Dad’s eyes were all too telling when he saw me. Mom was lying on the couch, Dad in his recliner, with the television playing softly in the background.
“Something you need to tell me, baby girl?” He dropped a kiss on my forehead before I said, “Hey, Mom.” She returned a kiss to my cheek and settled back in, all while waving Dad off with her hand and grumbling, “Leave her be, you old coot,” trying not to laugh and putting pressure on her already hurting lung.
“My car needed a service. Braxton said it would take him a day or so to work on getting new tires and something else. Also, I’m working there for the time being or until some of the companies I applied with get in touch and want to hire me.” Dad stood up, his full height on display. Even for being in his sixties, he’s still well over six foot tall, muscular. The only sign of aging is some of the weight around his midsection, from too much beer, Mom says, and the head of salt-and-pepper hair that is still full of volume.
“You could have told me. Bridger and I could have worked on it for you.” I could hear the tiredness in his voice when he pulled me in for one of his bear hugs.
“It’s okay. I have money saved up, and it’s not like you two have all this spare time. Plus, it got me a job too. It’s a win-win for everyone.” I didn’t bring up the fact that I did tell him and Bridger at one point. It wasn’t really needed though.
“Alright, if you need anything, you be sure to tell me. I know being twenty-one and living back at home isn’t fun, but you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you want.” He squeezed me one more time for good measure. Aspen moved to Texas, something about wanting to spread her wings and fly the coop, so to speak. It sucks that she moved. I get it too. Between Bridger, Dad, Mom, and Peyton, sometimes it’s hard to live a life of your own. Case in point, the shit Braxton and I are doing until we manage our relationship on our own, which, don’t get me wrong, it’s not my favorite thing to do. The secretiveness will only cause more backlash when shit comes to a head.
“I know, and I’ll more than likely only be in your hair the next month or so. I’m actively looking.” I winked at them both before making my way into the kitchen to find something to eat. I don’t ever expect a hot meal to be waiting for me when I get home, or for them to cook dinner. They’ve raised us all. This is their time to enjoy one another, and I know the only thing keeping them home right now is Mom’s health. If not for that, they’d still be out RV’ing.
That brings me to the here and now. Braxton joked about me wearing skirts and tank tops to work, but when I woke up this morning, the short skirt was exchanged for a longer one. I kept a tank top on and threw a chunky cardigan to go over it until it warms up. Braxton didn’t give me a set schedule, but I know he opens up by eight o’clock every morning and shuts everything down by five o’clock every evening. So, I made sure to be here thirty minutes before in case Braxton needed help.
It doesn’t come as a shock to me to see that Braxton’s Bronco is already in the lot or that the lights are already on. This man is a workhorse. Who knows how long he was even here last night.
The wind is brisk when I hop out of the truck, making sure it’s locked up tight. There is no way I’ll ever forgive myself if something happens to it. I tuck my hands in my cardigan’s pockets until I get to the door. Thankfully, it’s only a few more steps. This weather is really coming in. It won’t be too much longer before my winter clothes will be out for the season. I’m loving and dreading that at the same time. Smelling the crisp fall air is probably my favorite, but knowing that snow will be coming and is probably right around the corner… It causes a full body shiver just thinking about the abundance of snow we’ll be getting.
“Hey siren.” The door opening for me causes me to jump back.
“Hey, way to scare me, again.” I hold my hand over my rapidly beating heart. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even hear or see him.
“You’re here early. I wasn’t expecting you to get here when I did.” He arches his eyebrow, showing me the small grin that’s playing on his luscious lips, lips that I’ve had on some of the most intimate parts of my body.