Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

T revor’s brain was shit for the day. He’d been stressed about the whole fight with Callie this morning, and he dreaded a confrontation with Diane. Evan called when they got home around lunchtime. He told Trevor that Diane was staying for dinner. Trevor really hoped that would be the end of the visit.

While he wanted the kids to have a relationship with their grandparents, especially since they were the only set they had, Trevor didn’t want to revisit his relationship with them. No way in hell did he want to share a house with his ex-mother-in-law. Talk about awkward.

So he did the smart thing, and he begged for Callie’s help. It might be horrible to say, but if anyone could drive Diane away, it was Callie. While Jerry and the boys rolled up tools and material from the basement job, he stood by his truck and thought about what to say to Callie. He texted:

I know you’re probably still pissed at me, but I need a favor.

Your timing sucks, Booth. I am still pissed.

We need to talk. I know that. But if you don’t help me, I might go crazy.

She responded with a winky face. He could totally picture her laughing at him.

Diane is still at the house. I don’t want her to think she should stay.

What am I supposed to do about it?

I think if we show a united front, she’d take a hint. We don’t need her. More importantly, the kids don’t need her here.

Oh. So now we can be together?

He groaned. He should’ve known that he couldn’t escape that easily.

Please, Callie. I can’t live with Diane. I had a hard enough time with her visits when I was married to Lisa.

Still not my problem. Why should I care if you suffer?

Because you do.

She didn’t respond, and he felt like an idiot staring at his screen waiting for a response.

If you help me drive her away, I’ll come over tonight with ice cream and we can talk.

I still have ice cream in my freezer.

Tell me what I have to do. Anything. It’s yours for the asking.

Oh, honey. You’re gonna regret that.

So that’s a yes? I’m heading home now. Picking up dinner on the way.

See you soon.

Are you going to tell me what this is going to cost?

I haven’t decided yet. But rest assured I will get great pleasure out of it.

Although she probably wasn’t referring to anything sexual, the thought of pleasure and Callie at the same time made him picture her naked.

When the guys were cleared out, he went back into the basement to make sure it looked good. He’d planned on putting in a long day tomorrow on the trim by himself. Now that the kids were back and he was saved a trip to Indiana, he could work Saturday and Sunday and have Evan help him. It would be a good introduction for Evan with no one else around.

Trevor locked up and stopped for Chinese food on the way home. When he parked the truck, he sat for a minute to brace himself for the evening. He’d barely taken a couple of breaths when his phone buzzed.

I see you sitting there. If I have to suffer through small talk, so do you. Or it’ll cost you more.

He smiled. It’d be worth anything to not have to go in.

But he knew he couldn’t. If nothing else, he’d missed the kids. He grabbed the bags of food and shoved out of the truck. Hannah met him at the door to help.

As she took a bag she whispered, “Thank God you’re here. Do you know how tense and awkward things are? Please make it stop. I want to just go to my room, but Grandma is all nosy.”

He sighed. “It’ll be fine.”

“I’m afraid to leave Grandma and Callie alone. They’re so polite to each other it’s scary. Like the minute they’re alone, they’ll attack.”

Trevor smiled. “It’s not quite that bad.”

They walked to the kitchen together. Diane and Callie were sitting at the table not saying much.

“Hi, Diane. How was the trip?”

“Good.”

He nodded and unpacked dinner.

“Is this how you’ve been eating?” Diane asked.

“No, Grandma. I told you, we cook most nights. I’ve been trying out a lot of recipes. And Callie helps.”

Diane didn’t look convinced.

Evan sauntered into the room.

“Hey, man. Have a good time in Indiana?” Trevor asked.

“Sure.”

“I have work for you tomorrow. Trim in that basement job. It’s a good place for you to learn.”

“Work? He’s not old enough to be on a job site,” Diane said.

“Sure he is. I started working construction at sixteen. He said he wants to learn.”

“It’ll be a good experience for him, Diane,” Callie added. “Just think. Next time Evan comes to visit, you can make him a honey-do list.”

