She pulled back and looked at me. “It’s okay. You sent the next best thing.” Bre turned and looked over her shoulder at Huntley for a moment and then brought her eyes back to mine. “You should have seen him. He was like Superman whipping in to save the day.” Then she blushed a little bit. “Only maybe with a dirty mouth.”
Dirty mouth?
“What do you mean?” I asked, but Lennon called out to say that dinner was ready.
“I’ll tell you later,” she said, rushing off.
A big huff of air escaped me, frustration over not being able to talk to her right away. However, she seemed okay right that second and others were around so waiting until later was probably for the best.
I followed my girl into the kitchen, the aroma of something delicious hitting my nose. Then my eyes wandered again to the larger-than-life fireman standing close and goosebumps skated across my skin.
“I’m gonna get out of here and let you guys eat,” he told me, but hesitated as though he didn’t want to leave.
“Yeah, me too,” Lake said from next to him, beating him to the goodbyes. “Bronson and Stormi are at home probably waiting to eat, too.”
After telling the kids she’d see them soon, she said to Huntley, “Tell Val hi for me next time you visit and that I can’t wait to see her again.”
“I sure will,” he told her but was looking at me.
It dawned on me then that Huntley had told me earlier when we texted that he was going to see his mother today and I’d probably broken into their time when I called. Now I seriously felt horrible for bothering him.
He shook his head at me as if he could read my mind or something.
Then my sister added, “Your mom is a rockstar and I am in awe of how strong that woman is after everything she’s been through.” She graced him with a big smile. “You too for that matter.”
“That she is,” he said about his mother but not commenting on himself as he watched me with eyes that seemed uncomfortable and unsure.
Lake knew his mom that well? And what happened to them? A pang of jealousy raced through me and hurt. We’d talked about how close he and his mom were, about her job,but it seemed like my sister knew so much more. I knew they’d worked together for some time so I was being ridiculous, but I couldn’t seem to help it.
Unaware of the turmoil running through me at her words, Lake walked up to me and leaned in to give a small hug, stopping shy the last inch for me to take hold if I was okay with it. Once I closed the last bit of distance and wrapped my arms around her, she whispered in my ear. “I’m gonna come back when all the kids are in bed to have a glass of wine with you. Well, watch you have a glass of wine, while I have some juice.”
No wine for her, my niece or nephew was growing in her belly.
When she pulled back, she gazed at me for confirmation, and I nodded. I knew she had questions and I guess a part of me was ready to talk. Things in my life were feeling a bit muddled and it would be nice to talk to someone. Plus, I really did want to try and embrace the new relationship with my sister.
I gave her a small smile. “Okay, you know where to find me.”
I stood then looking at Huntley, unsure what to do or say, but I knew we needed to talk about what happened at the school. I’d just have to bury the other feelings swarming me.
First it was only right he ate what he made. “You should eat, you helped make it after all.”.
He gave me a small smile. “It’s okay. You guys need time together to talk.”
It felt wrong after all he did but also felt easier because his presence had me jittery. He sparked some live wire in me and made me feel way too many emotions.
“I’ll walk you out.”
A quick nod and he turned to go but was stopped by Lennon who reached out and shook his hand. “Thanks, man.”
“Any time,” Huntley told him, placing his hand in my son’s. “You guys got my number, don’t be afraid to use it.”
Then the man looked at me and added, “If your mom is okay with that?”
“Of course,” I said, immediately. I don’t know what happened at the school yet, but my kids had done a one-eighty when it came to this man.
I looked around and didn’t see Breland, where did she go?
The guys dropped hands and I followed Huntley to the door. Just as he was about to open it, I heard feet rushing across the floor and turned to see Breland with her dog in her arms. She handed Roxie to me and then wrapped her limbs around Huntley, who’d also turned at her approach.
