Chapter 15
Deacon heard a car door shut and peeked out the window over the kitchen sink. Much to his surprise, Kate was walking towards his RV. He'd tried to call her on more than one occasion and she'd never answered.
She walked over to his camper and knocked on the door. He hesitated a moment before opening the door.
“Didn't expect to see you again,” Deacon said, pushing a pair of reading glasses on top of his head. She was a sight for sore eyes. Her hair and makeup perfect. Her lips slicked with gloss and wearing an apologetic grin. The simple v-neck black t-shirt and jeans, he was wearing seemed a bit too casual for the gorgeous dress she was in. He reminded himself that he was upset with her and not to let the sexy way it hung from her shoulders distract him. He had a really fond memory of watching a dress fall from her shoulders that he was suddenly interested in recreating.
“I know,” she finally said. “I'm sorry.” She cleared her throat nervously. “Can I come in?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and tried to look ambivalent.
“Just give me a chance to explain why I'm a lunatic,” she added with a begging smile.
He made her sweat it out for a minute before nodding his head and opening the door. Of course he was going to let her in. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since he'd met her. As crazy as the woman drove him he couldn't shut her out. He'd get her to break through her own walls one way or another.
She stepped inside, her body barely missing his. The sexy smell of her caught his attention as he closed the door behind her.
“What's the deal, Kate?” he said, leaning back to rest against the small counter in the kitchen. He wanted to tell her that he'd already forgiven for her latest freak out, but that would have been too easy. He wanted her to really think about what she wanted and why she was here. He wanted her to be there because she wanted him—plain and simple. He wanted her to admit that what they had was worth taking a chance on. He couldn't be the only one who thought it was.
* * *
“I'm a jerk,” Kate said, feeling her stomach tighten in knots. The way he was standing there with a serious look of concern on his face had her even more nervous than before. She'd never seen this side of him. The angry side. The annoyed side. The frustrated side. She hated knowing that she'd made him feel this way. “I try not to be, but sometimes it just happens,” she offered up a slight smile, hoping that he'd see that she was sorry. He didn't budge. She continued trying to smooth things over. “I didn't mean to freak when you told me about Hope's letter. It was stupid. I shouldn't have made such a big deal out of it, I know that.”
“Why do you know that?” he asked.
“I just do,” she said, stepping towards him. She wanted to reach out for him, but they weren't there yet. “I really like you and I know that I'm a lot to handle, but I want to see where this goes. I want to at least try.”
“I do too,” he said.
“I promise not to use work as an excuse to not see you either. I'm so used to choosing work above everything else that it's become a habit.”
“I'm not sure how many more times I can take falling asleep with you thinking everything is great only to have you haul ass first thing in the morning.”
“I won't,” Kate assured him. “I'll even give you a Saturday morning,” she added.
“A whole Saturday,” he countered. “Hell, a whole weekend. No work.”
Kate sucked in a breath through her nose as she thought about what he was asking.
“I'm not asking you to quit your job, Kate,” he said with a laugh. “I'm just asking you to spend some time with me. You really want to get to know me that's how this is going to have to go. I don't want to compete with your job.”
She nodded. She didn't want him to compete with it either. She wanted to find a way to balance it all.
“Okay,” she agreed.
He smiled. “And no more running away when you don't want to talk about things,” he added. “We need to talk things out, not avoid them like you've been doing all week. I don't know about you, but I kind of like it when the person I'm dating responds to my texts and calls.”
“I know,” she said. “I do too.”
“Good,” he said.
“You sure you're not really a lawyer?” she asked.
“There's only room in this camper for one lawyer, Katie,” he said. The moment he called her Katie she knew that there was no other place she wanted to be. He was trying really hard to play it cool that she'd just agreed to spend a weekend with him. She could tell by his smile. A smile that she wanted to see as often as possible.
“Deal,” she said, reaching out her hand. The moment she felt his hand in hers she felt hopeful that they could make this work.
“Come here, he said, tugging her toward him. He placed his lips on hers sealing the deal.
* * *
The next few days were complete bliss for Kate. Once she and Deacon reached an agreement to really give dating a shot she went all in. Dinner and a movie one night. A lunch date the next day. A couple of sleepovers thrown in to mix it up. And, daily texts and calls when they weren't together. She suddenly understood the way people were constantly checking their phones. When it was for work it became cumbersome, but when there were flirty messages popping up on the screen it was suddenly an addiction.
