Chapter 23

Delaney

It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve left the house. Mom and James got back last night, and I wasn’t surprised when I got a text from Mom asking where I was. And why my things were no longer in my room.

I didn’t message Mom ahead of time because I wanted her to enjoy her trip. This is something I’m going to have to do in person.

Parking my car, I get out and stand next to it for a moment as I take in the view around me. I had come to enjoy living here, and I miss it.

What I miss the most, apart from the people, is the safety I felt running. I haven’t run since I moved into the student dorms; I just don’t feel safe enough.

I want to try and see if it’s something I can get over, but I don’t have much faith, seeing how I make sure I’m in my dorm room before dark. And if I do leave after dark, it’s with Winter.

Speaking of Winter, she’s been asking about when we can hang out as a group: her, Elijah, and myself.

She didn’t enjoy the fact that part of my agreement with Stacy was to stay away from him and Owen as well.

I asked Mom before coming if the guys were home, and she said no, that it was just her and James.

Heading inside, I’m almost tempted to knock. I don’t and let myself in because that’s crazy. I might not live here anymore, but I know it’s still my home.

And that makes it even harder.

I find my mom in the kitchen. She’s laughing as James feeds her a strawberry. It’s so damn cute I can’t help but swoon myself.

“Ugh, you two are so cute, it’s sickening.” I gag.

Mom looks over at me, a bright smile taking over her face. “Laney, baby.”

I rush over to my mom and let her pull me into a big hug. “I missed you.” I squeeze her tightly.

“I missed you too. I’m never leaving you for that long again.”

I laugh. “Mom, I’m nineteen. I’m an adult. I’ll be fine,” I playfully chastise her, and she gives me a look. “But, yeah, two weeks was too long.”

James laughs. “Well, next time, we will have to make it a family trip.”

“Oh, yes!” Mom’s eyes light up. “That would be amazing. I haven’t been able to bring Laney on many vacations. I’d love that.”

“Next summer, when Benny is older, I’ll make it happen.” He smiles down at my mom with so much love. I hate how much Logan looks like his father. He gave me a pretty similar look the night everything went to hell. While he was buried inside me, confessing his feelings, begging me not to leave him.

A rock forms in my stomach. Now is not the time to cry, Laney.

“Now,” Mom says, giving me a stern look. “Want to tell me why I went on my honeymoon and came back to find you moved out?”

“Would you believe me if I said I wanted the full college experience?” I ask, grimacing. Mom cocks a brow, and I sigh. “Didn’t think so.”

“Spill, Laney.”

“Me living here was causing more harm than good.”

“How so?” Mom’s brows furrow.

“Were the boys giving you a hard time?” James asks, frowning. “I thought you all were getting along fine.”

“No, it’s not the guys. They’ve been amazing. It’s... well, you know Stacy?”

James’ face morphs into anger. “I really wish I didn’t.”

“Well, I guess she’s just a miserable bitch and wants to make Logan’s life hell.”

“Trust me, I know,” he growls, clearly hating the mother of his grandson.

“Stacy doesn’t like me. I don’t know why.” I lie because now is not the time to give them any idea that Logan has a thing for me. “But she didn’t like the fact I was watching Benny. Maybe she didn’t want another woman around her son? Doesn’t matter. I moved out so that I wouldn’t be an issue for Logan with Stacy. I’m new here, I don’t want to be the cause of disrupting someone’s life, especially not an innocent little baby’s.”

“She can’t just ask you not to live in your own home, right, James?” Mom questions, anger filling her eyes.

“I know, my love. But Stacy and her family...” James’ face falls. “There’s a lot I can do, but there’s a lot her father can do too. It’s messy, love. Very messy. Trust me, if it was easy, Benny would be here full-time.”

He looks to me. “We’re working on it, behind the scenes. I can’t say much, but the goal is to get her father out of the way so that she doesn’t have that leverage to throw around anymore. Then, we can take her to court for full custody. Until then, our hands are tied.”

Surprise takes over me. Logan hasn’t mentioned any of that to me. But why would he? He doesn’t owe me any personal information.

“I hope you're able to figure out something.” I wrap my arms around myself. “The idea of Benny in her care makes me worry.”

