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

by Michelle Fernandez

  “Not funny,” she playfully swats my arm. “Let’s hope she doesn’t ask. You know this is our life now.”

  “And I look forward to it.”

  Spencer

  “So, what brings you in, Spence?” Grant asks as we walk toward his desk.

  “I told Sabrina I’d check on something for her,” I say as I take a seat.

  “What’s on your mind?”

  “Your mom took Lily and Luke to the park a couple of weeks ago. If Betsy saw anything strange, she would tell you, right?”

  “I suppose. Like what?” Grant is at full attention as he studies my face.

  I rub my temples. Parenting is new, and I have had little interaction with kids, but I’m learning pretty quickly with Lily. That little girl has an imagination, and I hope when I ask, it’s just that.

  I lower my voice before I speak. “Lily told Sabrina she saw a man at the park. He wasn’t doing much of anything other than sitting on a bench. It could be Lily’s imagination, but she swears she saw a gun inside the man’s jacket.”

  He gives me a look as he scratches the top of his head. “You know, someone else made a complaint about a man in the park.” Grant rummages through a pile of folders and pulls one out. When he opens it, his fingers run down the paper. “Teresa Hughes. Says here she was part of her Neighborhood Watch back East before she moved to Sunnyville a month ago. Her statement describes the man approximately six feet tall with a goatee and dark hair.”

  “That describes half of the male population in this town. Any markings or tattoos?”

  “Miss Hughes stated the man was wearing a dark overcoat and hat.”

  “Can I see that?” Grant hands me the file. “Says here that the unknown male loitered around the park for at least an hour. But it doesn’t say anything else.”

  “I had no idea this man was there the same day,” Grant says. “Had I known, I would’ve asked my mom.”

  I close the file and hand it back to Grant. “Do you mind just asking her if she remembers anything else from that day?”

  “Yeah, sure.” Grant throws the file on the desk. “What are you thinking, Spencer?”

  I’ve been trained to trust my instincts. Could it have to do with the case I just closed? I was so focused on getting Sabrina back, I never thought about my work following me here. Or does this have to do with Sabrina? She is in forensics, after all. With our line of work, it’s hard to tell.

  If someone is coming after me, that’s one thing. But to sit in a park and watch my daughter gets my blood boiling.

  “Lily said this perp watched her the whole time. That doesn’t sit right with me, Grant. I may be way off, but what if he was waiting for his opportunity to snatch my little girl?”

  “We have had no reported kidnappings or missing persons. But I’ll have an officer check out the park again and ask if anyone can give us more information.”

  “Thanks, man, I appreciate it.” My eyes shift to the opening door and a familiar face enters. “What’s he doing here?” I ask, pointing my chin to the other side of the space.

  Grant looks over his shoulder. “Kenny? He’s one of the investors funding the Sunnyville Police Smoke-out barbeque. He’s also got a booth to start a suicide support group dedicated to his sister, Gina. He was looking for a few volunteer officers to be the face of his booth.”

  “I didn’t realize he was involved with the police force, let alone with the community,” I say.

  “Kenny dabbles here and there. You should come, bring Sabrina and Lily.”

  “Where?” I ask.

  “Ironically, it’s at the very park Lily saw your perp.”

  Weighing his words, the knowing look Grant gives me as a friend and fellow detective tells me this unknown man may be there.

  “Detective Malone. Spencer,” Kenny interrupts, and we stand to be eye level with him. “You must be talking about the park where we will have our barbeque.”

  “Kenny.” I extend my arm, and we shake hands. Is it bad for me to have my guard up about this guy? Kenny has done nothing wrong except try to steal my girl at Hooligans a couple of weeks ago.

  “I assume you will be joining us, Spencer?” Kenny asks. “And bring Sabrina and that little girl of hers. Lily, is it?”

  “Funny story. It turns out Lily is their daughter,” Grant pipes in as he claps my shoulder.

  “Yes. It’s the talk of the town—how Spencer and Sabrina were meant to be together after all,” Kenny says.

  I keep my cool by shrugging and say, “What’s meant to be will be.”

  “Every man deserves a second chance,” Kenny says.

