Mancave (Wild Men 3)

She lets go, and I close her door while she makes a face at me through the window.

Shaking my head, I walk around the truck and climb behind the wheel. “What?”

“Nothing. Just…” She giggles behind her hand. “You’re really hot when you’re glaring.”

Christ, this girl. Like my daughter earlier, I bite into my lower lip not to snort. “I said, buckle up, Mrs. Hansen. This will be a wild ride.”

“With you, Mr. Hansen,” she mutters, still laughing, “it always is.”

Chapter Four

Octavia

As we head out of town, I lean back in my seat and close my eyes. God, we’re leaving. It’s a relief. I didn’t want to admit to myself how I dreaded the stress of packing, of saying goodbye to the kids who looked so frigging sad, to my mom and Gigi over the phone who did a good job of stressing me more.

Oh God, it’s still morning time. The drive to Destiny is about four hours in good weather conditions, barring accidents and hailstorms. I could catch a wink. The rocking of the car always puts me to sleep.

“Tired?” Matt asks softly, and I catch his dark gaze on me as the truck idles at a traffic light.

“A little.” Wiped out, actually. I settle back more comfortably, smile at him. “I hate goodbyes.”

His mouth tightens a little. “Me too.”

It’s obvious his mind instantly went to darker times, and permanent goodbyes. It kills me to see him sad, lost in painful memories.

I reach out, lay my hand on his arm. “We won’t be gone long.”

“Yeah.” But his jaw is clenched and his hands on the wheel white-knuckled.

My stomach clenches. I twist the rings on my finger as I consider the fact he’s never been away from his kids before since we got together. That must stress him a lot.

You’d think that six years after his wife’s death he’d be over it, but death isn’t like that, I realize. That terrible absence won’t go away. He’ll always miss her, always feel guilty for staying behind, always feel responsible for everything and everyone.

And even as my heart aches for him, I also love him all the more for it. It shows me what kind of man he is.

The best kind.

“Why don’t you catch some sleep?” He lets out a long breath. “It’s still early. It will be a long day.”

I tug down my long sweater. I wonder for how much longer it will fit me. My boobs are huge these days, and my belly seems to be swelling by the day. “When will you tell me what Evan said? What happened to him?”

“An accident.” His hands twist on the wheel. “A car T-boned his pick-up truck. Broke his arm and collarbone, some ribs.”

“Oh God.” I sit up, my tiredness forgotten. “Poor guy. No wonder he needs help. Does he live alone? No family?”

“His girlfriend and him, they split up recently, he said. He’s worried about his niece who’s staying with him, and his pets.”

“His niece.” I frown. “But we’re only staying for a few days.”

“Her mom will come pick her up next week.”

“Why doesn’t she come and pick her up already, and then take care of her brother?”

“Maybe she’s busy?”

“Right. So she leaves her daughter with him even though he’s hurt and needs help for himself?”

Matt glances at me, shooting me an amused look. “Simmer down, sweet cheeks. Not all families are as tight as ours.”