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TWENTY-FOUR
THEO
The drive back to Seaside seems longer than usual. The quiet between us is heavy because Serena’s early release causes a whole new set of problems for us. In truth, I need the silence to consider my next moves and how I’m going to handle her eventual return.
Half the town of Seaside thinks I murdered my wife, and the other half thinks she left because of some illicit affair. I never cared about their gossip and rumors; let them think what they want. They don’t know me, and they don’t deserve an explanation. My only concern is protecting my children from their lies. Luckily, I’ve been able to do that. But if Serena returns, can I still keep them shielded from any sort of scandal?
“I need you to promise me something.” My voice breaks the silence. We’re almost to Seaside, and once we get to the house, there won’t be much time to talk. “If Serena shows up at the house unexpectedly, don’t let her in, okay? Don’t let her near Colton and Piper.”
“Why?” Hadley asks.
“First, it would be a violation of her probation, and I don’t want to involve the police unless absolutely necessary. But ultimately, I want to be there when she sees them again. I don’t want there to be any surprises.”
Hadley’s already expressed how she feels about Serena returning; she thinks I should allow her to have a relationship with the kids. A part of me agrees. Serena was a good mother—she never intentionally hurt our children—but the truth is going to be messy. I need more time to figure out another layer of this mess, and Serena’s early release complicates things. It makes me face all the ugliness I’ve been avoiding, and I’m not ready.
“Of course,” she assures me. “I promise not to let her near the kids.”
“Thank you.”
Some of the tension inside the car dissipates but there is still something palpable there, something thick and heavy between us. I noticed it earlier after we fucked on the couch. I can’t help but smile when I picture her on my lap, taking her pleasure from me, pulling on her gorgeous pink nipples. Fuck, that was a sight. Carefully, I shift in my seat because I’m hard now, replaying those moments.
“We never talked about what we’re going to tell Colton and Piper,” I say because I’m selfish, wanting her whenever and however I please.
“I don’t think we should tell them anything, not until . . .” Her voice trails off and I can only guess what she’s thinking.Not until we know what’s going to happen with Serena.
I clear my throat. “Of course. So, we’ll go back to how things were? You taking care of the kids and me working in Portland during the week, home on the weekends? If I had known this morning was the last time I’d get to be inside you, I would have drawn it out even more, denied you over and over until you were quivering with need.”
“Stop,” she commands. “I don’t like this any more than you do.”
“Then tell me what to do, Hadley, because I fucking need you.”
“You don’t need me, Theo. We’re adults. We can practice self-control.”
This is a conversation we can’t have while I’m driving because I’m far too distracted. I get off at the next exit, searching for a safe place to park. I pull into the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant and find a place in the back, near a row of thick trees.
Once we’re stopped, I turn off the engine before facing her. “This isn’t about self-control,” I say. “When I say I need you, it has nothing to do with sex. I needyou, Hadley, because you made me realize I can be saved. I made a huge fucking mistake marrying Serena and when I found out she was a fraud, I questioned myself. I questioned my ability to love another person. How could I fall in love with someone who didn’t truly exist? Something had to be wrong with me. And then you came along, changing everything I believed for a year. I need you, Hadley, because every time we’re together, you remind me of the heart beating inside my chest.”
The tears in her eyes, starting to stream down her cheeks, are unexpected. Did I say something wrong? Maybe she doesn’t feel the same way and I’ve exposed way too much of myself for nothing.
Before I can say another word, she’s scrambling to unbuckle her seat belt and then pressing herself against the console. Her arms wrap around my neck, fingers sliding into my hair as she fits her mouth against mine. Her kiss is salty but so sweet, almost painfully sweet.
God, I want to haul her into my lap and continue to kiss her senseless, but my pride demands to know her thoughts.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I whisper, brushing a hesitant kiss across her lips. “Please.”
“I’m scared to tell you,” she admits. “I’m scared to tell myself.”
“You can tell me anything, Hadley.”
There seems to be a moment of hesitation when she opens and closes her mouth several times before eventually leaning back in her seat. She blinks a few times before sighing. “I’m falling in love with you. It’s hard and fast and honestly, Theo, I’m terrified.”
I’ve never felt more relieved. She turns her head to look at me when I start laughing, her brows knitted together with apparent confusion. “Thank fuck,” I shout. I lean back over the console, wrap a hand around the back of her head, and kiss her thoroughly. My tongue teases its way inside her mouth, tangling briefly with hers before sliding along her bottom lip. Kissing her never felt better because her honesty brings me peace.
“Don’t be scared,” I whisper against her lips. “Don’t be scared, Hadley, because I’m falling in love with you, too.”
“I guess we really can’t go back to how things were,” she says, pressing her forehead against mine.
“We’ll figure it out. I want you in my bed every night, though. Surely you can agree to that.”