She felt happier than she'd felt in a very long time. Work had become a monotonous part of her routine. A fact she never thought she would admit. Her days were seeming to drag on and her workload was not lessening with her lack of extra hours.
“Mr. Chapman wants to know if you've finished that with brief on the O'Connor case?” Shelley asked.
“Shit,” Kate said under her breath. “No,” she told Shelley. “But I'll have it as soon as possible,” she riffled through the papers on her desk, looking for the file.
“Okay,” Shelley told her. “I'll tell him tomorrow,” she persuaded. “You've had it for over a week, Kate.” Shelley was pretty good at helping Kate out when she could and Kate could tell by her assistant's worried look that she was nervous.
“First thing in the morning,” Kate told her. She reached for her phone as soon as Shelley left her office and started a text message.
Kate: Bad news. I have to work late tonight. I completely forgot about a brief that needed reviewed yesterday.
Deacon: Okay. Come over after?
Kate: Maybe... If it's not too late.
Deacon: I hate maybes.
Kate: Me too. I'll make it up to you.
Deacon: I love IOUs. ;-)
She hated not being able to spend the night with him. She'd enjoyed her time with him even more than she hoped she would. Each morning she woke up in his arms she sent a little prayer up to Hope thanking her for sending him her way.
Once she found the O'Connor case file, she diligently started working through it. It was a high-profile case. Another millionaire looking to payoff someone he'd wronged in exchange for the plaintiff’s signature on a non-disclosure agreement. These cases were a dime a dozen at her firm. She hated them. She hated helping assholes get away with things that they shouldn't, but this is what she'd signed up for. She had to take the comments about her being a woman or the not-so-subtle pick-up lines some of them slung at her when they thought no one was watching.
“Once I make partner I'll be able to have more say in the cases I take on,” she told herself. The more she thought about lately though the more she wondered if that was the case. Would she ever really have complete say over the kind of law she practiced.
“Knock, knock...” Deacon peeked his head into her office and smiled.
“Hey you,” she said, getting up to greet him. As he pushed through the door she noticed the bag in his hands with the Samurai restaurant logo on it. “Please tell me there's a California Roll in there.” Her stomach growled at the thought. She's worked straight through lunch and judging by the light outside and the bag in Deacon's hand it was dinner time.
“There's not,” he said. “We haven't had the favorite foods conversation yet,” he said with a nervous smile. “How do you feel about their Waba Chicken?”
“My second favorite.” She was hungry enough to eat just about anything at that point, but she did love their chicken.
“Whew,” he said, leaning over to kiss her. “Dodged a bullet there.”
She walked over to her desk and cleared off a spot before arranging the chairs so they could have an impromptu dinner date.
“This was so sweet of you,” she told him as he sat down and began pulling the food from the bag.
“I didn't want to not get to see you tonight,” he said.
“I'm glad,” she said, placing her hand on his knee. When he leaned in for another quick kiss, she wanted to tell him that dinner could wait, but then her stomach growled again. “What are you having?”
“I'm basic.” He laughed. “Beef and broccoli.” He showed her the content of his container.
“You are not basic,” she told him. “You travel the country and do as you please,” she told him. “If you were basic you'd be clocking in at an office every day and rushing over the Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice latte on your break.”
“That shit is disgusting.” He crinkled his nose, and she wondered if he could possibly be any cuter. Then he reached over and gently wiped the corner of her mouth with his thumb, catching a bit of the sauce that lingered after her last bite. Slowly he tasted his thumb and her mind flipped from cute to unbelievably fucking sexy in a hot second.
“Every time I think I've got you figured out, you surprise me,” she told him.
“Just repaying the favor,” he said with a smirk. “So this is where you run off to everyday?”
“This is it,” she said, looking around. Suddenly her office didn't seem as fancy as she once imagined it was. “I'm a little sick of the place today.”
“You've been here a while.” He pointed to the stack of papers on her desk. “It looks like you're getting a lot done though.”
“It's never ending. As soon as those are done more will magically appear.”
He gave her a knowing look, but didn't say anything. She knew what he was thinking... or at least the gist of it. He'd been stuck behind stacks of papers once too and he'd changed his life to avoid it. It's too bad she didn't have the guts to take a chance like that.
