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Marissa twisted her lips, and he watched as his depiction unfolded in her mind. Her smile grew, obviously understanding his description.
“There was my kid with what looked like a giant cock on his head.” Cade couldn’t hold back and started to laugh.
Marissa followed, burst out laughing and gasping for breath as she leaned over his lap, falling into him.
“That was the last time Pop was allowed to help with school projects.”
“Oh my God, Cade.” Her body shook, and her hand landed on his thigh. “That’s great.”
He raised his brows. “Ya think? Try being the parent who’s got to explain to his teacher why he’s wearing a dick on his head.”
Tears formed in the rim of her eyes, and she couldn’t stop laughing. His heart expanded, and relief flooded his chest. He reached his goal, he took away her pain. Not forever, but for now.
“What did she say?”
“She was pissed. So were the other parents.” He shrugged. “Made a big deal out of it. So, I told them to fuck off and take their minds out of the gutter. My six-year-old made a mushroom, and if they were too fucked in the head to see it, then they were the ones with issues.”
“What did you say to Trevor?”
He smirked. “He was the best fucking mushroom I’d ever seen.”
Her arms curled around his stomach. “You’re a great dad, Cade.”
He snorted. “Not even close, but nobody messes with him.” He took a breath and turned to her. Her lips crashed against his mouth with such force he inched back, but her mouth never wavered over his. She gripped his neck.
“Thank you for sharing it with me.” She kissed his lips and pulled away, but he hooked his arm around her waist, bringing her back into his chest.
“Return the favor. Give me one of your good ones.”
“What?”
“Anything.”
She stared at him, her control wavering and sadness donning her eyes. “You all. Being with you, Trevor, Jack, and everyone has been the best part of my last two years.” She nestled into his chest and whispered, “You made me feel again.” She smiled. “I like being with your family.” She licked her lips as a tear spilled down her cheek. “With you, Cade.”
He reached out, clasping his hand around her neck and tugging her closer. “Then stay with us, with me.”
She leaned in, pressing her lips against his. “I wish it were that simple.”
He grasped her neck. “It is.”
She turned away, resting her cheek against his chest. He wouldn’t push for anything more; she’d given him enough.
For now.
Chapter Fourteen
She watched the coffeemaker drip and leaned closer. The one from her unit had broken yesterday, and Dylan offered up his since he wasn’t using it. She sniffed. Not even a scent of coffee. Her nostrils tingled, and she backed away. It smelled like bleach. She had run a cycle of water through first to clean it out and then got in the shower. By the second time, she was wondering if someone had cleaned it with ammonia.
Her shoulders sagged. Unless she had visions of visiting the emergency room, she wouldn’t be drinking the coffee.
The knock on her door startled her. It was an incessant pounding. She hurried to the door and cautiously peeked through the small opening.
“Hey.” Trevor stood with his hands dug into his pockets.
“Hi.” She opened the door and smiled.
His eyes darted down to her breasts and shot back up to her face with a tinge of pink brightening his cheeks. Sixteen.
