Chapter 13
I open the file for the current manuscript I’m editing. It’s an author I’ve worked with before. I really like her style. Her writing keeps me engaged, and she’s unpredictable. She packs the pages with twists and turns I don’t see coming.
The ringing of my phone pulls me from the confrontation between the bad boy billionaire and his feisty step-sister. Running for her life because she witnessed a murder, she asks him to hide her in his island home. The sexual tension has been building and I think things are about to cross familial lines. I check the caller ID and my pulse ticks up a notch.
It’s Chance. He’s redefined what I know about sexual tension. I’m surprised, and excited to speak to him. He doesn’t usually call during the school day.
“Hey sexy.”
Even over the phone his velvety voice turns me into a puddle. My mind races back to the manuscript I’m reading, only the characters running through my head are no longer the ones the author wrote, they’ve morphed into Chance and me dripping with water on a white beach, surrounded by crystal blue ocean.
“Hey yourself. What can I do for you?”
“As I’m in a public setting I’ll save that for tonight. I just wanted to let you know your car is going to be dropped off soon.”
“Guess that means it’s time to give yours back. I have to admit I’m going to miss riding around in your Camaro.”
“That’s one of the reasons I’m calling. I got a request from a mutual friend, and I said yes.”
Mutual friend? There must be someone around that he doesn’t want to pick up on what or who he’s talking about. There’s only one person we share a relationship with. Unless he’s talking about Elaina Coggins. I hate to even think of the type of request she’d have for him. She’d probably beg him to fuck her in the Camaro. I seriously hope she’s not the one he’s talking about.
“Timmy?”
“Um hum.”
“What kind of request?”
“He’d like to use it to impress a certain lady friend.”
“Lady friend? But he can’t even drive.”
“No. But you can.”
My head is spinning. I have no idea what Chance is talking about. He can’t want me to drive him and Arianna somewhere. Timmy still won’t talk to me about her, so I can’t see that he’d want me to actually meet her.
When I ask questions he’ll give me as little information as possible then change the subject. Like I’m not supposed to recognize that tactic. I do drop it though, because the last thing I want is for my son to press me on Chance. I know he likes Chance, but he’s not keen on the idea of Chance and I being anything more than friends. He made that perfectly clear.
“Are you going to explain or am I supposed to guess what the hell is going on?” I ask.
He chuckles. “I enjoy frustrating you and working you into a frenzy. Too bad I’m not there to see how cute you look.”
“If you want I could send you a selfie, but I’m thinking I look annoyed, not cute.”
“Do you have plans this afternoon?”
He’s working hard not to let on to who he’s speaking with. It shouldn’t bother me but something about it gnaws at me. I get that we’re just . . . I don’t know what we are, or what we’re doing, but whatever it is, it’s not like we’re a real couple. We’ve been sneaking around for the last two weeks. I know it’s what I wanted, and it’s about keeping Timmy in the dark, but right about now, I’d like to rethink that strategy.
“I’ll be at the match if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Good. See you then.”
“Dinner after?”
“If you’re up for it.”
“Absolutely. We’ll call it an end of season celebration.”
*
All through dinner, the talk is about wrestling, and Timmy’s first ever win.
“Told you the wins would start coming. You just have to work hard and believe in yourself.”
“Thanks, Mr. Carter.” My son’s eyes shine with excitement. “It wouldn’t have happened without the extra help.”
“No problem. I’m happy to do it.”
“But that was the last match of the season. I’m still not good enough for the high school team.”
Chance’s eyebrows furrow together. “Why? Are you going to quit working?”
Timmy smiles. “No, but, you won’t be helping me anymore.”
“You planning on sneaking out of here on Saturday mornings?”
Timmy shakes his head. “No, sir.”
“Well then,” Chance looks serious, I’d even go so far as to say with his eyes narrowed and the firm set of his jaw, he looks stern. “Then we’ll continue to work.”
“For real?”
“As long as you’re putting in the effort, you can count on help from me.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“Do me a favor, and make sure you help your mother around the house. I don’t want to hear that you’re giving her an attitude, or a hard time. Got it?”
Timmy nods. “Yes, sir.”
“Was that Arianna I saw in the gym?” Chance asks, his voice is much softer.
Timmy’s eyes drop, and his cheeks take on a pinkish hue. I can’t believe my smart mouthed tough guy is actually blushing!
“Yeah.” Timmy’s eyes meet Chance’s for a second before they drop back down to the food on his plate. He stabs a piece of roast beef with his fork, stuffs it in his mouth and chews before speaking again. “She wanted to see me wrestle. God I hope she didn’t laugh at me in my singlet.”
I can’t hold back a smile at his reaction. “I wouldn’t put my eggs in that basket. You do look pretty goofy in it.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Sarcasm hangs heavy in his voice, but it’s all in good fun. “It’s good to know I have your support.”
“Always.”
“The upside of the singlet,” Chance has a hard time keeping a straight face. “If she sees you in that and she still likes you, you’ve got it made.”
“You guys suck.”
“Tim,” Chance’s eyebrow quirks up.
“Sorry.”
