“Almost two years ago.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yes. Richard is very nice. I think you’ll like him.”
“But why didn’t you tell me about him?” I’m kind of hurt. Scratch that—I’m really hurt. Why did she keep this from me? And for two years? That’s a long-ass time. It makes no sense.
“Well, at first I didn’t think it would go anywhere, so why bother bringing him into our lives, you know? Let alone mentioning him. We were just friends, but then it grew into something more and now…now we’re in love. And a few weeks ago, he asked me to marry him.”
“What?” I keep saying that word, but she keeps dropping these bombs on me, so I can’t help it. That’s where the ring came from. It’s an engagement ring.
Holy shit.
“Yes. Married. We’re just engaged, so there’s no rush. And now with the accident, I’m sure I’ll have to wait a little longer. But that’s okay. We have all the time in the world.”
This time, the smile on her face is real, and I don’t think it’s hurting her either. She looks content. Happy even. Despite her being banged up and in the hospital with two black eyes and a broken ankle, I can feel the happiness radiating from her.
And it makes me happy too, despite her secret-keeping.
“I wish you would’ve told me about him,” I say quietly. “Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs, then winces. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I’ve never had the best luck with men. Then after a while, when I realized it was real, you were so busy, I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“You should’ve just…told me.”
“I know. And I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. Just—don’t keep secrets, okay?”
“Ah, well. We all have secrets, though, don’t we? Like your new girlfriend? The Naughty Nanny?” Mom teases.
Great. I knew she’d hear about it. Why wouldn’t she? Everyone in the world knows, I swear. “Sydney didn’t have an affair with Drew.”
“Oh, I know. I’m just teasing. Drew is too good to his wife to ever do something like that.” She hesitates, her voice going softer. “Is she a nice girl, Wade? This Sydney? Do you like her a lot?”
I’m tempted to tell her the relationship is bogus, but something holds me back. That tiny detail might worry my mom. Or make her ask too many questions I don’t want to answer.
Then I think of Sydney naked in her bed this morning. I think of how she hugged me and rubbed my shoulders and kissed me like she meant it. I think of all those things that make her who she is, and how I like every single one of those little details.
“Yeah. I like her a lot. I think you would too.”
“You need to bring her over then, so I can meet her, and you can show her your hometown. Then you two can meet Richard.”
“You sure you don’t want me to wait two years first?” I ask sarcastically.
“Smartass,” she mutters, shaking her head, making me grin. She sounds like her regular self, and that reassures me. “Maybe in a few weeks we can come watch one of your games, if I’m feeling better.”
“Whenever you want tickets, Mom, I’ll put some aside for you. And whatever money you might need too, I’m here. If things go well this season, you might be able to retire by the end of next year.”
That’s my goal. I want to take care of her so she never has to work again. She’s done so much for me my entire life. Now it’s my turn to do something for her. It’s the least I can do for all the sacrifices she’s made over the years.
“Ah, wouldn’t that be lovely? I hope it comes true. Then when Richard retires, we could travel the world.” She smiles as she closes her eyes. “Thank you for running to my rescue, Wade. It is so good to see you.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I tell her. “I’ll stay with you here as long as you need me.”
“Until Richard’s off from work, maybe?”
“Sure you want me to meet him?”
“You’re not going to let that go, are you?” she mutters. “Yes. I want you to meet him.”
“Then I’ll stay here as long as you need me. Is Richard taking you home from the hospital?” I ask.
“Yes. He’ll take care of me these next few weeks. Already said he’ll take vacation time if I need him to.” She grabs hold of my hand again, giving it a squeeze. “He’s one of the good ones, Wade. Took me a while, but I finally lucked out and found one. I hope your Sydney is like that. Because once you find a good one, you don’t ever let them go. Trust me.”
“I don’t plan on letting this one go, Mom.” I squeeze her hand in return. “I promise.”
And I mean it.
Couples surround me, yet I’m all alone.
