head briefly and then meets Scarlett’s eyes.
“And why should you explain?” Her tone is a lot kinder toward him.
“I think it’s best if we do this inside,” I say before Levi can continue.
Scarlett sighs and then moves aside, letting us in.
“Wow! This place is massive. Look at that view.” Levi rushes over to the back glass door.
I clear my throat, and Levi turns to face us then comes back into the living room.
“Now, I only came here to talk to you. We won’t stay. I need you to understand why I didn’t respond yesterday.”
She takes a seat on the couch and waits. “Continue. You’ve got me cornered now.” Her eyes flick between us both. Is she trying to decide how Levi fits into my life?
“You know how I mentioned Levi the other night?”
She nods.
“Well, this is him, obviously. We’ve been friends for about twelve months, and I’ve been helping him keep his nose clean. Yesterday, he got himself into trouble, and I had to go look after it, and now I’ve got him living with me. He’s a foster kid, and things weren’t going well at the house he was living. So, I’ve taken him in.” Damn, it feels good to get that off my chest.
Scarlett’s wide-eyed stare flicks between both of us. What is she thinking?
Levi steps forward, his gaze low. “It’s true. I was stupid. It’s my fault.”
Scarlett laughs. “You’ve got him trained well, Lachlan. I believe you, but why couldn’t you just tell me?”
I sink into the white cushion of the couch beside her. “Because I felt it was something we should talk about in person. I didn’t want to load all of that on you in a phone call or message. Plus, I think having Levi here softened the blow a little. Even though I told him to stay in the car.” I nudge her shoulder playfully. “Am I forgiven?”
Scarlett purses her lips and stares between us. “We’ll see,” she says with a smile.
“Uh, excuse me, Lachlan.”
I turn toward Levi. “What’s up?”
“Do you mind if I go explore the beach?”
“Um, I’m not sure.” I come back to Scarlett. “Will he be all right at the beach on his own?”
“Yeah, he’ll be fine. It’s a safe area here,” she assures me.
Turning to Levi, I say, “Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll come get you shortly. Just stay out front of this place, please.”
“Awesome. Thank you.” Levi rushes to the back door, exits, and runs down the sand dunes.
“He’s a good kid. I couldn’t see him go back to that house.”
“Where did the bruise on his face come from?”
I swallow the rising anger. “It was his foster father. Poor kid.” There’s a small silence as I let her try to soak in what I’m saying. “I understand if you don’t want to give a relationship a shot, given my new circumstances. I handled things badly, and I know that. We were getting close, and now I’ve brought a teenager into the mix.” Dread fills every part of me. “I really don’t want this to end before it’s even really had a chance to begin yet. I’m in this. You stole my breath all those years ago, and you continue to do it now.” I reach out and take her hand in mine. I wish I could read her mind. “Please tell me what you’re thinking.”
She squeezes my hand, and it goes right to my chest. “I’m honestly not sure. It’s like we’re going from one to a hundred right from the start, and to add in Levi? I’m really confused. I mean, what you’re doing is amazing, and I’m so glad you did what you did. I just worry. What will the rest of America think? About me? About Levi? Hell, did Wyatt drop dead when you told him?”
I laugh at the thought.
“He helped me. I want you to have a choice, though. You mean more to me than anything, and I know this whole thing between us seems rushed and is moving fast. I know what I want, Scarlett, and it’s you. I also want Levi, though. I can’t put him back into the system and not know what’s going on with him. Now that he’s under my roof, I can keep an eye on him and give him some of the things other kids like him may not get in life.” My voice catches in my throat, so I quickly clear it away.
Scarlett shuffles closer and presses her hand to my cheek. She leans in and her mouth is on mine in seconds. She tastes like sweet apple mixed with mint. I release her hand and pull her onto my lap. Our kiss deepens. I pour all of my love for her into this kiss to try to take away her worries.
She pulls back slightly. “I don’t want this—whatever it is—to end just yet. Yes, I was pissed at you, but you’re such a good man, how can I stay mad? I want this to work, and if it means Levi is included, then so be it. We can make it work, can’t we?”
“I have no doubt that all things will figure themselves out how they’re meant to.” I seal the deal with another lock of our lips. I need to taste her again. “I’ve missed your lips; they’re one of my favorite parts about you. So soft, kissable,” I whisper.
Scarlett giggles.
“I’m so glad I took the chance to come to you.”
“I’m not so sure Vivian will survive when I get back. Some friend she is. I’ll also have to thank her,” she whispers seductively, her warm breath hitting my lips. “You do realize that having a kid around will kill certain opportunities for sex?”
