Chapter 14

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

It was four-thirty and Baker wasn’t home yet. He called to say that, unfortunately, a meeting he had with an admiral had gone later than expected and he wasn’t going to be there at four. Jody had reassured him it was okay and told him not to speed home.

She’d made a casserole for Ben to eat for dinner and had just given him instructions on when to take it out of the oven. He was leaning against the counter in the kitchen and Jody was opposite him, leaning against the sink.

“Can I ask you something?” Ben asked.

“Of course. You can ask me anything,” Jody told him.

“How did you and Baker know you wanted to go out?”

Jody blinked in surprise, but did her best to keep her expression neutral. “Well, I guess it was a gradual thing. I’ve known him for a while, and I saw how good he was with all of you. He was respectful to me, and of course, I was physically attracted to him as well.”

Ben nodded as if nothing she said was a surprise. When he didn’t say anything else, Jody asked, “How are things going with that girl you like?”

“Tressa?”

“Yeah. Pretty name.”

“Uh-huh. She’s as gorgeous as her name too. She’s new to the area though, and shy. She has long black hair and pretty brown eyes, and she’s petite like you. I don’t get to see her much, since we’re in different classes, but we’ve talked a bit at lunch. There’s this guy…he’s an asshole, and he’s been bugging her.”

“Bugging her how?” Jody asked.

“Just up in her face all the time. Giving her compliments and asking her out. Being pushy about it. She’s told him she’s not interested, but Alex won’t give up.”

“You want to protect her.”

“Yeah,” Ben admitted. “But I shouldn’t bring attention to her. Alex doesn’t like me. Like, really doesn’t like me, and if I throw down for her, it could make him even more of an asshole toward her than he already is.”

“That seems like a tricky situation. Do you think this Alex guy would listen to you if you tried to talk to him rationally and calmly?”

“No.”

The answer was swift and to the point.

“Why not?”

“Alex and I have history. We used to be close, but we went in different directions. He thinks I’m a pussy and I think he’s a douchebag. So yeah, he’s not gonna listen to me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Ben shrugged. “But he’s not getting the hint that Tressa’s not interested, and I’m worried for her.”

“Is that all?”

“Is what all?”

“You’re just worried about her?” Jody asked.

“No. I like her. She’s sweet. That shy thing she’s got going on is cute as hell. Not only that, but she’s nice. I want to ask her out, but I don’t want to bring any more trouble down on her than she already has.”

“Here’s the thing,” Jody said. “You’re not exactly a troll, Ben. You’re tall, dark, and handsome, and I’m guessing you haven’t gone unnoticed to her either. And I’m thinking that she’d probably really like to have a champion. She’s in a new school, is probably still trying to find friends, and if this Alex guy really is harassing her as badly as you say, she’s probably really nervous being around him.”

“He hates me, and the feeling’s mutual,” Ben said. “If I start talking to her, it might not be good.”

“What if you got her number and texted her? Start with baby steps,” Jody suggested.

Ben didn’t nod or say anything.

“I’m sorry,” Jody told him. “I’m not that good at advice in situations like this. Mana wasn’t all that into girls so I don’t have experience in giving teenage boys dating advice. But, if it was me, and I was Tressa, I’d totally be all right with risking the wrath of Alex if it meant having someone like you in my corner. If you do ask her out, and things escalate with him, are you going to leave her hanging?”

“No,” Ben said in a somewhat defensive tone.

“Right. Then my advice is to go for it. Life is short, Ben. I’ve learned that the hard way. You don’t know what Alex is going to do, but whatever he does is on him. The only person you can control is yourself.”

“That’s very true. And it sucks,” Ben said.

“Can I ask you something?” Jody asked.

“Sure.”

“Have you told your parents where you are?”

Ben scowled.

Jody hurried on to say, “You haven’t said what happened to make you leave your house, but obviously it was something big. And no matter what was said or what happened, you can stay with me. I’m just thinking that by now, your folks have to be worried sick about you.”

“They aren’t,” Ben said curtly.

“Ben,” Jody said gently. “If Mana and I had a fight and he left and never came back, no matter what happened, I’d be freaking out.”

