“Damn.” He felt a little disappointed about that.
If Kelly couldn’t help him, who could? There was no one else willing to talk to him about the past, not outside of his family at least.
“But, I could ask Lydia for you. I bet she might remember something.”
“Ah, Lydia.” Guilt slammed into him like a freaking train. “I gave her hell, huh?”
“You did. You really did.” Kelly tilted her head to the side and her eyes sparkled as she smiled. “But she’s moved past it, Devin. I hope you realize that. We all have. We’re trying.”
“Not Jebson.”
“Well, Jeb is a particularly stubborn person,” she said with a chuckle. It was the damn cutest chuckle in the world. “He just has to come around. Try to be patient with that, huh?”
“I am trying, Kelly. You have no idea how hard I’ve been trying.”
“I can see you have.”
Her hand slid across the table and rested against his again, prompting his eyes to meet hers in what was possibly the most butterflies-in-the-tummy inducing gaze ever.
“I really can’t imagine what you’re going through, Devin, and I know we may not know each other so well, but I’m proud of you for trying. It shows you’ve got a strong spirit and a lot of courage. No matter what happens down the line, remember how brave you are.”
“You think I’m brave?” The question left his lips barely above a whisper.
“Yes, I do. It takes a great deal of courage to move on after you’ve lost something.”
“Or someone.” He turned his hand over and curled his fingers around hers. “I’m so sorry you lost Patrick.”
“Oh.” The word slipped out of her like the squeak of a mouse and her eyes watered.
Damn it, Devin.
“Please don’t cry. I don’t mean to make you cry. I was just trying to say you’re really strong and brave, too,” he said exasperatedly. “Shit. Kelly, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” she laughed quietly, wiping quickly at her eyes. “Please don’t be sorry. I knew what you meant. It’s just...unexpected. Hearing things like that coming from you, I...I guess I just finally understand why Laney believed you. You really did lose your memories.”
“You doubted me?” He loosened his fingers and moved to pull away, but she tightly grasped his hand to stop him.
“Don’t judge me for that, please,” she pleaded, searching his face. “If you could remember what I remember, you’d have your doubts, too. But I’m trying – I really am. We all are.”
“No, I get it.” He dropped his head and sighed. “My brothers were convinced I was faking, too.”
“Your brothers will probably always think you’re faking, Devin. They’re...well...”
“Well, what?” He urged her to continue. “Bad people? So I’ve heard.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry.”
A long moment of silence passed between them before she finally pulled her hand away and stood from the table. “Well, I suppose I’ve taken up enough of your time. I should probably get going. Justin will be home soon.”
“Oh. All right then.” He stood as well, grateful that his dick finally decided to calm down, and then walked with her to the front door. “Thanks for the food. I really appreciate it.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” She smiled sweetly and stopped, turning to peer up at him. “Please feel free to drop by anytime. I’ll be home this weekend – nothing special is planned.”
Is that an invitation?
“Oh, and before I forget,”—she derailed his dirty thoughts before they had a chance to form—“If you really want to find out about stuff from your elementary days, you should speak to Lydia. I bet she can help.”
“That’s a great idea, but do you think she’d be willing to help
me
?”
“I don’t think I like the way you talk about yourself.” She took a step towards him and it made him want to take two steps back.
Even if she couldn’t feel it, there was tension between them. Ever since that night at the institute, there had been an ember burning inside of him. For her.
“Stop talking about yourself as if you’re some unforgivable monster, Devin. You
are
a good person, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And stop calling me that. I’m not that old, you know.” She rolled her eyes and giggled. “I’ll call Lydia and let her know to expect a phone call from you. All right?”
“All right.” He nodded.
As she opened the door to leave, for reasons unknown to him, he caught her wrist and pulled her back.
“Devin?” Her big beautiful eyes, full of questions, peered at him and that perfect mouth dropped open in surprise.
The desire to kiss her was almost too much.
Eyeing her lips for several long seconds, he finally forced his gaze back to her and smiled.
“Thank you again. For everything, you know? For being my friend.”