James’s face softens. “Thank you, Laney.”

“For what?” My brows pinch.

“You care about my sons and my grandson. You’ve taken them in like they’re your family. I’m not going to lie, I was a little worried you all wouldn’t get along. With combining families so late in life, sometimes it can be hard. But you’ve all been so amazing with each other. You didn’t have to, but you stepped up and helped out with Benny. You have no idea how much of a big help that was. Logan has a lot going on, and I know every bit of help means a lot.”

My stomach drops. “It’s easy to love Benny.” I give him a sad smile, missing that little man so badly. “And your sons are good men. They’ve treated me with nothing but kindness.”

He smiles. “I think they always wanted a sister. They couldn’t ask for a more perfect one.” His cheeks pinken slightly, and he scratches the back of his head. “And I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect daughter.”

Damn it. My eyes well as I throw myself at James. “Thank you,” I tell him before stepping back. “Thank you for loving my mom and for accepting me. I didn’t have a dad growing up; my mom was more than enough. But having you now, it’s nice.” I smile.

“Who’s cutting onions in here?” James turns around. Mom and I look at each other and smile. She gets up and wraps her arms around her husband.

“I love you,” she tells him.

The sound of a baby crying has me on alert. “Is Benny here?”

Mom nods. “Logan had to go to practice, and the nanny doesn’t start until tomorrow, so we’re watching him. We don’t go back to work until tomorrow anyways, so it all worked out.”

“Nanny? Since when does Benny have a nanny?”

“Well, with you no longer able to help out—and that’s totally understandable, you have no obligations to—Logan’s been struggling. With our work schedules looking tight for a while after taking time off for our honeymoon and his brothers’ busy schedules, it’s needed,” James explains.

“What about the daycare?”

“Logan took Benny out. At least on his weeks. Something about the daycare worker, unfortunately, being one of Stacy’s friends. He doesn’t trust her.”

“Oh.” Guilt hits me. Why does Stacy have to be like this? Benny should be her first priority, but all she cares about is hurting Logan. And by default, it hurts Benny in the long run.

“I’m gonna go grab him,” Mom says.

“Let me,” I rush out.

Mom smiles softly and nods.

I’m racing up the stairs and down the hall to Benny’s room. Opening the door, I find him sitting up in his crib. My heart could burst with how happy I am to see his little face. Two weeks away from him felt like a lifetime.

“Hey, little man.” I smile so wide, my eyes filling with tears.

He smiles back, rubbing at his sleepy face. I pick him up and hold him in my arms.

He sighs and snuggles into me. “I miss you so much.” I kiss his dark curly hair. “I hope it doesn’t have to stay like this for long.”

Benny rubs his face against my shoulder, still pretty sleepy.

I bring him downstairs, taking my time so I can hold him as long as I can. When I get to the kitchen and hand him over to my mom, I know I have to leave or I’m going to end up staying longer than I should.

Saying goodbye is hard. It almost feels like I’m leaving my own kid behind, and it kills me.

Needing to take my mind off everything, I head back to campus and change into running gear. I’m itching to run, and with the campus being busy midday, I feel like it’s the safest time.

I don’t listen to music, wanting to be aware of my surroundings at all times.

Starting off slow, I make a few laps around the dorm building. It’s not enough, and I get bored fast. But since I’m feeling good, I decide to take my jog down towards the coffee house.

I’m smiling by the time I get there, panting heavily, heart racing, but I did it. And I didn’t feel unsafe. Morning runs are the best way to start the day, but until I’m comfortable doing that, I think mid-day runs will do for now.

Grabbing a coffee, I start to walk back towards the dorm. With the sun beating down on me, sweat drips down my brow. Needing some shade, I head under a nearby tree and check my phone.

“What are you doing here?” a voice low, deep sounds from behind me. I let out a yelp, jumping forward in fear and spilling my coffee all over my hand. I hiss, the hot liquid burning my skin.

“Fuck!”

“Shit, Delaney.” The person grabs my hand, and I look up to see it’s Kai. “Fuck, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. We need to get that cleaned up.”

“I’m heading back to my dorm. I’ll just run it under some water.”

He shakes his head. “My place is closer.” He uncaps the water bottle he’s carrying and gently takes my hand, pouring the contents over the burning skin.