“You’re nothing like my mom,” Ben told her. “And Al definitely doesn’t care what I do, as long as I’m out of his hair.”

“Your mom…she’s…” Jody searched for the word she wanted to use that wouldn’t sound too harsh, but would still get her point across. “She’s fragile?”

“Yeah, she is,” Ben agreed.

Jody waited for him to say something else, but when he didn’t, she sighed. “You should call her at least,” she finally said.

“She doesn’t answer the phone,” Ben said. “She doesn’t even have a cell of her own. She does whatever Al tells her to without question. I can’t call the house and not talk to Al. And trust me, he doesn’t want to hear from me, and he definitely doesn’t want me talking to my mom.”

Jody didn’t like the sound of that. At all. “He works during the day, right? Maybe you could go by the house to see your mom when he’s not there?”

“I appreciate your concern, Miss Jody, but the bottom line is that it wasn’t my choice to leave the house. Al kicked me out. My mom was there, and she didn’t say a word to contradict him when he told me to get the fuck out.”

Jody’s heart broke for the man-child in front of her. “Time has a way of changing people’s minds,” she said gently.

Ben snorted. “Not Al’s. But it’s fine,” he said firmly, standing up straighter and meeting her gaze. “I don’t want to be there anyway. It’s not…a good place to be.”

Jody had what seemed like a hundred questions, but instead of asking them, she said, “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. I know you don’t know me all that well, but like I said before, I’m a great listener.”

“Thanks,” Ben said. “I appreciate you letting me stay here. I’m trying to find a job so I can make money and find a place of my own, so I can get out of your hair.”

Jody shook her head. “No.”

“No?” Ben asked in confusion.

“Don’t get a job. You only get to be a kid once. And being an adult isn’t always fun. You can stay here as long as you want. I mean that, Ben. No strings. You will always have a safe place here in my home.”

It was obvious Ben was doing everything in his power to keep his composure. He finally nodded. “Thanks. I still want to find a job so I can have some money. I want to help out with things like groceries. It’s not cool that I’m living here and not contributing.”

Jody wanted to disagree. Insist that Baker was right—as a child, he shouldn’t have to pay for anything. But he’d obviously soaked in some of Baker’s alpha-ness and she didn’t want to belittle that by disagreeing. “All right, but it’ll have to be part time. There’s school, and I don’t want you staying out too late. You’ve got homework, and you need to make sure you get enough sleep. Not to mention if you and Tressa work out, you’ll want time to take her on dates.”

Ben’s lips twitched. “So you want me to find a job where I can work from like six to eight at night?”

“That’d work,” Jody told him with a grin.

He rolled his eyes. “Not sure such a job exists.”

“I’m really glad you’re here, Ben,” she told him, feeling emotional.

“Me too, Miss Jody.”

“And I was serious about listening if you ever want to talk.”

“I know.”

Jody wanted to beg him to tell her what had happened to make his stepdad kick him out of his house, but she knew she had to let Ben make that choice. She couldn’t force him to talk to her.

The sound of the front door opening made them both turn in that direction, and upon seeing Baker, Jody did her best to put her worried thoughts aside.

He took one look at the two of them and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Jody insisted brightly.

Baker turned his eyes to Ben, eyebrow raised in question. “Ben?”

“We’re good. Was just asking Miss Jody for her advice.”

Baker stared at him for a moment before nodding. “Okay, but if you need to talk, I’m here too. You about ready, Tink?”

Jody blinked at his abrupt change of topic. “Yeah. What’s the hurry?”

“The hurry is that I had to be in a fuckin’—Sorry…frickin’ annoying meeting for longer than I wanted to be, knowing my girl was waiting on me to get home so I could take her out for our first date. I want to get on that, enjoy my time with you.”

Jody smiled gently. “Okay, Baker.”

“Curfew’s ten o’clock,” Ben said.

Jody whipped her head around to stare at him, barking out a laugh. “Um, what?”

“Don’t want you kids staying out too late and being all wild and crazy,” he joked.

“Twelve,” Baker said.

Jody turned to look at him now. “What’s going on, exactly?” she asked.

“We’re negotiating,” Baker said with a grin.

