“Come here, sunshine,” he demands, a spatula in his hand, but he doesn’t look happy, that’s for sure.
“I know it’s a lot.” I’m wringing my hands as I make my way over to him. I watch as he places the spatula on the counter, moves the frying pan to the back burner, then turns the stove off. All while I’m shuffling my feet, afraid of what his answer may be.
“Fox.” His hands reach for my hips as soon as I’m in touching distance.
“I’m not going anywhere. This thing between you and me, it’s building, strong and steady. No amount of wind is going to blow me away, you hear me?” That’s all he has to say. Fox dips his head, lips meeting mine, grazing them lightly, before he pulls away and says, “Now, let’s get you something to eat. I want to spend time with you before practice tonight, plus you have a few things to tell me. I’ll be here until you don’t want me here anymore. Even then, I probably still wouldn’t let you push me away.” I wrap my arms around his neck, standing on the tips of my toes, giving him what I’m sure is the biggest smile I’ve ever had on my face when I say, “Thank you. I know I have a lot to explain, and I’ll do that while we eat breakfast, then I’m yours for the day. And I’m sure when you’re practicing, I’ll be drooling over this sexy-as-sin guy who also happens to be my neighbor, more than actually watching him practice.”
“Fuck yes, you will. Then I’m bringing you home, wining and dining you, maybe a little—” I cover his mouth with my hand.
“Don’t ruin it Fox.” I shake my head. He licks the palm of my hand before nipping it with his teeth, causing my center to become slick with need.
I slowly take my hand away. “Come on, you can tell me the details. I’ll even keep my mouth to myself, for now.” Fox takes my hand and sits me on the couch that’s facing the ocean, then heads back to the kitchen, where he plates our food and grabs two mugs of coffee, not even bothering to ask how I take it but somehow nailing it with more cream and less sugar. When he sits down next to me, while shoveling food into my mouth, taking long sips of coffee in between, I open up about everything—how my father demanded custody when she walked out and didn’t so much as say goodbye until she was fired from multiple venues and needed money but also wanted to come back into my life. My dad allowed it, begrudgingly, but when I came home as a toddler with a bruise on my upper arm, hand marks clearly showing, and filthy, he called Gene, and they put their plan in action, paperwork stating she’d stay out of our lives forever, which she has until my dad passed away. She walked away with one hundred thousand dollars. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought my dad was worth so much when this story came to life. We lived humbly, even if our house seemed grand. Dad always said to live within our means, and that’s what we both did.
After I spill my heart out to Fox, he brings me into his lap and hugs me to him, long and hard. No words are spoken. Nothing needs to be said. Being held like this, knowing he’s not leaving, it’s all I need or want.
15
Fox
We didn’t do much today. Even when Mel came back from getting ready for the day, she put on her bathing suit but put a pair of denim shorts and tank top over it. I put my baseball hat on her head instead of the one she bought yesterday. We hung out around the house, relaxed, talking the day away. Melanie isn’t sure if she’ll go back to California. The memories and the way her mother has made it near impossible to feel safe there has ruined it for her. She asked what I thought she should do next. I didn’t have an answer for her. I did kiss her like my very last breath depended on it when she told me she’d extended her rental for the next few months. Though she wouldn’t need it if I had my way. I didn’t say it though.
Now we’re on our way to my practice. It’s only a few houses down from ours. Public volleyball is a huge thing here, and we’re always happy to donate our time to give our thanks too. Not to mention a portion of the proceeds from the tournaments are donated right back to Kelson Beach.
We’re a good group of guys. Most of us are local or have served in one form or another—active, veteran, or medically discharged. None of us care, and we all give each other shit about the branches of the military we served. I know these guys. They’ll think without their heads attached to their shoulders. So, I already knew that as soon as we got here, I’d be laying down the law.