Oh, I could think of a hundred reasons, but I made up a lame excuse.
Me:I just figured Alex has a girlfriend at home he should be with instead of spending time babysitting me.
Ryder:
Ryder:Are you okay? You got hit on the head, right?
You know what?I was absolutely going to run with that excuse as to why my brother’s best friend did something strange to my pulse. Like elevate it.
Me:You’re right. I’m a little off. Don’t mind me.
More than a little, since Alejandro “Alex” Rodriguez kept infiltrating the part of my brain reserved for “do not think about that” outside of what was supposed to be a few innocent fantasies here and there.
Me:Just focus on whatever it is you’re doing. We’ll talk when you get here tomorrow. Chase will be happy to see you. We’ll tell him you were planning a visit with Seraphina anyway, so he doesn’t worry about why you’re really coming.
Ryder:Okay. Stay safe. Get some rest. Later.
I tossed the phone onto the bed and went out into the hallway, nearly colliding with a couple heading to the second honeymoon suite.How nice for them.
After apologizing, I continued toward the stairs to the first floor.
The house’s centerpiece was a beautiful stone fireplace. It crackled with flames and cast a warm light across the wood-beamed ceilings of the main living room. A small kid was off to the side, playing with superhero figures while his parents chatted and sipped mimosas. Being surrounded by so much life after having my home broken into was somewhat comforting, I supposed.
I followed the aroma of cinnamon and cocoa down the hall and stopped outside the kitchen at the sound of Eden’s voice rising.
“Are you sure you can handle this? I know you said you’re over her, but I’m just worried that her being here might be confusing. For everyone.”
I backed up against the wall, hoping no one would see me lurking.
“It’s temporary.” Trevor’s tone was low and tired. “But what was I supposed to do? Send her to a hotel? She’s the mother of my child. I need to keep her safe, plus Chase needs to be near her. And I ...”
“You what?” Eden asked him, speaking on my behalf as well, especially since he hadn’t answered her original question.
Did he think now that I was single, my move to Colorado might amount to a second chance for us?
“We can’t be together. She knows that. I know that. And you do too.” I could hear the gruff, measured breath he took afterward all the way in the hall. “But I’m never gonna stop lovin’ her as family, and if something had happened to her last night, I’d never be able to live with myself.”
I couldn’t hear her response, just a murmur passing in the air, as if she was hugging him, trying to erase his worries.
“Mom?” Chase called out, exposing the fact I was creeping outside the kitchen.
Shit.
Trevor stepped into the hall almost immediately, his gaze volleying between Chase approaching and me standing awkwardly, a statue of red embarrassment.
“I was just coming to find you. Everything okay?” I lifted one shoulder, attempting to pull off innocent, but based on Trevor’s tight mouth and pinched brows, he called bullshit.
Trevor’s blue eyes cut to our son’s, and with a tip of his head, he motioned for Chase to give us a moment.
“Cocoa in the kitchen. Go ahead,” Trevor encouraged when Chase looked him up and down, holding his ground in a firm, protective stance in front of me. My little guardian.
“It’s okay,” I told him, knowing he needed both of us to agree before following any kind of order.
Chase shifted around so I could see his face. His lips rolled inward, his eyes still suspiciously darting between us, assessing the uncomfortable situation. Smart beyond his years.
Once he hesitantly took off for the cocoa he didn’t care about, Trevor gently took me by the arm, a silent order to have that moment in private.
I quietly allowed him to guide me down the hall to his office. Books lined the walls, and as the door softly clicked shut, I sought them out as a refuge while waiting for what would probably be a lecture.