“Eleven,” Ben shot back.

“Eleven-thirty, and we’ll sit in the driveway making out for twenty more minutes before we come in.”

“Deal,” Ben said with a laugh.

“Oh my God, this isn’t happening,” Jody mock-complained, enjoying the banter between them. Baker walked forward and snagged her around the waist, pulling her close. “Why are you always dragging me into you?” she groused, not meaning a word of it.

“Because you’re too slow in greeting me,” Baker said. “Kiss me, woman.”

Jody rolled her eyes and looked at Ben. “I hope you aren’t taking notes. This is not how you should be treating any woman you date.”

“Yes, it is. Showing her that he gives a shit is never a bad thing. Now, kiss me, Tink, so we can get the hell out of here and go on our date.”

“You haven’t told me where we’re going,” she said, dragging out the anticipation. She wanted his lips on hers more than she wanted to breathe, but it was fun to tease him.

“You’re right, I haven’t. That’s because it’s a surprise,” Baker said.

“I don’t know if I like surprises,” she hedged.

“You’ll like this one.” Then Baker was apparently done waiting for her to kiss him, because he slipped his hand under her hair and grasped her neck, pulling her even closer.

The kiss he gave her wasn’t exactly what she wanted, but Ben was standing there, watching in amusement. When Baker finally lifted his head, he said without taking his gaze from hers, “That’s how it’s done, Ben.”

“Noted, Baker,” he said with another loud laugh.

Jody rolled her eyes but didn’t struggle to get out of Baker’s grip.

“I…thank you for trusting me to be here by myself,” Ben said a little hesitantly.

Baker let go of Jody’s neck, turning her and wrapping his arm around her shoulders so they were both facing him. “You’re welcome. You’re a good kid, Ben. Don’t know what’s up with you, and I hope you’ll eventually share. But when you’re ready, you’re ready. In the meantime, you’ve proven to me and Jodelle that you’re trustworthy.”

Jody nodded in agreement.

“Thanks,” he said softly.

“Okay, we’re going,” Baker announced.

“Make sure the door is locked behind us. And if you smell smoke, get out of the house, then call 9-1-1. The casserole should be done in another twenty minutes or so, don’t let it burn. It’s your turn for dishes tonight, but be sure to rinse them off before putting them in the dishwasher. And I know it’s not a school day tomorrow, but don’t stay up too late.”

“Tink, he’s good,” Baker said, urging her toward the door with his hand on the small of her back.

“I just want to make sure he—”

“Have fun,” Ben interrupted with a smile and a wave. “I’ll be good. Just gonna eat, do the dishes, then watch the boob tube for a while. I’ll probably be asleep when you get home, so don’t feel the need to make out in the car in the driveway, you can totally do that in here on the couch.”

“Oh, jeez,” Jody said with a shake of her head.

“Appreciate that,” Baker told him. “Later.”

“Call if you need anything,” Jody added as Baker led her out the door.

Instead of starting the car when they got inside, Baker turned to her and put a hand on her cheek. “You two looked pretty intense. Everything okay?”

“Ben’s interested in a girl and wanted my advice. I also suggested he might call his mom and let her know he was all right, and he shared that he didn’t leave home voluntarily. His stepdad kicked him out, and his mom didn’t say or do anything to stop that from happening. Also says that his stepdad won’t let him talk to her. But Ben’s not feeling very charitable toward either of them at the moment, so I doubt he’s gonna try anytime soon to reassure her that he’s okay.” She paused for a moment. “Why would his mom let that happen, Baker?”

“I don’t know, Tink.”

“How could a mother let her only son be kicked out when she knows he has nowhere to go and no money to buy food or anything?”

Baker didn’t answer, but his thumb brushed gently against her cheek.

“He wants to get a job. Feels as if he should help pay for food and stuff, but there’s no need for that. And he’ll have to worry about rent, food, and bills soon enough.”

“You actually upset that he’s not a mooch?” Baker asked.

“No!” Jody said forcefully. Then she sighed. “I just hate that he can’t enjoy being a kid a little longer.”

“I might be able to find him something.”

