“Bye.” I pressed my lips to his once more before we parted ways.
He waited inside the truck until I unlocked the door and walked inside. As I floated into my bedroom to shower and get ready for bed, I thought about all of the night’s events. We still joked and carried on like normal, but there was a sweeter side to our dynamic. We had fun, we played, and we talked. It was like a teenage dream.
He made me feel like I was back in high school, no adult pressures lingering on my shoulders. Just a boy in my class, taking me on a date in his cool car, where we had fun, got to know each other, and fell into heavy “like.”
When my head finally hit the pillow, I didn’t let reality settle in about how things were different. Until the morning came, I would relish the feelings that he brought out of me, feelings that had been gone for so long. Having a baby, and a man who didn’t want the responsibility, changed me. I wouldn’t have it any other way, but it was nice to go back to that girl I was for a night.
Tomorrow would bring about a different scene between Joel and me. I still had to protect my heart, and my son. But I was letting go just a little bit to enjoy the moment. In this moment, Joel made me happy, and I was going to enjoy the feeling.
My alarm came early the next day.
I went through my normal morning routine, and when Joel finally came in the trailer, he said hello, but there was no morning kiss. We were professionals right now, making our jobs come first.
“I had fun. Thanks,” I said, breaking the silence, and he smiled.
“We should keep doing it.”
“I’d like that.”
Kandi walked in shortly after I agreed and stole him away to get in his wardrobe. Things were going to be all right, just as long as no one figured out that we were testing the waters between us.
Chapter Fifteen
Alessandra
“I can’t believe we are going to stay at Joel’s house this weekend! You must be a really good lay, Mom.”
Yep. That just happened. My thirteen-year-old son just commented that I must be a good lay in order to keep the interest of Joel Kline enough that he would invite us over to his house for the weekend. I didn’t know whether to just smother him with the pillow, or walk away.
I went with option three. I always stressed honesty between us, and I would be honest with him now.
“Yep, might not want to put your food there without a plate, kiddo.” He was going to need therapy one day because of me.
“Mom! Gross!” He looked at the kitchen table in disgust.
“Exactly. Don’t say things like that about your mom and I won’t put the picture in your head. Deal?” He nodded, a grimace still on his face.
“He asked me last week, before we went on our date, anyway.” I put that out there. We actually hadn’t done anything other than kiss a few times. Nothing life-altering like the kiss in the laser room, just pecks here and there. We were busy with the film, and I had to go to a school event for Jenson the past week. The end of the school year was in a month, so he had all kinds of projects and fairs that were happening. I was proud of him, and loved being a part of his school life.
Joel was not my top priority. He never would be, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t enjoying myself with him. Even just the little looks, touches, and our normal banter were a bright spot in my day.
“We will head there after school tomorrow, and you are going to be on your best behavior, got it?” I pointed my fork at him with a piece of shrimp still dangling.
“Yep.” He ate his food, and I decided to bring up something I’d been thinking about for a while but didn’t think I would be able to actually do. Thankfully, this job was helping to pay off some credit card debt that I racked up when things got tough.
“So, you know how I said you were going to be staying with Grandma and Grandpa while I worked away from home in a month?” He nodded and started chomping on a piece of garlic bread. It was gone in three bites.
“Well, I was thinking. If you are good for the rest of the year, and get an A in your history class, that before you go to stay with them, we can go swim at Monterey and do some of their special tours.”
“No shit?” He jumped up and started celebrating.
“Mouth!” This kid, I swear.
“Sorry! Mom, that is awesome!”
“Well, it’s not official yet. You still have to do good the rest of the year.” I reminded him, and he shook his head yes. He promised over and over that he would be good.
Joel texted me around ten at night, just as I was getting ready for bed.
