His texts, like informing her how big a whale’s penis was, when she was at the gas station were more R-rated. It was like he was ramping her up so he’d get lucky when she got to his house after her shift at the gas station – as if he wasn’t going to get some. Gemma was starting to feel like an addict; she craved his touch now. For someone who had gone without for so long, she suddenly couldn’t imagine living without skin-to-skin contact.

Eddie Rochon had turned her into a sex junkie.

Gemma was marveling at the working heater in her car – and the fact that no warning lights were on – when she heard her phone chime. Assuming it was from Eddie, she didn’t check it while she was driving.

Running Dash to Jamie’s, she was able to drop him off without a lot of conversation. She had given Jamie the download of her relationship a few nights ago at the gas station when it was quiet. Jamie was thrilled that Gemma had found a man who seemed to adore her.

She forgot to check her texts when she got back in the car and drove straight to work. Her mind was on her next interview with the hospital that afternoon. Her hope to be giving her notice at her jobs was building daily. At first, she didn’t think it would happen, but now the thought of ditching her itchy uniform and the smell of old grease was a serious possibility.

After she got to work, she walked in and set down her purse and phone. She was just locking up her things when her boss came around the corner. “Why aren’t you answering? I called you and left you a message,” he said, his voice angry. He had sweat dripping down the sides of his face; it was not a good look.

“Sorry, I didn’t check my phone,” Gemma said, surprised. She glanced down at her phone and saw there were two texts and a missed call with a voicemail.

“I didn’t check them; is something wrong? Did you still need me to come in today?” she asked. Scheduling was the only reason her boss ever communicated with her.

“There is some guy who says he’s your husband out front, and he’s been sitting in a booth waiting for you. From the smell of him, he’s been drinking. I didn’t really want to call the police. It’s bad for business.”

“I don’t have a husband. I have an ex-husband,” she explained. Her brain wasn’t ready to believe that Kyle was sitting in the dining room. She couldn’t handle the idea that the universe could hate her enough to sic her ex on her right now. She’d had one good week. One good week, after years of struggle. Is that all she was going to be allowed?

“I’ll take care of it,” she told her boss.

“Do that. Get his ass out of here,” he ordered.

Gemma nodded and turned to the dining room. She walked in and scanned the room. Sitting in a booth, leaning over a cup of coffee looking disheveled and dirty, was Kyle.

Taking a deep breath, she smoothed the front of her apron and walked over to his table.

“Kyle, what are you doing here?” She wasn’t going to let him rattle her. Gone was the teenager who was blinded by all that was Kyle Ellis, the teenage god; now he looked much older than his mid-twenties. The years of drinking and lord knows what else had him worn down. He didn’t bother with clean clothes since she wasn’t there to wash them. Personal hygiene hadn’t been his forte in high school and never got better after that. Looking at him now, it was hard to believe she’d once found him attractive.

“Looking for you. What, you think I like driving all the way to this state? God, this place is fucking ridiculous. You know you have to put your food garbage in different cans at fast food places? What the fuck is up with that?” He voiced his slurring complaint, struggling to get the words out.

Gemma could smell the beer coming off of him. It was old and soaked into, not just his clothes, but his skin.

“What are you doing here?” She tried again.

“I’ve got a line on a new job. I don’t want my whole fucking check to be garnished. I can’t live like that.” His voice took on that whiny edge that she absolutely hated.

“I still need back child support for the last two years, Kyle,” she hissed.

“You really think I can come up with that cash? I won’t be able to live after they take half my paycheck. Just tell the judge to cancel the order and I’ll pay you on the side – I can get caught up,” he pleaded.

“Oh, sure – as if I could believe that for a second. If I cancel the support order, I’ll never hear from you again.”

Gemma realized this wouldn’t be such a horrible idea, but the enjoyment of not seeing his face again would mean that Dash would miss out - not on having a parental figure, but on the monetary support he deserved.

“I swear. Come on, Gemmy. I need this job,” he whined.

“Kyle, this is my work. I can’t have this conversation with you. I’m supposed to be working so I can buy food and clothes for your son.” Her frustration and anxiety at the confrontation were rising. How was she going to get him out of the diner so she wouldn’t get fired?

“Come on, baby,” he said, his voice getting louder.

She had to do something to get him gone. “Meet me at my house tonight,” she said, grabbing her ticket pad and writing down her address. “We’ll talk about it. I’m not saying I’m giving up on you paying what you owe Dash. I’m saying we’ll talk.” She didn’t want him celebrating and showing up smashed.

“Okay. You gonna at least cover my coffee or do I have to pay for that, too?” he scoffed.

“You leave now, I’ll pay for a donut as well.” She tried to sweeten the pot.

“Ahh, taking care of your man,” he said lazily.

“You are not my man. You are my ex-husband and currently, the pain in my ass. Don’t get confused.”

She asked Kathleen to bring him the donut. She didn’t want to deal with him again. As soon as he stumbled out, she checked her phone and found the messages from her boss. She also found a text from Eddie. It was a simple message that he hoped her day was going okay; just seeing it made her heart hurt. A week ago, she would have been embarrassed for Eddie to know her ex was there. Now she needed the support she knew he would happily give.

