Page 14

I rubbed at my eyes, exhausted from the long day. We had a meeting with a group from the city wanting to discuss changes to some business regulations. I had split the night shift with Lucas since he had something come up, so I only slept a couple of hours last night. Then there was the fire at the school. I was running off fumes at this point.

We were packing everything away, and I stretched as I stared at the garage ceiling. I was ready to go home, but I wasn't going to be sleeping. I knew April would be there waiting for me, and I didn't know how I would handle that.

I wanted to have sex again. It had been replaying in my head frequently, but I also didn't want to hear April say it was a mistake afterward. I had to think logically about this, even if April wasn't.

"Hey, you got a second?" Cayden stopped next to me, wiping a hand over his forehead.

I yanked off my boots and kicked them aside, grabbing my sneakers. "Sure, what's up?"

He took a seat on the bench. "I just wanted to thank you for all the help you've been doing with my sister. I haven't gotten around to thanking you for everything since I've been so busy with Riley lately."

I felt my stomach twist up because if he knew that his sister and I had fucked around last week, I doubt he would be thanking me right now.

"You don't have to thank me, Cayden."

He shook her head. "No, I do. Not everyone would have just offered to open up their home to someone. I know you know my sister and that we've been friends for years, but still. It's a big ask, and I'm grateful you're doing it. It's really helped Riley and my stress knowing that someone is watching after her."

I didn't know what to say to that. I felt my mind just stopped working. If only he knew the truth. If he knew everything that was going through my head, he'd be beating the shit out of me.

I swallowed. "Cayden, it was the right thing. You have a lot with Riley."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I know that, but still. How has she been doing? You think it's been helping?"

I nodded. "Yeah, she's been relaxing a little more each day, and since working, she's been a lot more perky. I think she's adjusting pretty well to living here."

He looked happy with that information. "That's good. I worry that she's never going to get comfortable here and just become unhappy. I know she's going through a lot, but I still want her to succeed in life."

"She's getting there, but it will take time." I wanted to tell him everything that April had told me, but I didn't. It was her decision to tell who she wanted. If she hadn't told Riley, she wouldn't have been ready to tell anyone else.

He rubbed a hand through his hair. "I for sure thought she was going to throw a fit when she found out Riley and I were planning to move."

I snorted. "Yeah, she wasn't excited about that, but I think she just wants you guys to be happy."

"I know, and I want her to be happy. She's my sister, after all. I want only good things for her. But I also know that Riley can't keep living in our apartment. I see the way her eyes stop to stare at the flooring where Brad died."

My stomach twisted up, and I suddenly felt a little regret. I was supposed to be protecting and taking care of his sister. I was not supposed to be fucking her. I wasn't supposed to be imagining her in different positions and wondering what she tasted like.

I knew I needed to start handling things a little better. April was going through a lot, as was Cayden. I wondered if maybe avoiding April wasn't the best idea. I should be the person she needed to lean on and not for sex.

An idea sparked in my head. "What was the restaurant you guys all talk about again?"

"The one that's near the outskirts of town?"

I nodded. "Yeah, you guys all said it was nice, and after today, I think April might enjoy it. Besides, I'm too tired to cook dinner."

"It's Laleaves restaurant. They do have some pretty amazing food."

I thanked him and headed out for my truck. I wasn't sure what I was going to say to April, but I knew that I wanted us to have a good night and maybe have a conversation about what we were going to do moving forward.

We were in a gray area at this point. Neither seemed to be speaking about what they wanted, but we both seemed to want the same thing. Or at least that was what I was getting after today when she practically made me cum in my pants.

I glanced at April as she sat across the table. We got to the restaurant pretty quickly and seated in the back corner. The restaurant was filled with plants, giving the space a calm vibe.

"You look nice," I said, taking in her outfit. April had pulled on a short skirt with a cream blouse. The shirt dipped low, and her breasts looked perky in the outfit. I wasn't sure if she had put it on to get my attention, but she had it. My eyes kept dipping down.

She looked around the restaurant, her eyes taking in the low lights and waiters moving around with food. "It's a very nice restaurant. I didn't even know we had a place like this here."