Diane gave her a look that wasn’t quite dirty but was far from friendly.

“Cool,” Evan said, and plopped down in a chair next to Callie.

Hannah took the one on the other side, leaving no seat for Trevor. He dragged one in from the other room and set it beside Diane. It put him across from Callie, who was all smirks and smiles.

“How have things been going?” Diane asked.

“We had a learning curve, but we’ve been doing well. Right, guys?” Both of his children dutifully nodded.

“Callie’s been a huge help.”

“I’m sure,” Diane said before taking a forkful of beef and broccoli.

“Did you know that you can’t get a good pizza by Grandma’s?” Hannah asked.

Callie pointed at her with her chopstick. “Tell me about it. I had no idea what good pizza was until I moved to Chicago. And hot dogs. Oooh, and Italian beef. That’s not even a thing in other cities.”

“Really?”

“Yup,” Callie answered before scooping up some rice. Trevor loved the easy way Callie had with Hannah.

“While we might not have the same fancy restaurants you find in a big city like Chicago, small-town life has its own perks. Like lower crime. Knowing your neighbors.”

“Nothing to do after nine p.m.,” Callie countered.

“Nothing good happens late at night.”

Callie snorted. “All depends on how you define good.”

“Are you going to let her talk like that in front of your children?” Diane set her fork down.

Trevor looked at Diane, confused. “Like what?”

“Putting ideas in their heads.”

Trevor backtracked over the conversation. “She made a joke. I expect my kids to be able to think for themselves.”

Diane pursed her lips and then wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I should head out now that rush-hour traffic is done.”

“Don’t you want to finish your dinner?”

“I’m not all that hungry.” She stood. “Will you walk me out?”

Fuck. While Callie had managed to accomplish exactly what he wanted, he didn’t need to hear a lecture. “Sure.”

He put his napkin next to his plate and rose. He waved at Hannah and Evan to do the same. “Say goodbye to your grandma. Thank her for taking you for the week.”

They came around the table and hugged Diane.

Callie stood. “Do you want me to pack some food for you to take home?”

“No. Thank you.”

Trevor stepped back and followed Diane out the front door. Once they were outside, she turned to him. “I know you’re trying, but do you really think Callie is the best influence?”

“The kids love her. She’s been there for me this whole time. She’s family. I’m sorry you can’t get along with her, because she’s an amazing woman. I don’t understand why you blame her for Lisa leaving. Lisa had a mind of her own.”

“I don’t blame Callie for Lisa moving here. I simply don’t like the way she lives her life.”

“Well, you’ll have to accept her, because she’s not going anywhere. Have a safe trip home.”

“Thank you for letting me have the kids.”

“I won’t ever stop you from having a relationship with them. You can visit or call whenever you want.”

“Thank you.” She turned and walked to her car.

Trevor waited on the sidewalk until she drove away. Then he went back into the house to finish dinner with his family.

For the rest of dinner, and into the evening, Trevor’s night felt normal, like the past week hadn’t happened. He and Callie hung out with Hannah and Evan, listened to the details of the visit with their grandparents, and watched TV. The only thing that changed was the fact that Callie kept sending him heated looks whenever the kids weren’t paying attention.

She managed to make him feel like her fingers were raking over his body, which made sitting on the couch a little uncomfortable. Their chemistry was there, but so was the tension from their fight this morning.

She rose and said, “I’m heading home, guys. I’m glad you’re back.”

Hannah gave her a hug, and Evan mumbled something like good night. When Trevor stood, she looked momentarily startled.

“Thanks for coming over. I appreciate it.”

“I’m sure you do.” Her smirk said so much more than her words.

At least she didn’t hate him.

It was only ten thirty, but Trevor turned off the TV anyway. “You guys should unpack your stuff.”

“We got home at lunch, Dad,” Hannah said.

He looked pointedly at Evan. “Did you unpack?”

“Of course not. I will.”

“We have an early morning.”

“Okay.” The boy rose from the chair, but his eyes never left his phone’s screen. He moved past Trevor, Callie, and Hannah without looking up.

