Chapter 20

Christian

I open the door at home, a box of tacos like an offering in my hands, casual comfort food for what I hope will be an easy evening. “I come bearing gifts,” I announce, setting the box on the kitchen island.

Hailey looks up from the couch, her face lighting up with a smile that makes my chest tighten pleasantly. “You didn’t have to do that,” she says, but her eyes are already on the box, hungry.

I shrug off my jacket and drape it over a chair, feeling the day’s weight lifting. “Where’s Addie?”

“She’s in bed, sleeping. I almost have her back on her old schedule.”

“So, what did you and she get up to today?” I ask. I find I’m eager to hear about the mundane details, to picture them moving through the day.

She walks toward the tacos and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, which I’ve learned she does when she’s uncertain. “Actually, I spent the day with Dana,” she says.

“Oh?” I lean against the counter, crossing my arms.

Hailey nods, drawing in a deep breath. “We went to my storage unit. Like I told you, my ex, Franklin, he thinks he left something when he moved out of our apartment.”

She rolls her eyes, but I keep my expression neutral. “And did you find whatever he left?”

She shakes her head. “No. But I needed to get it straightened up anyway. When I dropped my stuff there, I was in a hurry because someone was sailing to Victoria with friends.”

“Hmmm…yes. I do recall something about that. Not my finest moment. But I’m sure I can find a way to make it up to you.” I pull her in close and kiss from her collarbone to her ear.

“We need to eat, and you need to spend some time with Addison.” Hailey grabs a plate and crosses to the couch.

“Anyway, that sounds like a day.” I move to join her.

“Whatever he thinks he left, I can’t find it,” she says, meeting my gaze squarely. “Tacos?”

Her attempt to change the subject doesn’t go unnoticed, but I decide to let it slide—for now. “Definitely tacos,” I agree.

I adjust my position on the couch. “How did Addison do at the storage unit? Weren’t things a bit grimy for her? That can’t have been easy.”

Hailey chuckles. “It’s all inside, climate-controlled,” she explains. “Not as dusty or dirty as you’d think. Addison mostly slept and just kept us company. There wasn’t anyone else around.”

I’m relieved to hear that, but then Hailey drops a bombshell that shifts my concerns.

“By the way, Dana saw your artwork,” she says, lifting her shirt to show me the love bite on the side of her breast.

I can feel my pulse quicken. “What did you tell her?”

Hailey’s gaze flits away before returning to mine. “I told her it was someone else,” she admits.

I feel a bit stung by the lie, but I understand her protective instincts. “Dana’s not always my biggest fan,” I agree, trying to make light of it. “But I’m working on it.”

The conversation lulls for a moment as we both reach for a taco. I take another bite as Hailey’s next words catch me off guard.

“Dana… she’s actually warned me about getting involved with you,” she confesses.

“She warned me away from you too,” I say. “She thinks I’m too careless with my love life.”

Hailey nods.

Before we can wade in any deeper, Hailey’s phone rings. The sudden sound startles us both, and she fumbles for the device, eyes apologetic as she answers with a brisk, “Hello?”

She rises and goes to the kitchen to speak in hushed tones I can’t quite make out, so I’m left to stew in my thoughts. It’s unsettling, her not telling Dana about us. Why does it matter so much? Why does the secrecy leave me cold? I’ve always been a proponent of discretion. Isn’t that all she’s really doing?

“Sorry about that,” Hailey says, ending the call with a sigh.

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the unease. “No worries.”

“It was the storage unit place,” she says as she returns to the couch. “They wanted to know why I didn’t lock up my unit when I left. I could’ve sworn we did.” She bites her lip, a hint of frustration in her voice. “Anyway, they’ve put a lock on it now. They said I need to swing by for the key.”

“Sounds like a hassle,” I say. “But good that they didn’t just leave it open. What are you going to do about Franklin?”

“I don’t know,” she exhales, a tired smile touching her lips. “What’s in there is mostly just my grandmother’s antiques, some keepsakes, and my important papers.” She shakes her head. “It’s everything I have that isn’t with me here.”

