Page 3 of Summer Nights (The Kingston Brothers #3)

Chapter Three

Ivy

I couldn't believe I'd fucked a business partner in one of my houses. It sounded really bad when I put it like that. But there was something about the storm that had made me want to do something.

It was like time had been suspended, and there was no need to worry about anyone walking into the house.

It was just me and Cooper and our undeniable desire for each other. As much as I wished I could experience it again, it wasn't smart.

I felt vulnerable with Cooper in a way I didn't with anyone else. Maybe it was the storm or the memory of my childhood, but I suspected it had something to do with him. I needed to stay away from anyone who had the ability to see the real me.

I put on a facade, one that served me well. I wasn't the poor girl with a dad who left before I was born or a mom who was too busy with her current boyfriend to ensure I had field-trip money or clothes that fit.

I took care of myself, and I did a great job of it. No one who met me now would suspect my less-than-ideal upbringing. I drove an expensive SUV, I wore designer clothes, and I never went out without being dressed nicely.

I'd worked too hard for anyone to see me as the girl I was before. Cooper remembered her, and I didn't want to answer the questions I saw in his eyes. What was different about me? Was there anything of that other girl left?

I shuddered at the thought of talking to someone about those days growing up, an afterthought in my mother's too-small trailer.

I tried to stop in and check on my mom and my half-siblings once a week. They still lived in the same trailer I grew up in, and it wasn't the cute RV park when you first came on the island. It was the one that the local politicians hoped the tourists never saw.

I drove to the trailer park and parked on the road in front of my childhood home. The house itself was worn and run-down. The same broken swing set I played on was still in the backyard.

I knocked on the door and opened it carefully. I was never sure of what I'd see when I came home.

One time, I'd opened the door to one of her boyfriends snorting drugs on the kitchen table and to another fucking another woman on it.

This time, Mom stood at the stove, waving me in. "It's so good to see you."

I kissed her offered cheek and sat at the table. It was the same one that had seen so much abuse from her long line of boyfriends. I had two younger siblings from different fathers. None of them had stuck around.

There was one man who took care of us for a while, but when Mom cheated on him, he left. I always suspected she couldn't deal with a nice man and pushed him away before he could break up with her.

I shook off the realization that I had the same radar. I only dated guys who were looking for a one-night stand. I didn't want anything to do with a nice guy, which was what Cooper Kingston was.

"You don't have to check in on me every week, ya know?"

I shook my head. "I'm here to see my family and spend time with my brother and sister. Where are they?"

"In their room."

Before I could leave, she said, "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"What's that?" I asked, my stomach dropping. I didn't want to give my mom money, but I couldn't resist helping my siblings out when they needed it. And I'd never tell my mom, but I had college savings plans set up for each of them. I wanted them to have a way out should they want it.

"The car broke down again."

I winced. "I hate to have to tell you but you’re going to have to get something newer.”

Mom rolled her eyes. "You know I can't afford a car right now."

"You want me to check the used lots for a good deal?"

Mom's shoulders dropped. "Can you see if they'll take the old one on a trade? I'd love to save some money."

I didn't have the heart to tell her no one would want the junker in the driveway that rarely ran. "I'll see what I can find."

Mom knew I wouldn't buy her a car or even give her money. I'd set that boundary early on. But I was good at working with people and negotiating, so I could finagle a deal for her. "You have any money for a down payment?"

Mom's lips pursed. "You know things have been tight."

"You're not seeing anyone?" I asked, knowing the drill. Sometimes she could get financial help from whomever she was seeing.

"Carl left last week. Said he couldn't live here anymore."

"You should be careful who you're bringing here to live with Duncan and Rae. They're getting older now."

Mom shrugged. "We're going to be fine. It's just tight between boyfriends. You know how it is."

It was a cycle I hoped would stop for my siblings, because I hated the roller coaster.

Every once in a while, Mom had dated a guy who put food on the table and bought me new clothes.

But more likely than not, he was an extra mouth to feed, and we were worse off.

She was forever chasing a man who'd take care of her. But I didn't think those men existed.

My mind flashed to the moment when Cooper had asked if I was okay. It was a simple throwaway question, but I knew he meant it. I felt that concern deep in my soul. I couldn't let one man trick me into thinking I could have something more.