Trevor turned to Hannah.

“I think he might have a girlfriend,” Hannah said.

“Oh.” What am I supposed to say to that? Way to go?

“And on that note, I’m outta here. See you guys tomorrow,” Callie said.

Hannah went to her room, and Trevor puttered around the house for a while, debating whether he should go talk to Callie now or wait. He still wasn’t sure what to say. He needed to fix things between them, but when he’d kissed her, he hadn’t been thinking about his kids. He’d only thought of himself.

After checking that the kids were at least settled in their rooms, he ventured across the yard to Callie’s. He knocked and waited instead of just pushing the door open as he had for the past few days.

She opened the door wearing a skimpy tank top and loose shorts, her hair wet from a shower. The scent of her shampoo wafted over and called him close.

“What do you want?”

“To talk to you.”

She stepped back from the door to allow him to come in. He walked slowly into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. The same counter where he’d kissed her. “How was your thing this morning?”

“What thing?”

“With the travel agency?”

She looked shocked that he asked. “It went well.”

He nodded. She crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the opposite corner. He didn’t like the distance she’d created.

“Look. After we slept together, I started thinking about what would happen when the kids came home. I planned to talk it over with you last night.” He pointed to the flowers he’d brought her. “But then you had your news and…I didn’t.”

He stepped close to her and unfolded her arms so he could hold her hand. “I started something with you without thinking about the impact it would have on the kids. That was wrong on my part, but I don’t regret it, Callie.”

She still didn’t say anything.

“I don’t want it to end.”

“Neither do I,” she said quietly.

“But I’m not ready to tell Hannah and Evan. It has nothing to do with being embarrassed or thinking this is a fling. I want to take it slow and figure things out. All of our lives have been turned upside down over the past few months. I just want them to have a chance to settle in.”

“I get that, and if you had said that to me this morning, I’m pretty sure I would’ve been fine with it, but hearing you lie to Hannah just rubbed me every wrong way.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset. I was worried about the video call and my whole career-change thing. And this…this is complicated.” She brushed something from his shirt, or maybe she just wanted to touch his chest, because she followed with a soft pat over his heart. “Then you said that I might leave the kids and it hurt. I travel. A lot. But I come back. Whenever they’ve needed me. A call and I’ll be here.”

“I know. I’m worried about them. I don’t want to screw them up.”

She nodded and pressed her body against his in a tight hug.

“We’re okay?” He automatically wrapped his arms around her.

“We’re okay.” She tilted her face up with a smile. “Except…you still owe me for coming to dinner with Diane.”

“I know. Have you figured out your payment?”

“I think so.” Giving his hand a tug, she turned toward the stairs. And her bed.

He’d love to repay her in bed. Repeatedly. Up the stairs they went and when she neared the bed, she flopped down on her back. Trevor followed, covering her body with his, and kissed her.

She softened against him as he deepened the kiss. His hand skated up her side, pulling her tank up so he could feel her skin. She grabbed his wrist, stopping his progress.

“What?” he asked.

“I haven’t told you my payment terms yet.”

“I thought I was working toward that.”

“Roll over.”

He turned so he was on his back beside her. If she wanted to be on top and do the work, so be it. He personally didn’t think she should have to work for her payment, but okay.

She didn’t move, just stared at the ceiling. “So I was thinking a skylight would look awesome over my bed.” She pointed up, making a box with her fingers. “To be able to see the moon and stars at night, the patter of rain in the spring…”

His brain scrambled to catch up. “You brought me up here to talk about a skylight?”

She turned her head to face him, one eyebrow up. “Of course. What did you think?”

“I thought I was paying you with sexual favors, not construction work.”

She burst out laughing. She laughed so hard she curled up against him, throwing an arm over his torso. When she sobered, she said, “Who said it’s not both? Seeing you in work boots and a tool belt is a turn-on.”

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm.”

He rolled to his side and began touching her again. If she wanted a skylight, he’d put one in for her, but right now, he wanted her. Bare, needy, moaning. Pulling her clothes off, he couldn’t get close fast enough.