And it totally sucks.
It’s been a lazy Monday, the kind where nothing gets done and no one minds. None of us ever left the house, which made watching the kids a lot easier. They were quiet most of the day, and so was I, because I’m still so tired, I feel like a zombie, shuffling around this giant house all day.
We just ate dinner and we’re all spending time in the family room before Autumn and Jacob go to bed, watching a kids’ movie on the big screen TV. Owen and Chelsea are cozy as they cuddle on the couch, a thick blanket thrown over both of them. Drew and Fable are stretched out on the other couch, Fable leaning against her husband, Drew’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. Even Autumn and Jacob have each other. They’re sitting on a blanket on the floor, the two of them actually being quiet for once as they watch the movie with rapt attention. Everyone has someone else, leaving me completely out of the equation.
I’m stuck in an overstuffed chair by myself, and absolutely miserable. I miss Wade so much it hurts, which is ridiculous, but I can’t help it. He hasn’t even been gone twenty-four hours—he only left early this morning, and I’m acting like a pouty baby who didn’t get her way. Imagine how I’ll be if we’re still together and he starts traveling for out of town games.
A straight up mess, I’m sure.
But yeah, that’s me assuming we’ll still be together. I don’t know if that’s going to happen. Now with him gone and me having much time on my hands today, I can’t stop evaluating our relationship and how it started out as totally fake. Can we really turn what we have into something real? Does he want to? Do I want to? The questions keep running through my head over and over, to the point where I’m doubting myself, along with Wade.
I can’t deny we have an attraction. Chemistry. Whatever you want to call it. Yes, we had sex. But lots of people have casual sex and then never actually get together all the time. This could happen between us. That’s the way it should happen. It makes more sense than us falling in love and living together, happily ever after.
Of course, look what Fable told me last night. She and Drew started out practically the same way. And when I think about their relationship, and how solid and passionate and perfect it seems, I’m blown away. They were forced to spend time together, yet they still fell in love.
Maybe there’s hope for Wade and me yet.
Or maybe I’m reading too much into this. Maybe he’s going to reject me and I’m going to end up looking like a fool.
My heart hurts just thinking about it. And so does my head. I can’t take it anymore.
“Do you mind if I go to bed?” I aim my question at Drew and Fable.
Fable sits up, turning to look at me, her expression full of concern. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “I’m just tired.” Not a lie. I’m worn out from Wade keeping me up the last two nights.
“Missing a certain someone?” The knowing smile Fable shoots my way makes me want to throw a couch pillow at her.
But I don’t. Because, you know, I want to keep my job.
“Yeah.” I shrug, feeling awkward. “Do you want me to put the kids to bed?”
“No, I’ll take care of them after the movie’s over. Thanks, Syd. Good night,” Fable says cheeril
y.
I stand and they all say goodnight to me, Autumn and Jacob running toward me to give me a quick hug and kiss before they resume sitting on the floor to finish their movie.
I leave the family room and wander toward the staircase. A flash of light suddenly appears through the mottled glass of the front door and I pause, wondering if someone has pulled up to the house.
Weird. Usually they get a call from the gate, unless whoever it is knows the password.
I’m about to head up the stairs when there’s a soft knock on the door. Frowning, I approach the door, checking through the peephole to see who’s on the other side.
And when I see who it is, I unlock and throw open the door so fast I’m breathless. “What are you doing here?”
Wade stands in front of me, his hands shoved in his rumpled jeans, his T-shirt wrinkled, his hair a mess, his face full of exhaustion. “I heard there’s a girl here who’ll give me a full body message. I’m hoping to collect payment.”
I don’t even bother containing my emotions. I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around him tightly, closing my eyes to fight off the tears that threaten. I’m an emotional mess just seeing him, and I can’t explain why. I’m just so glad he’s back.
“I can’t believe you came back so soon. How’s your mom?” I ask, my voice muffled against his chest.
