Soaring (Magdalene #2)(114)
“You’re angry,” I said softly, moving to him, getting close, but not touching him. “I know you know better. Sickness isn’t weak, and alcoholism is an illness.”
He clenched his jaw, looked away and I watched a muscle dance in his cheek.
He knew.
I took a chance and invaded his space. When he didn’t pull away, I burrowed closer, wrapping my arms tight around him and resting my cheek against his chest.
It took him a few moments, but he finally curled an arm around me, cupped the back of my head with his other hand and held my cheek against his warm skin.
“Hunting cabin is out ’cause I’m thinkin’, she doesn’t sort her shit, I’m not givin’ the kids back to her,” he said over my head.
I nodded, my cheek sliding against his chest, wondering but not asking why he’d given them back after her last escapade on Cillian’s birthday.
“And that f*ckin’ sucks,” he went on.
It did but I didn’t agree verbally, I just held him tighter.
“She’s still f*ckin’ me over. She can’t hold her shit together means I can’t have time with you.”
“We’ll find our times.”
He gave a noncommittal grunt before he stated, “Maybe shit’ll settle, the kids’ll be good in a coupla months and Josie and Jake’ll take ’em while we go up for a coupla days.”
I held on and replied, “That’d be good.”
I felt Mickey’s chest expand with the deep breath he took and then felt his sigh when he let it out.
His hand slid to my jaw and he tipped my head back.
When he got my gaze, he said, “Gotta have my tee so I can go get my boy.”
I nodded, rolled up on my toes and Mickey met me halfway for a lip brush.
I rolled back and he let me go. I went to get my robe, pulled off Mickey’s tee, pulled on the robe and took it back to him.
He had his boots on by the time I returned. Straightening from the daybed, he reached out as I handed him his shirt.
When he had it on, he pulled me back into his arms. I wrapped mine around him.
“You’re gonna have to store up some smartass so I can f*ck it outta you,” he remarked and I smiled at the same time I tingled.
“I don’t think that’ll be difficult,” I assured him.
“For you, no,” he teased.
I grinned at him then tipped my chin down and kissed his chest over his shirt.
He cupped my head to keep my face there, and I kept it there for him, rubbing my nose against his chest then turning my head and pressing my cheek to it again.
“Sorry this f*cked our night,” he said quietly.
“No night is f*cked when I’m with you,” I replied.
“Christ, Amy.” This came out as a groan right before I felt his lips at the top of my hair.
We held each other for long moments before I pushed my head back, his came up, and I caught his eyes.
“You gonna be okay?”
“Got no choice, but yeah, baby. I’m always okay.”
I hoped he wasn’t lying but to do my bit (the only thing I could do), I gave him a reassuring smile and a gentle squeeze.
He dipped down and touched his mouth to mine before he let me go but grabbed my hand and walked me to the front door.
I got another lip brush before he was out the door on his, “Talk to you tomorrow, babe.”
I stood in the door and replied, “Okay, Mickey.” I watched him take five steps away from me before I called, “Mickey!”
He turned to me.
“You’re a great guy, a wonderful father, and walking away from just you, she made the worst decision of her life. Walking away from your family, it’s mean to say, but that’s just crazy.”
In the outside lights I saw his face go soft before he ordered, “Don’t be sweet and make me wanna make out with you to the point I’m f*ckin’ you in your foyer when I gotta go get my boy.”
“My apologies,” I said through a smile.
“Now get outta the f*ckin’ door wearin’ only that robe,” he kept ordering.
“No one can see me, Mickey.”
“Babe?” he called.
“What?” I asked.
“Get outta the f*ckin’ door.”
I squinted my eyes at him and got out of the door.
But before I fully closed it, I stuck my face through and blew him a kiss.
Thus, the last look I had of Mickey was him shaking his head wearing a grin that might not have been easy, but at least I’d managed to give it to him.
* * * * *
Late the next morning, I walked into Maude’s House of Beauty and went right to the pedicure chairs.
I bent to touch cheeks with Alyssa, who was working on Josie’s toes, gave a “Hey,” got a “Yo, babe,” back and then moved to do the same with Josie.
“Careful, her fingers are still wet,” Alyssa warned.
I was careful as I gave Josie her greeting then lifted up the arm in the next chair and climbed into it.
“How’s Jake doing with Conner gone?” I asked Josie.
She tipped her head to the side, sadness seeping into her eyes and answered, “Amber and Ethan aren’t good. They miss their big brother. So he has his chin up for them.” She drew in a breath and lowered her voice. “But I found him in Con’s room the other day, just sitting by himself on Con’s bed. I left him to it and didn’t mention I found him there. But I know he’s melancholy.”