“When you decided to just up and quit the firm you were at what did your family say?” she asked. She still had so many questions about his work and living situation.
“They weren't thrilled about it,” he told her. “But they didn't try and stop me. I think they knew that I had one foot out the door way before I decided to leave.”
“What do you parents do?”
“They're farmers,” he told her. “Dad does the heavy lifting, mom's more of a support asset.” He laughed. “My family has a farm down south, not far from St. Louis. That's how I ended up at Southern. Dad wanted me to stay close to help on the farm if needed.”
“So you know how to drive a tractor?”
“Sure do,” he told her. “Maybe I'll take you for a ride sometime.”
Kate tried not to let the images she'd quickly conjured up of him sweaty and working on the farm take over all of her senses. As tempting as they were...
“I'd love to take you there sometime.” The sentence quickly pulled Kate back to reality. He'd like to take her to his childhood home. To meet his parents. To ride on his tractor. Among other things.
“Maybe some time.” Kate said, not wanting to hurt his feelings. It was hers that she was really protecting. Especially when he started to tell her about how his parents had been married for forty years and how fantastic the small town he grew up in was. She knew she was over-thinking it, but the deeper the conversation became the more attached she found herself becoming to him. While she knew the whole point of dating was getting closer to someone she was still scared of not knowing how this was all going to play out. She did her best to put it all out of her mind as he continued telling her about his life.
“What about your parents?” he asked.
“They live in the same suburb as Greyson, actually,” Kate told him. “They're great. Both retired now.”
“So you see them a lot?”
“Not as much as I should,” she confessed. “I probably should spend more time with them,” she said.
“I'm not the greatest about getting down to see my mom and dad, either,” he said, easing her guilty conscience. “My mom keeps saying I'm using her as a mailbox, which is true... It's just hard to find time to make everyone happy, you know?”
“Uh, yeah. Story of my life.”
“Which is exactly why I decided to focus on myself a while,” he replied. “Well, myself and maybe one other person...” Kate could see in Deacon's eyes that he was talking about her and she felt her chest warm with the thought. He wanted to make her happy. She couldn't remember the last time that she'd ever even considered the possibility. It was a welcomed thought.
After they'd finished eating, Deacon started to clean up, placing everything back into the bag he'd brought it in.
“Don't rush off just yet,” she said.
“I know you're busy,” he said. “I don't want to get in your way. I just wanted to make sure you at least got a proper meal.”
“You're too good to be true,” she said leaning forward in her chair. She rested her hands on his knees. “Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Just my mom,” he said. “Not sure if that counts.”
“It counts, but I really don't want to talk about your mom right now.” They'd talked enough about their parents for one night. She smoothed her hands up his thighs causing him to stir in his seat. She loved knowing that he was reactive to her touch. He was so good at working her into a frenzy that if felt nice to repay the favor.
“Me either,” he agreed as her hands slowly worked up his body. One stopping on his cock that was growing harder by the second and the other on his belt buckle.
“Is this acceptable workplace behavior, Miss Beckett?” he asked as she unfastened his belt and pants. Her other hand palmed his length through his jeans and squeezed gently.
“Seems only fair,” she said. “I mean, I have been naked in your office before,” she teased. “Don't worry, we're the only ones here,” she reminded him.
“There's a half-assed security guard downstairs who let me in without so much as an ID check.”
“Trust me,” she said, tugging at his pants, until they were low enough for her to get at what she was after. “That guy is not moving from that desk.”
Deacon didn't speak again, instead he watched with intense focus as she lowered herself onto her knees and stared up at him. She freed his cock from his jeans and boxers. Her tongue flicked against the tip of it a deep, throaty groan escaped his lips. When she wrapped her lips around it and slowly took him into her mouth his head fell back.
She tucked her hair behind her ear as she worked her mouth up and down.
“That's the sexiest thing I've ever fucking seen,” he said. She looked up, letting her mouth reach the tip of his cock and swirled her tongue around the tip. When he tangled a hand in her hand and gently rested his hand on the back on her head, she moaned. She felt him throb in her mouth and she knew he was close.
“Not so fast,” he said, slowing her movement and pulling her up as he stood. He kissed her lips when they were face to face. “I can't be the only one who gets dessert,” he said, turning her to face away from him. His hands dropped to the modest hem of her skirt and slowly worked their way up. She let her head fall back on his shoulder when he reached the edge of the not-so-modest lace thong she was wearing. He tugged them down her legs with one hand, while the other moved to her back, pushing her forward. Her hands found the top of her desk as he lifted her skirt over her ass.
