Brett's Little Headaches (5 page)

It was still early, but I didn’t feel like doing anything. I wonder what she’s doing right this minute, but that wasn’t so hard to guess.

No doubt she was giving thought to everything I’d thrown at her tonight, at least I hope she was.

I almost panicked when I remembered that I had no way of contacting her, but then I calmed myself. I’ll just go by there first thing in the morning before she could go anywhere. I’ll take breakfast, yeah, that’s it.

With that thought settled firmly in my mind I flipped on the tube for some background noise. I had a lot of planning to do myself. Like finding a house for us, my apartment although it had room, was no place to raise a family.

I wonder if my Laurie ever dreamed of a white knight coming to save her. I’m sure she would prefer something better for the boys, but my conscience pricked me at the thought of using that as an argument.

Did I really want to use her kids to get my way? It seemed a bit devious now that I think about it, but I know me and if that’s the only recourse opened to me then so be it.

I laid my head back against the couch and closed my eyes, reliving the day spent with them.

I can’t recall the last time I’d had that much fun, and I couldn’t wait for more.

I imagined all the places I wanted to take her and the boys, all the things I wanted to show them, share with them.

I had to keep cautioning myself to go slow, even in my thoughts. If it were up to me I’d have her moved in by next week or however long it took me to find a suitable home.

Speaking of which, there was something I could do. Jumping up from the couch I headed up to my home office.

I was in serious need of a sedative, not even when I was a boy was I ever this gone over a female, yet here I am, just hours after meeting and I’m ready to throw it all in.

Booting up the computer, I started surfing for homes in the area. It was too late to call a realtor but Monday seemed too far away.

I was moving pretty fast, too fast for her I’m sure, but we’ll see. I’ll see which way the wind blows in the morning and go from there.

The one thing I was sure of is, no matter how we get there, she was going to be my woman, mine and no one else’s.

LAURIE

I paced the floor all night and bit my nails down to the quick. There was too much going on inside my head for me to really get a hold on anything.

My body was on fire still, and that, more than anything, occupied my mind. I’m not going to lie to myself here alone in the darkness of my apartment.

What he was offering sounded like my every dream come true. A dad for the boys, enough stability to never have to worry about them again, and I don’t mean just financially.

I always knew that the boys needed a dad. I just never gave much thought as to how to get them one.

Now here he comes along, offering us everything. No, it’s too good to be true. Isn’t it? But how can I be sure?

If it were just myself I have no doubt I would go for it in a heartbeat, who wouldn’t? He was young, hot and what he made me feel whenever he got close cannot be overlooked.

I’ve never wanted anything as much as I wanted to just jump into his arms, and just let him do all those things his eyes promise.

But how can I risk it? My body and a little bit of my heart were screaming at me to go for it, but my head was a hold out. I just wasn’t sure that I could make that move, no matter how much I might want to.

I called my dad when the walls started to feel like they were closing in. “Hey kiddo your guest gone already?”

“He left a while ago dad.”

“Uh oh, I know that voice, tell old dad all about it.”

“What?”

“Don’t give me that, spill it. What did he do?”

“It’s not that it’s just...I don’t know what to make of this guy dad.

“Why do you have to make anything of him kiddo? You’re young, have some fun.”

“Dad, I can’t believe you’re saying this to me. You better than anyone else know my situation.”

“That’s right, that’s why I can tell you that you need to lighten up and live a little.”

“But dad he’s a stranger...”

“Laurie, honey, I hate to tell you this, but everyone’s a stranger when you first meet, that’s what dating is all about.”

“Yes, I know, but, the boys.”

“I thought we weren’t going to use the boys as a cover anymore. Look if it’ll help any, I ran this guy and he’s one of the good ones, surprising for someone with his kind of money, but everything I turned up says he’s a gem.

There was some kind of trouble lately with one of his employees but she was in the wrong as far as I can gather.”

“I don’t know dad, this all seems too good to be true and this time it’s not just me.”

“What does your heart say?”

“I stopped listening to that a long time ago.”

“That’s where you’ve gone wrong. You need love and companionship in your life. You’re too young to be this cynical Laurie, come on.