“Guess it’s a good thing she said yes before she saw you wrestle.”
“But I won! That’s got to matter.”
I smile, put my fork down and look at my son. Timmy swallows hard. His over active nerves show through his eyes.
“Honey, is there anything you want to discuss with me?”
“Um, maybe I should’ve asked you first, Mom. But I didn’t think you’d have a problem with me going. I know I haven’t gone before but, it’s my last year of middle school, and I thought it might be nice to see what it’s like—“
“Spit it out, honey. What’s going on?”
His eyes dart over to Chance, I’m not sure why. For support? Chance’s head bobs up and down the slightest bit.
“I asked Arianna to go the Valentine’s Day dance at school with me. And she said yes.”
“That’s great Timmy.” I smile and reach my hand over to his.
He nods, and I see the lump in his throat bob up and down as he swallows.
“I thought maybe we could pick her up, so it really is like we’re going together, rather than meeting at school like a lot of the other kids do. And I asked Mr. Carter if we could do it in the Camaro.”
Finished with his second helping of food, Chance leans back in his chair with a cocky look on his face.
“Of course I said yes.” Chance leans over and messes Timmy’s hair up. “Keep the car until after the dance. Actually, you can keep it as long as you want.”
“Thank you, but after the dance is fine.”
That wipes the smirk off his face.
“Wait, Valentine’s Day, that’s next weekend isn’t it?”
“Next Saturday.” Timmy answers.
I won’t admit it, but I’m secretly happy that Timmy will be out that night. It would be nice to have a few hours alone with Chance. We haven’t been able to steal more than an hour alone here and there, since the night of the sleepover.
Some nights I tell Timmy I’m going to a coffee shop to work because I need a change of scenery. Chance waits there with coffee for me in his car. We drive to a secluded spot so we can touch and grope each other without giving everyone around us a show.
I start running recipes through my mind. I‘ll cook a romantic dinner.
“And I’ll be able to keep an eye on lover-boy over here,” Chance pulls me from my dirty thoughts. “Since I’m one of the chaperones.”
“You are?”
Holy hell, why not just slam a brick in my face. Fuck my voice rose three octaves. It‘s my insecurity telltale. Chance won’t know for certain, but hopefully neither of them noticed. Now it’s me swallowing hard.
Chance is chaperoning?
Is he doing that so he has an excuse not to spend that night with me? Does he think I’ll get the wrong idea if we’re together on Valentine’s Day?
Everyone is quiet. I don’t know if the guys feel the tension in the air, but it’s weighing me down. Timmy finishes the helping on his plate, clears it from the table and places it in the sink before disappearing to his room.
I stand and head to the kitchen so I can get right to work on the dishes. I don’t want to sit and stare at the man that makes the butterflies soar to life in my belly. And I don’t want to be forced to talk to him. I have no idea what the hell to say. All I know is that I’m upset and I have no right to be.
Arms slip around my waist as his warm lips graze the back of my neck, tickling me. He pulls me against his chest, and all I want to do is forget the frosty demeanor I’m struggling to drape around my heart, and melt into him. Fuck, I hate that he already knows one of my weakness.
“I have to say,” his breath tickles my ear. “I never snuck around with any one before. This is so fucking hot.”
His hands slide down my legs and cup my ass. I close my eyes and fight to stay in control.
“You need to stop. If Timmy comes in here—”
Chance lets go. He leans his back against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest, letting out a long breath. What I just said bothered him. It’s not often something I say sends him into a defensive posture.
“We should tell him.”
“He’ll shut down. He’s already so distant. So far away emotionally. Tonight was great. I want more nights like this. I don’t want to give him an excuse to pull further away.”
“If he finds out he’ll feel betrayed. By both of us.”
“If you’re careful, he won’t find out.” I insist.
“About Valentine’s Day—”
“No worries. It’s not like I expected to see you.” I do my best to play off my disappointment.
I don’t want to say or do anything that will imply a relationship. And feelings. Real, strong, serious feelings. Even though I’m there it’s wrong to assume he is, even though he started this whole thing. Still, I can’t think in those terms or I’m the one that’s going to end up hurt. Very fucking hurt.
“Really? Why, do you have other plans?” he challenges.
“No,” I look away, because the green of his eyes is too damn intense. Too damn intimidating. “But it’s Valentine’s Day.”
“That’s my point. Look, the school holds five dances a year. We all have to chaperone one. I signed up for this a long time ago. I’d love to switch with someone, but three of the other dances already happened. So I don’t have too many people to ask, and the few I already tried to switch with have plans. At least this way I’ll be there for Tim if he needs some moral support or if something goes wrong.”
I feel the tiniest bit better. At least he wasn’t doing it to avoid an awkward conversation with me.
“You don’t owe me an explanation.” In truth, he doesn’t owe me anything.
“I think I do. You’re upset.”
“I’m not.” I lie.
“Oh yeah? Then why are you standing so far away.”
“I’m not far.”
“Yes you are.”
“I’m a foot away from you.”
“Exactly. You’re not here. In my arms.”
He reaches for me and pulls me close. I let him, because the truth is, his arms are exactly where I want to be.