“Deacon,” she moaned as he pushed inside of her quickly. Slipping one hand around her body, his fingers teased her clit as he settled in behind her. “God, that feels good.”
He rocked into her quickly as her walls tightened around him. She caught their reflection in the window of her office. The city skyline was beautiful from the thirty-sixth floor. Normally, she would have immediately wondered if anyone could see them, but the way he was making her feel at that moment—his strong hands caressing her body, his thick cock thrusting inside of her, his lips at her ear whispering how incredible he thought she was...
Let them see.
His name spilled from her lips as her body started to quake. Her arms were desperately close to giving out when they both finished and he pulled her body back against his.
“Jesus, Katie,” he said as they both caught their breaths. “I—” He swallowed.
“Yeah.” She completely agreed with whatever it was he was going to say. She felt so good that she would have agreed with just about anything he said.
Chapter 16
When Kate arrived at work the next morning Shelley stopped her first thing.
“Mr. Chapman wants to see you right away,” she told her. “Something about the O'Connor case.”
“Great,” Kate said, trying not to feel too nervous. God, she hoped she hadn't missed something. What if she'd let herself get distracted by Deacon showing up and missed something major? She tossed her briefcase in her office and walked down the long corridor to the corner office.
When she reached the door, his assistant told her to go right in.
“Good morning, Katherine,” he said, looking up from his work. Still to this day, and despite her numerous attempts to get him to call her Kate, Mr. Chapman referred to her by the name that had been on the top of her resume.
“Good morning, sir,” she said. He motioned for her to take a seat. She sat down in one of the plush leather club chairs that sat in front of his desk and braced herself for the worst.
“I wanted to talk to you about the O'Connor case,” he told her. “You've done some great work. Digging up those social media posts from the accuser was a great idea.”
“Just doing my job,” Kate said, not really wanting to take too much credit for what she'd found. The plaintiff had uploaded a few distasteful photographs of herself on her Instagram feed. Kate hated that she was helping to shame the girl, but they needed to prove that she was a woman of lacking virtue if they wanted Mr. O'Connor's defense of “she came onto me first” to work. Kate doubted that he was telling the truth, but it wasn't her job to disprove him.
“I've been really impressed with your work this year,” he said. “And you know that Jansen is retiring soon.”
“I do sir,” she said, trying not to sound too sure of what he was going to say next.
“It could be your name on his door,” he said. She smiled back. “Keep it up until he's gone and it's as good as yours.”
“I will,” she told him, standing to shake his hand. “And thank you for the opportunity.”
* * *
“I'm going to make partner,” she told Deacon as he drove them toward the Northbrook suburb of Chicago. She'd been so excited the entire day that she almost forgot about the cook-out at Greyson's. She filled him in on her conversation with Mr. Chapman.
“That's great,” Deacon said with a smile.
“I mean, I've worked for this for so long,” she told him. “I knew it would happen. New office. Better cases.” She clamored on for a few minutes before realizing that she was taking over the car ride. “How was your day?” she asked.
“Not too bad,” he told her. “I worked most of the morning. Picked up a couple things from the grocery store,” he said. “Then I went for a run.”
“That sounds like a pretty nice day,” Kate said. She was a little jealous that he managed to get so much done in one day. If she wanted to run she had to do it on her lunch hour and she couldn't even remember what it was like to go to the grocery store. She was lucky to grab a bottle of wine at the 7-11 on a good day.
“It was,” Deacon confirmed as he pulled to a stop in front of Greyson's house. The driveway was littered with bicycles and hula hoops so there wasn't a place to park. “Shall we?” he said, turning the engine off and opening his door.
Kate and Deacon walked hand in hand up the driveway at Greyson's when a little burst of energy jetted down the drive way.
“Hi Aunt K,” Marli said, jumping into her arms.
“Hey baby girl,” Kate said, burying her nose in Marli's curls as she leaned down to hug her. She was only six, but she and Kate already had a great bond. Marli slipped her hand into Kate's as they walked up the driveway.
“Who's the dude?” Marli whispered up at Kate, causing her to laugh.
“Marli this is Deacon,” she said.