He runs a hand over my hair, then presses his lips to my forehead. “I can tell you all about it, but I’m hoping you’ll let me take a shower first?”
My poor, tired, dirty man. I pull away from him, grab his hand and lead him up the stairs, my entire body shaking. He’s here. I can’t believe he didn’t go straight home, that he came over to be with me instead.
I’m so glad he’s here. So happy he chose me first.
I direct Wade to my shower and make sure he has a clean towel and washcloth. Then I go ask Drew if he has some clothes to spare for him. Fable helps me dig up a pair of old, ugly red Niners sweats and a T-shirt, a knowing smile on her face the entire time.
“He came for you,” Fable whispers just as she hands me the clothes. “It’s a sign.”
“A sign of what?” I frown.
“That he cares about you. He was thinking about you. He had to come and see you first.” Her knowing smile grows even bigger. “You matter to him, Sydney. Don’t forget that.”
I matter to him.
Those words are on repeat in my brain as I drift back into my bedroom as if in a daze. I knock on the attached bathroom’s closed door and then open it, setting the clothes on the counter. I can see him through the shower’s glass door, his very muscular, very naked body covered in soap.
The stuff of fantasies, I swear.
I slam the bathroom door shut and then frantically change out of my clothes, throwing on an old T-shirt I wear to sleep and kicking off my shorts so I’m only in my pink cotton panties. Then I dive beneath the bedcovers and wait, the anticipation nearly killing me.
Ten minutes later the door finally opens, steam billowing out of the bathroom. I anxiously wait for him to appear and I sit up, holding my breath as I wait for him to make his appearance. When he finally walks out of the bathroom, I gasp.
And then I immediately start to laugh.
“What?” I glance down at myself, knowing that she’s laughing at the stupid sweats I’m wearing. First, they’re too tight. I’m bigger than Drew. Second, they’re bright red. Fire engine red. Niners red.
They’re kind of hideous.
“I knew those sweats would be ridiculous,” she says between giggles.
I grin at her. “You’re mean.”
“I can’t help it.” She starts giggling harder. “Red is not your color.”
“They don’t even fit me.” I walk toward the bed, grimacing as the fabric binds and stretches tight against my boys. I’m kicking these fuckers off as soon as I get in that bed with her, I swear.
Sydney flips the covers back, patting the empty side next to her. “Join me?”
“Gladly.” I practically collapse onto the mattress, closing my eyes as she pulls the blankets over me. I can hear her lean over, the click of the lamp as she shuts it off, shrouding the room in darkness.
I crack open my eyes to find her watching me, a silly smile still on her face. “See? Lamps are nice.”
“You with the lamp thing again,” I grumble, reaching out to grab her and pull her toward me. She comes willingly, snuggling close with her head on my shoulder, and she sighs.
I sigh too. I’ve never felt so content.
“Tell me about your mom,” she whispers.
I give her the rundown. About the accident, how I stayed at the hospital all day until her boyfriend showed up. What a nice guy he is, and how he’s not actually her boyfriend but her fiancé. I spilled my guts, telling Sydney everything, and when I finish she lifts her head, smiling drowsily at me.
“You’re a good son.”
“I guess. Not good enough for her to tell me about her fiancé, though.” That still bothers me. I want my mom to be honest with me and not have any secrets between us.
“You’re busy. She’s busy.” Sydney frowns. “Maybe she was worried about how you’d react.”
Maybe. I don’t know. I guess I kept my mom on a pedestal for so long, it’s hard for me to deal when she makes a mistake. “Not sure why, but whatever. It makes me feel bad. I don’t want us keeping secrets from each other, and I told her that.” I meet Sydney’s gaze. “I don’t want us to have any secrets either.”
“Did you tell her about me?”
“I did.”
“Did you tell her the entire story?” She lifts a delicate brow.