A smile graced her gorgeous features as she patted his hand and squeezed it. “No need to thank me for that, Devin. I am happy to help you.”
Then, much to his surprise and pure delight, she tiptoed to press a kiss to his cheek. God, he’d never wash that cheek again. His skin tingled where her lips had been as she pushed open the screen door and scooped up her umbrella.
“See you later, Devin. Good luck with Lydia!”
Then she was gone.
And somehow, some way, so was a little piece of his heart.
N
ick
Seeing Kelly halfway through his workday had helped make being at his father’s house a little more tolerable than usual. Mr. Laveau wasn’t known for being kind or hospitable, and Nick always had to take a few minutes to mentally prepare himself before entering the dark, gloomy, messy house that would forever be marred by the stench of cigar smoke.
Glancing at the stained, flowery wallpaper adorning the kitchen walls, he leaned back in his chair and listened as his father lit up another cigar.
“We did pretty well this week,” Mr. Laveau grumbled. “Almost made ten grand this week – two grand today. I think having you around is a good idea.”
“Thanks Dad. That’s so kind of you to say,” he replied sarcastically. Folding his arms over his chest, he crossed his legs at the ankles and finally looked at him. “Ten grand is a lot. It doesn’t feel like I’ve done that much work this week.”
“Well, you have.” His father replied hatefully – as always. “And you’d do well to be appreciative of the money I give you for that work.”
Rolling his eyes, Nick decided to be quiet on the matter. Arguing with his father was never something he particularly enjoyed and it seemed like they had done more of that than anything else since his return.
But he knew he hadn’t done ten thousand dollars’ worth of work in a week. He’d fixed a couple of leaky faucets, replaced a rain gutter that had been destroyed by a cat—God only knew how the stupid thing managed that—and he reprogrammed a garage door for old man Miller.
There’s no way today was a two grand day. I didn’t charge anybody over ninety bucks for the stuff I had to do.
No matter how great the urge to accuse his father of ripping people off may have been, he didn’t want to start a fight.
“There’s talk of another hurricane brewing in a few weeks,” he finally said, just for the sake of making conversation. “You think it might be a good idea to get some plywood just in case?”
“Hell no, I ain’t gettin’ no damn plywood,” Mr. Laveau snorted, smoke billowing from his nostrils. “Those meteorologist folks just want to give people a scare. That’s all it is, Genie. Don’t let them get to you, too. It’s a scam.”
“Well, it’s a lifesaving scam then,” he shot back. “It’s supposed to be one of the biggest they’ve ever seen. I’d hate to see the shop get destroyed because of your superstitions, Dad.”
“I call horseshit. It’s all horseshit.”
“Suit yourself then.”
“I will suit myself, thank ya very much. What are you doin’ here anyway?”
Puzzled, Nick lifted an eyebrow as if to say, ‘really?’ and then shrugged it off.
If his dad didn’t care, why should he?
“I was just stopping in for my paycheck,” he replied, standing from his seat. “And to check up on you, but I don’t guess that really matters these days, huh?”
“I don’t need checking up on, boy. I’m a grown damn adult! Checking up on me.” Mr. Laveau laughed so hard he began to cough. His chest rattled and it sounded nasty. “Come here and I’ll give you some money.”
After getting his five hundred dollars for the week and saying goodbye to his old man, he set off for home with a lot on his mind.
Trying to reconnect with his father sometimes felt like a mission he’d already failed. It had been twenty years since they’d seen one another – not that Nick hadn’t tried to get together with him, his father just didn’t seem to have any interest in spending time with him.
Twenty damn years.
How on earth had his mother fallen in love with such a mean person?
Pulling in to the local grocery store parking lot, he shut the engine off and gazed at the steering wheel, becoming lost in his thoughts.
“Mama, can I go see Daddy this summer? I want to show him how good I’ve gotten at putting a tire on the car. Ain’t I good at it, Mama?”
“You are so good at it, honey. You’re the best,” she said, pinching his cheek gently. “You are such a smart boy, Genie. I’m proud of you.”
“Do you reckon Daddy will be proud of me, too?”