  “That’s for sure.” Grant chuckles, and I assume he’s speaking from experience.

  Kenny clears his throat and hands me a flyer. “Here is the information about the barbeque. If you’re free, I could use some more volunteers to man the booth.”

  I take the paper. Gina’s high school photo, along with others, is on the front. The other side contains information about the upcoming Celebration of Life commemoration and for raising suicide awareness.

  “We are raising money to restore the old community center. Once finished, we will have volunteer counselors on-site, so teens have a place to go and talk to someone,” Kenny adds.

  “I think it’s a great thing you’re doing,” Grant says. “I’ve seen the plans. It also has a rec room with pool tables, ping-pong, and a large seating area for kids to just hang out.”

  “Grant has already signed up for the two o’clock slot tomorrow. He could use your help,” Kenny urges.

  I look over at Grant. “Yeah, sure. Why not?”

  Kenny and I shake hands. “Thank you, Spencer. And thank you, Detective Malone.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Grant nods with a smile.

  “Well, I am late for a meeting at City Hall. See you tomorrow.”

  We watch Kenny walk out the swinging double doors, and then Grant turns to me. “So, how are things going with you and Sabrina?”

  “It’s good. Actually, it’s great,” I say with a cheesy smile that is plastered on my face. “She deserves better, but someone up there is looking out for me.”

  “It’s gotta blow your mind, being a dad overnight.”

  I laugh. “Instant love, man. I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing daughter.”

  “What’s your plan now?”

  “Sabrina and I haven’t set things in stone. She has the house she inherited, and then there’s her job in San Francisco.”

  “And your job?” Grant adds.

  “I go where she goes,” I answer.

  Grant’s eyes go wide. “Just like that, huh?”

  “Yup. Just like that.”

  Grant leans in and lowers his voice. “Listen, I heard one of ours is looking to transfer to the East Coast. I could put a good word in for you.”

  “Thanks. But I think Sabs wants to stay in San Francisco.”

  “Well, if things change, at least you have the option.”

  My only option is to make Sabrina and Lily happy. They are my future, and I can’t imagine my life without them. There is nothing, I mean nothing, that will tear us apart again.

  Sabrina

  Did my sister say what I thought she said? I look at my cell phone in disbelief and bring it back to my ear. “You’re what?”

  “I’m not coming back,” Gabby states.

  I push Lily’s wheelchair forward as we stand in line to order our food for Spencer and Grant. The smokiness and charred aroma of burgers, chicken, and ribs fills the air. Spencer was only slotted to work the booth for a couple of hours, but one of the other volunteers didn’t make it, leaving him and Grant to man it until the next person shows up.

  “Are you sure?” I ask, worried she’s making a big mistake. “Don’t you want to think about it?”

  “Sabs, it’s so beautiful here,” she muses. “You remember the summer we visited with Mom, Dad, and Nonna?”

  “I do,” I say, remembering the country’s rustic beaut
y and history. The art, architecture, and delicious food everywhere we visited never ceased to amaze me.

  “So, you understand?”

  I nod as if she can see me. “I do. It’s easy to fall in love with Nonna’s estate.”

  “I belong here, and I think Nonna knew that.”

  I look down at my daughter, who is eyeing a passing plate full of ribs. Nonna knew many things, and I truly believe she had been planning our future, including Lily’s.

  “Where are you?” Gabby asks as a band strikes a tune on the stage.

  “I’m at Sunnyville’s police barbeque event, and I’m in line to order food for Spencer.”

  “Spencer? Care to fill me in, sis? Last time I saw you two together was at Nonna’s reading, and I swear there was bad blood between you two.”

  “Well, we made up,” I say, then lower my voice, “I told him, Gabby . . . about Lily.”

  “And how did he take it?”

  I quickly give Gabby the Cliff Notes version of the events in the last several weeks, ending with our Disneyland trip. It’s unreal how it feels not to harbor any secrets. As I look down at my daughter, my heart swells when I think about how she and Spencer immediately connected. If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.

  “I think I have officially fallen in love with Spencer Hayes,” Gabby muses.

