Cash had to get out of his own head. It didn’t matter how much he liked Dev. In the next day or two, it would all change.
He needed mental distance and pushed off his back, taking Dev to his. Dev was out and did little more than continue the turn, angling his body away from Cash.
The guy had a shit day.
Cash would make sure the agency took care of Dev financially.
First thing, Cash was cleaning this house. Maybe he should hire a grocery service. He could put that request in Dev’s paperwork too, and a housekeeper. Cash rolled from the bed, gathering the drawings still littering the floor. He hoped the girls had stayed out of this room. Dev was excellent at recreating their intimate moments into sheet after sheet of beautiful, erotic porn. He loved Dev’s drawings. He placed those on the dresser and quietly gathered the clothes off the floor before starting out of the room. He shut the door behind him.
The entire place was a mess. He kept going, picking up the dirty clothes until he opened the French doors to the laundry area. He could only laugh. Like everywhere else, he was knee deep in a mess.
His mother’s voice came to his head, saying what she always said to get him to help with the chores: Cleanliness is godliness. A small concession, but he did like to clean.
He lifted the lid to the washing machine. Thankfully it was empty. He loaded it full and started the washer before going in search of trash bags. Of course, the box was empty.
Cash went back to his place for cleaning supplies. All the cleaning supplies.
He doubted there were many inside Dev’s apartment.
Chapter 20
“I’m home,” Dev hollered before the back door to his mother’s kitchen shut.
He listened for a response, hearing nothing more than silence from inside the house. He glanced around the darkened kitchen. The only light on was above the large kitchen sink.
The newly decorated Thanksgiving cookies and cupcakes placed on four covered cake plates in the center of the massive island snagged his attention. His stomach growled his approval as he went that direction first before seeking out the girls.
He looked over the selection, quickly identifying who’d decorated what. Abigail’s designs sat to the right. They were all in different shades of black. Black icing, black sprinkles, a gothic vibe drawn on top. She had his love for art and the malevolent side of life. He snagged two of those, taking a large bite of one before shoving the rest of the cookie in his mouth.
To the left were Mae’s decorations. She went with the colors of the season. All fall themed with no real design. He could see the effort she used in trying to make each one perfect. He took two from her plate too.
His mother had the most delicious sugar cookie recipe. One he had loved for his whole life. At least one plate of cookies was coming home with him tonight.
Laughter from the other side of the house drew his attention. He started down the long hall, holding the cookies in such a way that the icing job didn’t get ruined. He’d learned that lesson the hard way last Thanksgiving. He’d stacked each one on top of the other in one hand. Both girls lost their minds at how easily he destroyed their creations.
It always amazed Dev how the women in his life tried to make him considerate and mindful. It never really worked until his daughters came along, and just like that, he tried to do better to please them.
Kids were a fucked-up mind game of devotion and love.
His mother had bought this house a few years back. It became her sanctuary. To Dev, the borderline mansion was big and sprawling while still feeling homey. She excelled in building a comfortable space. This home’s theme was modern bohemian chic. One of the sofas cost more than he spent annually on groceries.
The place beat the hell out of the two-bedroom shanty Dev had grown up in in the middle of the worst part of South Dallas.
His father wasn’t allowed there unless invited. His old man had tried to flex his muscles once. He came over, saying he owned this house and he’d be there when he wanted. His badass mother had come damn close to setting his beloved Harley on fire, flexing her own brand of control right back. Since then, he hadn’t been back unless she approved.
Dev ate another entire cookie while walking the length of the hallway toward the farthest family room. Dev rounded the corner and found the three of them lounging on the couch. An animated movie played on the large television screen.
“How much Disney can two kids watch?” Dev asked loudly to gain their attention. “I get there’s lots of death and destruction in those movies, but seriously, why do you two love 'em so much?”
Mae bounded from his mother’s side, leaping toward Dev. All her love chimed in the single use of his name, “Daddy.”
Man, he was a sucker for Abi and Mae.
She jumped up on the edge of the sofa and leaped toward him. But he had the cookies in that hand. He busted a move to catch her. Luckily, he did.
“We missed you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck as he hoisted her up. She squeezed him as tight as her zero-muscled arms could. The movie paused. His mother untangled herself from Abigail. This was the first time he’d seen his mom since the boob job. He didn’t mean to stare but they changed her smallish frame drastically.
“Mom…” he said, doubtfully.
