At the time, I wasn’t certain it would be good for Gee. He was nine and just lost his father after a rough bout of pancreatic cancer. He’d been confused and hurt, sad and angry. He didn’t understand how God could take people away from him. Gee didn’t remember Gertie as he was only a baby when she passed away, but he remembered Leo as the grandfather he never had and was equally distraught at the loss of him. Leo was actually his great-great-uncle. My mother hadn’t been much of a dedicated grandmother. She practically disappeared when I decided to move here. She lives in Florida now.
“I’m sorry again about your husband.” His continued apologies are unnecessary.
“Cancer sucks,” I mutter.
“Yeah. My mother has it.” Sorrow fills his words.
“I know,” I whisper. His head pops up again.
“How?”
Dismissing further explanation, I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. It’s sad either way.”
Gavin continues to stare at me, wondering about the unanswered question, but I’m not giving him more details. Something more important is pressing on me, and I lick my lips. I need to tell him something, but as many times as I’ve practiced this in my head, I just can’t find the words. He has a right to know. Patrick always said that, but I hadn’t known where Gavin was, and even when I had better access to finding him, I still hadn’t inquired about him. Something always held me back.
“I should check on Gee,” I say instead of what’s really on my mind. Hitching a thumb over my shoulder, I point in the direction of the house as the front door swings open. I turn to see Theo exiting my place. He saunters up to me with all his seventeen-year-old swagger and hooks his arm over my shoulder. With blond hair around his ears and curling up on his neck, plus soft blue eyes, he’s a teenage heartbreaker in the marking.
“Going out, babe.” He teases me, pressing a kiss to the side of my head.
“Where are you going?” I softly demand.
Theo laughs. “Just a party down the street.”
“That wouldn’t happen to be at the Carter’s house?” Gavin interjects, and Theo’s eyes narrow on him.
“Maybe? Who are you?” His arm over my shoulder tightens, protective of me as his aunt. It’s sweet while unwarranted. Over the years, being up at the lake, I’ve grown attached to my cousin’s son. He has a wild spirit and reminds me so much of Gavin.
“I’m Gavin.” He holds out a hand to shake Theo’s, and Theo stares at the outstretched offering.
“Theo,” I hiss, knowing he has better manners than he’s displaying.
“Just kidding, man.” Theo laughs, clutching Gavin’s hand with his. “Nice to meet you.”
I don’t miss the subtle arched brow as Theo turns back to me, wondering about this Gavin person standing on the edge of the property.
“Home by midnight,” he states before pressing another kiss to my cheek and taking off toward the road. He’s such a good kid. I don’t even have to give him a curfew because he just gives one to me.
“Who is that?” Gavin snaps, and I turn back to him, taken aback by his sharp question.
“He’s Duke’s son. You remember Duke, right?”
“Of course, I remember Duke.” Gavin chuckles, bringing up his own memories of my cousin, who was Gavin’s friend back in high school.
“Anyway, Theo is staying with me this summer. Duke is getting a divorce.” It’s all so reminiscent of my own situation. I was sixteen when my mom and dad were separating. My mother needed a break, and I didn’t want to be around their constant fighting. Uncle Leo agreed to take me in just as I agreed to take Theo.
“Jesus, for a second there, I thought he was the man in your life.” The comment feels strange and gives me the shivers. Theo is half my age and a relative. However, I’d been almost half of Patrick’s age when I married him.
“I’m sorry to hear that about Duke,” Gavin breaks into the reminder.
Dismissively waving, I chuckle. “Don’t be. No one ever liked her. As for Theo, just ew, Gavin. He’s a kid and like a second child to me.”
Gavin swipes a hand through his hair, making it stand up a bit. “I’m sorry about that, but you still look like a fucking teenager, so who knows.”
I laugh despite the unsettling thought. “I’m more in the MILF category although I can’t think of any boys who’d be interested in this.” I wave a hand down my body.
Gavin anxiously chuckles. “I bet they all want a chance.”
My mouth falls open at the wrongness of his comment.
“Not like that.” He laughs. “Just, Jesus, Brit, you’re still hot as—”
On that note, I raise a hand to stop him.
“You mentioned you have a man in your life, though.” His voice lowers, eyes narrowing at me, leaving the comment hanging like he wants to know more.
“And that’s why I should get inside now. It was great to see you again,” I say, meaning it a little more. He’s still such a flirt and too good-looking for his own good.
“I’d love to see you again while I’m in town,” Gavin states, persistent in his asking. As I’ve just said, I have a man in my life, so it seems inappropriate for him to ask such a thing.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Gavin still faces me, practically begging me to accept.
I bitterly huff. “Gavin, come on. It’s been a million years, and I can’t do this.” I wave between us. “You and I are in different worlds.”
“Who’s talking about worlds? Just dinner. Drinks? Come to my film.” He pleads for anything, but I’m not giving in.
“It’s just not a good idea, Gavin. I wish you tremendous luck with your screening.” I truly want the best for him. He lived a good life with his baseball career. Whatever this new endeavor might be, he’ll be successful again. However, I don’t have time for the Gavin who flits into and out of my life.
“Good night, Gavin.” My hand reaches out for his chest, hesitating. The pull of his dress shirt. The fit of his pants. His body is calling to mine, but I can’t take the bait. Instantly, I drop my hand and nod at him before turning for my small house and entering without glancing back.
Take 8
Scene: TeasMe! Tea Shop
[Britton]
“You work here?”
The strong masculine voice breaks my concentration on measuring out fresh tea leaves, and I spill them, missing the cup as I turn to glance over my shoulder at my newest customer.
“Gavin.” I exhale on his name, surprised to find him standing in my shop. Quickly, I recover myself and return to completing Mrs. Drummond’s order. I ring up the former schoolteacher and current librarian, who nods at Gavin. She narrows her eyes at his interruption of some story she was telling me when I started making her Morning Sunrise Tea, a special blend. The green tea doesn’t have as much caffeine as other teas, but it’s still a fantastic morning drink as it’s light and sweet.
“Thank you, Mrs. Drummond,” I call after her as she exits through the screen door of TeasMe!, sending a second glance back at Gavin like she recognizes him but can’t place him.