  “Hey, back off, sister. Find your own Spencer Hayes.” I giggle.

  “You sound so happy.” I can hear her smile through the line.

  “I am. It’s like things are falling into place. Weird, right?”

  “No, not weird at all. Just cosmic.”

  “Cosmic?” I question. “Are you back on that astrology stuff again?”

  “Funny. I’m just saying we lost Mom, Dad, and Nonna, and their deaths gave you life and love. Lily and Spencer. This is exactly how it’s supposed to be for you. You’ve always wanted a family, and now you have it.”

  “And what about you, Gabby?”

  “I’m working on myself while I’m out here,” she says.

  “I hate that you’re alone,” I say. She’s my baby sister, and I worry about her and her free spirit. She is the epitome of going where the wind blows, and the gust took her to Italy without a backward glance.

  “Trust me, I’m fine.” She takes in a sigh. “This is how I cope, Sabbie. Between the divorce, Nonna’s funeral, and other shit I need to figure out, Italy is exactly where I need to be.”

  Lily turns in her wheelchair and points to the man behind the counter. It’s our turn to order. “Listen, I gotta go. Please stay in touch.”

  “Okay, and you keep me posted about those wedding bells.”

  I laugh. “I will. Love you, Gabs.”

  “Love you back, Sabs.”

  We order our food, and in a flash, three men pile food in styrofoam boxes—a rack of ribs, potato salad, and corn on the cob. I place the food on Lily’s lap as I push her toward Spencer’s booth.

  He and Grant have been handing out novelties such as plastic sunglasses, rubber wristbands, hats, and hand sanitizer. Each item is printed with the suicide hotline and information about the renovated community center’s grand opening in a couple of weeks.

  Spencer smiles and I swear I see him drooling. The poor guy rushed out of the house this morning without breakfast when Grant honked the horn to pick him up. Morning sex is unavoidable with Spencer, and Lily in a cast means we don’t have to worry about her interrupting us.

  “There are my girls,” Spencer says, licking his lips and rubbing his stomach. “And the food.”

  He’s wearing a yellow Sunnyville Community Center T-shirt with a white daisy on it. Those men look absolutely adorable. Even though Grant is handsome, Spencer is downright hot. His broad shoulders fill the shirt and his biceps stretch the hem of the fabric. A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I glance at his cyborg tattooed arm and remember getting my small tattoo many years ago.

  “Hey, Sabrina,” Grant says, bringing my attention back to them. He raises his hand to Lily for a high five. “Hey there, little Lily.”

  Lily giggles and slaps Grant’s palm. “Hi, Grant. Do you know if Luke is coming?”

  “He and his grandmother should be here soon,” he answers.

  “Cool,” she says.

  “I hope you boys are hungry,” I say, arranging the styrofoam trays on the small table toward the back of the booth.

  “Starving,” Spencer says. He kisses my cheek, then leans down and presses his lips on Lily’s head. “What did you ladies bring us?”

  Lily grabs the stick with the corn on the cob and hands it to Spencer. “Here you go, Spencie,” she says.

  Spencer nibbles the side of the corn. “Delicious.”

  “Spence, why don’t you eat first?” Grant offers. “I’ll keep handing these out, and when you’re done, we’ll switch.”

  “Thanks, bro. I didn’t get a chance to eat breakfast this morning.” Spencer gives me a sexy-as-sin smile and my face heats with embarrassment.

  “Auntie Rocky says breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” Lily pipes up as I scoop some potato salad on her plate.

  “Preach it, Lily,” Grant cheers, passing a bottle of hand sanitizer with an SCC and daisy logo on it. “So why did you skip on breakfast, Spence?”

  “I, uh, overslept,” Spencer stammers.

  “Uh-huh.” A shit-eating grin widens Grant’s face as his eyes volley from me and back to Spencer. “Say no more. I’ve had my fair share of oversleeping.”

  “Yeah, Mommy and Spencie oversleep all the time,” Lily says with a mouthful of potato salad. “But I think they are playing growling bears, tickle games, and jumping on the bed.”

  Corn kernels spray out of Spencer’s mouth, Grant busts out laughing, and I know my face has turned beet red.