Jody’s gaze whipped up to his. “Um, no offense, but I’m not sure I’m okay with him doing what you do.”

Instead of getting upset, Baker merely smiled. “You can trust me, Jodelle.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, then nodded and opened them. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I know a guy who manages some food trucks. Their hours are reasonable, and I’m thinking he could find a place for Ben. He wouldn’t have to drive down to the city to work and his schedule would probably be flexible. Hours on the weekends and after school, but not too late, that kind of thing.”

Jody reached up and wrapped her fingers around the wrist of the hand that was against her cheek. “That would be amazing.”

He nodded. “Anything else worrying you?”

“I worry about everything,” she said with a small smile. “But you’ve covered the most recent stuff.”

“Good.” Then he leaned toward her, kissed her gently, and sat back. “Because I’ve got a date with my girl.”

* * *

Four hours later, way before the curfew Ben had given them, Baker pulled back into Jody’s driveway.

“Looks like the house is still standing,” he quipped.

All Jody could do was smile. The night had been amazing. Baker had surprised her with a picnic on the beach. Complete with a tablecloth, real dishes, and candles. Apparently, Baker had conspired with Kenna and Carly and brought an entire meal from Duke’s down at Waikiki for them to eat. The food hadn’t been hot, but it was still delicious. They’d laughed and talked about nothing and everything, enjoying the beautiful sunset and each other’s company.

After they’d cleaned up and packed away the picnic supplies, they’d taken a long walk on the beach, complete with lots of stops to make out. It was a laid-back night, and Jody had never had a date as wonderful as this one.

“I had a good time tonight,” Jody said. She wanted to make sure Baker knew what he’d planned had been perfect.

“Me too,” he told her with a small smile. “I’m sorry the dinner wasn’t at an actual restaurant, I—”

“No!” Jody exclaimed, interrupting him. “You aren’t allowed to apologize for the best date I’ve ever been on. I don’t need fancy, Baker. I just need you.”

“You’ve got me,” he said in a deep, rumbly voice.

Jody had never felt as connected with someone as she did right that second.

Baker leaned forward and kissed her. They’d shared plenty of kisses throughout the evening, but somehow this one seemed more intimate.

“You know, it’d be easier to make out in your van than in here,” Baker said with a chuckle after he’d pulled back.

Jody giggled. “There is a bed in the back of it,” she said.

Baker’s eyes widened, and Jody couldn’t help but giggle.

“You’re fuckin’ with me,” he accused.

Jody nodded. “Yeah. There’s no bed. It’s full of boxes and other random shit. We do have a perfectly good bed that we’ve both been sleeping in for the last week on the other side of that door,” she said, gesturing to her front door.

“I’ve never slept as well as I have recently,” Baker said. “There’s something about holding you in my arms that makes me sleep like a fuckin’ baby.”

Jody smiled. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. And while I’m looking forward to getting inside you, I have no need to rush,” Baker said.

“Me either, but…”

“But what?”

“We are going to eventually get there, right?”

“Fuck yeah, we are,” Baker said with such fervor, Jody shivered in delight.

“Okay.”

“Okay,” he agreed with a nod. “But I told you once that I wanted to wait to make love until we both were sure where things were going between us. That hasn’t changed. Now, how about we get inside before Ben really does think we’re sitting here making out.”

Jody laughed. “Yeah, we wouldn’t want him to get any ideas.”

Baker chuckled. “Think he’s already got those ideas, Tink.”

She wrinkled her nose.

Baker was still laughing when he climbed out of the car. Jody met him at the front and he immediately reached for her hand. He’d been touching her nonstop all night. Holding her hand, putting his hand on the small of her back as they walked, resting his warm palm on her thigh as they ate. It was nice. Really nice.

Ben was nowhere in sight when they entered the house. Jody couldn’t help but smile as Baker threw his keys in the bowl on the counter where her keys were resting. The kitchen was clean, there were no dishes in the sink, and the slight scent of the casserole she’d made still lingered in the air. Ben had also folded the blankets that were on the couch and placed them neatly in a stack at the end of the cushions.

“Wow,” she said softly. “I’m impressed.”

“You want to watch TV?” Baker asked.

