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When I’d followed her down the hall and seen the slight tremble in her hands, the sheen of tears in her eyes, something inside me broke. The confidence radiating from her slipped away, and in its place lay a seething woman, too wrapped up in her hurt to realize my look had been one of desire, not derision.
I’d clenched my fists tight enough that my nails dug into my palms. An instinctive desire to protect her and destroy those that had hurt her rose up in me so fast it slammed into my stomach, stunning me. As I focused on the slight ache of pain, I counted to ten to slow my rage.
The need to kiss her and slay those demons gripped me hard. There was no turning back after she admitted to wanting me too. I lost the control I valued and plundered her mouth. If Zoey hadn’t interrupted us, I’d have picked her up and carried her to my bedroom, forgetting ten other little people in my home.
With one touch, I forgot myself and my responsibility. I couldn’t let it happen again.
My phone on the side table next to me rang.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, tapping the button to engage the speakerphone. I stretched my long legs out onto the couch.
“So you survived the night?” she chuckled.
Surviving was one way of putting it. “Ha ha. Barely. In the middle of the night, I regretted not taking you up on your offer to come over and help.”
“Is that so?” her amused tone reminded me of her warning that having that many kids over would be tough.
“Did you know they don’t sleep during a sleepover? They stay up giggling and talking.” I yawned. “I didn’t sleep at all.”
“Did Zoey have fun?”
A smile lit my tired face. “Absolutely. She’s so worn out, she told me she needed to lie down. I think I might take a nap myself.”
“Well, I won’t keep you. I called to let you know we areallgoing to the Wolfe’s for Sunday dinner tomorrow.”
“Mom—”
“Beckett, you’ve avoided it long enough. Besides, you and Grayson have started talking again. I don’t see what the problem is.”
It had only been a few weeks, not a few months. Grayson and I were still finding solid ground in reestablishing our friendship, but Mom was right. My family had a standing invitation to come by every week, and I hated avoiding them all just as much as I hated ignoring Grayson. They were family.
“We’ll be there.”
* * *
I pulled up in front of Rosalyn and David Wolfe’s house. The familiar Cape Cod style with weathered cedar shingles was home to me. I’d spent most of my childhood running through the rooms of this house and the backyard. Cars lined the large driveway, and it looked like most of the family was here.
We climbed out of the car, and before I could get to her side, Zoey slammed her door shut.
The front door opened, and an older woman stood on the other side. Her short blonde hair was cut in an effortless style, and her brown eyes twinkled in welcome. Her welcoming smile grew as Zoey ran toward her.
“Grammy Rosalyn!” She threw herself up the stairs and into Grayson’s mom’s arms.
“Hello, my sweetpea.” She gave me an admonishing look over Zoey’s shoulder. “It’s been far too long since I last saw you.” What she meant was, it’s good you got your head out of your ass and finally came to see us.
“I missed you too. Is Mimi here? I didn’t see her car.”
“She’ll be here in a few minutes.” She kissed the top of Zoey’s head before pulling away. “Half of the crew is in the living room if you want to join them. I think Mia brought a new set of Legos for the two of you to start today.” Between Zoey and Mia’s obsession with Legos, the den, a lesser-used room in the house, had almost an entire village.
“Awesome!” She slipped past Rosalyn and yelled for Mia.
I stopped before entering through the doorway. “Hey.”
From the porch, there was only one step into the house. Rosalyn stood there and, with the height of the stair, was able to rest her hands on my shoulders. Tears misted her eyes. “We’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” And I had. Their family had helped in more than one way as I grew up. They kept an eye on me when mom worked, disciplined me like they did their own, and showed me unconditional love as I grappled with understanding why my dad didn’t want me.
“Grayson is my son, but you also have a place in my heart. I know the last few weeks have been difficult for you.” She paused, as though gathering her thoughts. “I want to be clear. I agree with Grayson’s decision. Not because he’s my son, but because it was the right thing to do.”