  “Um, what do you mean, Lily-pop?” Spencer asks Lily as he snatches a napkin and wipes his mouth.

  “I hear you and Mommy. Sometimes laughing. Sometimes screaming.” Her eyes meet mine. “Are you two fighting?”

  I take off my jacket, grab the flyer from the table, and fan myself. Is it hot out here? For the love of God, how do I end this conversation with both men and Lily waiting for an explanation?

  “Well, sweetheart. Um . . . Lily,” I clear my throat, “Spencie and I have disagreements, and sometimes he thinks he’s right.”

  Spencer leans his mouth close to my ear. “Yeah, like who wants to be on top.” His whisper is low; I almost didn’t hear him.

  “Is that why you yell at him?” Lily questions.

  I want to crawl in a hole and die.

  If Callie were here, she could save me from this conversation. But she flew to New York last night, giving me some cockamamie story about wanting to visit her old stomping grounds. But I know her. She flew there to see Hudson.

  “Yes, sweetie,” I say. “That’s exactly why I yell at him.”

  “And he growls at you like a bear because he thinks he’s right.” Her eyes lock onto mine and I hear both men snickering. Jerks!

  “Riiight,” I humor her. This is absolute torture.

  “And because he loves you, he tickles you to say sorry, right?” Lily adds with her unknowing eyes studying me.

  I nod slowly. “Um, yes. He likes to make me happy.”

  “And that’s when you jump on the bed?” she questions. Innocence at its finest, and I can’t decide if I should laugh or crawl into a hole.

  “Yes. Exactly.”

  Lily looks at Spencer and crooks her tiny finger at him. He squats to be at her eye level and Lily rests her hand on his shoulder. “Spencie, one thing you need to learn is Mommy is always right. Don’t argue with her or she won’t take you to get ice cream.”

  “Thanks for the tip, Lily-pop.” He taps her nose with his finger. “But one thing I learned about your mommy is she loves to argue with me. But I promise at the end of it, we will always kiss and make up,” he adds as he wiggles his brows at me.

  “And get ice cream?” she adds.r />
  “Yes. Of course, get ice cream!” I release an exasperating breath. “Why don’t you finish your food. Then we can get ice cream.” I slide her plate closer to the edge of the table. This has got to be the most embarrassing conversation I have ever had with my daughter, and I am not looking forward to the birds and the bees talk in the far-off future.

  Spencer wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me against his hard and lean body. A soft brush of his lips against mine and butterflies start to flutter. His fingers find their way under my crop-top and lightly graze the skin above my waistband, sending an electric shock to my inner thighs.

  “Bullet dodged, Buttercup,” he says, his voice soft and gravelly. “I have to say you are absolutely sexy when you get nervous. And speaking of bullets, my gun is locked and loaded and ready for another round.”

  My cheeks warm as Spencer kisses my lips, leaving me breathless. Thankfully, Grant is distracted by a few people asking questions about the flyer he’s handing out. I need to get a hold of myself. Lily is shoveling food in her mouth, Grant is handing out flyers and novelties, while I am getting horny.

  I playfully swat his arm even though I look forward to being naked under the sheets with him. Or over them. “You’re unbelievable.”

  “And you’re incredible,” he says, smiling.

  My throat is dry from the nerve-wracking exchange with our daughter. I reach for my paper cup and slurp from the straw, finishing my Dr. Pepper. “I’m going to get more. Anyone else want more soda?”

  Grant turns to face me. “If you don’t mind, Sabrina. I’d like a strawberry lemonade.”

  “Me too, Mommy.”

  “Spencer? Would you also like one?”

  “I would love a strawberry lemonade,” he says, kissing me again, longer this time.

  “Ew! That’s gross!” Lily bursts out.

  Grant turns to face us. “Oh, come on, you two. There are children here,” he jokes.

  “It’s not like Lily hasn’t seen us kiss,” I justify.

  Spencer clears his throat. “Exactly. And Lily will need to get used to this because I love her mommy.”

  Lily’s eyes beam. “And Mommy loves you too, Spencie!”