“That’s important stuff,” I acknowledge. “And Franklin won’t say what he’s missing?”

“He’s always vague. I mean, we did find an old joint, a bottle opener, and some tax files, but he shouldn’t be this upset over any of those things.”

My chest tightens. “What do you mean he’s upset?”

“He keeps demanding that I return whatever he left behind.”

She doesn’t look at me, and I have a feeling there’s more to this. “You know,” I tell her, “I have this whole empty basement downstairs. You could move your stuff there.”

She blinks, and for a moment, the stillness between us is palpable. “Thank you.”

“Yeah.” I nod, surprising myself with how much I mean it. “And if you want to put some of your things around the house, make it more of a home for you, I’d like that.”

Her stunned silence fills the space, and I’m not sure why I’ve made the offer, why the thought of her things mingling with mine feels so right.

“I…” she trails off, her fingers tracing the edge of the cushion.

“Think about it,” I say quickly, feeling the need to escape, to breathe, to understand the rush of emotions inside me. Without another word, I retreat to my room, trading my clothes for running gear and shoes.

“I’m going out for a run,” I tell her when I return to the living room, and I don’t even wait for her response.

The door closes behind me, and I’m alone with the cool evening air of Vancouver. False Creek awaits, its winding paths a welcome distraction. My feet find their rhythm, pounding against the pavement, each step propelling me forward, away from the townhouse, away from the confusion.

Hailey’s face flashes in my mind, her expression when I mentioned the basement to store her things. I think of her laughter, the warmth of her skin, her nurturing care. Why does she stir these feelings within me? Why does her happiness suddenly feel like my own? And at the same time, why does that send me running away? Literally.

I’m running harder now, trying to shake off the weight of my thoughts. But then a tap on my shoulder pulls me out of the storm in my head. I stumble, irritated at the interruption, only to find Cinnamon standing there, her ponytail bouncing like she doesn’t have a care in the world. It’s the same old vibe with her—flirty, easy, no strings attached. Once this was exactly what I wanted, someone uncomplicated. But now, it feels…off.

“We missed you,” she says with that playful smirk she always wears. “Savannah and I had a blast without you.”

I draw a blank for a moment, and then I remember. We had plans to meet the day Addison arrived, months ago. I totally forgot. My life would be entirely unrecognizable to her now. Honestly, I’m not sure how I ever thought being with Cinnamon was enough.

She takes a step closer, her eyes locking on mine. “I’ve missed you,” she adds, her fingers grazing my skin. It’s a deliberate move, one that should set off a familiar thrill, but all I feel is a hollow echo of what I once enjoyed.

It would be so much simpler if I could fall back into this. No strings, no mess. But what kind of man would that make me? Someone who runs when things get complicated? Someone who can’t handle feeling something real? What kind of father would I be?

“I’m not single right now, Cinnamon,” I say, surprising even myself.

Her eyes widen, taken aback, and for a second, I almost regret it. Almost.

She laughs. “Really? Well, when you tire of your vanilla friend, you know where to find me.”

As she jogs away, I’m left standing there, my old life still tugging at the corners of my mind. But it’s not strong enough. Addison and Hailey have changed something in me, something I didn’t know I wanted to change. And for the first time, I realize I’m not just scared of falling for Hailey, I’m scared of who I might become if I don’t.

Turning back to the path, I push forward. I feel pretty sure now that Hailey is not just a passing fancy. She’s an integral part of my world, and not just because of Addison. That realization propels me faster.

Soon, I’m pounding the pavement again. I can’t shake off the ease with which I turned Cinnamon down. Hailey and I haven’t drawn any lines for ourselves, haven’t shared promises of fidelity. Yet here I am, barreling toward a commitment as if it were magnetic north.

The townhouse appears ahead, its windows dark except for one soft glow on the lower level. My pace slows as I approach, my thoughts racing ahead. Inside, the silence greets me, clean kitchen counters reflecting the dim light.

Climbing the steps, I find Hailey cocooned in bed, her eyes dancing over her tablet screen. She doesn’t notice me at first, lost in whatever digital world she’s immersed in, but then she looks up, her smile tentative, questioning.

