The Fix (The Carolina Connections, #1)(45)

“Don’t worry about it—I’ll get to the bottom of it. You can keep your man card. She’s been hesitant about getting involved with me and it has something to do with Rocco and not wanting to have men going in and out of his life. But I swear I have no intention of ditching them, Gavin.”

His hand pulled through his dusty hair and his shoulders dropped. “Damn, I think I get it now. It actually makes sense if you think about it. Rocco getting attached and then, when you leave for Texas, I guess that would suck for the little guy. It probably is for the best to just cut your losses.” He dropped his hand to his side and put his hard hat back on with the other one. “Shit, I feel like I’m growing a vagina here. I gotta get back to work. No hard feelings, man.”

He waved and left me standing there feeling like the most oblivious fucking moron on earth.



At 6:30 that evening I stood on Laney’s front porch pounding on the door. “Laney, I know you’re in there. I saw you peeking through the curtains!” I continued to pound on the door knowing that I was being a bit of an asshole but not caring one bit. My girl was in there and I needed to see her.

“Nate, please go away. I’m not ready to talk yet,” she hissed through the door. “And stop pounding. I don’t want to scare Rocco.”

“Open the door and Rocco will be fine. Come on, Laney. Please.”

I heard a frustrated huff, but the door opened a crack and I saw her beautiful face. I also saw the dark circles under her eyes and I cursed myself for the tenth time today.

“Laney, baby, please let me in. I need to talk to you—to explain.”

Her will seemed to give out and she let the door fall open as she stepped back. I came through the doorway and wrapped her in my arms like I never wanted to let go. And in that moment, it was the God’s honest truth.

“Where is Rocco?” I asked, careful not to say too much if he was close by.

“He’s in his room watching cartoons on the iPad.” Her voice was quiet.

I kissed the top of her head. “I think I get it now, Laney, and I am such an idiot,” I declared.

She sniffled and spoke into my shirt. “That’s usually a title I reserve for Gavin, but go on if you must.” I loved that even when she was sad her sass came through.

“I don’t know how I didn’t see it before, but like I said, I’m an idiot. You think I’m moving back to Austin, don’t you?”

She pulled back from my hold and looked up at me. “Well, yeah, eventually.”

“Baby, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here in North Carolina to stay. It was always my plan to come back—my dad’s heart attack just sped up the timing.”

Her brows drew together. “But … but you kept saying all these things about ‘temporary’ stuff.” I could see the wet in her eyes and I wanted to punch myself.

“I just meant that the apartment was temporary. I don’t want to live in that shithole any longer than necessary.” I smiled at her. “As soon as I have the time, I’m finding a house or a condo or something.”

“Oh.” That was all she said, eyes still teary.

“You forgive me for confusing you?” I leaned down and couldn’t help but kiss her quickly on her sweet mouth. She just nodded, looking a bit dazed. I wanted to take her to her bedroom and show her how sorry I was, but I knew that couldn’t happen for several reasons.

And despite my desire to pull her into my arms and assume that everything would work out perfectly, I knew I had to say one more thing. “But you know as well as I do that there are no guarantees in life. And I understand that you need to consider Rocco in all your decisions. I’m just asking for a chance, Laney.”

Evidently over her shock, she finally smiled up at me and ran her fingers down my jaw. “By the way, if I have any say in it, I prefer the scruff.” Then she reached up to me for a kiss. We wrapped ourselves around each other for several moments before cooler heads prevailed and we remembered the five-year-old down the hall, not to mention the open door behind me.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” I turned around and retrieved my bag from the front porch where I’d left it. “Call Rocco out here. I’ve got some treehouse plans to go over with him.”





Chapter Sixteen





Go About Your Business





LANEY

I felt like I’d just won a free lifetime supply of doughnuts, along with a magical guarantee that they’d never go to my ass, as I watched Nate and Rocco at my kitchen table poring over treehouse plans. I was also feeling a bit foolish for spending the last two days wallowing in misery when I should have just opened my mouth and asked Nate outright about his plans. Damn that Fiona for always being right. I resolved from here on out to voice my doubts and be clear about any reservations I had.

I also owed Fiona a call to let her know she could halt the cookie dough, wine, and ice cream brigade she was currently preparing. It was her weekend with Terrence, but since she’s the best friend a girl could have, she had been checking in with me and was planning to stop by tonight before Terrence arrived.

“We’re heading out back to take some measurements if that’s okay,” Nate said, stacking the papers and rising from his chair.

“Of course. But, Rocco, you’re getting ready for bed in half an hour.”