Callie must’ve felt the same, because she was yanking at his jeans and shoving her hand inside to stroke him. Everything became a blur. For as careful and cautious with each other as they had been this week while making love, tonight it was fast and hard. They came together in a flurry of kisses and bites, strokes and tugs.

They didn’t talk. No murmured compliments. It was all about feeling. And when they were done, Trevor felt like he’d been turned inside out. Their clothes were thrown everywhere, the blankets hung off the bed and they lay sprawled in the middle of the mattress, panting. Every time with Callie was new and different. He couldn’t imagine ever tiring of her.

She turned into him, curling her body around his, her cheek on his chest. “I know you have to go,” she whispered.

“In a little bit.” In truth, he didn’t want to go. Spending his nights with Callie had been his best nights in a long time. But this was about doing what was right for the kids. He sat up, set the alarm on his phone for a couple of hours, and lay back down with the woman he was falling for.

A week later, Callie walked into the house and tossed her purse on the kitchen counter. She’d spent the day trying to find a local job that would be interesting and lucrative. The Around the World Travels people had given her a couple of weeks to decide if she wanted the job. If something else didn’t kick off soon, she’d have to take it. This time of year she normally planned a fun trip. Somewhere she could take photos for a job but still relax and have a good time. Lisa’s death had put a kink in her entire life. It wasn’t just the loss of her best friend, but now she was practically co-parenting Lisa’s kids and trying to juggle a secret relationship with their dad.

Her life had never been so complicated. She loved her time with the kids, even if it was just driving Hannah to and from band camp. Having a family to have dinner with and talk to each night was something she didn’t think she’d ever have.

But part of her was missing the adventure that came with travel. What if she wasn’t cut out to be a stationary person?

Being with Trevor was amazing but frustrating. She understood his need to wait to tell the kids, but she felt like she was being dishonest, and she’d always been honest with Hannah and Evan.

Man, she really wanted a drink. That was another thing she hadn’t considered with Trevor. While she wasn’t a huge drinker, she definitely liked to indulge on occasion. Could she give up alcohol forever? Reaching into her fridge, she grabbed a bottle of water. She took a gulp and regretted it wasn’t the wine she’d just been thinking about.

One thing at a time. If she managed to tackle one issue in her life, then she could move on to others. The job was the most important, but thinking about making that decision was depressing, so she decided to move on to something that made her happy: Trevor and the kids.

She crossed the yard and walked into the kitchen. As soon as she did, she heard yelling. No, not quite yelling, but strained voices. She followed the sounds to the living room, where Trevor stood at the bottom of the stairs, glaring up at Evan.

“You said you wanted to work. This is the real world. You don’t just decide not to work because something more interesting popped up.”

“Why not? The job will still be there the next day.”

“But your paycheck won’t. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid.”

“I know that. I’ve been working all week. One day isn’t a big deal.” He crossed his arms as if to dare Trevor to argue.

“Yeah, easy to say that when you live in my house, eat my food, and enjoy the water and electricity I pay for.”

“It’s one day. What’s the big fucking deal?” Then he turned and stomped across the hall.

Trevor opened his mouth, but Callie laid a hand on his arm. He stopped and turned to her.

“Things are kind of heated. Maybe let it cool before continuing the conversation.”

The muscle in his jaw twitched. “You’re probably right.”

“What’s going on?”

“Tomorrow’s supposed to be beautiful, and he wants to go to the beach with his friends.”

“And?”

“He’s supposed to work.”

Callie licked her lips. “He’s seventeen.”

“I know.”

“He wants to have fun. That’s what teenagers do.”

“I’m aware. But he said he wanted to work. This is how he wants to spend his life. Having him work for me this summer was your idea, remember?”

“You don’t have to snap at me. Having Evan work with you is a great idea. But you have to remember that he’s still a kid. His summer is supposed to be about not doing anything important, hanging out with his friends, playing video games too late at night, sleeping in all morning. It’s what we all did.”

