“Yes!” He pumps a fist in the air.
“All right, Spiderman. Bed.” Laiken motions upstairs.
“Fiiiiine. But can Parker tell me a bedtime story?” He blinks up at Laiken and I’m sold. I’d read this kid anything.
“That’s up to him.” She hesitates. “He might be tired.”
“Cowboys don’t get tired,” he scoffs. “Right, Parker?”
“Never.”
Trace shoots toward the staircase, belting out all the wrong lyrics to “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”.
When I go to follow, Laiken catches me by the wrist. The touch catches me off guard. I’ve initiated all contact since I’ve been back.
“Thank you for tonight.”
I take a single step to her and drop a kiss to her temple. “You’re welcome, Firefly.”
Then I jog upstairs, holding onto the thought that this could be our life every night of the week if she would give us a chance.
Chapter twenty-seven
Laiken
It’s been a long day. Parker’s session went surprisingly smooth this morning. There was a different vibe today. Quiet yet charged. Comfortable, but buzzing. I hustled back for a packed afternoon since Matthew was out sick. Dr. Whitaker had a family function this evening, so that left me to close up the office alone. Which is fine. I’ve done it a hundred times.
Locking the back door, I double-check the deadbolt before I head to my SUV. The sun isn’t quite gone yet, but it casts beautiful orange and magenta hues over the ridges that border Mayson Ridge. A small smile hits my lips at the sight, but itquickly slips at the sight of a figure propped up against the hood of my car. Panic wraps around my throat, but I don’t let it swallow me. After everything Parker confessed to me, it only solidified what I already knew about the man before me. He has evil inside of him.
Steeling my spine, I keep my steps firm, marching to the man who’s continuously made my life a living nightmare.
“Rhodes,” I say his name with a tone that is neither welcoming nor enthusiastic.
“Laiken.” His eyes cast down my body with approval. “You look good in a pair of scrubs.”
“And you are unwelcome.” I shift my purse on my shoulder. “Why are you here?”
“I called today.” He’s still leaning back, his elbows resting on my car like he has a right.
“And I was working,” I point out.
“We need to talk.”
I study his face. Rhodes is by no means ugly, but he’s not what I would consider traditionally handsome. He’s got a sharp jaw, and he’s built well. But it’s his eyes that turn your stomach. His attitude that expels danger. The kind that knows no bounds. The kind you want to avoid.
And today, those eyes are slightly off. He’s on something.
“I’m not sure what it is you want.” I try to step to my door, but he slithers to the left, blocking my way.
“I want to be a part of Trace’s life. Get him on the weekends or whatever.”
“Get him on the weekends or whatever?” I hiss. “He doesn’t even know you, Rhodes. You don’t just show up and demand to see him every other weekend like you’re an involved parent. You don’t even live here. Aren’t you traveling on the circuit?”
He clenches his jaw. “I’ve got a place in King Valley.”
That’s news to me. It’s only a town over, but still, too close for comfort. He was the one who slept on a different couch every week. Steady rent was unheard of for him.
“Okay. That doesn’t mean you get to show up like this.” I wave a hand. “Can you please move?”
