The screen door swings open, and my eyes flicker to the very spot, hoping to see Carrie or Rocco, two people I’ve missed and never felt quite whole without.
“Rebel.” Carmello, Carrie’s old boyfriend, jogs down the front steps with a big smile hanging on his lips. “Damn, girl. You’re lookin’ good. Time’s treated you well.” He says those words as his gaze sweeps up and down my body, his body moving toward me, before finally landing on my face.
Carmello always was a flirt. Not the type of flirt that made a girl’s skin crawl, but the kind that made a girl blush or swoon, depending on how thick he laid it on.
My face reddens as he moves closer, his eyes still sweeping over me as mine sweep down him.
He’s filled out, grown up, no longer looking like the lean young kid I knew before. He is big, bulky, and freaking beautiful, just like his brother.
“You too,” I tell him. “Not damn girl, but…” I swallow my stupid words before I embarrass myself more than I already have.
Not another word leaves my lips before he’s in front of me, arms open, wrapping them around me like we’ve done this a million times before.
And it feels nice.
More than nice.
It feels freaking great.
My arms find their way around his waist as I hug him back, trying to ignore his rock-hard body pressed against me. “Thank you for this,” I whisper.
The words aren’t really adequate for the favor he is doing for me, but I give them anyway. He is saving my ass big-time.
Every place I called wanted first month, last month, and security deposit. Money I don’t have or can’t part with without leaving me penniless.
In a few more days, I probably would’ve had to call my aunt and beg for a roof over our head.
But then I remembered the cabin, hoping Carmello would rent it out to me without trying to steal the shirt off my back.
I could’ve called Rocco, but I’d done that in the past, and he’d never taken my calls. Carmello, on the other hand, picked up on the second ring and offered me a place to stay for a ridiculously low rate that fit my meager budget.
He tightens his arms around me as he brushes his lips over my cheek. “Don’t mention it. Friends help friends, even ones they haven’t seen in a decade.”
Damn.
That was a low blow but totally justified.
My body stiffens in his embrace as guilt floods me. “I’m sorry,” I whisper against his T-shirt. “I should’ve…”
“Don’t,” he says softly, splaying his hands across my back, the warmth of his touch burning hotter than the sun. “None of us were ready or able to—”
“I still don’t know if I am,” I say honestly, interrupting him before he can finish his thought. “And Rocco?”
Carmello pulls his head back, still holding me, until I can see his brown eyes, dotted with honey like his brother’s. “He’s…” A look passes over his face that tells me everything I need to know without him saying a word. “He’s fine,” he lies. “Doing great.”
“Is he here?” I look over his shoulder, my eyes searching the porch and my stomach fluttering in anticipation of the possibility of seeing him again.
Please be here. Please. Please. Please.
Carmello shakes his head, peering down at the ground. “He had to work.”
Damn.
“Oh.” The butterflies vanish, replaced by a tightening knot deep in my belly. He doesn’t want to see me, and that stings. “I understand. I was just hoping…” I stop speaking, not bothering with the rest of the statement.
Carmello moves his hand to his pocket, pausing. “Want me to call him and—”
“No,” I reply quickly, shaking my head. “We’re fine. Don’t bother him.”
Carmello’s gaze focuses on my car, squinting. “We’re fine?”
“My little girl is in the car.” I motion toward the back seat where she’s sleeping in her car seat, oblivious to everything and everyone around her. “Shit. I’m sorry. Our conversation was so fast, I forgot to tell you about her. I hope you’re okay with her being here too.”
He moves his hand to his neck before he takes a step forward, peeking through the window. “Damn, I didn’t know you had a kid. That’s so awesome.” He smiles, looking at her for a beat before bringing his eyes back to me.
“Yeah.” I rock back on my heels, looking at the ground. “She’s five and completely exhausting.”
“And the father?”
“Out of the picture,” I tell him, dancing around the truth. He is out of the picture and very much dead, but he isn’t the man I’m running from. “I needed somewhere to get back on my feet, away from civilization, and this place was the first one that came to mind.”
Besides being close to broke, I want an escape. Something far away from everything. Some place to get lost while trying to put my life back together without needing to look over my shoulder.
Carmello studies me, not speaking as his eyes flicker back and forth between Adaline and me. “Things that bad?”
“Not really.” I tuck my hands into my pockets, trying to stop myself from fidgeting. “As soon as I find a job, I’ll be out of here, so I won’t take up the entire rental season.”
“There’s no rush, Reb. Stay as long as you like. I’m sure you want to spend some more time with your little girl instead of hustling constantly. We don’t rent the cabin anymore, so we’re not losing anything.”
“You’re sweet, Carm, but I don’t have enough money for an endless vacation.”
“We don’t want your money. Stay as long as you like. Relax a little.” Carmello gives me a tender smile.
Relax a little.
I haven’t relaxed since college, and I’m not about to start now. Relaxation is a luxury for those with money, but besides being dead-ass broke, I am hiding.
“But I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly comfortable leaving you and her up here alone.”
He is sweet for worrying, a trait I find admirable in the Caldo men but have rarely encountered in other men I’ve met.
“We’ll be fine. I’ve lived in the country before. I know how to take care of myself and my baby.”
“This isn’t the country, sweetheart. This is the middle of fucking nowhere.”
“We’ll make do.”
He lifts up his hands. “Whatever you say. I’m just telling you how I feel, and how I feel is that this isn’t safe or smart. Maybe I should stay for a few—”
“No. No. We’ll be okay. You have a life to live, and we don’t need babysitting.” My nose tingles, and I push away the tears that I know are simmering just beneath the surface, ready to fall. “Thank you, though,” I whisper, not trusting my voice to speak any louder.
He motions toward the car with a tip of his head. “What’s her name?”
“Adaline.” I turn toward my daughter, taking in her mess of dark-brown curls as she sleeps, and I smile.
She’s the one good thing in my life.
No.
She’s the best thing in my life.
Something I created that is beautiful and pure. The one person who won’t leave me. I’ll do anything to protect her, making sure she stays breathing and at my side.