Warrior (First to Fight #1)(34)
I close my eyes at the splendor of his embrace. Heat washes over me and loosens my stiff limbs. It would be so easy to forget the past and fall into bed with him again. So easy to give in.
The same thought seems to occur to Ben, because he releases me the slightest bit to look into my eyes. My gaze catches on the device on his ear and I lift a hand to touch him, but he shies away from me.
Ridiculously, stupidly hurt by the simple gesture that speaks volumes, I pull away. His arms fall loosely to his sides and his lips pull into a frown. I take a moment to calm my nerves against the feelings that have resurfaced. Once I feel reasonably calm, I return to Cole’s side and collect his things.
“I’ll see you the day after tomorrow, Ben.” Then we can finally put all of the unanswered questions to rest. He stares at me for a moment, and I almost think that he’s about to reply, but he ends up nodding and giving me a weak smile instead.
I pick up Cole’s carrier and resolve to have Jack pick up the playpen later. There’s no way in hell I’ll be coming back here again. I take determined steps to the doorway and pause, sending a dazed look back at him. When I turn around again, I find Chad standing in the doorway with a stunned, angry look on his face.
Just great. As if I needed another complication.
THE DOORBELL STARTLES me, the baby, and one cantankerous old dog where we’re eating on the couch.
Considering the three of us had been up since dawn with one unhappy teething monstrosity, it’s no surprise when Hank nearly somersaults off the cushions, Cole rouses with a scream that could rival howler monkeys, and I pray for sweet relief. Normally, I’m blessed with a supernaturally well-behaved baby in spite of his illness. Believe you me, I count my blessings for that every day.
However, when Cole has a bad day, he has a really bad day.
When five a.m. rolled around and I still hadn’t gotten him to rest, I gave up and called in reinforcements. Thankfully Jack is able to have someone cover him at work. I don’t like sending Cole to daycare when he’s having an off day. The place he’s at is great and I made sure they were all CPR certified before I ever let Cole start, but he won’t be able to return until after he’s cleared at his next checkup. His second surgery was a month ago and we’ve been having a time of it ever since.
A knock follows close behind the bell, and I tangle in my robe and roll unceremoniously from my perch on the couch to the floor, landing with a thump. I contemplate staying there for a while as I rub the grit from my eyes. Hank trots over to lick my face, and I stumble to my feet to answer the door.
I squint against the glare of the afternoon sun and find Melissa on my front stoop. Her familiar perfume wraps around me. I’d been trying to place the scent as long as I’ve known her, but to no avail. Her customary black hair has gone a little lighter at the roots and her button-up denim shirt is tucked into a pair of worn jeans.
I belt my robe over my yoga pants and T-shirt and offer a pained smile. “Hey, Melissa. I’d invite you in, but we’re currently having a meltdown. Is everything okay?”
She smiles sympathetically. “I could ask you the same thing. I was in the area I just wanted to come by and check to make sure you and the little one are okay.”
Melissa has no other family, and losing my dad hit her quite hard. I thought it was sweet, considering they’d been dating less than a year. I love that my father had someone so caring after my mom died. He was never the type to be alone for long; he was a very social creature. Jack takes after him in that respect.
“Just a rough night of teething and the general discomfort after he gets discharged,” I tell her. “Nothing some rest and a little pain reliever won’t cure. Not to mention I think he knows he’s due for another checkup at the cardiologist tomorrow. It’s nice of you to come by and check on us, though.”
“Poor thing.” She pauses before gathering herself up and saying, “What I really wanted to talk to you about was…well, I couldn’t help but overhearing your conversation with that young man last night. Ben, isn’t it?”
I nod. “I’m so sorry if we bothered you. I hope he wasn’t rude.”
Melissa shakes her head with a laugh. “Oh no, honey. Nothing like that, I just wanted to give you some advice. I don’t want to seem too forward as we haven’t known each other that long.”
“Please, I can’t thank you enough for the days you’ve watched Cole for me. You’re practically family to us now.”
“That’s sweet. Well, I just wanted to be nosey, really. That man last night? That was Cole’s father wasn’t it?”
“I—I…Yes, it was,” I end on a whisper. “He’s been gone and I haven’t found the right moment to explain things.”
“You don’t have to defend yourself to me. I’ve been in my fair share of complicated relationships. I just wanted to make sure that you’ll let me know if you ever need anything. I’m always here for you. Talk, babysit. Whatever.”
“Definitely. I really appreciate you stopping by to check on us.”
“Anytime, honey. Give that baby a kiss for me.”
As if on cue, Cole’s wails reach a higher decibel and I wince. “I will. Thanks again.”
Twenty minutes later, I rush out the door, already heinously late and feeling tremendously guilty. I can hear Cole’s cries from outside as I unlock my car and load in my briefcase and paperwork.