“Hi Marli,” Deacon said, looking down at her with a smile. “I'm a friend of your dad's and Aunt K's...” he looked at Kate with a questioning eye. What were they?
“Boyfriend,” Kate filled in the blank. Saying it made her smile and made Marli giggle.
Deacon leaned over and placed a kiss on the top of Kate's head as they walked into the backyard where Greyson was preparing the grill.
“Hey guys,” he said.
“Hey buddy,” Deacon said, reaching out to shake Greyson's hand before pulling him in for a hug.
Greyson gave Kate a smile, that made her blush for some reason. It wasn't like she'd never brought a man around. For some reason this one had her giddy though.
“Vanessa's inside getting some stuff ready,” Greyson said. “Leave the men to talk about sports and beer and stuff,” he teased.
“Gross,” Marli sneered as she stood next to Kate.
“My thought's exactly,” Kate said with a laugh as she started to walk away. “We'll be in the house with the women,” she added. Deacon let his hand linger on her hip as long as possible before finally dropping it. She grinned over her shoulder as she walked toward the house. “You know, talking about world peace and how to cure the AIDS epidemic.”
“So much deeper than us.” Deacon smirked.
“Someone has to save the world,” she said with a wink. Kate followed Marli through the glass slider that led into the kitchen. “Hi,” she said to Vanessa who was mixing up a salad at the kitchen island. Marli took a seat on the bench of the breakfast table and started swiping her finger across her iPad screen.
“Hey...” she replied. “Do you have any idea where Hope keeps the serving bowls?”
“Above the fridge,” Kate answered. “Makes no sense, but Hope had some kind of system I'm sure.”
“It's weird being here without her,” Vanessa confessed, lowering her voice so that Marli didn't overhear. The little girl was oblivious to what they were saying. Her attention stolen by Minecraft or Candy Crush or some other brightly colored game. It was almost as if she'd been waiting to say the words. “I feel like I'm messing all of her stuff up.”
“You're not,” Kate insisted. “Besides, I'm sure she'd be happy that you're here. How are things going?”
“Good,” Vanessa said. “The kids have crazy schedules. I don't know how Greyson did it for a month without help. He should have asked one of us sooner.”
“I think he was trying to be strong.” Kate knew what it was like to want to do everything yourself. She was queen of not asking for help.
“You have no idea,” Vanessa said softly, leading Kate to give her a questioning look.
“What's been going on?”
“I probably shouldn't say anything,” Vanessa said leaning over to Kate and eying Marli across the room. When she saw that she was enveloped in her game, she continued talking. “I'm worried about him. He seems okay on the outside, but I don't think he is.”
“Did you ask him?”
“Kind of,” she told her. “But when I bring up Hope he shuts down. Says he has to be strong for the kids and all that, which I totally get, but he should talk about it, right?”
“Probably,” Kate agreed. “But how do make someone talk about something that’s so hard?”
“Good question. Maybe you could get him to open up.”
“I could try,” Kate replied. “I'll see if he wants to grab lunch next week.” Kate wasn't sure if she was the right person for this particular job. She understood the not-wanting-to-talk-about-it. She wasn't the most emotionally available person herself. But, if Vanessa was worried about him she'd at least try.
“Maybe I'm over reacting,” Vanessa confessed. “But what good are friends if we can't help each other out?”
“Very true,” Kate agreed walking over the fridge and pulling out two beers. “Let me help you out with a refreshment.” She held one out for Vanessa who quickly snagged it from her hand.
“I'll take one of those too,” Willa said coming into the kitchen with Beau. “I just got schooled in second grade math. I could use a drink.”
Kate grabbed another bottle from the fridge.
“It wasn't that hard,” Beau said with a laugh. His sweet blue eyes sparkled like his dad's.
“It's not what I remember from grade school,” Willa replied. “Way too many steps.”
“That's because you were in second grade a long time ago,” he told her.
“You calling us old?” Kate asked him with a warning look.
“Maybe...” he teased.
“Boy, you better walk out of this kitchen,” Kate joked before lunging at him. She started tickling and got a couple good laughs out of him before he ducked out of her arms and quickly darted for the back door.
“I'm going outside with dad,” he said.
“That's a good idea, pal!” Kate said. “Before the old women show you what's up.” Vanessa and Willa joined in her laughter.
“That kid's too much,” Willa said.
