Page 41 of Boxer Next Door

“What?” I stared at Ken, who looked serious. “What the fuck are you talking about? Ken, do you understand how awesome you are? My ex just showed up on my doorstep, and you’re still here. You get along great with Bryson. I’m carrying so much baggage, and I’m already so much older…”

He caught my face between his palms, leaning up to press a quick peck on my lips to get me to stop.

“You need to stop thinking like that,” he said seriously, holding my gaze. “Lydia, you’re beautiful, so much more than you think. Ever since the first time I got a proper look at you, I can't help but keep looking. You’re older, yes, but you’re sexy, and I never felt for any other woman what I feel with you. It worried me a little in the beginning, how easy it would be to fall for you, but… I’m willing to stop running away from it if you are.”

I blinked down at Ken. My mind didn’t want to process what he was saying because there was no way it was possible. He was implying he had feelings for me. Possibly deep feelings.

“And my son?” I asked to stall. “It doesn’t bother you that I have a kid?”

He shook his head. “Lydia, my parents had me young. Straight out of high school! And you’ve raised such a wonderful little boy, how could it bother me? I’ve sat down with the both of you, remember? You’re both wonderful, and I know I wouldn’t mind having you both in my life for a while, Lydia. I’ve always been looking for a home, someplace to settle down roots. Would it be so stupid if I said I found it in you and Bryson?”

I pursed my lips, seriously considering what he was saying. I knew he wasn’t just trying to use my son and me as a placeholder family to get over this issue with his parents. I’d seen how genuine he acted when he was around my son.

“It wouldn’t be stupid,” I mumbled after a minute.

Ken grinned up at me like I’d given him the world, and I blinked at him in confusion again.

“I want to see just how far you and I can go. I was nearly married before, and you got divorced. I’m not saying we’ll get there, but…”

My body shivered, even though he felt warm against me. Remarrying was one of the last things on my mind. After Mike, I hadn't even thought of meeting another guy I could feel anything so deeply for. And yet, here was Ken, who I’d already imagined having a child with. And now, marriage. I had to admit, though a great part of me was unsure, it didn’t sound terrible.

I ducked my head into his chest. Ken didn’t ask for me to give him an outright answer, and I appreciated that. I took a bit to arrange my thoughts and feelings, Ken’s fingers carding gently through my hair calming me down.

Several minutes later, I had my answer.

“Can you spend the night?” I asked, my voice in a whisper.

His hand in my hair didn’t even hesitate. “Of course.”

“Even…” I started, only to trail off as my worries got the better of me again. Get a grip, would you, I chided myself. You can do this. I took in a deep breath and looked up to meet his eyes. “Stay tomorrow, even if my son comes home. Whatever the time.”

Ken smiled at me. “I promise I’ll be here until you tell me to go away.”

19

Kenji

I woke up the next morning to the sound of an incessant ringing. I was holding Lydia in my arms, and once she heard the sound, she squirmed to get out of my hold.

“Wait just a little bit,” I groaned, tightening my arms.

Lydia sighed. “I’d love to stay here with you, but that’s my phone, Ken, not an alarm. I need to pick it up. What if it’s Bryson?”

My eyes opened up, and I grimaced. Bryson. I’d promised I’d stick around even if he came back, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it. But when she pulled away and looked up at me, I made sure she wouldn’t notice just how tense I was, worrying about the boy’s reaction. He was what meant the most to her. If he didn’t want me around replacing his dad, things could go wrong. I’d seen the same thing happen with one of my friends, when his dad got re-married, though he’d been older than Bryson then. He and his stepmother still didn’t get along.

Hopefully, Bryson liked me enough that he wouldn’t react badly.

I let Lydia go and watched as she slid out of bed. She was naked, and how she didn’t seem conscious of her body made me smile. She’d act a certain way and think I didn’t notice she was trying to hide her middle, but I was observant when it came to her. I’d showed her last night that there was nothing to be ashamed of in her body. I was glad I was getting through to her, and I would reassure her as often as she needed.

She picked up the phone and frowned down at the screen.

“What is it?” I asked. I sat up, letting the sheets pool around my waist as I eyed her curiously.

She shot a glance at me before she was back to staring at the phone. “I don’t know. It’s an unknown number. I don’t know who it could be.”

She was frowning and looking right at me when she picked up the call, so I saw her initial surprise, followed by dread, then annoyance.

“Hello, Mike,” she said through gritted teeth. “How the fuck did you even get this number?”