Jody shook her head.

Without dropping her hand, Baker led her to the master. “Go ahead and change and climb in. I’ll go check to make sure everything’s secure.”

Jody nodded. The first time Baker insisted on checking to make sure everything was locked up, Jody had assured him that she hadn’t opened any windows and had already double checked the lock on the front door. He’d explained that he wouldn’t be able to sleep if he didn’t see for himself that everything was secure. She hadn’t protested further. It was just a part of who Baker was.

Not able to help herself, after he left, she headed for Ben’s door and tapped lightly. If he was asleep, she didn’t want to wake him, but just as Baker couldn’t sleep if he didn’t check the house, she couldn’t go to bed without making sure Ben was safe and secure in his room.

“I’m up,” Ben said from inside.

Jody opened the door and poked her head inside. Ben was sitting on the bed, a book open on his lap, the lamp on the nightstand the only illumination. For a second, she saw Mana instead of Ben. He loved to read, and many nights she had to tell him to put the book down and go to sleep so he wouldn’t be a zombie the next morning.

“Everything go okay tonight?” she asked.

“Yeah. The casserole was awesome. I put the leftovers in the fridge. I’m thinking about having some for breakfast.”

Jody smiled. “I’m glad.”

“You have a good time?” he asked.

“Uh-huh. Baker had his friends get us takeout from Duke’s and he set up a picnic on the beach. We ate, talked, walked, and it was perfect.”

“Hula pie?” Ben asked.

“Can you eat Duke’s and not have hula pie?” Jody returned.

He smiled.

“I just wanted to make sure you were good. I’ll see you in the morning, Ben,” Jody told him. “Don’t stay up too late reading.”

“I won’t. Miss Jody?” he asked as she began to shut the door.

“Yeah?”

“I sent Tressa a text tonight.”

“Oh yeah? How’d you get her number?”

“I asked a buddy of mine to ask a friend who’s in the band with her to get it for me.”

“And?” she asked.

Ben grinned. “It was good,” he said.

“I’m glad.”

“I invited her to come watch me surf sometime,” Ben said.

“Cool. I’d love to meet her.”

“That’s why I did it. I told her she wouldn’t be sitting on the shore alone, that you’re cool and would keep her company. And if she had any questions about surfing, she could ask you.”

Jody felt her heart swell. She wasn’t sure she was cool by any stretch of the imagination, but it was kind of Ben to say so. “I’m looking forward to spending some time with her.”

“I also invited her to eat lunch with me on Monday,” Ben continued.

Jody nodded, proud of him.

“I warned her that it would probably piss Alex off. She said that she didn’t care about him. Said he was a jerk, and she’d eat with whoever she wanted to.”

“She sounds brave.”

“Yeah,” Ben agreed. “But that doesn’t mean I want Alex up in her face.”

“I don’t suppose you do.”

“We shared schedules, and while we aren’t in any classes together since she’s a junior and I’m a senior, I think I can swing it so I can walk her to and from her classes to make sure Alex doesn’t harass her.”

“That’s awesome.”

“Yeah. I just wanted to thank you for encouraging me to talk to her. I’m not sure it’s the best thing to do with everything else I have going on, but you’re right. Life is short, and I’d kick myself in the ass if I lost my chance to get to know Tressa.”

Jody didn’t like his “everything else I have going on” comment, but she let it go for now. She just hoped he’d talk to her when he felt comfortable enough. “Happy for you, Ben.”

“Wouldn’t be able to do anything if it wasn’t for you, Miss Jody.”

“Yes, you would. I know you would’ve figured things out in your own time. But I’m glad you’re letting me help you.”

Ben nodded, and Jody knew he was done talking for the night. “Sleep well, Ben.”

“I will. You too. Will you tell Baker that if he wants to check out that new surf spot tomorrow, I’m game?”

“Of course. Good night.”

“Good night, Miss Jody.”

Jody shut the door quietly and closed her eyes for a second. She was overwhelmed with feelings. Sorrow that she didn’t get a chance to share this kind of closeness with her own son. Happiness that she was sharing it now with Ben. Worry about what was really going on with his mom and stepdad. Excitement that it seemed as if this Tressa girl liked Ben back.

