Distracted: An Everyday Heroes Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Michelle Fernandez

  “Are you not going to let me talk to Lily?”

  “Call her tomorrow. I don’t know how much she’s heard,” I whisper the last part under my breath. I quickly end the call, not giving Rochelle a chance to say goodbye. She’ll be pissed she didn’t get to talk to Lily, but she’ll get over it.

  “Hey, Buttercup. What are you doing out of bed?” I ask. I rest the wineglass on the coffee table and pat the sofa. “Come here.”

  Lily makes her way around the couch. “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Why not?” I scoop her up onto my lap.

  “I had a bad dream,” she says, snuggling into my chest. I breathe her in as my nose nestles in her brown hair.

  “But you have Astra.” I tug on her stuffed unicorn’s leg. “Is she not protecting you from bad dreams?”

  “Something is wrong. Astra must be sick, and that is why she’s not chasing the bad people away.”

  “What bad people, sweetie?” Lily piques my interest. She’s never had a nightmare and for her to mention bad people is something new.

  “Did you watch a scary movie that I don’t know about, Lily? You know you are not allowed.”

  “No, Mommy. I didn’t watch a scary movie.”

  “Then what is it?” I comb her hair back with my fingers.

  “When I went to the park with Mrs. Betsy and Luke . . . a man was sitting on the bench.”

  Goosebumps prickle my skin. “What man? Did he hurt you?”

  “No. He was just sitting there.”

  “Where was Betsy?”

  “She was pushing Luke and me on the swings.”

  “Did you tell her?” I ask.

  “The man wasn’t doing anything wrong.” Her innocent eyes look up at me. “He was sitting there.”

  “But if that man made you feel uncomfortable, it would have been okay to tell her. Did the man say anything to you?”

  She shakes her head. “No. He was just looking at me, and then he smiled.”

  “Did he do anything else?” I ask, scared of what the answer may be.

  “No.”

  “Then why were you scared of the man, Lily?” I ask firmly.

  “He had a gun.”

  “A what?” What the hell is a man doing in the park with a gun? And around children? I look at the clock on the cable box. It’s too late to call Betsy and ask if she remembers seeing this man.

  My job is to investigate the root cause of death, provide my findings, and my best determination of what could’ve happened. Is he a detective and looking for me? If so, he could have easily contacted the office. Or was he a criminal and possibly be connected to any of the cases I’ve worked on?

  My heart thumps, and a knot forms in my stomach as I hold my daughter.

  “Am I in trouble?”

  I kiss her forehead, needing to reassure her she is not in any trouble. And to mask my reaction to the information she has told me. Even though Betsy was there, and nothing happened, Lily is mine to protect. “No, Buttercup. But you should have said something to Mrs. Betsy. Now tell me . . . was this man with anyone else?”

  She shakes her head again, clutching her unicorn. “I don’t think so.”

  “Could this man possibly be a police officer?” I ask. “Did you see a badge?”

  “He wasn’t wearing a uniform,” she replies innocently.

  “Sometimes police officers don’t wear a uniform. Sometimes, they’re in regular clothes, like a detective.”

  “Oh, like Silver Badge?” she asks, then slaps her hand with her mouth. Her eyes light up, knowing she inadvertently tattled on herself. But I knew about the nights she snuck into Rocky’s room to watch the TV show. But now’s not the time to discuss that with her.

  I raise a brow. “Yes. Just like Silver Badge.”

  “You’re not mad at me, are you, Mommy?”

  “And what makes you say that?” I lift her chin with my fingers so I can look into her big blue eyes.

  “For keeping a secret. You said it earlier on the phone. The longer you keep a secret, the worse it gets.”

  Oh, and how the tables turn. “What else did you hear?” I ask.

  “Nothing. But it’s true, right, Mommy? Secrets aren’t good?” she asks with so much curiosity. How can I tell her that some secrets are meant to stay buried and some that resurface may hurt?

  “The thing with secrets, baby girl, is some secrets can be good. Like a secret hiding place. And some secrets can hurt people if they are found out at the wrong time.”

  “Auntie Rocky told me sometimes hiding secrets on purpose is like lying.”

