“I’ve learned not asking is the way to go.”
I lean back in the uncomfortable chair. “I talked to Jason yesterday.”
Heather’s eye light up. “How is he? Is he coming home anytime soon?”
“He said he’s doing good, and he sounded like it. I think he’s a little homesick and he’s hoping to be able to come home in January.”
“If he does, please bring him to see me! I miss that little twerp.”
“I don’t think he’s a twerp anymore.”
Heather laughs, wiping her eyes. Unlike me, she’s emotional. Cries during commercials and during certain songs no matter how many times she’s heard them.
“And I will.”
“What else did he say?”
A few more visitors shuffle in and the room gets louder. I fill Heather in on everything Jason told me, which isn’t much.
“I should get going,” I tell Heather, feeling bad. “It’s a long drive back to Eastwood.” I go to stand, and Heather reaches forward, taking my necklace between her fingers.
“You’re wearing a cat charm?”
“Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. It’s a joke.”
“A joke?”
“Wes’s sister, Quinn, is kind of a crazy cat lady and their mom is very much a dog person. Their house is more divided than Bears and Packers fans living under the same roof.”
“So you’ve sided with Team Cat.”
“I do like cats.”
Heather laughs and stands with me, giving me a hug before I leave. I spot that one annoying eavesdropper on my way out. I wouldn’t think much of it, but she won’t stop looking at me. I put on my coat and glance her way.
She’s not just staring at me. She’s glaring, seething with hatred.30Weston“You’re officially a heartbreaker, Weston.” Scarlet turns away from the stove, setting down a wooden spoon. I just got home from work and the house smells amazing.
“How so?” I ask, amused. I take off my shoes. “And what is that?”
“Spiced cider. We can add rum to ours if you want.”
“That sounds good.” It’s a cold and windy day and I spent the last hour and a half of my shift outside in it, dealing with a car accident. No one was seriously hurt, but both people involved had flaring tempers, which made everything take twice as long. I unzip my coat, longing to feel Scarlet’s warm body pressed against me. “How am I a heartbreaker?”
Scarlet strides over and wraps her arms around my neck. I slip a cold hand under her shirt, making her shriek and squirm away. I hold her tighter, laughing.
“Your hands are like ice!”
“It’s cold out.”
“Don’t you have gloves to wear?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t wear them.”
“Obviously,” she laughs. “And Mrs. Hills stopped me when I picked up Jackson from school today. She was very upset to learn you were off the market.”
“How did that even come up?” I slide my hands to Scarlet’s ass. She’s wearing leggings and I don’t think she has panties on underneath. I bring my head down, lips going to her neck.
“My dress blew up in the wind and she saw my Wes Dawson’s tight end panties.”
I laugh. “That’s what I figured happened.” I kiss her neck, and Scarlet arches her back, pressing herself against me.
“Really, she said she saw us at the diner last week and we seemed close.”
I step in, widening my legs. “Well, we are.” We kiss, and just seconds later Jackson comes down the stairs. He runs over for a hug and I scoop him up, pulling Scarlet to me with my other arm.
Things are so fucking perfect.
“Is dinner ready?” Jackson asks.
“Let me check it.” Scarlet gets a pot pie from the oven. “It’s done. It needs to sit for like five minutes to cool first.” She taps her chin, looking at Jackson. “I wonder what we could do in that time? Oh no. I think the zombies are back!”
Jackson wiggles out of my arms and takes off, laughing and screaming as he starts to run around the house. Scarlet and I both chase after him, and we run around the house for more than five minutes.
I go upstairs to change while Scarlet cuts into the pot pie and has Jackson help set the table. We function so well together. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m already thinking about the future.
Never in a million years did I think I’d want to get married again, but my mind has drifted to proposing to Scarlet. I want us to be a family.
“What are you guys looking at?” I ask, coming down the stairs. Scarlet and Jackson are peering out of the blinds in the living room with the lights off.
“That white car has been by twice,” Scarlet says. “And Jackson told me it was stopped in front of the house earlier.”
“Really?” I go right to the front door, not bothering with socks.
“Wes, wait!” Scarlet springs up and comes after me, telling Jackson to stay in the house. “Shouldn’t you go back and get your gun before you go up to a creepy car?” She grabs my arm.