“No.” Shit. I’m talking out both sides of my mouth here. I tell my mom no more secrets, yet I keep the truth from her. But I couldn’t bring myself to tell my mother everything. What if she thought differently of Sydney because of our situation? I couldn’t have it. “Why worry her or make her wonder what we’re doing can’t work?” I hold my breath, waiting for her answer.
“You’re keeping a secret from her though.”
A ragged sigh escapes me. Busted. “I know.” I pause. “Do you want me to tell her the truth?”
“You probably should.” She hesitates. “Eventually. It’s the right thing to do.”
Yeah. She’s right.
“Do you want what’s happening between us to work?” Now Sydney sounds nervous. Really nervous.
I need to reassure her.
Reaching out, I touch her face, then trace her lips. “Yeah.”
Her smile grows. “Me too.”
“Forget the fake shit.” I’ve always been wary of relationships, always keeping it casual, playing it safe.
Until Sydney. Forget casual. She makes me feel safe.
She makes me feel so much, it’s hard to describe.
“I agree,” she says. “This is for real.”
“For realz?” It’s my turn to tease and I can’t help myself, I start chuckling.
“For realzies.” She rears up and kisses me on the lips, a soft, sweet kiss that tells me exactly how she feels about me. “We should take those sweats off.”
“I’m wearing nothing underneath them,” I warn her.
“Even better,” she whispers just before I kiss her again. “Are you wanting to collect on that full body massage now?”
“I don’t think so. Not tonight.” Another kiss, this one with tongue. “I’ll save that for another time. But I am wanting to collect something from you.”
“What exactly are you looking for?” she asks.
“You.” I kiss her. “Naked.” Kiss her again. “Beneath me.” One more kiss, with lots of tongue this time, until we’re both breathless and panting and her shirt is shoved up over her breasts and I’m cupping them in my hands. “Me inside you.”
“That sounds good,” she whispers.
“No,” I tell her just before I start to kiss her all over again. “That sounds fucking perfect.”
“I still can’t belie
ve you agreed to have all of these people over on Christmas Eve,” I tell Fable with a slight shake of my head. We’re standing in the formal dining room, the long table covered with a variety of delicious food that smells amazing, despite the fact that I’ve eaten enough to cover my calorie intake for the next five days. Or more like five years.
Oh well, who’s counting?
The Callahan house is jam packed with people, there’s Christmas music playing in the background and Autumn and Jacob are running all over the house like savages, the both of them beyond excited at the prospect that Santa Claus is coming tonight.
“Well, you’ve been by my side helping me with all the planning so no big deal, right?” Fable smiles and rubs her belly, her face glowing. This pregnancy has agreed with her and luckily enough has given her no complications. She looks beautiful in a flowing red dress, and she’s still tiny save for the slope of her belly. “Now go mingle. I’m going to go talk to your brother.”
My mouth drops open. Gabe and his girlfriend Lucy came to the party, and for some reason, Fable and Gabe have really hit it off. “Seriously?” I guess I shouldn’t be shocked. Gabe can be quite charming when he wants to be.
“Seriously. He’s funny. So are his friends. I particularly like Shep,” Fable says with a smile because yes, Shep and his girlfriend Jade are here too.
“I like Shep, but I’ve always been partial to Tristan.” It’s true, even though Tristan has been a total dickwad most of his life, he was always nice to me. His girlfriend Alex has really helped him learn how to not be a dickwad to everyone, which is a bonus.
“Oh, I like Tristan too, and his girlfriend Alex. I love her! Steven and Kelli are sweet too, I’m so glad they brought them.” Fable beams. “I love all your brother’s friends. They’re so much fun.” And with that, Fable leaves, calling out Gabe’s name when she spots him.
Shaking my head, I go and grab a glass of champagne and sip from it, smiling as I watch everyone talk and laugh. There’s a real hodge podge of people here tonight. I invited my brother and Lucy, and he ends up bringing an entourage, which thankfully Fable and Drew don’t mind.