The Day He Came Back

The sun sparkled over the water. I needed to cool the fuck down.

I went outside and ripped off my shirt before stepping out of my pants. Without giving it a second thought, I dove into the pool in my boxer briefs. The water, which had been warmed by the sun, wasn’t quite cold enough for what I needed today.

Swimming lap after lap, I tried to rid myself of this nervous energy.

When I finally stopped, I pushed my hair back, rubbed the water off my face, and looked up. Through the blinding sunlight, I could have sworn I saw Raven in the window of my father’s bedroom, looking down at me.

By the time I blinked, she was gone.CHAPTER SEVENTEEN* * *RAVENI couldn’t believe he looked up at me. While Mr. M napped, I’d peeked out the window overlooking the pool. The last thing I expected to see was Gavin swimming like a shark back and forth. When he rose from the water, displaying his carved body, I nearly lost my breath. Then he suddenly looked up, and I moved away from the window so fast that I tripped on the wastebasket and nearly woke Mr. M.

This entire day felt like a dream. Hours had passed, yet I was still in complete shock that Gavin was here—and that he was staying for at least a month.

Ten years looked damn good on him. He was the same, but different—partly the guy I knew, yet a man I hardly recognized all in one. His hair was the same beautiful, tousled mess that fell over his forehead. His jawline was more defined, with scruff I longed to feel against my skin. His shoulders were broader. Every bit of this was like salt poured into my very old wound that had never healed. All of my feelings came flooding back.

I really needed to get myself in check, because if he was staying a whole month, I couldn’t let my reaction to him impede my day-to-day work caring for his dad.

Gavin wanted to talk to me, but I wasn’t ready. I could barely look him in the eyes. It was too painful, and after all this time, I was afraid he’d see right through me; he’d know. Not to mention, I was still stewing a bit from his reaction to finding me here. It pissed me off that he could think my intentions were anything but honorable.

I stayed upstairs as long as I possibly could. My shift normally ended at seven, at which point the night nurse took my place. Today Nadine happened to be running late, so I hung out with Mr. M until she finally arrived.

I was hoping to avoid Gavin downstairs and make a clean exit. But I had to pass through the kitchen to get my keys and other belongings. He was standing at the granite counter when I entered the room.

“So…” he said, “I kind of fucked up and ordered all this food, not realizing how big the portions were. I can’t eat it all by myself. Are you sure you won’t join me for dinner?”

I stood there in silence, unsure what to say. I glanced over at the brown paper bags sitting on the counter.

“Is that from Wong’s?”

“Yes.”

“Then you knew how big the portions are.”

“Okay, let me rephrase my question,” he said. “I have a large bottle of wine to numb any potential awkwardness of having dinner with me. Care to stay?”

I cracked my first smile since his arrival. “Well, now you’re talking.”

He perked up. “Yeah? You’re in? I know you said you had plans, so I don’t want to—”

“I don’t have plans. I just didn’t want to have dinner with you.”

He laughed a little and nodded. “Ah. Well, I always appreciated your no-bullshit attitude. I see that hasn’t changed.”

“I’ve realized I need to get over any awkwardness between us, especially if you’ll be staying a while.”

“I agree. We need to get over it. I see now that you’re not going anywhere. And I wouldn’t want you to. Genevieve filled me in on how important you’ve become in Dad’s life. I can’t thank you enough for taking such good care of him.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

I looked over at the bottle of wine, which was indeed huge.

“That’s a big bottle of wine.”

“Well, you know what they say…”

“What’s that?”

“A bottle of wine should be a reflection of a man’s prowess, so…”

“Ah. They must have been out of the smaller ones.” I winked.

He pretended to be grossly offended. “Ouch.”

He knew damn well I was kidding.

“I suppose I deserve that for being an asshole earlier.”

“Honestly…it’s fine, Gavin. I might have reacted the same way, if I were you.”

His expression turned serious. “I had no idea just how bad things had gotten with him. I feel ashamed for how clueless I’ve been. But that’s over. I’ll be staying on top of things from now on.” He gestured toward the table. “Shall we sit?”