  “That is true too.” Why do I feel like my five-year-old girl is scolding me? “But, when the secret is revealed, there are no more lies,” I say, trying to convince her. Who am I kidding? I’m a terrible mother for lying to my daughter and having her believe her dad died when she was a baby.

  Wetness brims my eyes and Lily wipes the lonely tear rolling down my face. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I didn’t mean to make you cry—no more secrets. I just didn’t know.”

  “I’m not mad, Lily.” I take her hand in mine and kiss her tiny palm.

  “Then, why are you sad?”

  “Sometimes, keeping a secret can be sad too,” I say. “What if I told you I have a secret, and it makes me sad to keep it to myself?”

  “If it is making you sad, you need to let it out,” she replies. “I don’t like it when you’re sad.”

  “But what if this secret gets out and makes a lot of people sad? Especially you.”

  Lily twists her lips, then lifts her unicorn to my face. “Then tell Astra. She’ll take your sadness away.”

  I kiss the top of Lily’s head, wishing it were that easy.

  Sabrina

  “Are you going to invite me in?” Spencer lets out a throaty chuckle as he removes his sunglasses and hooks them on his shirt collar. “And here I thought that amazing kiss I gave you the other night at least got my foot in the door.”

  “Amazing, huh?” I park my hand on my hip, loving this playful banter. “Let’s see how you do tonight and maybe, just maybe, I’ll invite you inside my house after our date.”

  “Our house,” he corrects.

  “Which you were giving up,” I retort.

  “Like I told you the other night, I am not giving up on us.” A grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. Spencer braces his hands on the door frame, and his blue eyes sparkle back at me. “Trust me, Buttercup. By the end of tonight, you will beg, I mean, politely ask me inside this house.”

  “You’re so sure of yourself?”

  “I’ve got plans for us.” He leans closer as a cocky grin spreads across his handsome face.

  He’s almost a head taller than me, forcing me to tilt my head back. “You do realize your toughest critic is not me. She’s about four feet tall? And these plans of yours have to impress her, not me.”

  “So, you do admit you’ve been awestruck by the Spencer-sex-appeal,” he says.

  “Sex appeal?” I question as I shoo him off with my hand. There’s no denying it. He is full of sex appeal. “As sure as you are about your sex appeal”—I air quote—“let’s see how you survive your time with Lily tonight. I want to take it slow for her.”

  “I understand . . .” His voice is cool and seductive.

  I want to touch him, feel his two-day scruff in my palms, and pull his lips to meet mine, but I won’t. Lily will be coming down those stairs, and the last thing I want her to see is Spencer and me so close, or worse, making out on the front porch.

  I study his eyes. The bluest of blues look back at me. I touch his chest to hold him from getting closer and my heart flutters. Jesus! How does he still make my stomach twist in knots and my thighs throb?

  My need for him grows and all I’ve dreamed about is being bathed in all that is Spencer Hayes, our naked bodies tangling between cotton sheets. Every inch of his skin and the firm muscles of his seductive body detains and arrests me.

  “Yes, please,” I murmur.

>   “I thought you’d see it my way.” He tilts his head with a cocky grin on his face.

  “Huh?” Shit! What did he ask me? I was in la-la land, and I have no idea what was said in the last few seconds. One moment I’m in control of my feelings, the next I’m a damn teenager drooling at the corner of my mouth.

  “I said it might be hard not to touch you tonight. I may have to sneak a kiss when Lily is not looking.”

  His chest touches mine, leaving me breathless. My throat goes dry and my heart is beating so hard I’m sure he can hear it. Spencer licks his lips as he inches closer. He’s going to kiss me, and I need to find the will power to push him away.

  “Mommy?” And right on cue, my willpower breaks our gaze.

  We both jump back, and my legs feel like jelly.

  “Hi, baby girl!” I turn to face Lily and straighten my shirt with my hands. “You ready?”

  “Hi, Lily,” Spencer greets her. “You look lovely this evening.”

  “Were you about to kiss my mommy?” she asks.

