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“Lane modified this?” I ask as I rub my hands together over my gloves. The smoke of my breath swirling in the air.
“He did. I asked him one night, and he said he would work on it for me and only me. You know he preferred Japanese imports, but this one”—he points—“he modified it for me. It is one of a kind.”
He unlocks it and opens the door upward. “I can’t go above a certain speed since you have to hold Lane in the front, but I can figure out a safe way so he can fall asleep by listening to it. There is a road right out here that is quiet. I won’t go past second gear and will rev it slowly so he can feel the engine and the sound.”
“Is it loud?” Lane asks with excitement.
“Very.”
Kalum buckles us in tight and makes sure we are secure, and slides in the driver’s side.
“Ready, kiddo?”
Lane nods and he snuggles closer to me, strapped snuggly in the red leather seat. Kalum starts the massive car and the engine purrs to life. The exhaust rumbles and my head turns slightly, and it’s a sense of déjà vu of when I’d done this with Lane. My eyes close and I feel the vibration of the engine behind us and my heart constricts.
Kalum plays “Faded” by ZHU as he rolls the car slowly without giving it too much speed but roars the engine so Lane can feel it. After fifteen minutes, Lane slowly drifts to sleep, and Kalum waits until he is completely sound asleep, driving slowly on the driveway to make sure it is safe.
Once the car idles, Kalum slides the back of his fingers over the side of my face. “I just wanted you to know that I’ll do anything for you both. I’m here, Aura and I’ll never leave you two alone. If you need me, I’m here.”
“Thank you.”
If he sees what his words are doing to my heart and soul, he doesn’t say it. He just studies me, and we stay there for a while. I’m not sure how long we sit there staring at each other with Lane sound asleep in my arms in the driveway.
Chapter 23
Aura
The sun is streaming through the massive window of the master bedroom. It is Saturday, but I feel that the bed is occupied, and then last night comes flooding back, but I don’t remember coming to bed. I remember Lane was upset about his iPad, and then Kalum came to the rescue and shared his car with Lane.
My head turns and my breath catches in my throat and then my eyes widen when I notice Camila standing at the door of the bedroom. My eyes wander back to Lane curled up against Kalum’s side, both of them sound asleep.
“Rough night?” Camila asks softly.
“Yeah.”
I tell her about Lane and his iPad issue and how Kalum came to the rescue.
“There is only one word I have for you, sweetheart. Fall.”
She means don’t resist and fall in love with Kalum. I have fallen in love with him. All over again. This time it is different because of Lane Jr. The way they are sleeping together takes my breath away. He treats Lane as if he was his own son.
“It’s okay to feel joy, Aura. Just let it happen,” she whispers.
“It already has. I have.”
My eyes find hers, and she smiles. “Good. Now give him a chance.”
Easier said than done. I have enough on my plate with Lane’s parents and now Kalum’s parents. They would never approve of Lane and me being part of their son’s life. It is like going through the same drama all over again but then that wouldn’t be fair to Kalum. If he wants to be here for us, then I will let him. I’ll let things be and the pieces fall where they may.
“Will that be all for you today?” I ask the lady seated in the booth before I set the bill down on the table.
“Yes, dear. Thank you.” I give her a smile and move to the next booth but my steps slow down when I notice it’s Bradley sitting down, his head looking down at the menu.
“Hello. Let me know when you’re ready, but for now, what can I get you to drink?”
His head pops up and his eyes soften. “Hey there, gorgeous. A Coke would be good.”
“I’ll be right back.”
