Page 17 of The Ex Next Door (Charming, Texas #8)

D eclan had been watching from behind the bar much of the night as Paul got more handsy with every drink.

Declan’s fists clenched as that hand of Paul’s just got lower and lower until it sat nearly on Amy’s behind.

Eventually, Declan started watering down his drinks and to hell with policy.

Next he put a parasol in his scotch on the rocks just to mess with him but Amy must have taken it out.

Amy, obviously new to this kind of manhandling, didn’t know what to do.

Plus, apparently this genius was a former coworker of Rob’s who was half in love with Amy.

That didn’t surprise Declan, nor could he blame the man.

What surprised him was how quickly everything disintegrated and Declan wound up assuming bouncer duties for the evening.

Tonight’s after-work coaching session hadn’t helped Amy the way it had Debbie. All Debbie needed was acknowledgment that people were, in general, cheap. But Debbie had been waitressing for decades and she didn’t feel guilty about a damn thing.

As he followed the taillights of Amy’s sedan into town, he considered that tomorrow he’d be mowing her lawn again.

It was also the night his father had invited both of them over for dinner.

She was missing the kids, so this would be a perfect distraction.

Finn and Michelle would be there and they were always good for a laugh or two.

He just had to make sure he got her there tomorrow and that she wouldn’t make up some lame excuse.

Plus, he wanted to spend time with her, which he didn’t care to analyze too closely.

They were old friends and neighbors so it wouldn’t be awkward around his parents, who’d always adored Amy.

He’d become way too sentimental the night before, admitting more than he had cared to. The last thing he needed was for Amy to remember what they’d once meant to each other. He wasn’t ready to open up to such vulnerable and tender spots. There was no point.

Amy was standing outside her car admiring the sky when he pulled into his driveway seconds after her.

“Thanks for following me home.”

“Turns out, it was on my way,” he said with a smirk.

“I hope you don’t somehow feel responsible for me.”

The words surprised him. He remembered how this had all started with his father, and a challenge and opportunity to help someone in need.

But he’d never seen Amy as helpless . She was amazing, actually, raising her kids and working while studying for her teacher certifications.

Honestly, Amy made Declan feel like he was standing still and she was a whirlwind passing through.

This was a big deal for someone like him who’d worked half his life to leave everyone else in the dust.

“Why would you think that?”

“Since we moved in, you always seem to be around.”

“Um, I live here?” He put a hand on his chest. “And no offense, but I was here first.”

She bit on her lower lip, holding back a smile. “I know that. First, you helped us move in.”

“That was out of necessity. Because…the boxes.”

“Okay, but the next thing I know, you’re mowing the grass every week.”

“It’s a small shared lawn, no big deal.”

“Then, you’re helping David with baseball.”

“Well, I saw him kicking that soccer ball around and… You know how I feel about soccer.”

“And then you got me the job.”

“You wanted one, and it worked out.”

“So, this is all a coincidence?”

No, it’s not.

I wanted to support you and the kids after your divorce, but it’s become a lot more than that.

You’re one of the best memories I have.

He shrugged, trying to shake it off. “I guess you and I are still connected in a lot of ways.”

“I guess we are.” She shook a finger at him. “But you’re going to have to let me do something for you sometime. No arguments.”

“Oh, you’re already doing that.”

He tipped back on his heels, because man, she left that metaphorical door wide open for him and he was about to walk inside and get himself a beer.

“I am?”

“Did you forget dinner at my parents’ house tomorrow night?”

She smacked her forehead. “Was he serious about that?”

“Have you ever heard my dad joke about dinner?”

“Do you really want me there? I thought you could make up some excuse as to why I can’t go.”

“Why would I do that when it will be easier if I bring someone they can talk to instead of me? Do this for me, Amy. Please.”

“That seems like a pretty easy thing to do, but sure. I’ll go to dinner with your parents.” She waved, unlocked and opened her front door. “Good night.”

He saluted. “Good night.”

Declan went inside and grabbed a cold beer out of the fridge.

Usually he was a bit too wound up after work to go straight to sleep so he flipped the TV on to ESPN.

He wouldn’t mind going to bed right now, just not alone.

His mind kept going to images of Amy in bed with him but he kept pushing them away.

For the first time in weeks, he pulled up the text message from an old friend.