  “Um, no, sweetheart. Spencer was looking in my eye. I got some dust in there.” I hope Lily buys it.

  “I don’t think it was just dust that caught her eye,” Spencer says with his cocky smile, and I catch the innuendo. He turns to Lily and says with excitement, “Wow! Look at you, Lily! You are the prettiest five-year-old girl I’ve ever seen.”

  “I’ve never been on a date before.” Lily looks down at her denim capris and floral top. “Is this okay to wear, Spencie?”

  “You look adorable,” he says.

  I cover my mouth, hiding my smile. I told Lily I was chaperoning her date with Spencer. Lily’s smile beams as I run my fingers through her curly locks pulled up in a ponytail.

  “I must be the luckiest guy in the whole wide world,” Spencer bellows. “I’ve got the prettiest girl and the most beautiful woman by my side tonight.”

  “Flattery. Smooth one, Spencer,” I say.

  “It’s the truth.” He squats down to be eye level with Lily. “Are you ready for your surprise?”

  Lily giggles and my heart swells. “You have a surprise for me?”

  “I do. Are you ready?” Spencer puts his palm up and Lily places her hand in his.

  “Let’s go!” Lily squeals.

  “Spencer, can you grab Lily’s booster seat?” I ask, pointing to it by the front door.

  “Booster? What’s that for?” he asks.

  “Seriously? You’re a cop and you don’t know the California laws of having a child safely secured in a booster seat?”

  “I thought she was old enough to be out of the booster,” he replies.

  Is he serious? I shake my head. “You have some learning to do.”

  “I’m sure I’ll get my first lesson.” He grabs the booster with one hand while still holding Lily’s hand in the other as I lock the door.

  “Safety first,” Lily pipes up. “I learned that wearing a seatbelt keeps me from getting hurt. Why don’t they have booster seats for grown-ups? They should, you know. Are we going to eat now? I’m starving. Are you taking us to Peter Piper’s Pizza? That’s my favorite place to eat. I can eat pizza every night.”

  “Okay, that’s enough questions for now, sweetie. Let Spencer put the booster in the back seat.”

  Spencer opens the back door and rests the booster in the back. “Okay, hop in,” he says.

  “Spencer, you need to secure the booster with the seatbelt,” I tell him.

  “Oh. Okay. Hold on.”

  Lily and I watch as he pulls the lap belt and crosses it over the booster. “There. All done.”

  “That’s the wrong way, silly,” Lily says with a giggle.

  “I knew that, smarty-pants. I was just testing you.”

  “Uh-huh,” I mutter.

  Spencer unbuckles the belt and studies the booster like it’s a puzzle. He flips the booster and turns it around as he checks out the back of it.

  “Do you need some help?” I offer.

  “No, I got it,” he yells, fully emerged in the backseat. He coughs, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. I think he even mumbled the F word a couple of times. “This damn thing is tangled. Just give me a second.”

  “Mommy, he said a bad word,” Lily whispers and I laugh.

  “Let’s cut him some slack, sweetheart. He is trying,” I whisper, shielding my mouth so Spencer doesn’t hear us.

  Lily and I have been watching Spencer for the last ten minutes as he tries to secure the booster to the back seat. It’s quite comical.

  “You’re doing it wrong, silly,” Lily playfully scolds. “How am I going to get buckled in if the adult belt is in the way?”

  “Let me do it, Spencer,” I offer again, but he waves me off.

  Spencer unbuckles the seatbelt again and I hear a thump. “Ouch! Mother—”

  “Spencer! Language!” I yell.

  “Sorry . . .” he mumbles under his breath and I can’t make out what he’s saying. After another minute, he steps out, sweat beading down his forehead and out of breath. “There. All done.”

  Lily and I laugh as Spencer steps to the side and allows me to inspect his masterpiece. “Oh my god! What did you do, Spencer?” The seatbelts from both sides were pulled out all the way and triple knotted to the back of the booster.

  “Is it secure?” he asks as he leans in the doorway.

  I give it a firm tug, and the booster isn’t budging. “How are you going to unknot this booster when I need it for my car?”