Calling his number, she breathed a sigh of relief when he picked up.

“There’s my girl. What’s shakin’, bacon?”

“Hey.” She couldn’t keep the pissed slash sad sound out of her voice.

“What’s wrong?” He immediately asked.

“Old shit. I just needed to hear your voice. Knowing I’m going to see you later – well, it keeps me from losing it.”

“Crappy customers? Didn’t you just get there?” She could hear the worry in his voice.

“No, not exactly,” she hedged. She was starting to wonder if she should keep this to herself.

“Gemma, you’re my partner and I am yours. I am here for you come hell or high water. You can tell me anything and I will listen and support you. I promise.”

Gemma didn’t doubt it. It had only been a week but it had been the most amazing week of her life. She had never felt more settled, safe, and secure in her life – all because of Eddie.

So many times, she’d wanted to blurt out that she loved him, but she always stopped. It seemed a natural thing to say, the words dancing on the tip of her tongue. But what if what she was feeling was all just one-sided? What if he was already getting bored of her and Dash? Perhaps their week together made him realize the single life was for him.

Taking a leap, she said softly, “Eddie, I need to hear the words.” She held her breath as she waited. There was a short pause and then she heard the words.

“Gemma, I love you. I will always love you. Until the day I die, it’s going to be you, me, and Dash. I’m here for you, no matter what,” he said solemnly.

Gemma couldn’t hold back the gasp. “You love me? Really?” As she said the words, her chest expanded, her lungs filling not only with oxygen but with love. Eddie was on her side.

“Sweetheart, if there was a word bigger than love I’d use it. You are my heart and soul.”

“I love you too, Eddie. This past week has been the happiest of my life,” she admitted.

“Baby, if you think this week was good, just wait to see what I have in store for you,” he said his voice full of promise.

Gemma sighed – she couldn’t imagine anything better, but she wouldn’t turn up her nose at more of the same.

“You gonna tell me what’s up?” he said, breaking into her thoughts.

“My ex-husband showed up at the diner this morning.” She hated to even bring him up.

“What did he want?” Eddie asked, the concern in his voice clear.

“He wants me to cancel the support order. He’s got some job lined up and doesn’t want his checks garnished. I know he’s not good for it, and I’ll probably never see a penny – but I don’t think he should just get away with ignoring his responsibilities. Dash deserves his dad’s money if he can’t have his dad. The saddest part is that it’s hardly anything; it wouldn’t even cover what he needs for a month of food or shelter, never mind clothes.

I couldn’t have him causing a scene at work, so I told him I’d meet him at my house later to talk it over. I don’t have to work tonight, so it’s a decent time to meet him. Could you do me a favor and pick up Dash after you’re done? I don’t want him to see Kyle. He smelled like he was on a bender and he’d probably scare him.”

There was silence on the line, and Gemma was worried Eddie had hung up.

“What time are you meeting him?” His voice was very calm.

“I told him after my shift here at six. You get off at four-thirty, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll take care of Dash. Do you want me to be there? Is this guy violent?”

Gemma snorted. “No, he’s too unmotivated to be violent. He sticks with whining and pleading. I’m good at handling him. I’ll just make it clear that he doesn’t get to ignore his son’s needs. He’ll get pissed and leave so he can pout and drown his sorrows,” Gemma said, rather disgusted with the words. Her ex was a waste of space; she so wished she didn’t have to deal with him.

Sadly, she’d made her choice, granted she had been young and stupid. But it was still her choice and she had to deal with the consequences.

“All right, but I don’t like it. You should have me there with you.”

The last thing she needed was her ex thinking that she was with a doctor. That would just send him into overdrive on why he didn’t need to pay.

“I appreciate the offer. Knowing you’d be there if I asked will help me get him gone that much faster. Thanks for picking up; I wasn’t sure if I could keep working without hearing your voice.”

“Unless I’m wrist deep in a spleen, I’ll always answer your call. I love you, Gemma – now and forever,” he promised.

Damn, she liked hearing him say that. It made her naughty bits start to tingle. It was good that she was at work because she found that was not something she could hide from Eddie. One racy thought and his eyes went shiny and he was trying to jump her.

She had been reminiscing about the previous night a few mornings ago, and he had dragged her into the laundry room. They’d had sex on the washer while Dash ate his cereal in front of the TV, blissfully unaware, watching cartoons; the spin cycle was where it was at.

“Oh Eddie, you are too good for me. I’ve got to get back to work.”

“On a platter, baby. The whole world, served up for you,” he responded.

“I love you,” she said, enjoying the words as they came out of her heart so simply.

“Promise you’ll say that twenty times a day to me,” he growled.

“I promise,” she said. “Bye.”

“Bye, baby,” he said then waited until she hung up.

Going back to work, Gemma focused on her new love and tried not to think about dumbass Kyle and their upcoming conversation.