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I finally met Wes last week when I was lugging in groceries and he offered to help.
“Hey, is there a party back here?” A deep voice comes from July’s deck, and we all look over. I know it’s the man from my first day even without seeing his eyes before. His blond hair is closely cropped to his scalp in a military cut. His piercing light-colored eyes are taking me in, and everything in my body lights up.
“Well, I have to get dinner ready.” I pull my hand from Troy’s and then make my way to the house. I lift Mari and carry her inside before the man can get to the fence. I know deep in my soul that if I met him, I’d want to know more, and I can’t do that. I can’t let myself go there. Everything is for Mari, and right now she needs me. Besides, most men would run when they find out I’m a single parent. I don’t want to deal with that right now. I slide the door closed and take in the fact that both men are watching me. The similarity in both is not hard to see. Father and son. This must be the Tuck that July was just talking about.
* * *
The ringing of the doorbell wakes me from a deep sleep. I roll over in bed and see that it’s almost one in the afternoon. I worked last night. As the newest on staff for the African exhibit, I took the night shift. Mari spent the night with my mom, and she should be home anytime now. I slip from my bed and grab my robe. When I get to the security panel, I check the camera and see that it’s July.
“Just a moment,” I say into the speaker as I disarm the system. My mom had a top-of-the-line security system installed to protect Mari and me. She still worries that there could be retaliation, even here in America. I tie my robe tighter across my body, covering my sleep shorts and night shirt. Pulling a hair tie out of my pocket, I put my hair up in a messy bun.
I open the front door to the bright sunlight, and July has her back to me as she looks out on the neighborhood. She’s so pretty and sometimes I’m jealous. With my red hair and pale skin, I don’t tan like she probably does in the summer.
“Hello, July,” I say, and she swings around.
“Oh man, did I wake you?”
“It’s okay. I need to get showered before my mom gets here with Mari.” The words are barely out of my mouth when my mom’s Mercedes SUV pulls into my driveway. “Well, never mind.” I chuckle and let July in.
I walk over to the kitchen counter and click the coffee pot on.
“Would you like some?” I offer her a cup.
“I’m good. I was just stopping by to see if you’d like to go to a New Year’s Eve party at the clubhouse with me. June will be there too. You can ride with me.” She smiles, looking hopeful.
I chuckle. “I’m not sure.”
“Honey, we are home,” my mom says as she steps through the door with Mari. “Oh! July, is that you? It’s been years.” My mom walks over and gives July a kiss on the cheek. When I told her my childhood best friend lives right next door, my mom was thrilled I’d have someone I know so nearby.
“Hello, Mrs. Parrish.”
“Call me Sharon, sweetie. What’s going on?” Mom looks between us.
“Nothing, Mom,” I say. If she knew why July was here, she’d push me to go.
“I invited Syd out for New Year’s Eve,” July says.
Well, shit.
“She’d love to go. I know she’s off, and I’ll take Mari for the night.”
“Mom, how do you know I’m off?” I pop my hip as I cock my head at her. “Besides, it’s Mari’s first New Year’s and I want to spend it with her.”
“Nope, you aren’t getting out of it. You won’t let me set you up with any of the young guys at the practice, so go have fun with July.”
“Mom, it’s at an MC.” Maybe she’ll back off now.
“MC?”
“Motorcycle club.” I clarify.
“It’s not likeSon’s. It’s just a bunch of guys hanging out. There is drinking and some girls, but nothing like on the television show.” July quickly defends.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t meaning that, July.” I apologize because now I feel like I insulted her and her husband. I know they aren’t like that. Wes has only been nice, and if it wasn’t for his cut or his bike, I wouldn’t know he was the head of a motorcycle club.
“You should come and see.” July smiles at me and I know I’m stuck now. She just played me. I smile back and shake my head as the coffee pot beeps.
“Okay, fine.”
