“Bed’s warm,” I murmur when my ass hits the mattress. “Did I wake you up?”
“No, I was just reading,” she sighs, tugging my socks off one by one. “Scoot in.”
Again, I do as she says and am rewarded when she climbs in from the other side and snuggles her butt into my lap.
“Thank you.” I bend an arm under her head like a pillow while the other rests lazily against her belly.
“For what?” she whispers, as she tucks her head beneath my chin, filling my nose with her sweetness while her little body shares its warmth.
“For this.” As many times as we made love that summer, it was moments like this when I felt closest to her. Moments like this that meant the most.
“It’s not entirely for you,” she confesses. “I love having you near. In this town, in my bed…”
“You just like my ass.”
She giggles and the sound fills my soul like nothing else.
The truth is, Hayden and I are made of moments like this.
Just the two of us wishing on the same star.
The two of us sharing a beer and a blanket on the beach.
The two of us giving into an unexpected flame and creating life.
Those summers were scattered with moments that paved the way for the ones we shared every two weeks and the days in between for the past four years.
We might’ve raised our son apart and we might’ve lived separate lives, but we were always together. Wrapped up in the child we share and in simple moments like this.
“I want to tell Jett,” she whispers
“Thought you wanted to wait.”
“I want this more.”
Me, too, city girl. Me, too.
HAYDEN
Facedown and sprawled out like a starfish, Jesse cracks open a hazy eye. “Oh, thank God. It wasn’t a dream.”
Grinning, I reach out and trace a sleep line on his cheek. I’ve been awake for the past forty-five minutes, taking turns between watching him sleep and watching the sun come up in shades of coral over the lake. It’s supposed to storm later, but right now, it’s calm and beautiful, just like the man in my bed.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Amazing.” He buries his face in the pillow and stretches his arms toward the headboard, making the muscles in his back flex and roll like a quiet thunder.
“Really? This bed is a dinosaur.”
“Yeah, but you’re in it.” A lazy smile plays on his lips as he rolls to his side, pulls me close, and brushes the faintest of kisses across my lips. “How about you?”
“Good.”
One eyebrow quirks. “Just good?”
“I have to go to Green Bay today.”
“Okay.” His tone is light enough, but the crease in his brow doesn’t match. “Everything alright?”
“Yes, of course. I had Hannah grab some things from the house and Jett hasn’t seen my mom and dad in a while, so I figured we’d make a day of it.”
“Ah, he’ll love that.” His hand slides from my back to my hip, his mouth opening and then closing again.
“What?”
“Do you think going back will instigate questions? I know you want to tell him what’s going on, but…” his voice trails off.
“He asked about Lane last night when I put him to bed.”
His gaze darts to mine. “What did you say?”
“That we won’t be living with him anymore and that we’re going to stay here for a while instead, so he can spend more time with you.”
“And?”
“He was excited, but then he asked if Lane was going to come and visit…” A ball of emotion lodges in my throat, because, out of all of the reactions he could have had, it was selfishly the one I’d hoped he wouldn’t. “Because he misses him.”
Jesse’s eyes pinch shut in a grimace. “Damn. I mean, I expected he’d eventually feel that way. In fact, I think I’d be more concerned if he didn’t, but... shit.”
“I don’t know what to do,” I whisper, my chest aching. Jett’s tears were minimal and his confession was more confused than distraught, but the likelihood of things getting harder before they get easier is very real. He’s never known a life without Lane and, as much as I’d love a clean break, I don’t think it’s possible. Not with a child involved.
“Take him to see him today.”
“What?” I pull back, surprised. “I don’t want to see him. I—”
“I know, babe, but this isn’t about you.” His fingers feather against the side of my face and then down my neck. “Hate to say it like that, but it’s the truth.”
“He hasn’t even called to talk to him.”
Jesse’s jaw tightens. “Not Jett’s fault that Kelsie’s an asshole.”
No, but it’s my fault that we’re in this situation. Dammit.
“You want me to come with?”
“No.” I press my hands to his chest. “No, you’ve had enough to deal with this week. We’ll just… maybe we’ll stop by his office. It’ll be less awkward than seeing him at the house and also give me a reason to keep it short.”
He leans in for another kiss. “I like the way you think.”
“Speaking of that…” I say against his lips. “I don’t want any crap about it, but I’m definitely going into your office tomorrow. And the next day. And next week, too. You’re going to need someone to take over for Greta until you sort things out, and since it’s my area of expertise…”
He pulls in a deep breath and slowly exhales. “As much as I want to say no, I can’t. The guys are going to want to get paid this week.”
“I got you covered, handsome.” Curling my hands around his jaw, I kiss him slow and sweet, wishing we had more time. Unfortunately, it’s already five thirty and Jesse’s usually at work by six, never mind that Jett will be up any minute now, too. Finding his dad in my bed is not how I want him to start the day… yet.
As if I’d manifested it, Jesse’s alarm goes off and he rolls over quickly, fumbling for the phone on the nightstand. “Fucking thing.”
Laughing, I throw back the covers and begrudgingly haul my butt out of bed. “You get dressed and I’ll make coffee.”
“Can we make out a little while it brews?” he asks, eyebrows waggling.
“As long as Jett is still asleep.”
“Then we’re definitely doing this more often.”
Three hours later, Jett and I arrive in Green Bay and, after a quick run to Dunkin’ for Jett’s favorite donut holes and my favorite iced coffee, we head to Hannah’s.
Bryce and Stella are still in their pj’s, watching cartoons in the living room, so Jett joins them with his donuts, while Hannah and I retreat to the kitchen.
“How was the drive?” she asks, hands wrapped around a mug of steaming coffee.
“Long. Seemed a lot shorter going north than coming back down,” I sigh, taking a seat across from her at the table.
“Probably because you’d rather be there than here.”