I nodded, glancing around. The space was different than any other place I had been. "The guys all talked about it and said the girls love the food."

She chewed on her lower lip, her fingers tapping on her menu. I knew we had a lot to talk about, and I didn't know where to start. I just kept seeing her eyes when I pinned her against the fire truck. She looked at me with need, begging almost.

I cleared my throat. "I know that we have things to discuss….but I thought it would be nice to take you out."

She raised her eyebrows. "Can I ask why? Why now."

I shrugged. "Your brother and I were talking about everything, and I thought this would be a good way to get your mind off Ivan and everything going on. At least for a little while."

She looked shocked. "Oh…"

"We just want what's best for you, after all. I know you both have a lot on your plate."

The waiter came, and we both ordered. She ordered chicken pasta, and I ordered a burger and fries.

"How was work besides the fire," I asked, rubbing my hands on my pants.

She shrugged. "It was okay. Rebecca had to suspend some kids for a few weeks and talk with the parents. There was some swearing, for sure. It got a little heated, but everything turned out fine."

I could imagine so. I had heard what happened from Ayden, and if April hadn't shown up and cleared the kids out of the room, it would have been a lot worse.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, yawning as I did.

She shrugged. "I'm fine. You look tired, though. Did you not sleep well last night?"

I waved a hand. "Just a little, but it's fine. Work has been busy." I couldn't hold back the next yawn that came over me.

She frowned. "We didn't have to come out. We could have just ordered food in if you were that tired."

I shook my head. "No, I wanted to prove a point. Your brother brought up how well I was taking care of you, and I felt I'd been lacking the past week. We need to keep up appearances for this to be convincing, so I figured I should take you out. Today was scary for both of us."

Her face fell. "Oh…" She looked hurt, and I suddenly wondered if I'd said something wrong. I thought this would be nice to do.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She nodded, and when she smiled, I knew it was forced.

Our food was brought out, and our conversation continued. We talked about work and what each of us was doing. I thought the awkwardness from the beginning was gone.

After paying, we headed to the truck and started our drive back home. April leaned against the window. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Would you have asked me to stay if you weren't friends with my brother?"

I glanced at her and thought about it. I probably wouldn't have. I did it because I could see the desperation in her eyes and the worry in his. I wouldn't have just offered my space up to anyone.

"No, probably not."

She fell quiet for a moment when her voice dropped. "Do you want to end this? Do you want me to move back to my old apartment?"

"What?" I looked at her, shocked. "Why would you ask that? Where is that even coming from?"

She shrugged. "You hardly ate your dinner, and you've been yawning all night. You said the only reason we went out was pretty much to hold up appearances, which sounds like it's been a hassle for you."

I scowled. "I'm just a little tired, April. I'm not asking for a separation."

"Well, it sure seems like you would like one. After all, you only agreed to any of this because you were trying to help my brother. You don't have to suffer if this isn't what you wanted."

I frowned, looking at her, shocked. While it was a part of the reason, it wasn't the entire reason.

"If you want to end this, just tell me." She sighed, leaning back in her seat. "I don't need you to walk around eggshells. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

I stopped the car at the light and looked at her. "Do you really think I would have just opened up my home, my bed, to just anyone?"

"You said.."

"I wouldn't have offered it up to anyone because you're not just anyone, April! We have history. We were in a relationship before. You're not just anyone, and Jesus, I'm not just anyone to you. This may be fake for everyone else, but we both know there are real emotions involved. I'm doing this to keep you safe because I care."

She fell quiet.

I started the car forward again and took a breath in to calm myself. "Where is this even coming from?"

"You've been avoiding me...you took me out to a nice restaurant and yawned the entire night. You've got bags under your eyes and don't want to sleep with me. So, I feel like I'm just a burden that you only took in because of my brother. Another girl you're tired of."

As I parked the truck, I looked at her and saw she meant every word.

"I offered up the bed, and you didn't want to do that. I make you breakfast, and you tell me that it's not needed. I just...I don't know what we're doing, Weslie."