Reckless(17)

It seemed prudent to contact an agency in case Tori and I ended up clashing again. The fact we didn’t at dinner was a pleasant surprise, and if it taught me anything, it’s that I want us to get along in the meantime. I want her to know I’ll treat her well. That I’m not really an asshole.

As for my unbidden attraction to her? I figure it’ll pass. I haven’t been around a beautiful woman in a long time. Living on a ranch doesn’t make socializing easy. I don’t count Mallory Mathers or the like, because hooking up with one of my wife’s friends seems about as smart as jamming a wet finger in a light socket.

It’s been ages since I’ve been with anyone. Not since Allison, and that intimacy ended during her pregnancy with Cody. His second birthday later this summer is a reminder that she shut me out a long time ago. Two years is a long damn time to go without sex. I’m twenty-eight, not eighty.

Maybe my brother is right and I need to get out more. Start dating or something to take the edge off. Especially since Tori made it abundantly clear I’m not the kind of guy she goes for. That we would never have sex.

I chuckle, thinking about the fire in her eyes as the little tornado told me off again. All that passion oozing from her pores.

But she doesn’t have anything to worry about. I’d never take advantage of a woman.

As for her not being my type, well, that’s mostly true.

I’ve always gone for the polite and polished kind of woman. And a little high-maintenance. Not sure why since Allison has been anything but polite in the last few years.

Tori has a wildness about her, a level of honesty I’m not used to. At least not from a perfect stranger.

I think I like it.

I just can’t like it too much.

After so much time out of the dating game, it’s weird to think about diving back in. It’s even weirder to consider dating when my divorce isn’t final yet, but I know from mutual friends that Allison has already been out with other men. The thought makes my chest feel heavy with too many emotions to name.

A soft knock on the office door makes me look up.

“I’m packed and ready to go, son.”

The sight of my mother dressed for the airport shoots a bolt of fear through me.

She starts talking like it’s not a big deal she’s going to another state. “I told Tori where to find Cody’s hiding places. How to get the kids to brush their teeth. Where the emergency numbers are. Their daily schedule. Everything’s gonna be fine.”

I was never a momma’s boy growing up. That was Logan. But I’ll admit I’m a little torn up seeing her go. Probably ’cause we relied so heavily on each other after my father died.

We head into the living room where Tori is on the floor, dressed like a princess, compliments of my daughter’s styling efforts. Cody is hanging off Tori’s neck, and Mila is debating which bauble would look best on her new babysitter.

“Give your grandma a hug goodbye.” I motion for the kids to get up.

Mila takes one look at my mother, sees the suitcase behind her, and immediately starts bawling. Rushing into her grandmother’s arms, she cries so hard, she starts hiccupping.

Mom coos in her ear. “Honey, calm down. I’m only going for a month or two. I’ll be back soon.”

“But wha-wha-what if you don’t come back? Wha-wha-what if you stay away like Mommy? What if you don’t want us anymore?”

I close my eyes, my daughter’s words a cattle brand on my heart.

Does this ever get easier?

“Sweetie, I’m always, always gonna want you and your brother, and your momma wants you guys too.” Her voice is thick with emotion. “She’s just going through a rough time is all.” Smoothing down my daughter’s hair, my mom whispers, “I’m only a phone call away. Call me any time, night or day.” She pulls out of my daughter’s hug and holds her shoulders. “Hey, look at me.” Mila’s tear-stricken face cuts me to the core. “I need you to be a big girl and take care of your daddy and brother. Two men in a house by themselves need a good woman to look after them.”

Mila nods and wipes away snot. “I can make Daddy Pop Tarts for breakfast so he’s not hungry.”

“Thatta girl. And you remember how he likes his coffee, right? Two sugars and a good helping of milk. Don’t use half-and half even though he likes it because he should watch those trans fats now while he’s young.”

Hearing the two most important girls in my life worry about me makes my chest ache.

I’m wondering how I’m gonna get Mila out of my mom’s arms when Tori approaches them and whispers in Mila’s ear. Not sure what she says, but Mila starts laughing, and Tori picks her up and swings her around so she’s on her back, clinging to her neck.

“Have a great trip, Beverly,” Tori says cheerfully, like my whole family isn’t on the brink of an apocalypse. “Mila and I are going to have a big surprise for you when you get back, aren’t we, Mila?”

My daughter wipes her eyes and nods and smiles at my mom. “Big, big, big surprise!”

I stand there, a little dumbfounded that this train wreck has turned around, until Tori mouths, “It’s okay. Go.” She turns her back so she and Mila are facing the other way.

As I’m walking my mom out, I pause in the doorway to look at my kids, who are playing with Tori like nothing happened.