Right then Mac comes strutting into my office followed by Flynn and Sul. Of course the little asshole doesn’t keep his mouth shut, “Oh Clara Sanders? Her son’s deaf. I’m assuming he’s wanting to learn a little ASL to impress the mom to get laid.”
Inexplainable rage takes over my body and I’m out of my chair and have Mac against the wall by the collar of his shirtin a blink. I bite out, “You don’t fucking speak about her like that. About him at all. I swear to God, MacQuillian, I will end you and I wont give a single fuck that we’re siblings.” His eyes are as wide as saucers but he at least looks ashamed of what he said. Looking around, all my brothers are standing there, jaws dropped, but it’s Flynn who speaks up first.
“Well I’ll be damned boys. Looks like we’re getting a sister and nephew.”
Kieran looks shocked but schools his features and smirks, “In that case, you better make sure those lessons are for all of us.” All five of them nod in agreement as I let Mac go.
Lifting my chin in acknowledgment, while scooping up my phone that’s buzzed twice since I put it down I walk out my office. My brothers may dance on my last nerve daily, but we take family seriously. It’s serious to me, so it’s serious to them. Now to get Clara on board. I’m shutting the door to my bedroom as I unlock my phone and see the two texts from Clara.
Clara: “Let me see if his sitter can watch him Saturday evening. I’ll ask in the morning. Maybe it’s best to take this a step at a time.”
Clara: “Goodnight Rowan.
I shoot off one last text before grabbing a pair of boxers and heading off to my en suite for a shower.
Rowan: “We can take it at your pace, but just know the end result will be the same. Have a good evening, Pretty Girl.”
7
Chapter Seven
Clara
Walking out of work Wednesday I take the biggest breath my lungs can hold then slowly let it out. Talk about a shit show, Mr. O’Brien decided to move his schedule around on his own. Well surprise, surprise he forgot half his meetings, left a random three hour gap that he swore was full of clients. Oh, and the best part, he called no one to let him know about the changes. It took me all day to call everyone and fix it. Mr O’Brien apologized profusely and promised to never touch the schedule again. I’m so thankful that today’s close to over.
Between that and Rowan’s texts last night my brain has been going a million miles an hour. He doesn’t sound like he’s just looking to hook up. He sounds like he wants serious. The problem with serious? The last time that word was relevantwith me and relationships I became a verbal and physical punching bag as soon as he had me comfortable. He had me stuck, I finally told Britt after one too many “I fell down the stairs” or “the dog tripped me up” and we made a plan. I was going to get out before he escalated to Rhett. He was so disinterested in him, especially after we found out he couldn’t hear. I never thought he’d hurt him though. Not until the night we left.
I’m not sure I’ll ever trust someone like that again. I wouldn’t survive the betrayal a second time. So I’ll ask Olivia in passing, and not press when she says she’ll have to check her schedule. Maybe she’ll forget and I can blow him off. Even as I’m thinking it dread pulls in my stomach. Maybe this is a bad idea. I don’t want to blow Rowan off, he seems sweet and I want to go out with him. Honestly, I want him to kiss me, to feel his calloused hands all over me, to know how that scruff on his face feels on my neck, my chest, in between my thighs. I felt his bulge against my stomach last night, and I’m curious to know what that feels like too. I WANT him, there’s no denying that. The question is will once be enough for us to get it out of our systems and walk away?
I shake the thoughts out of my head as I slide into my car and head to pick up Rhett. It takes less than ten minutes to get to Liv’s. Walking in the door to see Rhett playing with super hero figures in the middle of the floor, my heart feels lighter. He’s my reason for breathing. Reaching over to the light switch on the wall I flick it on and off twice. A huge smile breaks across his face as he looks up then runs and jumps into my arms. Hands going a million miles an hour to tell me all about his day. Giving him the biggest smile before setting him down I sign,“Okay, okay. I can’t wait to hear about your day. Goclean up your toys while I talk to Ms. Olivia and you can tell me all about it when we get home. Is that a plan?”
He smiles so big it squishes his cheeks up and makes his eyes squint,“Yes! Movie tonight? Turtle movie?”Nodding in confirmation, he runs off.
“He had a great day, well he always has a great day so I guess he had a typical day for him. You know I adore him. If I could have him everyday I would. He’s such a sweet soul. You’re doing an amazing job, Clara. Raising such a little gentleman.”
That has my eyes watering, “Thank you so much. He makes being his Mama so easy. So, I wanted to ask you, is there any way you’d want to watch Rhett for a few hours Saturday evening?”
That has Olivia’s whole face lighting up, “I’ve been waiting for you to ask me to watch him so you can have some time to yourself for six months. If you’re not working you have him and I know that’s not easy. You deserve a break. I’d love to watch him. I can even watch him overnight if you want? Honestly Clara, take the night and get some good rest.”
My heart rate instantly spikes, “Oh no, no I’ll get him. I’d drop him off at about five and pick him up at ten at the latest. We have a hard time sleeping away from each other.” She nods in understanding. Olivia wasn’t always a stay at home mom with a firefighter husband. She was a single mom once upon a time too. From what I’ve been told Cooper swooped in and fell in love with her and her kids. The rest is history, but she doesn’t forget what it was like. Single moms just get it. Rhett runs over as we finalize the details and pulls on my hand to go to the car. We laugh and say goodbye, as I lead him to the car and head home. Now to text Rowanand tell him.
I’ve just laid Rhett down after the longest bedtime routine ever. Of course the day couldn’t end without him dragging every task out an extra five minutes each. He’s finally in bed and drifting off when I pick up my phone and see a text from Rowan.
Rowan: “Don’t forget to let me know about Saturday. I’m looking forward to it. Hope you’ve had a great day, Pretty Girl.”
I give myself a minute to back out, but of course I don’t. However, thinking it over I decide that giving him an out just in case he’s come to his senses since last night might be a good idea.
Clara: “I actually talked to Rhett’s sitter when I picked him up. She’s going to watch him Saturday from five in the evening to ten at night if that time frame works. If not, it’s fine. We can try again another time.”
Of course he texts back immediately solidifying that he is either the most flexible man I’ve ever met, or he’s willing to fit into whatever slot of time I can carve out. I’m refusing to ponder on which it is for fear of it being the latter.
Rowan: Perfect. I’ll pick you up at six thirty and make sure you’re on time to get Rhett. I can’t wait to see you again.
How does he put me at ease with just a few words? I smile contently and shoot off one last text refusing to overthink it. Putting my phone down I turn on the T.V to watch the latest episode of the reality show I’ve been binging in what little spare time I have. I settle into my bed and get comfortable.
Clara: “I hope Saturday comes soon. Goodnight Rowan.”
* **