My arms tighten around her waist. “I do, but I also know that he’ll be down at the beach until I come looking for him. It seems we have some time.”
I drop my hands to her ass and stand with her wrapped around me. She giggles, and it’s the perfect sound I’ve been waiting to hear.
I pull my shirt over my head. “You better get dressed faster than me. I have no doubt that boy will have run off by now. It feels like we took forever.”
Lachlan moves to the window. “Would you believe me if I said I can see him from here?”
“Yeah, but he must be bored out of his brain. I know I would be.” I grab my pants from the floor a
nd start yanking them back on in a panic.
“He looks like he’s found some kids to hang out with.” A hint of worry echoes in his words.
“Don’t worry, the kids around here are pretty friendly.”
Once my clothes are firmly back on my body, I stalk over to him and wrap my arms around his large, bare-chested frame. Dylan is right; he is like Thor. I inhale his musky scent as though it’s going to be the last time I’m with him. “Will you stay?”
He twists in my arms and puts his around me. This is the place I want to be. No other man has ever made me feel how Lachlan does.
He sighs and swoops in for another quick kiss before answering, “I wish I could, but Levi has a court appearance coming up, and I have practice every day. But being here with you is exactly where I want to be. I have no doubt Levi would enjoy himself immensely.”
I give him a pouty-lipped sad face. “I wish you could stay. If you need any legal help, be sure to ask Vivian if she can refer a friend.”
“Well, she was my first call, and she put me onto one of the best people who deal with this type of thing.”
I step back. “Come on, we better go get this boy and grab some food. I’m starving, and I need to go to the shops. I’m going to stay for a couple more days.”
“Okay, beautiful. Let’s go feed you, even though I don’t want to let you go.” He tightens his arms around me for a moment then drops them.
I stare at the ripple of his muscles as he tugs the shirt over his head. “Definitely Thor,” I mutter as I slip my flip flops on.
“What was that?” he asks.
“Nothing, just talking to myself,” I say, smiling.
“How about we drop this stuff off back at the house and then go get dinner, and afterwards, we’ll drive home?” Lachlan asks.
Levi groans. “Do we have to leave? This place is awesome.”
“Yes, we have to go back, or did it slip your mind why you’re here in the first place? Plus, I’m sure Scarlett would let us come back at a later date.” Lachlan gives me a sideways glance.
“Yep. I’ll get an extra key cut, and you can come up when Lachlan has some spare time.”
“Okay,” he grumbles, clearly still not happy about having to leave.
Thirty minutes later, we’ve dropped food home and unpacked the cold stuff. Now, we’re sitting in a lovely, summer-type restaurant. It’s not too busy, but eyes do wander to us as we walk through to our table.
My phone vibrates as we sit down, so I check it and inwardly groan.
Craig: Fancy seeing you here. What a coincidence.
My eyes shoot up like darts seeing their target. An unnerving feeling swirls in the pit of my stomach as it turns to acid.
“What’s wrong?” Lachlan asks.
My attention turns to him, and I slide my phone across the table.
“Are you serious? Why would he be here?” he practically growls. His jaw muscles tense then release and then repeat the action.
“I don’t know.”
“What drinks can I get you all?” a red-headed waitress asks, a little too enthusiastically. She obviously has eyes on Lachlan’s bulging biceps that his sleeves are hugging nicely.
“Just some waters, please,” Lachlan answers with a smile.
She hands us some menus and then scurries away.
“What am I going to do? I don’t like the fact that Craig is here,” I whisper to Lachlan, not wanting to alarm Levi who appears engrossed in his menu.
I know kids tend to have flappy ears and don’t miss much at all.
“Come home tonight, with us.”
I shake my head. “No, I need some time away. How does he know what I’m doing and where I am? Maybe I should hire a PI, and they can follow him around to see what it is he’s actually doing.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” he agrees.
“Well, well, well,” Craig drawls as he steps up beside our table. “Now you’ve multiplied.”
Anxiety tightens around my throat. “What do you want?” I hiss.
He looms in a suit. Wait. Is that the suit he wore when we got married? My eyes narrow at him.
He holds his hands up in defense. “Just down here for business, that’s all.”
“Business my ass,” I mutter.
“Would you look at you. You’ve moved on rather quickly.”
“I don’t need to explain anything to you. We’ve been over for a year. Would you please leave?”
Craig shoves his hands into his pant pockets. “Come now, Scarlett. You know I can’t do that.”
Lachlan rises from his seat and towers over Craig, and I have no doubt he could knock him out with one punch.