“The one time I go for a hot coffee,” I groan.

“I’m so sorry, Sweetheart,” he rumbles.

“It’s fine. Really.”

He gives me a look. “It’s not. Come with me.” He takes my good hand, and my eyes flick around us.

“Someone might see,” I hiss, trying to pull back my hand.

He snorts. “I don’t seem to care very much about that, Sweetheart,” he chuckles.

Kai ends up dragging me to an apartment building about a three-minute walk in the opposite direction of my place. But he’s right; it is closer than the fifteen-minute walk home.

“Is this like the teacher's building?”

“No, this isn’t on school grounds. Just outside, actually. I didn’t want to be tied to the school.”

“Why not?” I follow him up the front steps and into the building.

“If something happens with this job, I don’t want to be forced to move into a new place.”

“What would happen?”

“I could get fired.”

“Why would you get fired?”

He shoots me a look, and my cheeks heat.

“The only downside is no elevator. But it's only two floors, so it’s not too bad.”

“It’s nice,” I say, looking around. We head up the stairs and into his apartment. “And so is your place.”

It’s very modern looking, black and white everything.

“It came furnished. I haven’t had time to put my personal touch on it. I have a lot of my photographs to hang up.”

I smile. “I’d love to see your work sometime.” Hearing him talking about it that night has me eager to see.

“I’d love to show you.” The sly grin on his face makes my core heat. “Now, sit your sexy ass down on this stool. I’ll be right back.”

Biting my lip, I sit on the bar stool next to the little island in his kitchen and wait. He comes back a moment later with a first aid kit.

Placing it on the island, he opens it up and takes out a tube of cream. “Look at you.” I laugh lightly. “All prepared.”

“You never know.” He grins, taking my hand. “It doesn’t look bad. I don’t think there will be any burn marks. But this will help ease the pain and prevent it from swelling.”

His fingers gently rub the cream on my hand, and I instantly feel the relief.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“For what? I’m the reason you got hurt in the first place.” He doesn’t seem too happy with himself about that.

“I was jumpy. I’m normally not. But today was the first time I’ve gone running in public in a long time. It went well, but I guess there was some residual fear lingering deep down inside me.”

His eyes flick up, searching mine. “Why would you fear running in public?”

I swallow hard and look down at my hurt hand. “That's a story for another time,” I whisper.

“One I’d love to hear when you're ready. But if you don’t like running in public alone, would you be willing to go with me in the mornings? I normally go around seven before coming back and getting ready for school.”

My gaze lifts back to his, butterflies erupting in my belly. “You would be willing to do that?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t willing, Sweetheart,” he replies, gripping my chin. “I’d love nothing more than to spend more time with you.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

He rumbles in approval, leaning down to softly kiss me. I sigh, my body having a mind of its own as I drift into his touch.

I’m aching for more as wetness fills my panties. We’re at his place, he could so easily take me into his room and fuck me. God, I’d love to know what it would feel like to be fucked by this man in a bed. The way he could toss me around, the things he could do.

“I can smell your arousal from here, Sweetheart,” he growls. “As much as I’d love to take you into my room and worship your body, the next time I’m buried deep inside you, making a home for my cock while you're moaning my name like I’m your God, will have to wait until you're officially mine. Until you say, I’m yours. You're worth more than a bathroom fuck and a one-night stand, Laney.”

My heart pounds in my chest, my breathing picking up as he brushes his lips against mine. This man, his words, what is he doing to me? His words make me want to cry, make me feel like I’m worth something more.

“I am?” I whisper.

He growls against my lips. “You're worth a lifetime, Sweetheart.”

Closing my eyes, I take a second to just be in this moment with him.

“Let me walk you home. I’d love to hang out longer, but I have a class in twenty.”

“Okay.”

The whole walk there, we talk about my classes. I laugh and smile. Something about being with him feels right, easy.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning?” he asks, and I nod. “I’ll meet you outside at seven.”

He kisses my cheek before leaving me standing in front of my building. I look around, but no one seems to be watching. I head into the dorm room, dazed, with a smile on my lips that I can’t seem to get rid of. Maybe Kai can be that little bit of light I need in this endless stream of darkness.