“That’s not going to show him what real life is like, though. If I let him work whenever he wants, that’s not going to give him a taste of adulthood without a college degree.”

Callie crossed her arms. “You only want him to work with you to make him miserable so he’ll decide to go to college?”

“Yeah.”

The way he said it made her feel like she was stupid for even asking, as if there could be no other reason. “He might not ever want college. He obviously likes working with you. What would be so bad about him being a carpenter?”

“I don’t want him to have to bust his ass the way I had to do. I want something better for him.”

“It’s already better for him because he has you to teach him and help him.”

Trevor’s face softened. His gaze darted up the stairs, then he leaned in and kissed her briefly. “Thanks for saying that.”

“Are you going to let Evan spend the day at the beach?”

“Nope.”

She tugged his hand. “Come on. Let him be a kid.”

He studied her face for a minute and then said, “I’ll think about it.”

She smiled, knowing that was as good as she was going to get. She vividly remembered what it was like to be a teenager dying to get away from her family, to have fun, live her life. Her parents had never wanted her to have any fun, which had led to a whole lot of rebellion.

Walking backward into the kitchen, she asked, “What’s for dinner?”

Trevor moved past her, a quick slide of his hand down her back. He did that a lot, she realized. A sneaky touch here and there. Innocent but not.

Callie looked back over her shoulder to make sure the kids were still upstairs. “As long as we’re alone…” she started.

He peered around the refrigerator door. “Not here,” he whispered.

She smacked his arm playfully. “Get your mind out of the gutter. I want to tell you about a conversation I had with Hannah.”

He backed away from the fridge and shut the door.

“Just a heads-up. I told her to talk to you, but you know, she’s a teenage girl and you’re her dad.”

Trevor’s whole body stiffened as if he knew exactly where she was headed.

“There’s a boy?—”

“The hell there is.”

Callie shook her head. “This is not the first boy. Surely you know that. She’s fifteen.”

“So?”

“This is a boy that she knows from band. They’ve been friends for a while. He asked her out on a date.”

“No.”

“First, you can’t just say no. Second, this isn’t her first date. Lisa let her date a guy last year.”

“What?” His voice rose sharply.

Callie immediately wanted to defend her friend, but staying in the moment was more important. “The first girlfriend Evan had was when he was fourteen.”

“So?”

“Whoa. Double standard much? Hannah is a smart girl. You need to trust her.”

“I do trust her. It’s the boys I don’t trust.”

Oh Lord. If she had a dime for every dad who’d ever said that. “Treat her like the responsible girl she is. We had a lengthy conversation this afternoon about safety.”

“You talked to my daughter about sex?”

Callie nodded. “Among other things. Not just being safe for sex. I talked about not taking a drink from anyone at a party and not going to deserted places with a guy unless she’s sure about who he is and what she wants.”

“What?” Just when Callie didn’t think he could get louder, Trevor did.

“Calm down.”

“Do not tell me to calm down. You had no business giving my fifteen-year-old the green light to party and fuck around.”

Callie slapped her hand on the counter. “I did no such thing. This was a review of conversations she’d already had with Lisa, her mother . I was simply providing a refresher. In case your brain is too old to remember, teenagers rarely wait for a green light. They just do shit. I want to make sure she knows how to handle herself.”

“She’s fifteen.”

“Open your eyes, Trevor. She’s not a baby. What were you doing at fifteen?”

“Don’t go there.”

“Someone has to. You’re being unreasonable. No wonder she came to me instead of talking to you.”

His face reddened, and Callie knew it was time to go. She stepped back. He didn’t scare her, not physically, but she didn’t want them to say things that would get out of hand. “I think I’m going to go out to dinner. Think about what I said. You keep this up and you’ll lose her.”

When she turned around to leave, she caught sight of Hannah standing at the bottom of the stairs, eyes wide. Callie shrugged an apology. She’d tried.

Now she was going to go out and have a good strong drink. She didn’t have to worry about offending Trevor tonight. She doubted they’d be hanging out.