Standing, I take Lachlan’s arm in mine. “Don’t worry about it, Lachlan. Don’t get yourself into trouble for me. Sit down.” I level my gaze at Craig. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”
Craig laughs. What did I ever see in this man? He’s vile. “Oh, Scarlett, your threats mean nothing to me, but I will leave you to enjoy your night. You’ll hear from me soon enough.” He winks and then leaves.
I release the breath I’d been holding, and my jelly-like limbs drop back into the chair.
“Who was that?” Levi asks as he watches Craig walk out the door.
“That is my ex-husband. Clearly, I made a mistake marrying him.” My hands tremble as I pick up one of the complimentary bread sticks. Lachlan must have noticed it, as his hand comes up and takes my free one, giving it a squeeze.
“Are you okay?” he whispers in my ear.
“Yeah. A little shook up, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“I really wanted to punch him.”
“I know, but I couldn’t let you do that. I’d hate for you to be in trouble.”
“Yeah, probably a good idea since my contract is coming up, and I’m waiting to sign a new one either this week or next.” His eyes scan the room. “He makes my blood boil. One day, he’ll get his.”
“Yes, he will. I can only hope it’s sooner rather than later. I—I wish he’d just leave me alone,” I stutter.
Lachlan squeezes my hand again. “Don’t worry. Things will work out how they’re supposed to.”
I nod, but deep in the pit of my stomach, I know a storm is coming and its name is Craig. I’d hate to think about what he’s capable of. I doubt he’d hurt me, but the way he’s been acting is not like the Craig I remember or know at all. And after witnessing Lachlan’s reaction, I think it’s best I keep my thoughts to myself until I can get it over with.
I shoot a quick message to Vivian.
Scarlett: Put the hard stuff on Craig. I want a restraining order on him because he’s just shown up here of all places. He’s obviously following me.
I hit send, and it’s not long before she replies.
Vivian: Are you serious? That man has some serious issues. It’ll be the first thing I do tomorrow. Gah! He makes me angry.
Scarlett: You and me both.
Vivian: Don’t worry, Scarlett, I’m all over this.
Scarlett: Thank you.
I slip my phone back into my bag and attempt to enjoy the evening that started out so well. I have no doubt Craig has something planned. I just don’t know what it is or how bad it might get.
“Scarlett, I have to head back to the city. I’ve got to prepare for the game.” Lachlan whispers against my ear. I crack my eyes open and blink a couple of times.
“Do you really have to?” I whine and stretch, then I notice he’s fully clothed and sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Yes, I do. Sorry beautiful. I’ll call you later. Enjoy your time here.” With one last kiss he exits my room and I fall back into a blissful sleep.
Sun seeps through the crack of my curtain and a constant buzzing brings me out of my sleep. Reaching for my vibrating phone on the bedside table, I stifle a yaw and answer. “This better be good.” I grumble.
“Scarlett . . .” My father’s voice wakes me up.
“Dad, is everything okay? Did you find
the answers you were looking for with the account?”
“Uh . . . no. I wanted to ring you. I know I don’t need to remind you what day it is today.”
“Mom’s birthday.”
He clears his throat. Dad isn’t a man who discusses feelings and emotions, so why would he be calling me to discuss mom? “I have had a lot going on lately and I know I haven’t been the best father,” that’s an understatement, I wanted to say, but he continues. “Things with your mother and I were hard, yes, we loved each other but there was a time I didn’t pay her the attention she deserved, and her eyes wandered to another man.”
“What?” My voice raises a notch. This is news to me. “Mom cheated?”
“She said that it was never full on cheating, it was a close friendship. He gave her attention and his wife wasn’t happy about it either and so they ended it. I’m not sure if anything ever happened but since then things were hard between us. I found it hard to rebuild our relationship. It’s my own fault though. I should have respected her more.”
Where is he going with this?
“Is there a reason you feel the need to tell me this?”
“I realize that I’m treating you how I treated her and that’s not right. I need to do better. I want to do better. Will you give me a chance?” His words crack as he speaks.
I’m stunned into silence. He wants to fix things. “Are you dying? Why the sudden urge to fix our relationship?” My hand comes to my mouth and I start chewing my nails, waiting for his reply.
“Your mother died young and I hope she was happy. But it’s got me thinking that what if something happened to me and we never repaired our relationship. I don’t think I could ever forgive myself.”
“I understand that. Dad, I’m happy to let the past stay in the past and try over.” A lump forms in my throat as the emotion of the moment thickens.
“I’d really like that. Thank you, Scarlett. Just know that I do love you. You’re my only daughter, and I’m very proud of you and what you’ve achieved.”
“Oh, dad. Don’t start with the mushy.” I laugh. His chuckles comes through the line and it brings a smile to my face.