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Kalum looks nervous, but then his expression turns serious. Almost lifeless. Like this apartment.
“There is someone I want you to see. You two could catch up, and maybe she can help you with LJ.”
The change of subject has me curious. I want to get the heck out of this cold, lifeless apartment but my curiosity is piqued about meeting someone from my past, wondering who could help me with LJ. Not that I need help with taking care of him. I’ve never hired even a babysitter. He goes with me everywhere I go. I trust no one that isn’t his father or Exie.
Lane never allowed his parents to spend time with LJ. Lane told me his relationship with his parents was always strained because they wanted him to take over Turner industries and Lane’s passion was street racing and engines. His family didn’t agree, but he didn’t care. Turner Racing Automotive was Lane’s passion.
The elevator behind opens, and when I turn around, an older lady with gray hair and tan skin greets me with a smile. “Aura.”
I sigh in relief. I give her a tight hug with tears streaming down my cheeks. “Oh, Camila. How I’ve missed you.” She steps back, tears streaming down her plump cheeks. She looks down, and her eyes soften.
“Oh, Aura. He’s beautiful.” She leans down, and LJ’s expressive eyes give her a once-over.
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you. I’m LJ Turner,” he says in his soft voice.
“Oh, my. You are a very well-spoken. My name is Camila, and I have known your mom since she was your age.”
His eyes light up. “Really?”
“Yes.”
Camila straightens and gives me a sad smile. “I’m sorry for your loss, Aura.”
The back of my eyes burn like a wildfire. “Thank you. He was… everything,” I tell her with a watery smile.
“I can tell,” she says.
“I’ll be in my office,” Kalum says as he walks away.
“How did you end up here?” I ask her.
“When Kalum left for college, he rented a place off campus and took me with him. His parents protested, but he didn’t speak to them unless it was about the family business since?—”
She looks at Lane as he crouches down on the floor and plays with his cars using the almost invisible grout lines on the marble tile as a track.
“Since I left,” I finish for her.
“Yes. Since that night, Kalum has been…different.”
I nod and figure it was because he felt guilty. He called me nonstop the next day, but I thought it best I didn’t answer. Because I was never going back. I promised myself I would never set foot inside that house. I don’t regret it because it brought me to Lane.
I try to feel sympathy for Kalum, but in all honesty, it was for the best. During the months I stayed with Lane, I thought I was deeply in love with Kalum, and maybe I was, but it was nothing compared to the love Lane showed me.
For months, I thought he’d left me when I told him I fell pregnant because I thought he didn’t want me or the baby. I was a mess, but he showed me how wrong I was to ever doubt his love for me. He showed me just how much he loved me ever since. He never left me alone unless he was in his shop building a car.
“He says you will be staying with him for a while. The media are going crazy asking questions about how you will run the company and who will be at the track. They expect you to sell and will do whatever it takes to offer you anything for Lane’s builds and his car.”
“I know, but I won’t sell it. It will be passed down to LJ when it is time. I’ll make sure of it. Lane trusted me.”
“That is why you should stay with Kalum for a little while.” She rubs her forehead. “I’ll help you with LJ if you need me. It will be no trouble. This is New York, and there are times when it is not feasible for you to take him everywhere.”
I smile, and I know she is being kind, but I have a life in North Carolina. We have a home. All of our things and memories are there.
“I know, but we can’t stay here. This is not”—I look around once more to make sure Kalum is still in his office–“a place for us to stay. It is not a place for a child.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“I tried, but then you arrived, and he sauntered off. I know Lane sent him, but I’m still trying to figure out why. It doesn’t make sense.”
