Trouble

Oliver peeks into the room. “Mom?”

“Hey, come in here.” She waves him over. “Aunt Sly got a job working with me. Isn’t that cool? We’re so excited.”

His little mouth curls into something like a smile as he climbs onto her bed, but I can tell he’s anxious. I think about our conversation in the car, and I’m worried about how he’s processing all of this, from my black eye to our sudden move to his abruptly leaving school.

Sitting on the bed, I reach for his hand. “I don’t start until next week. What if we go to the zoo tomorrow? I heard one of the koala bears had a baby!”

“They’re not really bears.” He looks down, tracing a fingernail along the leg of his jeans. “Koalas are marsupials… like kangaroos.”

“Have I told you how smart you are lately?” I wrinkle my nose and muss his hair. “Maybe you can graduate high school early and be one of those child geniuses.”

“Right.” He gives me a tight smile. “I’m really not going back to school this year?”

“I’m sorry, hon.” Courtney sits on the bed, putting her arm around his shoulders. “You only have a few weeks left, and we need to stay with Mr. Spencer right now. It’s kind of the best thing. But you’ll still pass your grade.”

She gives him a hopeful smile, and his chin drops.

“Okay, Mom.” He doesn’t even question her, and it breaks my heart a little.

He’ll do anything to make things easier for her, and I’m not sure he’s ever told her the things he said to me in the car. I make a mental note to watch how we talk in front of him, and I’ve got to make time to tell her what he said in private.

She stands, waving us away. “Now you two vamoose. I’m going to take a nice, long bubble bath, and I don’t want any interruptions!”

“Don’t overflow the tub,” I warn. “Once you turn those jets on, it’s bubbles bonanza!”

“I know, I know.” She’s doing her best to make Ollie feel at home.

He lunges forward, giving her one more, big hug. “I love you, Mom,” he whispers.

She kisses his cheek, and when I see the tears in her eyes, I hop forward to grab his hand. “Where the heck is Chartreuse, anyway? Does she like this big, nice house? Show me where you put her cage. I want to see her in it… I want to be sure it’s secure…”

“Come on,” he exhales heavily, taking my hand and dragging me out of the room. “Baby.”

“I am not a baby!” I pretend to be offended, and when I glance back, Courtney mouths a thank you to me.

I give her a wink and follow Ollie down the hall to our shared room. We figured we might as well continue being roomies in this new place. Also, the second bedroom has two twin beds.

Spencer said the interior designer thought a children’s wing would increase the resale value. Since I’ve seen his Master wing, I can believe he has little interest in what happens on these lower floors—other than the kitchen.

He was so insistent about us moving in here, yet at the same time, he’s been very respectful about giving us our space. I won’t let my romantic imagination run wild over this. It’s over-protective, but he hasn’t said anything to indicate his feelings about being in a relationship have changed.

“I hope you’re getting settled okay.” His voice at my back makes me jump, and I turn fast with a little yip. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“No, I’m…” I exhale a little laugh. “I guess I’m still jumpy.”

My confession makes the muscle in his jaw move attractively. Over-protectiveness is a good look on him.

He blinks it away, extending his hand to Ollie. “Oliver, it’s nice to see you again. I hope you’re comfortable in my house.”

“It’s a nice house.” Ollie nods, looking around like a little man.

“Right.” Spencer straightens. “I’d like to introduce you all to Tom. He’s our security guard for the next few days. Tom, this is Oliver and Joselyn.”

Tom steps up, and he’s a tank of a man. I’m guessing he’s six-six, with broad shoulders, a broad chest, and thick legs. The only thing soft about him is a swoosh of blond hair over his left eye. He doesn’t speak, he only nods. He’s like a cartoon superhero.

Spencer seems oblivious to Tom’s appearance. “If you need anything, if anything feels off, if you hear any strange noises. If you see a shadow you don’t like.” Spencer pats him on the shoulder. “Tom’s your man. I’ll text you his number—save it on your phone.”

Ollie and I are still holding hands, and I’m pretty sure both our jaws are on the floor. Tom only gives us a curt nod. We nod back in unison, and Spencer dismisses the boulder assigned to watch us. “Thank you, Tom.”