“He's his mother's son,” Vanessa told her. “I thought Marli would always remind me more of Hope because she looks so much like her, but Beau acts just like her.”
“He really does,” Willa agreed. “I'm glad we have them to remind us of her.”
“Me too.”
“Me three.” Kate agreed. “Have you gotten a letter yet?” she asked Willa.
“Not yet,” Willa said, sitting on one of the barstools at the counter. She picked up one of the cherry tomatoes Vanessa was meticulously placing in the salad bowl and popped it in her mouth. “I'm okay though. I know it will come when it comes. I'm sure she has a good reason.”
Vanessa and Kate gave Willa skeptical looks.
“What?”
“You're okay with it?” Kate pressed. She'd known Willa a long time and she was definitely lying.
“No,” Willa said, crossing her arm. “It's driving me crazy. I'm about to go find that damn box now and get it myself.”
“There she is,” Vanessa said with a laugh.
“It better be one hell of a letter,” she told them. “She better blow my damn mind with it's contents,” she added. “You hear me, lady,” she pointed up at the sky.
“Be patient,” Vanessa told Willa to which she responded with an eye roll before changing the subject.
“So, have you heard from Chris?” Willa asked Vanessa.
“No.” She paused. “And I think I'm okay with it.”
“That's good,” Kate told her.
“I thought I'd be sadder about it,” she confessed. “I thought I'd hope that he'd come to his senses and beg me to come back... now I wouldn't go back if he dropped to his knees and promised me the moon.”
“You're going to be okay,” Willa told Vanessa. “We're all going to be okay.”
“Not that I don't agree with you,” Kate said. “But why the sudden cheery disposition?”
“Not sure,” Willa said. “I guess I'm just happy that we're all together and things are working out so well for you two.” She pointed out the back door. “We haven't even talked about that hot piece of ass out there yet.” She lowered her voice on the word ass and nodded in Marli's direction.
“She's wearing headphones,” Vanessa pointed out. Willa gave a thumbs up.
“Isn't he?” Kate agreed. All three of them turned to stare out the door, each slowly taking a drink from their beer bottles.
“He is hot,” Vanessa finally said. “Lucky girl.”
“I know.”
When Deacon caught them all staring he waved giving them all a confused grin.
They all waved back, not minding that they'd all just put him on the spot.
“Yeah, we're looking at you buddy,” Willa said. Deacon oblivious to exactly what was happening behind that sliding glass door.
If he was going to stick around he needed to get used to how odd they could all act when they were together. Hope would have been the first one to tell him to “deal with it.”
Man, did Kate hope he was going to stick around. They'd talked about him having to go on the road for work, but she'd avoided the topic lately. Things were going far too good to bring up anything that might kill their vibe.
“You four coming to eat or are you just going to make the guests feel uncomfortable?” Greyson said as he opened the door.
“We're coming.” Vanessa told him
“And were most definitely going to make the guests uncomfortable,” Willa added. The three of them grabbed the side dishes and hamburger buns and walked out on the patio to join the rest of the gang.
“Come on Marli,” Vanessa said, grabbing her hand as she walked by.
* * *
“Thank for dinner, Grey,” Deacon said, sitting back in his chair. He grabbed Kate's hand when she did the same. Burgers, potatoes, pasta salad—they'd all filled up on the BBQ essentials and were now feeling the food comas set in.
“You bet,” Greyson said. “I'm just glad we could all get together while you're in town.”
There it was...
The one thing that Kate didn't want to talk about. Dinner had been so great. Deacon fit in like he'd been there all along. She didn't want to talk about him leaving.
“How long are you going to be in Chicago?” Willa asked, earning a displeased look from Kate.
“I'm not sure yet,” he said giving Kate's hand a squeeze. “I'm still making arrangements for all of my meetings.”
“You're welcome to stop by any time,” Greyson told him.
“Will do.” Deacon smiled and gave his friend a nod.
“Alright, kiddos,” Vanessa said, pushing back her chair. “I think it's about time for you two to get a bath and bed,” she said, earning two grunts of dissatisfaction from the kids. Neither protested too much when she said they could watch thirty minutes of television before lights out. “I'll be back,” she told the table as she ushered the little ones inside.
“Thank you,” Greyson said. His gratitude was evident in his smile.
“Things are going well with your new roommate?” Kate asked.
“She's seriously a godsend.”
“That's good,” Willa said. “I'm glad that you gave her something to take her mind off of the divorce.”
