Bad Boy Next Door (A Romantic Suspense)(9)

I mean, really.

“What did you talk about?”

“What?”

“What did you—”

“I heard you,” I sigh. “I went over to talk to him about his car. He’s going to get it towed if he keeps it in the driveway.”

“That’s a dumb rule.”

“I know, but it’s still a rule.”

“What did he say?”

“He wasn’t happy to hear it. He slammed the door in my face.”

“Jeez, Mom. You need a better opener than, ‘Hey, move your car.’”

“I don’t need an opener, Karen. I’m not interested in this guy. I didn’t know he existed until I got home from work.”

“Okay, okay, fine,” she says, her voice turning sour. “Whatever. I have homework.”

“You’re excused,” I say, as she’s already walking upstairs.

“Can I have the rest of the mac and cheese?” Kelly chirps.

I nod and watch her devour it, chewing on another crusty hot dog before I’ve had enough and my youngest daughter helps me clean up the mess. Once I’ve got her ready for bed I take a shower, dry off, and crawl into my own bed.

My alarm goes off at 4:45.

I sit up and try to walk, rather than crawl, down to the kitchen. I need to have both kids to the bus by 6:30. In his infinite wisdom Russel put us so far from the “good schools” the realtor crowed about that my kids have to ride the bus almost an hour each way, longer if there’s traffic.

Thanks, Russ.

First order of business is preparing food. I want my kids to have a good breakfast, so I cook eggs and sausage myself, and pour breakfast cereal for Kelly, which she devours first.

When they’re both fed I walk with them down to the front gate, where the bus stops, and pace around waiting for them to be picked up. They ride the same bus, thankfully. When it pulls up I feel the same pang I feel every time when they board and wave to me, and choke up a little walking back to the house.

Once I’m back inside I shower again quickly, since it was a sweaty walk down to the bus stop, and dress for work.

I have twenty-five minutes to make the bus, which will be cutting it a little close.

Briskly I storm out of my house, run back up to lock the door, then run back, hoping I’ll make it.

Then some * sprays me with a hose.