“What’s wrong?” I hadn’t even noticed Blake move. He was bent over by my chair with one hand on the back and the other on my knee.
“Pot roast was his favorite. I messed it up all the time. I was never right.” My voice was monotone as I stared at nothing in particular.
“Fuck!” he hissed. “I should have asked. I’m sorry.” He stood, grabbed the roast from the table and rushed back into the kitchen. I heard some banging around, and then he was back with the phone pressed to his ear. “Yep. A large, and put a rush on it.” He hung up, and then reached for my hand. “Pizza will be here in twenty minutes. I’m sorry.” He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m not him. I promise.” He rocked me from side to side, and I think this was the first time that his words really sunk in. He wasn’t Warren. He’d cooked a meal for me, and now we were eating pizza because he didn’t want me to go to war with my memories. Blake Douglas was slowly winning my heart, I just hoped I was winning his too.
Chapter 23
Blake
The pizza had arrived in record time, and I tipped the delivery boy accordingly. Brooke had been quiet, lost in her head since we’d moved from the kitchen table to the couch. The TV was on, but we weren’t really watching it. I was holding Ava and Brooke was just staring off into space. “I’m sorry I ruined tonight,” she mumbled without looking at me.
I was shocked to hear the words. She’d been silent for the last hour. “You didn’t.” I turned slightly, cuddling Ava to my chest in the process. She was sleeping on me, and I didn’t want to wake her.
“Yes, I did.” She blinked a few times before looking my way. “You cooked a nice dinner, and we ate pizza.” She wrapped her arms around her middle, her bottom lip trembling in the process.
“Food is food.” I smiled. “Tonight wasn’t about what we ate, it was about who I ate it with. I wanted to have dinner with you. I would have eaten chips and an energy drink if that’s what you wanted.” She started to smile. “You have demons. I know this. I know that I’m always gonna to be fighting them. I know that being in your life means he’s in it too; even if he’s not there. I get it.” I smiled back at her. I get you.” I leaned closer and offered a soft kiss.
“Are you real?” She started to cry. “I mean… I just… I’ve never…” She swallowed before looking away. “You make me want things that I never thought I’d have.”
“Like what?” I glanced down to see Ava sucking her thumb. She was drooling in her sleep and leaving a wet spot on my shirt.
“A future.” She said the words so quietly, I almost didn’t hear them. “I…” It was in that moment that my phone started to ring.
“Sorry.” I grimaced. “I have to get it. It might be the hospital.” I cradled Ava close as I stood and headed to the kitchen where my phone was charging. When I glanced at the caller ID, it was my brother. I rolled my eyes as I picked up. “Yeah?” Cal never called me at night. He knew when I was off, I was usually asleep.
“I really shouldn’t be telling you this, but I feel like you can help me.” Cal’s voice was hushed and it sounded as if he was cupping the receiver with his hand.
“Ok.” I was skeptical. How could I help with anything?
“Is she with you?” He was so cryptic.
“Yes. What is going on?” I was getting annoyed.
“Her ex is out on bail. I don’t know how he did it, but he did. The arrest stuck, and he was in county lock up, but his lawyer got him out on bail. I think she should stay with you for a bit. He might come to the house looking for her.” There was a door closing in the background. “Fuck, it’s cold out!” he hissed.
“Are you off now?” I moved farther into the kitchen. I didn’t want Brooke to overhear me. I wanted to tell her all of this in person.
“I’m heading home. I’m going to do a drive by just to make sure he isn’t near the house now. He’s not supposed to be, but that fucker doesn’t care. He thinks he owns her. You should have heard the bullshit he was spouting off in the back of the cruiser when we arrested him.”
“I thought you couldn’t talk to me about this stuff,” I warned. I’d asked Cal about all of this, and he was tight lipped.
“I shouldn’t be, but I don’t trust him to not try to hurt her.” Cal sighed. “I’m exhausted. Been dealing with all kinds of crazy today. What is it with winter and the crazies coming out?”
“I don’t know. I see it too at the hospital. I’ll talk to Brooke. She’s