What can go wrong huh? You have a few dates and you and the boys get to enjoy the good life for a while, unless he proves you wrong and actually stick around.”

“Dad, I cannot believe I’m hearing this. You’re the one who’s always telling me to be careful.”

“I know, but I think maybe we might’ve taken it a bit too far. I didn’t mean for you to give up on life and be afraid to live yours.

It was your first time away from home and I wanted you and the boys to be safe, but I didn’t expect you to become a corpse.”

“Nice dad very nice; help me, tell me what to do.” It was just like old times, running to daddy when things went wrong.

He had been there for me, even when I knew that I had disappointed him. Not once had he judged or accused. That had only made the guilt sharper.

If I screwed up again I wasn’t sure how I would face him. He had raised me on his own after mom passed and had done everything right, but in the end I was still a needy little girl who went looking for love in all the wrong places.

“I already told you what I think but knowing your penchant for over thinking and stressing over every little thing, you’re going to do as you please anyway.

Maybe I should call Cantone on my own and put a bug in his ear.”

“Don’t you dare dad, I think I’ve been embarrassed enough for one day. I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Is lover boy coming over?”

“So he says but we’ll see.”

“Laurie, do me a favor and just try to relax. I know it’s hard for you to see it, but you’re a very beautiful girl and you deserve to be happy. Please let yourself be happy, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”

“I’m scared dad.”

“I know hon but I’m here, you’ll never know unless you take a chance. You don’t have to jump in with both feet at once, just dip your toes a little until you get the lay of the land, then go from there.”

“Are you sure that I won’t be making a fool of myself?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“I mean dad that he’s a multi-billionaire who looks like a model or movie star. He’s young and single, what would he want with me?”

“I think I resent that. I would have you know that my daughter is very beautiful, smart and kind and any man would be lucky to have her, rich or poor. Not to mention he’s getting the rugrats as a bonus. I think he’s getting the better end of this deal.”

“Aww dad, that’s so sweet. You should see them with him dad, it’s like they’ve known him all their lives, then again it could be the dog they’re after.”

“There you go again, I happen to know that my grandsons have great taste and even greater instincts, trust me I know these things, I’m a cop.”

We didn’t stay on much longer, but I hung up feeling much better. At least I didn’t feel so stupid about wanting to give it a shot.

I tossed and turned that night before sleep finally claimed me, but even in my dreams there was no escape.

He was waiting for me there, full of promises and everything I’d ever wanted, and I fell right into his arms. It was quite harmless to do it here, I could enjoy the feelings he awakened in me guilt free.

***

BRETT

I was up bright and early the next morning with a smile and a new purpose. I took my time getting ready, a nice shave with no nicks thank fuck, a hot shower, and I was ready to face the day.

Mom called just as I was heading out the door but I put her off until later. She was only calling to grill me about last night anyway.

It’s funny, she never showed any interest in my dating life before, maybe because I never told her that I had found her new daughter in law; but now she seems to think I don’t know how to do it right.

As I was bustling around trying to get out the door, I suddenly realized, I had no idea what her routine was on the weekend. Shit I don’t even know if she works today, did I tell her I was coming by? I couldn’t remember.

I knew that she worked as a waitress but she hadn’t said where, and apart from that I didn’t know which days she worked.

The boys were in some kind of program, and she said her dad was the only one she trusted to watch them outside of that, but did that include Sundays?

I wasn’t going to get any answers standing around here so I got a move on. I didn’t like not hearing her voice first thing in the morning, and I promised myself that it would be the last time.

Yes, I’d lost my mind completely during the night when I couldn’t get to sleep because I missed her. If this was love it was a wonder half the population wasn’t stark raving nuts.

I stopped off at a local diner and got some breakfast. By the time I pulled up to their place the sun was up. Did I forget to mention that it was a little before seven in the morning?

I knew the boys woke up at this time every morning because she’d told me, so I figured I should get there before she made any plans.

My heart was actually happy when I walked up to her door and rang the bell. I could hear the boys running around and began to grin before she spoke through the door.

“Who is it?”

