Until Talon (Until Him 4)

“Cece asked Mike for a divorce,” I blurt, wanting to cover the panic suddenly swirling through my system.

“Pardon?”

“Umm…” Clearing my throat, I rest my hands on his warm, hard chest when he doesn’t step back. It feels like so much has happened since I drove away from him last night at the ice cream place, and I didn’t have time to explain everything that happened while we were texting. “He showed up at the bar because she asked for more child support, and he thinks it’s too much, so his great idea was to tell her he’s going to go for full custody and to talk to the girls about who they wanted to live with and selling the house.”

“Dick.”

“Right?” I nod then take a step to the side toward the banister at the edge of the deck. “How’s your dad?” I look at him over my shoulder, and like anytime I’m in his presence, I seem to have his full attention, something that sends a thrill down my spine.

“He’s good. Should be getting discharged tomorrow, which is a good thing, since I doubt him and Mom could manage another day in the hospital together.”

“They aren’t getting along?” I tip my head to the side, studying him.

“They love each other and worry about each other, so while Mom is rightfully worried about him, he’s stressed about her spending all her time at the hospital not sleeping and hardly eating. They’ll be fine when they get home, but right now, they are at each other’s throat.”

“Sounds like my mom and Chaz.” I lean over the ledge of the banister and notice that the back of the house is on a slope, and this part of the deck is at least ten feet in the air, if not higher.

“Chaz?” His hand rests on my back then the bottom of my shirt is tugged, and I turn to find him holding it in his fist.

“I’m not going to jump.” I roll my eyes then laugh when he shrugs one shoulder, like “that might be, but just in case you try, I’m not letting go.” “Chaz is my stepdad. Him and my mom have been together since I was around eleven. The only time I’ve ever really heard them fight was when he was in the hospital after his heart attack. He did not want Mom there, because he knows she hates hospitals and is a worrier, and she was mad that he kept trying to get her to leave.” I let out a breath, and he releases my shirt when I lean my hip against the bannister. “They should be here in a couple days.”

“They’re coming for a visit?”

“Cece called Mom to tell her what’s been going on, and Mom being Mom decided it was time for her and Chaz to step in, so they’re driving from Montana.”

“It’s good they’re coming. I’m sure you sister could use them right now.”

“It will be good for the girls to have them around. Kate seems to be handling everything in stride. Ruby is Ruby; she’s always happy. But Lola is… Lola is not okay.” He hooks his index finger with mine, and my body seems to relax from the contact. “My parents’ marriage and divorce were ugly. I remember feeling scared and torn, because regardless of what was happening, I loved my dad and my mom, and I didn’t want to have to choose between them, but I always felt like I had to.”

“I hate that you experienced that, baby.”

“I hate that Lola might be feeling that now too.” I drop my gaze to our joined fingers. “She didn’t want to go with him today. I saw it all over her face. The only good thing is he saw that too and knew he caused that.”

“Maybe that will be the motivation he needs to change.”

I lift my eyes to his. “I hope so,” I agree, and he lets my finger go to open the grill and flips the steaks before leading me inside to the kitchen. “Is there anything I can help with?”

“You can open me a beer and pick what you wanna drink, while I grab the baked potatoes from the oven.” I open the fridge and grab him a beer and me a bottle of sweet tea, and while I still have it open, he calls out, “Pull out the salad, babe, and whatever dressing you want.” I do then follow him back outside and set everything in my hands on a small plastic table as he sets out two plates holding potatoes wrapped in foil and some silverware. “How do you like your steak?”

“Medium rare.” I twist the top off his beer and open my tea. He comes over with a plate holding two steaks and places one on mine before taking a seat. I unwrap my baked potato carefully when he does then grin when I find it filled with cheese, sour cream and bacon bits. “Stuffed baked potatoes, steak, and salad. Did you call my sister to ask her my favorite meal?”