Uneasiness that everything in her life seemed to be going smoothly.

It was her experience that just when she got comfortable, life would deal her a harsh blow. And the very last thing she wanted was something going wrong just when it seemed as if her life was on an upward trajectory.

An arm wrapped around her waist, and Jody immediately leaned back into Baker.

“He good?” Baker whispered.

Jody nodded.

Baker steered her away from Ben’s door and into the master bedroom. He shut the door and turned her to face him. He studied her face for a moment before nodding in satisfaction. Then his lips quirked upward and he said, “You didn’t get changed.”

“I needed to check on Ben. He said he texted that girl he liked and they’re planning on eating lunch together, and he’s going to walk her to and from her classes, and he even invited her to watch him surf.”

“Sounds serious,” Baker teased.

“For a teenager, it is,” Jody assured him. Then she put her cheek on his chest and wrapped her arms around him tightly in a hug. “I’m afraid something’s gonna happen that will burst my happy bubble,” she admitted.

“It will,” Baker said calmly.

Frowning, Jody looked up at him. “That wasn’t a nice thing to say.”

He shrugged. “Shit happens, Jodelle. And I’m not saying that flippantly. It’s how you deal with that shit that matters.”

She put her cheek back on his chest. Jody could hear his heart thumping under her ear. “I don’t want any more shit to happen to me.”

“If it does, we’ll deal with it together,” he said simply.

God, Jody liked that. Nothing would have made her son’s death any easier, but if she’d had someone like Baker at her side to help her deal, she had a feeling it wouldn’t have been quite so gut-wrenching.

“Go on, get changed. I’d rather cuddle horizontally,” he said.

Jody smiled. She looked up at him once more without letting her arms drop from around him. “Baker?”

“Yeah, Tink?”

“I’m so glad you’re here.”

“No place I’d rather be,” he returned. Then he kissed her forehead, and turned her to face the bathroom and gave her a playful shove. “Get a move on, woman.”

“What am I? Eight?”

“You complaining about me wanting you to hurry up so we can make out in your bed?” he asked.

No way in hell would she ever complain about that. So she just gave him a smile and, as requested, got a move on.

After she’d changed and done her bedtime routine, Jody came back into the room and smiled at seeing Baker sitting in her bed. The covers were at his waist and he was shirtless. The smattering of hair on his chest was sexy as hell. As were the tattoos that practically covered every inch of his exposed skin. From the ones on his arms, to his back and chest, he’d explained them all to her. And every single one had some sort of meaning. Some were sweet, like the heart with his parents’ initials in it, and others were somewhat dark, like the skull with the number twenty-two, a reminder of a bad day when he was a SEAL. But they were all part of who Baker was, and Jody wouldn’t change one thing about him.

He smiled at her, and Jody’s knees almost buckled. She could spend every night for the rest of her life walking into her bedroom and seeing Baker there, smiling at her, and die a happy woman.

She padded over to the other side of the bed and climbed under the covers. Baker held up his arm and Jody snuggled into him. He grunted in protest when she put her cold feet on his calves, but he didn’t pull away, which made Jody smile.

“You wanna watch TV?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I want to do whatever you want to do,” she told him.

“You care if I watch the news for a bit before we make out?”

“No.”

“You sure? Because if you do, it’s not a big deal.”

Jody looked up at Baker. She put a hand on his cheek, feeling his short black beard liberally speckled with gray under her palm. It was soft, something she hadn’t expected before he’d kissed her for the first time. “If I cared, I’d tell you,” she said seriously.

In response, he put his hand over hers and leaned down. Jody stretched upward so he could reach her lips.

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here with you,” he said softly after he’d kissed her.

Jody melted, nodding into his shoulder as his arm tightened around her. He clicked the remote for her small TV and she closed her eyes. She supposed with his job, he needed to stay up-to-date on what was happening in the world, but she couldn’t care less about the news.

She tried to stay awake so she could enjoy more of his amazing kisses, but she fell asleep with the sound of Baker’s heart beating under her cheek and the feel of his arm around her shoulders, keeping her close.