“Your fiancé. I held up the bag like a peace offering when she opened the door.

“Very funny.” She looked cute as fuck first thing in the morning. I want that, I want to have that everyday for the rest of my life. Mussed hair sleepy eyes, and soft lips.

I reached for her but the boys were on me before I cleared the door. I gave her a quick kiss hello and passed her the bag with the food, before grabbing a hellion beneath each arm and swinging them, sending them into fits of laughter.

“Hey boys what are we up to?” they were still in pajamas with their hair matted and their eyes bright. Their little bodies were raring to go when I sat them down at the table.

“Come on boys, oh wait, mom, are the boys all cleaned up for breakfast?”

“Yeah they’re good they’ll brush their teeth again after.”

She took out the cartons of pancakes and French toast with turkey bacon and eggs. “Wait, first things first. Where’s your phone?”

“Over there on the counter why?” She pointed to the phone that was on the charger and I walked over to get it.

I added all my contact numbers to her contacts and then called my number from her phone.

“What’s the house phone number?”

“I don’t have a house phone I just use the cell.”

“Okay cool, let’s get the boys fed shall we?”

“Oh my word Brett, did you buy out the whole store, what did you buy?” she pulled the cartons out of the bags while I got the plates ready.

“I wasn’t sure what everyone liked, so I bought some of everything. There’s juice too and milk.”

By the time she was finished unpacking there was hardly any room left on the table.

I bit my tongue before I put my foot in my mouth, but I wasn’t going to be able to give her as much time as I had thought.

She needed more; they needed more than this. I’m pretty sure that there were a million other women out there who would jump at the chance of what I wanted to offer her.

But of course I would fall for the one that will give me a hard time, story of my fucking life, nothing easy.

I helped her dish for the boys and cut their food into bite size pieces while they babbled away at me. I could tell that they were excited to see me, even though their mother was playing it safe. Fuck if I’m not gonna use that shit.

“So, how was your night?”

“Fine we were fine, weren’t we boys?”

“Good I’m glad to hear it. Now, what are our plans for today?”

“Nothing really, we just hang around the house on Sundays. The boys drag out all their toys and we play until lunchtime and then they get to watch one of their movies and that’s about it.”

“You need a backyard.”

“We don’t have a backyard.” She took a bite of her French toast and I pretended not to hear the little snip in her voice.

So that’s the way it was going to be was it? Well I wasn’t about to play that game. I’d spent the better part of the night giving this shit a lot of thought and I had come up with the only solution.

“Did you think about what I said last night?”

“Not in front of the kids.” I looked over to make sure they were eating and not paying attention to us.

“This concerns them too, if you’re going to muck shit up, you should remember that you’re mucking it up for them as well.

I know you might not want to hear this, but here is reality. We met yesterday; I took one look at you and fell hard.

If you need time to get use to that idea that’s fine, it threw me for a loop too, but we’re both adults and I’m sure that you have enough sense to know when someone is on the up and up.

I’m too grown to play games with you or anyone else and the only reason we’re having this conversation is because of the boys.

I know you need to think of what’s best for them, but what I’m saying to you is that I want to help you do that.

I can’t do it if you don’t give me a chance. The more time it takes you to come to a decision the more time we waste, just think about that.

Whatever you want to know to make you feel comfortable I’m willing to do. You can have your father run me, do a deep search if he hasn’t already.

I already told you I’m ready to take you home to meet my mom, you’d be the first since high school, and trust me, that shit really is an honor, I don’t take just anyone home to mom, before yesterday, she was my favorite girl, the only one I protected.

I’m not going to beg you; that’s just not my style. But I’m not walking away from you either and I’ll be damned if I’ll let you play the coward. So you have a choice to make. Either you’re gonna take a chance and let me take care of you and the boys.

Or you’re going to fuck us all over and let the past dictate the rest of your life. I’m hoping you make the right choice, it would make things so much easier on all of us and we can move forward.

If you make me sweat I can’t guarantee that I won’t make you pay for it later.” I grinned to let her know I was playing with her and she blushed, before turning to Garret to feed him a piece of pancake.