I heard you’re between coaching gigs. Could use your help with the varsity baseball team here at Charming High School. Head coach retiring next year. We could always use another science teacher, too. Know it’s not what you’re used to but we need you. Think about it.

Charming High School, home of the Bulldogs, the first team where he’d played varsity. The place where he’d met Amy. Declan had replied no thanks, that he wasn’t ready to go back to coaching ball, maybe never would be.

He found the graph he’d drawn on the back of a napkin and laughed. He’d used the idea to get his dad off his back. Then, he thought he’d outsmarted his father. Maybe now the joke was on him.

He never imagined it would be so easy for Amy to slip back into his life like she’d never left.

* * *

“Honey, are you okay? You’re not just pretending to be okay, are you?” Mom said. “Lou and I can come over this afternoon, bring you some boba tea.”

“You’ve come over every day this week. Look, I’m fine. I talked to the kids yesterday like I’ve talked to them every day. It helps that they’re doing fine. It would be awful if I had to force them to go see Rob.”

“Well, you’ve raised two extremely well-adjusted kids and that’s why they’re fine. What kind of tea would you like me to bring you?”

Nice as the tea sounded, Amy didn’t have time for her mother today.

That sounded awful, but they had been spending a lot of time together since the separation.

Mom had been there for Amy when everything happened.

She’d been there when Rob moved out and Amy fell apart—privately.

A good mother didn’t let her kids see her depressed.

They may have witnessed a tear or two, and they were smarter than Amy sometimes realized.

Naturally, her mother worried, and by now Amy understood all too well.

Though she was thirty-one and the mother of two, her mom was never going to stop caring and worrying about her only child.

“Actually, I’m kind of busy today. I’m making lots of progress on my certifications with the kids gone, and I’m going to dinner with a friend.” Amy bit her lower lip, hoping against hope Mom wouldn’t ask.

“Sounds wonderful! What friend?”

Amy diverted. “It’s actually dinner with my friend and the family. Not a date or anything.”

“You’re meeting his family ?”

“How do you know it’s a him?”

“Isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Amy sighed. “My friend is Declan and it’s not as if I’m meeting his family for the first time.”

“Declan Sheridan?”

“Yes, he’s been really kind and sweet. He’s helping David with baseball and he always mows our lawn along with his own. He got me the job, too, as you know.”

At that moment, the lawn mower roared to life, and Amy stepped to the window to watch Declan’s solid muscular form behind it.

“I suspected he’d come sniffing around again once he realized you were available. That boy has always had the hots for you.”

Amy snort-laughed. “Please. It’s not like that, okay? It was actually Mr. Sheridan who invited me over when I ran into him at David’s practice. So, basically, Declan and I are simply going to the same place at the same time. Nothing more than that.”

“Good, because I think it’s too soon for you to start dating someone.”

“Rob already signed up for one of those dating apps. He’ll be dating someone so I don’t know what I’m waiting for!”

“Rob did? He did not! Of all the nerve.”

“Mom, we’re divorced. He’s moving on and he’s allowed.” Amy’s phone pinged, and she saw it was Rob’s caller ID . “Gotta go. It’s Rob calling.”

“Hey,” Rob said when she clicked over.

“Is everything okay?”

“You’re going to be pissed but I got called into work.”

“Aren’t you on vacation ?” He’d taken a week off work and still had the kids for a few more days.

“Yeah, Amy. I’m on vacation. But there’s a problem at the main office and I’m the guy.”

It’s not like she hadn’t heard this one before. “How long will you be gone?”

“The rest of the week. I’ll just add the days to my vacation time next month, and I can have the kids for longer. If that’s okay with you.”

“When should I come pick them up?”

“I’ll bring them to you.” He was quiet for a second and when he resumed talking his voice was hushed. “They miss you, anyway. It’s not the same here. They’re good kids, and they’re trying. But this isn’t their home.”

For a moment, Rob sounded so discouraged that Amy felt a stab of sympathy. Clearly, this divorce was hard on him, too. He’d been the one to make the decision to end their marriage, but on some level maybe he finally regretted what it had done to their lives. To the kids.

Amy hung up with Rob, then went out front to talk to Declan. She’d have to cancel dinner tonight. Good thing she hadn’t gone through too much trouble worrying what to wear.

He looked up to see her waving, stopped the mower and grinned. “Hey.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t go to dinner tonight. Rob is bringing the kids by in a few minutes. He had some work emergency.”