“Hailey,” I tell her, “things have changed between us.” I wait for her reaction, for a sign that she feels it too. “I want us to be exclusive.”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish I could reach out and take them back. I should have said that so differently. “What I mean is, I don’t want to share you with anyone else. And I don’t want to be with anyone else either. I want us to only see each other.”

Surprise flashes across her face before it softens into something more profound. “I would like that very much.”

I take her hand, feeling its warmth, and guide her to my room, a place that suddenly feels more intimate than ever. “Is Addison down?”

She nods. “For the night.”

The air is charged with something new and fragile, like the first breath of dawn. I lead her into the en suite, turning on the shower until steam curls around us. With gentle hands, I undress her, and together, we step into the warm embrace of water.

I take my time, letting the droplets cascade over her, watching them trail down her skin. There’s a reverence in the way I shampoo her hair, in the way I rinse the suds away, my fingers massaging her scalp. The mundane act becomes an exploration.

As she faces the wall, the curve of her back speaks volumes, and I’m drawn to her with a magnetism I can’t deny. I reach to where desire pools, where heat gathers, and I massage her, slow circles coaxing out soft sighs and shivers. She leans into my touch, seeking more, and I find myself lost in the rhythm of her pleasure.

“I need you,” she whispers, the urgency in her voice sending a jolt straight through me. She turns and her hands, slick with water and soap, find their way to my hard cock. She strokes me until my breath hitches in my throat.

She lowers herself onto the shower seat, pulling me closer. She looks up at me with those mesmerizing eyes before taking me into her mouth. The warmth, the wetness—it’s almost too much. She licks away the precum beading at the tip, sending waves of pleasure radiating through my body.

Then, she massages my balls as my cock hits the back of her throat, and I’m forced to look up at the ceiling, fighting the urge to let go right then and there. But I want this moment to last.

She releases me with a pop, looking up at me with a devilish grin. “Where do you want to come? On me or down my throat?” she asks.

“Down your throat,” I groan, my voice ragged with need.

“Show me how you like it,” she challenges.

I place my hands gently but firmly on the sides of her head, guiding myself into her inviting mouth once more. “Just like this,” I whisper. “I love the way you take me.”

“Then fuck my face,” she breathes against my cock, and the raw words send a shiver through me. “Harder,” she urges, squeezing my balls just the way I like it. It’s perfect. Everything about this—about us—in this moment is exactly right.

I thrust deeper, the edge of control slipping as I succumb to the intensity of the sensation. “It’s so sexy watching you take my cock,” I praise between labored breaths. And when I can’t hold back any longer, I give in to the abyss, letting go completely as I come, waves of release crashing over me.

She swallows deeply, and in the aftermath, I’m left panting, adrift in the blissful haze of fulfillment, marveling at the connection we’ve found and the surprising depth of our desires. I glance down, and there she is, caught in her own world of pleasure, fingers dancing between her legs. A surge of pride and fascination washes over me. Could she be the one who matches my hunger, my intensity?

“God, you’re amazing,” I breathe.

We linger under the cascading water a moment longer, but it’s clear the day has taken its toll on her energy. With care, I turn off the water and open the shower door, reaching for the plush towels. Wrapping one around her, I pat her skin dry.

“You must be exhausted,” I say.

“Maybe a little,” she admits.

Arm around her shoulders, I guide her to the bedroom, where we sink into the cool sheets. The need within me still smolders, but seeing her nestled against the pillows, I can’t bring myself to ask for more tonight. Instead, I pull her close, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against mine.

“Do you still think you’re a bad father?” she murmurs.

The inquiry stings, reopening old uncertainties, but I owe her honesty. “It’s hard not to sometimes. I never had anyone to show me how it’s done.” I stare up at the ceiling as if it holds answers. “My dad left with a check… That’s all he thought parenting was. And Mom, well, money was her way to make problems disappear.”

“Despite what you may think, you’re doing a great job. Honest,” she says, her lips pressing against my shoulder.

Her words are simple, genuine, and they settle somewhere deep inside me. Maybe I can be different. For Addison, for Hailey, for us.