“I'm just glad she's getting one,” Greyson confessed. “I never liked that guy.”
“None of us did,” Kate confirmed.
“Ugh,” Willa added. “There aren't enough beers left to cover that topic.” Laughter followed, but it was what came after that that caught them all off guard.
“Well that's real nice to hear,” a voice startled the bunch. They all turned their attention and found Chris standing at the open gate that led to the backyard. His expression sunken and eyes as dark with disdain for everyone he was looking at.
“What are you doing here?” Greyson asked, standing.
“I came to see my wife,” he said. “Not that it's any of your business.”
“It is when you come to my house,” Greyson reminded with a not so subtle glare.
“Oh that's right...” Chris said smugly. “Your wife has been gone what... Two months? And you've already moved another woman in. You can't make her your second wife when she's still my first.”
“That's not why she's here and you know it,” Greyson said, taking a step in Chris' direction. When his chair didn't move quite as quickly as he'd hoped, he kicked it back off of the patio and into the grass. Kate and Will both gasped in surprise. Deacon quickly stood up and placed his hand on Greyson's shoulder.
“Calm down,” Deacon said quietly to his friend. Greyson's breathing settled in a long exhale.
“You need to leave,” he reiterated his point as Deacon tried to calm him down.
“He's not worth it,” Deacon said. “The kids are inside.”
Greyson seethed with a clenched jaw for a moment before nodding to Deacon that he could restrain himself.
“You shouldn't be here,” Kate said. “You have mediation next week and anything you want to say to Vanessa you can say there.”
“Thank for the advice, counselor,” Chris sneered. “I hope you don't think that I'm going to be paying you for your services. We're not even going to be getting a divorce.” He smirked. “You'll see this is all just a big waste of time.”
“I don't think so,” Willa interjected. “Marrying you was a waste of time.”
“Divorce is the smartest thing she could do,” Kate added. “You had your chance with her.”
“I'm so glad I could come over and get advice from the whore and the bitch,” Chris said. “At least I don't have to listen to the know-it-all,” he added. He didn't have to say Hope's name. They knew who and why he was referring to her. He wanted to get a rise out of all of them. The hateful look in his eyes was intimidating, but neither Kate or Willa stopped their glaring. Kate's nails bit into the wicker on the arm of the chair she was sitting in and Willa looked like she might actually fly across the backyard at any given moment.
“You need to leave,” Greyson reiterated. “Right now.”
“Why don't you come over here and make me,” Chris prodded like a petulant school yard bully. When Greyson started to step forward, Deacon intervened.
“All right, buddy,” Deacon said, walking past Greyson toward Chris. “It's time for you to leave,” he reached out a placed a hand on Chris's shoulder. Kate worried for a second, but when she saw the two men standing side by side, she knew she had nothing to worry about. Deacon appeared to tower over him as he leaned in.
“Who in the fuck are you?” Chris said, his fist clenched at his sides.
“Someone you do not want to get on the wrong side of,” Deacon said, the promise of what could happen etched into each one of his features. “I get it man, you're feeling like a complete jackass for screwing up the best thing in your life, but that's no one's fault but your own. And, now is not the time or the place to ask Vanessa to hear you out.” Deacon paused. “Especially smelling like you robbed the backroom of brewery.” Deacon leaned in closer and whispered something that the others couldn't hear.
“Whatever,” Chris said, jerking his shoulder from Deacon's grip. “I'm fucking done with her anyway,” he snapped. “I'm fucking done with all of you.” He turned and left as quickly as he came. Deacon watched until he was certain that Chris had gotten back in his car and driven away.
“That son of bitch,” Greyson seethed. “He had no right to come here,” he repeated. Kate watched as Greyson's anger overtook him. She'd never seen this side of him. He'd went from happy to pissed in no time at all. It was very much unlike him, and very much a sign that his emotions were in turmoil. Perhaps talking to him alone was a good idea. Maybe Kate could get to open up and ease some of the pressures he was clearly feeling.
“It will be okay,” Willa told Greyson. She looked to Kate and silently told her that she saw it too. “We won't have to deal with him for much longer.”
Deacon went back to his chair and sat down next to Kate. She leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.
“Of course,” he said, giving her a smile that spoke a million words.
“Kids are down,” Vanessa sound bouncing happily out the back door. “What'd I miss?”