I took care of myself. I didn't need a man to do that for me. Especially not a Kingston.

"I'll see what I can find."

Mom reached over and squeezed my hand. "You're a good daughter."

"Thanks, Mom." I didn't feel like one when I refused to give her money. But she hadn't given me everything I needed growing up: love or support. She'd made her decisions, and I'd made mine. But I always ensured that Duncan and Rae were taken care of.

I walked into their shared room. They were getting older now and needed to have separate bedrooms. But I figured it was better for them to be together just in case Mom moved a bad guy in. I hated to think like that, but it was a reality when you dated around like she did.

"Ivy!" Rae cried when she saw me, jumping up from her bed.

I hugged her tight. "I missed you."

She smiled up at me. "It's only been a week."

Duncan hugged me, slightly more reluctant. I worried he wouldn't welcome hugs soon.

I sat on the end of Duncan's bed that was still rumpled from sleep. "How are things at school?"

"I'm in the play," Rae cried as she jumped on her bed.

"That's amazing, but no jumping on the bed," I said to her.

She landed with a flop on her butt.

"I'm graduating from elementary school," Duncan added.

I couldn't believe he was getting that old already. "Do you need money for the class trip or the end-of-year party?"

Duncan handed me the paperwork from his school folder.

"I can take care of this." Thankfully, they used the same account for field trips as their school lunches. I always ensured they had money in their account for lunches so they wouldn't need free lunches.

"My shoes are getting tight," Rae whined.

I smiled at her. "Of course they are. You're a growing girl. You want the same style. Next size up?"

She nodded.

I tucked Duncan's school paperwork in my purse. "You want to head to the park today? It's a beautiful day out."

"Duh," Duncan said, teetering so close to the teenage attitude that I dreaded.

"You're not supposed to say duh. It's not nice."

He sighed. "Can we go now?"

"Let's say goodbye to Mom, and then we'll go." I followed them to the kitchen where they hugged Mom, and then we headed out. It was important for me to maintain this relationship with my siblings. I grew up as an only child, and I was glad they had each other.

As long as I was here to keep an eye on them, their childhood would be different than mine.

They wouldn't worry about having food in the fridge or shoes that fit.

If Mom couldn't pay for the rent on the trailer or the kids were scared of one of her boyfriends, I'd petition the court for custody.

I just hoped it wouldn't get to that point.

I drove them to the park in town next to the recreation center. There was a playground, a basketball court, and even a walking path through the woods. As an added bonus, it was across the street from Sanibel Bean, the coffee and ice-cream shop.

"Can I shoot hoops?" Duncan asked after he'd been on the playground for a while.

There was a group of men playing a game, but they'd taken a water break. "Just don't get in the way of the game."

He ran over to the court and asked one of the men if he could use their ball. When the man nodded, Duncan squared up to the hoop and shot. The man caught the rebound and passed it back to him.

When Rae ran up to me, I asked, "I'm going to check on Duncan, okay?"

"Sure," she said as she ran off again.

My pulse picked up when I realized the man he was talking to was Cooper, and he was shirtless.

He wore basketball shorts low on his hips, and sweat clung to his shoulders. His tan skin glowed in the afternoon sunlight.

He demonstrated the proper positioning of his hands on the ball and showed Duncan how to shoot. The ball whooshed through the net. "Now you do it."

Duncan mimicked his hand position and attempted to shoot it with the same form, but it bounced off the rim.

Cooper snagged the rebound and threw it at Duncan. "That was better. Try it again."

I stopped at the edge of the court, watching them together. The other men were gathering their things and heading out.

"You coming out with us?" Shep asked Cooper.

Cooper scanned the area, his gaze snagging on me, and paused. "I have some things to take care of."

My cheeks heated.

"What are you doing here?" Shep asked me.

I nodded toward Duncan. "Spending some time with my brother and sister."

Shep glanced at Duncan. "I forgot you have younger siblings."

I smiled. "Much younger."

He squeezed my shoulder. "You're a good sister."

"Thanks."

"I'm going to head out," Shep said, falling into step with the Kingston men. They were an impressive bunch with their hard muscles and tan skin.

