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Brynlee pulled me into a hug, and I chanced one final glance around but didn’t see Gavin. I had an hour-long drive ahead of me, and I knew exactly what—or more accurately who—would occupy my mind.
I didn’t know what to do with the burgeoning feelings I had for him. The connection I’d felt that day had only grown stronger with each encounter, and I yearned to explore it, but aside from our run-in today, he’d kept his distance. Each time I saw him, I got his cool cordiality, but today in Brynlee’s hallway, he’d shown me that fire he had that morning I’d spent in his bed. Heat licked up my spine when he stepped into me, forcing me against the wall without even touching me. I was about to grip the back of his neck and pull his mouth to mine when Macon appeared. Had he not shown up, I might have dragged Gavin into the powder room and let him have his way with me.
Assuming he still wanted to.
I wasn’t sure since ghosting him if he’d let things get that far again. He seemed quite perturbed by my lack of communication following our one-night stand. Could you even call it that if it happened before noon?
Shaking away those thoughts, I pulled into the gas station where Jason was waiting. My tank was nearly empty, so I went ahead and pulled up to the pump directly across from where he was parked. I dug out my debit card and got out as Jason and Eli approached. Once they were close, Jason let go of Eli’s hand and my little boy ran to me, throwing his arms around my waist.
“Mommy, I missed you!” I kissed the top of his head and held on tight.
“I missed you too. Did you have a good time?”
“Yes! We had so much fun!” he exclaimed and began to rattle off all the fun stuff they did over the weekend. I opened the back door, and he settled into his booster seat. After buckling him in, I pressed another kiss to his forehead and shut the door. I rounded the backside of my SUV and halted in my tracks. Jason stood at the gas tank, nozzle in hand as he watched the numbers tick by on the display. He looked up, and the crooked grin I used to love so much curled his lips.
A flood of memories flashed before me, taking me back to a time when he was my everything. He would always pump my gas when we were together. I never had to worry about it. I never had to schedule vehicle maintenance or worry about the grass being cut. He took care of the bills, made sure I had spa days, and never missed a doctor’s appointment while I was pregnant with Elijah. All while he was fucking someone else.
That memory was like a bucket of ice water being dumped on my head. For a moment, I let myself forget what a cheating rat bastard he was and remembered only the good. If you took his infidelity out of the equation, he’d been an amazing husband, but his betrayal canceled out all the rest.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, trying not to let his charm win me over. It still surprised me when he did things like this or when he offered to buy all of Eli’s school clothes. When we were going through our divorce, he acted like it would bankrupt him to pay me the court-appointed minimum for child support, and now he didn’t spare any cost to make sure our son was provided for. Looking back, I suspected that was his way of trying to make me stay. He thought if he made it harder for me to leave, then I’d rethink my decision. Little did he know just how far I was willing to go to get away from him.
I was glad our relationship was much more amicable these days. Eli needed his parents to get along and put his best interest ahead of our animosity. So that was what we did.
“It’s no problem. I want to make sure you’re set for the week.”
I offered him a soft smile. “Thank you.”
It was nice to no longer be at each other’s throats, but part of me questioned his intentions. I knew he still held out hope that we’d get back together one day. I suspected that was why he never got serious with anybody. I’d tried once, and it ended in disaster. It was part of the reason I was so hesitant to date or see anyone on more than a casual basis. Maybe now that there was some distance between me and my ex, that could change. Maybe, just maybe, I should give dating another chance.
On the drive back, Elijah excitedly recounted his stay at his dad’s. A twinge of guilt settled in my chest as he gestured wildly, his little body practically vibrating. I was glad he had a great time, but I hated that he didn’t get more of that with his father. He was too little to remember our divorce, but it was getting harder and harder being divorced knowing that Eli couldn’t have both his parents full time.
The sun dipped lower, slowly disappearing beyond the horizon as we entered Willow Brook Falls. As I neared the crossroads where turning right would take me home but turning left would lead back to the Lewis’, I hesitated. I felt myself drawn to where I knew Gavin would be. It was probably a bad idea, but I wanted to see him again. Even if we couldn’t talk since my son was with me this time, I yearned to be near him.
“Hey, buddy, do you want to see Harper and watch some fireworks?” I found myself asking as I glanced in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah!” he chirped from the back, stretching up to look at my reflection. Before I could change my mind, I turned left at the stop sign. It was barely dark when we parked on the street across from Brynlee’s and headed for the back gate. The first firework burst across the sky, filling it with colorful light.
We found Brynlee and Harper as soon as we entered the backyard, and the two kids ran to each other, hugging like they were long lost friends.
“You made it,” Brynlee said as I stepped up next to her and glanced at the sky as another firework erupted above us. I let my focus drift back to earth, searching out the one person I’d hoped to see. It landed on a set of piercing hazel eyes that bored into me from across the yard. I sucked in a breath at the intensity of his gaze. He watched me like a condemned man seeing his last meal. Hunger burned in his gaze illuminated by the crackling lights above. I should’ve looked away. I shouldn’t have let my eyes lock with his, because now he knew. I wanted him just as much as he clearly wanted me.
Chapter 11
Gavin
I tossed my keys onto the table and scrubbed a hand over my face. What was I going to do about Melody Barrett? Seeing her today refueled that insatiable need that ignited the moment her lips touched mine. I got a brief reprieve when she left the party, but then she came back with Elijah. Despite knowing I shouldn’t want her, I couldn’t look away. She looked magnificent with the pale tendrils of hair that had slipped from her bun snaking around her neck, her blue eyes sparkling beneath bursts of light. She stole my breath when her icy gaze settled on mine. I’d nearly gone to her and begged her to come home with me. But then I remembered why she came back. Her son wanted to see the fireworks and visit with Harper. I couldn’t very well invite her over with him in tow. It wouldn’t be appropriate. Just like it wasn’t appropriate for me to want one of my students’ moms. Son of a bitch, it was going to be a long year.
Settling on the couch, I flipped on the TV hoping to distract myself from thoughts of Melody. I selected an old favorite, Tombstone, and propped my bare feet on the coffee table. I let my head fall back and my eyes close as the opening scene played across the screen. Robert Mitchum’s deep, even voice lulled me into a relaxed state, and I finally began to wind down.
My eyes popped open when there was a soft knock on the door. I sat up and turned to face the entry, wondering if maybe I’d imagined it. Knuckles rapped against the wood again, a little more insistent this time. I went to the door and peered through the peephole, my pulse tripling at the sight I found there. Melody stood on my front porch wearing an uncertain expression. Her shoulders slumped, and she turned to walk away. I should’ve let her. Her knocking on my door at ten o’clock at night could only lead to trouble.
I didn’t listen to reason, of course. Before her feet hit the top step, I yanked open the door and she turned her wide-eyed stare at me.
“Melody.” I practically growled her name.
“Hey,” she said, her voice soft. We stared at each other a moment, neither of us speaking.
“Do you want to come in?”