  “Answer my question, Buttercup . . . is it secure?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Look, I’ll buy you another booster. This one I will now permanently claim as mine,” he says.

  Spencer

  “Three hotdogs, two Dr. Peppers, and an apple juice, please,” I tell the lady behind the concession stand.

  Lily hasn’t stopped jumping up and down since we arrived. I look down at Lily as her tiny fingers wrap around my hand. She is absolutely adorable. And I can see the mini-Sabrina of when we were kids.

  The lady comes back with a brown box with the food I just ordered. I give Lily the juice box to hold and I grab the sodas and food.

  “Where are we sitting, Spencie?” Lily asks.

  “Where would you like to sit?” I ask as we make our way to the tables.

  Lily points to the end, closest to the ring toss. “Here!” she squeals. “So I can see who will win that giant unicorn.”

  I haven’t been to a carnival since I was a kid. The smell of churros and popcorn fill the air along with the bells of the winner dings. Large stuffed animals tower over the people that are carrying them. The world’s worries are outside this bubble, and it feels good not to think and just be with Sabrina and Lily.

  I am in amazement, watching this little girl chow down her hotdog as she sits next to me. My god, this little girl can eat.

  “Spencie, did you know my birthday is coming? And I’m going to get lots of presents. I want another unicorn. Auntie Rocky promised to get me an autograph from The Beast?”

  I take a sip from the straw before I speak. “Like Beauty and the Beast?”

  Lily giggles. “No, silly. Like Dean The Beast Kraygen. Auntie Rocky works with him. Well, at least for a little while. My auntie is a good boxer too. She takes me to Tiny Tigers.”

  My eyes go wide and I am completely overwhelmed with what Lily just spewed out of her mouth. How the hell does this little girl know about boxing?

  “And how do you know Dean Kraygen?” I ask.

  “Me and Auntie Rocky watched a fight one night. She said it was for research. But I think she likes him.” She takes another bite from her hotdog. “Do you like my mommy?” she asks with a mouthful.

  Afraid to answer her question, I fire back with one. “Is that hotdog good?”

  Lily nods. “Hotdogs are my favorite.”

  “But I thought you said pizza was your favorite,” I remind her.

  “I can have more than one favorite,” she tells
me. “Spencie, if I eat all my food, can I have that?” she asks, pointing at the little girl walking by us with a heaping mound of ice cream on a waffle cone. Her face brightens as her eyes go wide. I swear I saw her salivating.

  Is that even allowed? Can she have a sweet treat after she eats dinner? Technically, hotdogs and apple juice are considered dinner.

  “Will your mom let you have ice cream after you eat?” I ask before I make her a promise.

  “Yup. Only if I eat everything.” Her blue eyes meet mine as she finishes the last of her food. “See? All done,” she says, stuffing the bread in her mouth. A birthmark on her pinkie finger catches my attention. It’s similar to the one I have. I study her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

  She looks just like Sabrina except for those blue eyes. There’s something about Lily that pulls at me. An overthinker by nature and profession, another question loiters in my brain when I do the math again.

  “What are you doing?” Lily asks, confusion written all over her face.

  I clear my throat, realizing I’ve been staring a beat too long. Sabrina left for the restroom over ten minutes ago, and I wonder if I have time to ask Lily what I’ve been dying to know. “Can I ask you something, Lily?”

  She shifts in her seat, eyes attentive, and straightens her shoulders. “If it’s a hard question, I don’t know if I can answer it, but I will do my best.”

  Sounds reasonable.

  “Does your Mom ever talk about your daddy?”

  Her once bright face turns sad and I hate that I put it there. “I’m sorry,” I tell her. “You don’t have to answer that.”

  “Mommy doesn’t talk about him,” she whispers, picking at her nail. “But I know she misses him.”

  I take her hand and squeeze it. “How do you know that?”

  “One time I heard her crying when I came into her room when I couldn’t sleep. When I asked her if she was hurt, she told me she just missed my daddy.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “Mommy told me he died in a car accident.”

  A car accident? What the hell? Sabrina told me he’s not in the picture. Callie told me the bastard left them when Lily was a baby. Something is not adding up.