I waited while Cooper helped Duncan with his shot and then asked him, "You want to do some one-on-one?"

Duncan nodded shyly. "Sure."

Duncan didn't have a father figure around. Not one that stayed for longer than a few months and none that I'd consider good for him.

I sat on the bench so that I could keep one eye on Rae on the playground, where she'd found a group of girls to play with, and Duncan. Although Cooper in his shirtless state was drawing more of my attention.

His muscles rippled as he played defense on Duncan, and when he jumped in the air to block his shot, his muscles pulled taut.

Cooper fist bumped him when the shot went in.

Duncan drifted over to me. "I'm thirsty."

I handed him his water bottle.

"You come to the park often?" Cooper asked me.

"We come here once a week, and then we get ice cream." I hated leaving them in that trailer, so this eased some of my guilt. I couldn't take them from my mom without a clear reason, but I wanted them to have a reprieve from that place.

"Can we get ice cream now?" Duncan asked.

"Sure. Let me grab Rae."

"Let me know if you want to play basketball again," Cooper said to Duncan.

"I don't know if that's possible," I said, not wanting Cooper to infiltrate my life any more than he already had.

"Please?" Duncan asked, and I sighed.

Why did Cooper want to get involved?

I hoped he didn't disappoint my brother. "I'll let you know the next time we're here."

Cooper nodded. "I'll see you next time, buddy."

Duncan hugged me quickly and ran off, calling over his shoulder. "I'll get Rae."

"You didn't have to do that," I said to Cooper who wiped the sweat from his forehead, then his chest. His pecs flexed, and I sighed.

"Duncan seemed to want me to play with him."

"He doesn't have a father who's around," I reluctantly admitted.

"Sounds like he could use someone then."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "And exactly who is that?"

"A good man who wants to teach him how to play basketball." Cooper grabbed his bag and walked the path around the playground.

I rushed to keep up. "You couldn't possibly want to be the guy to do that."

He raised a brow. "And why is that?"

I searched for the answer but settled on the only one I knew. "You're busy, and we're not your responsibility."

Cooper paused and faced me. "I think you have this all wrong. Duncan asked for help, and I'm willing to give it. There's no ulterior motive."

This time I raised a brow. "Are you sure about that?"

Cooper's face softened. "Not everyone wants something from you, and maybe I just want to help a kid who needs it." He boosted the bag onto his shoulder. "Besides, I like him."

"If you think you're going to get into my pants by going through my brother, you're wrong." I was a little embarrassed that I went that far, but I wanted to be clear.

Cooper drew up and looked at me. "Who said anything about that? You were clear it was a one-time thing."

I wanted to ask if he was going to push that boundary, but I didn't want to sound like I was eager for that to happen. He had me stuck. I needed to let this go, or it would seem like I wanted him.

"I bring him here ever Saturday afternoon, but if you don't show up?—"

Cooper's face softened. "I have your number. I'll let you know if I can't make it."

Relief flooded my system. I could handle rejection, but I didn't want Duncan to experience it. He didn't deserve to be cast aside by another man. "Okay."

Duncan and Rae ran up to us.

"I'll see you next week," Cooper said to Duncan.

"Yeah, okay."

"Be good until then," Coop said, and I wondered if he'd be a good role model for Duncan. God knows he needed one.

"I will."

"Thanks for helping Duncan with his shot," I said to him, grateful despite my reluctance to need anyone for anything.

"Anytime," Cooper said before heading to his truck.

We used the crosswalk to cross the street, filing into the coffee shop slash ice-cream store. I'd somehow managed to avoid interacting with Cooper outside of our friends' get-togethers or the inspections.

Cooper Kingston was a good man. He was nice to my brother, taking the time to show him a few basketball skills. To anyone else, that might not be much, but to me, it was huge.

I didn't want to set up a schedule where he could work with Duncan. It might be nice for now, but I anticipated for the inevitable fallout. People always let you down. Cooper would get busy or focused on something or someone else, and Duncan would be left behind.

I wouldn't let that happen. I looked out for my siblings because I could see the pitfalls before they could. I'd been through this before. I'd experienced the worst humanity had to offer, and I'd protect my brother and sister from it at all costs.

Cooper Kingston would move on from our little family. It was only a matter of time.