Chapter 27

27

Shelby

Dani pushes my laptop out of the way and smiles.

"What? Say it. Please."

"You never let me read what you write," she says.

"And?"

"It's good. I'm not into spooky stuff but I would read that. That vampire is sexy as hell. He's not like a monster… but he is."

"A monster in nice clothes with a nice smile," I say.

"Sounds like a good-looking man who will fuck you and break your heart," Dani says.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," she says. "Nothing at all. I'm happy to see you writing. That's for sure. Change of environment. That's all you needed."

"Oh, bullshit," I snap as I jump up. "You're going to say this is all because of Faust! I know it. I can see it on your face. You think because he's around, things are better. Right? Oh, yeah, sure, he made me move in here and this place is so much nicer than my place. And he wants to be a father to Oakley. And he's trying really hard and doing amazing so far. Oh, yeah, sure, and you want to blame the dirty stuff for making me happy? I haven't been touched by a man in like seven years! Am I not allowed to enjoy myself?"

I realize just how high and loud my voice has gotten.

I see the smirk on Dani's face.

I instantly plop back down and pout.

"So," Dani says, "anything else you want to get off your chest?"

"No."

"I stand by what I just said. It's nice to see you writing. And this is good stuff. I hope everyone loves it and you sell a billion copies of your book."

"Thanks," I say. "There is a lot going on at once around here. And the one thing Faust and I haven't done yet is…"

My voice trails off when I see that Faust has sent pictures of he and Oakley.

I open the text message and stand up again.

"What is it now?" Dani asks.

"He has my son petting a shark!" I cry out.

"What?"

"I'm going to kill him. Oakley is petting a shark. A real live shark. You know, the animal they make movies about where it eats people."

I turn my phone and show Dani.

Even her eyes go a little wide.

"I mean it's not like he's in the middle of the ocean," Dani says.

"Still," I say. "They… he…"

I swipe through the pictures.

Oakley's smile is so contagious in each one.

There are some pictures of Faust too.

Big and tall. Strong. Chiseled jaw. Perfection everywhere on him.

His massive hands touching Oakley's boney shoulders.

Such a protective stance at all times.

"What in the world are you looking at right now?" Dani asks. "Your face is so flushed…"

"Nothing," I say.

I hear how breathless I sound.

"Can you just explain it to me, Shel? I don't get it. This guy obviously turns you on like crazy. You've had his baby. You waited how many years for him? Yeah, I know you kept away from him and all that, but still. There's something there. There's obviously a connection. Is it really over some high school sweetheart nonsense?"

"You know it's more than that," I whisper.

"Fine. You were college age. Want to know what I was doing in college?"

"Not really," I say.

"Did you ever consider the possibility that sometimes love is really unfair and really messy?"

"Dani…"

"Stop it, Shel. I don't know everything about the story, but you can't help how you feel or what happens. Okay? If you feel something for Faust, then speak up. Tell him. You two have a son to raise together. If he wants to be a dick to you about the past, then he needs to figure that out on his own. I'm going to be honest with you, Shelby. Oakley is priority number one. For me. I'm not accusing you or Faust of anything, but if I see things getting a little intense, I will step in."

"He's my son."

"Yeah. And I'm willing to ruin our friendship over that fact."

"You're a really good friend," I say.

Dani blinks fast and swallows hard.

She really had no idea what I was going to respond with here.

She's right.

I take a deep breath. "He let Oakley touch a shark."

Dani smiles. "I'll admit, that's a little intense. I might have to slap him for that."

"Good. Every time I try to be mean to him, we end up bed."

Dani explodes with laughter.

I bite my bottom lip and grin.

Oakley bursts through the door carrying a stuffed animal shark that's bigger than him. He moves his head side to side, trying to look at me as he calls out my name.

"I swam with the sharks!" Oakley yells.

"Whoa," Faust says as he enters the apartment behind our son. "There was no swimming. I'm pretty sure if you got into that water, kiddo, your mother would feed me to the sharks."

"Literally," I say through gritted teeth.

Dani nudges me.

I look at Oakley. "Look at that shark. It's huge!"

"I know!" Oakley says. "Faust got it for me. For being brave."

"What would Faust give me for being brave?" Dani whispers to me.

She snorts and Faust actually lets out a laugh.

It catches me off guard.

I'm having a little bit of overload at the moment.

My son is excited after petting massive sharks. His father is… well, Faust is Faust. He can't help how he looks all the time. That smoldering, angry look on his face that makes you want to ride his face…

And then Dani.

She's, what, suddenly all flirty and horny for Faust?

"Mom, it was amazing," Oakley says. "We saw all the fish and sharks and turtles. There were even eels! How cool, right? And then Faust is like, ‘Oh, kiddo, want to touch a shark?'. And then I'm like… ‘Duh. Yeah…'. "

Now I start to laugh.

I crouch down and make Oakley put the huge stuffed animal shark down so I can hug him.

I missed him. I missed my son not being here with me.

My heart suddenly aches a little, picturing my life like this. I can't deny the fact that Faust wants to be part of Oakley's life. That's an amazing thing. Oakley deserves his father. But does that mean I have to give up, what, half my time with my son?

"Mom, you're hugging me super tight," Oakley groans.

I let him go. "Sorry. I missed you. I got stuck talking to Auntie Dani for hours."

"Oh, yeah, I'm the worst," Dani says. "Want to know how awful I am, Oakley? I was going to suggest you grab a bag and come home with me."

"Really?" Oakley's eyes light up.

"Really?" I ask, looking up at Dani.

"Really," Dani says. "We haven't had a sleepover in forever. Plus, Uncle Nate is being a goof about eating salads. I want some pizza and… a scary movie?"

"No!" I cry out.

"Yes!" Oakley screams.

"Don't give the kid nightmares," Faust says.

We all go silent and look at him.

His deep, commanding voice.

"I won't get nightmares, I swear," Oakley says.

"It won't be super scary stuff," Dani says. "Plus, it'll be my problem for the night. Right?"

"Right!" Oakley cries out. "This is the greatest day of my life."

"Hey," I say. "The greatest day of your life is the day you don't spend near me?"

Oakley's face drops.

I laugh. "Oh, I'm just kidding around. I'm happy you're having an amazing day."

"I'm going to go pack a bag!" Oakley announces.

He takes off running.

"I'll double check his bag," Dani says to me. "I'll make sure he has clothes. He'll be fine. Nathan and I are more than-"

"Of course you are," I say. "Thank you."

Dani looks at Faust. Then at me.

She doesn't reply, which only serves to make me blush.

I look at Faust. "You sure you want a night alone with me?"

"Who said I was going to spend the night with you?" Faust asks.

I gasp.

I wait for him to tell me he's just joking.

He doesn't say a word.

He just stares at me.