Her smile faded a little and her warm brown eyes saddened, which in turn made him sad, too.
“Now, none of that, Nicholas Eugene,” she scolded, patting the top of his head. “You are never, ever allowed to be sad. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Mama. I do understand,” he said, nodding eagerly. “It’s just...I miss Daddy sometimes. I wish he was here.”
“I know, baby. I know.” She smooched his forehead and hugged him close, sighing. “But your daddy likes where he’s at now. He’s too stubborn to move here. He’s afraid his business might go under.”
“But don’t you think he needs help, Mama? Ain’t it hard working there all by his lonesome?”
“I don’t reckon it’s any different for him than it is for us here, alone in this house. We manage just fine, don’t we?”
“Yes, Mama. We do.” He cuddled against her and closed his eyes. “I love you, Mama.”
“I love you, too, Genie. You’re my good boy.”
His vision blurred as the memory faded and he released a bitter chuckle.
All those years away and he still worried about his father; he thought about his father; he missed his father.
And that old bastard didn’t seem to care about him at all.
I just make money for him,
he thought, frowning in disgust.
All he sees are dollar signs when he looks at me.
But at least there was one comforting thought that came to mind as he turned the key over and continued on his way home.
Devin and Kelly care about me. And I care about them.
His plan was succeeding and nothing made him happier. He knew Kelly had stopped by to see Devin because he
might
have put the idea in her head. But it was all for a good cause, wasn’t it?
“So you’re making meatloaf for dinner, huh? Lucky kids,” he said, pulling her into a tight hug from behind. “That smells delicious.”
“And it will be, I hope.” She laughed, leaning back against him. “It’s my mother’s recipe. She loved to cook.”
“Then I’m sure it will be great. I wish I could cook like that.”
“Oh, I know you can cook. Don’t try to flatter me,” she mumbled, turning in his arms to gaze up at him. “What was it you fixed the night Devin’s mom visited? Lemon-garlic shrimp? Sounds divine.”
“Not as divine as you,” he growled playfully, nipping at her earlobe. “Nothing’s as tasty as you.”
“Nick, stop.” She moaned, smacking his hip lightly. “Don’t get me started again. It’s like you’re trying to kill me.”
“At least you’d die happy,” he teased, releasing her from his grasp. “Say, why don’t you take some over to Devin if you’ve got it to spare? He’d probably appreciate some meatloaf.”
“You think so?” She glanced at the oven thoughtfully. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty. Justin isn’t a teenager yet, so the days of the bottomless pit have yet to arrive.”
“Ah, the bottomless pit days. I fear I haven’t outgrown that yet.”
“Liar.” She poked his abs over his shirt and grinned.
“Hey, it’s not my fault I have a fast metabolism, beautiful.”
“If only we could all be so lucky,” she said, glancing down at her soft tummy with a frown.
“None of that now.” He circled his arms around her and kissed her again. He could never get enough kisses. “You are perfect, Kelly Spencer.”
He smiled at the memory and felt his sadness disperse. Finally pulling into the driveway of the home he shared with Devin, he decided he’d no longer allow the issues he had with his father to bring him down.
He had too much to look forward to.
Everything was falling into place and he’d soon be the happiest, luckiest man on Earth.
I hope,
he thought.
Things just need to fall into place now.
He took his time in the shower, washing off all the dirt and grime of the day with his favorite soap and reveling in the heat of the water. His tense muscles began to relax and he eventually felt better, but he knew what he needed and it was sleeping just a few feet away, curled up in
his
bed and looking gorgeous, as always.
In the brief time he’d known Devin Rose, he’d allowed himself to get attached to the guy. Devin made him happy—as did Kelly—and he truly couldn’t wait for the night they took that big leap into the unknown.
It wasn’t new territory for him, not by a long shot, but he knew he had to be careful and patient in terms of introducing them to his lifestyle.
Devin seemed to be okay with it. Hell, he even looked forward to it, but Kelly still didn’t know the full truth.
There was a small fear in the back of his mind that maybe she wouldn’t be willing.
Then what?
She’ll come around,
he decided as he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower.
She could really be happy with us.