AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I couldn’t deny it anymore. I wanted that. I wanted them. With me. As my family.
I wanted Hadley—all pieces of her.
______
The moment Hadley hopped in my car that evening, I had a hard time deciding if I should hand her the cake right away or wait until after we picked up Lucy and Eli. It wasn’t like she couldn’t see it in the back seat if she glanced over her shoulder.
When I saw the half-eaten one in her hands, I decided to wait. Had she been working there long enough for her co-workers to know about her birthday?
Hadley saw me eyeing the cake and smiled. “You can have a piece. A good friend I worked with, the one that taught me most of what I know, brought it to me today at work and told me to share it with everyone.” She snorted. “I think she wants me to go back to work with her.”
Pulling out of the parking lot, I asked, “Where did you work before the hospital?”
“A nursing home.”
“Any plans to go back?”
Another snort. “No. I love it here. The hours and time off work are perfect for me. As much as I miss Georgie, I don’t miss the mental and physical exhaustion that came with working there. When you’re a nursing assistant, you learn the importance of team work. Most of the nurses at the home wouldn’t help us out. I promised myself that when I became an RN, I’d help without asking. I never wanted anyone else to feel bogged down or alone.”
I understood the basics of nursing, but there was a lot I didn’t know. The determined smile on Hadley’s face, though, told me how important her career was. “Sounds complicated, but I’m sure you’re great at this job, and that’s not because I think you look fucking cute in scrubs.”
Her eyes slid over my way, and her cheeks reddened. She tucked strands of blonde hair behind her ear and rolled those ocean-blue eyes at me. Beautiful.
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Complimenting me the odd way that you do. I don’t know how to react.”
I chuckled. “React however the fuck you want, baby. I’m going to enjoy it, regardless.”
She shook her head, still smiling as she peered out of the window.
Her dad was outside with Lucy waiting for us when I pulled up. This was a habit of his. Hadley’s customary behavior was rushing to leave with the kids as if she was terrified of what her parents might say to me. Maybe it was necessary with her ex—needing to defend him or feeling frightened that he’d get upset with her—but I was a grown-ass man who didn’t want her stressing on my behalf. I understood why Hadley’s dad worried about who she hung out with. She was his daughter. If Hadley and her kids were mine, I’d be a lot worse.
Her mom stepped out a second later, smiling with Eli on her hip. I parked the truck and grabbed the cake I’d purchased. “Do you want to share this with them?”
Her gorgeous blue eyes bugged out as she took in the cake. “Elijah…” She stared into mine. “You didn’t really have to get me a cake.”
“Nonsense. Besides, Lucy would have held it against me ’til the end of time.”
“Elijah!” Lucy said excitedly, a second later her knuckles were hitting the side of my truck as she tried to climb on the sidestep to look through the window at me. “Come in and eat. Mamaw made barbecue ribs for Mommy.”
I laughed as I carefully opened the door and stepped out. She gasped when she saw the cake in my hand. “See, Papaw?” She glanced over at her grandfather on the porch. “I told you he’d bring one.” Hadley finally relaxed a little—the tension in her shoulders eased tremendously.
“Have you wished your mom a happy birthday yet?” I asked Lucy.
She became quiet and looked over to Hadley. “No. Happy birthday, Mommy.” Those bright, curious eyes were back on me. “Do I get a present, too?”
I tugged one of her pigtails and laughed. “We had birthdays last month. I think it’s your mother’s turn.”
She crossed her arms. “Drats.”
Her reaction made me remember the unicorn portrait I still hadn’t given her. “But, when you go home later, there’s something I made for you.”
Her eyes lit up.
“Lucy, why don’t you introduce Mamaw to Elijah since your mom never does?” said Hadley’s mom from beside me. I hadn’t realized she’d stepped off the porch. Hadley glared at her mom.
