Torn (32 page)

An hour later, he strolled through the front door, hot pizza in hand and a salacious smile on his gorgeous face.

ELI

T
hree weeks had passed since Kalista and Holden had moved in with me. And we were having the time of our lives. I’d never felt so alive before. The air smelled different, food tasted better, hell, even the sun was brighter. I knew everything sounded like the cheesiest clichés, but they were all true.

Every time I looked at their faces, I realized how blessed I was. Yes, the path that led us here wasn’t ideal, and it was paved with anger and resentment, but the end result was a woman I couldn’t live without and the greatest son any man could ever dream of.

My life was complete.

Well, almost.

There was one more thing I needed to do to secure our future together. I was finally going to make an honest woman out of her, just as soon as I picked up the ring.

A month back, I rooted through the back of my closet and found the item I kept well hidden. Prying open the tiny box, I was instantly hit with a weird sense of nostalgia. Staring back at me was the original engagement ring I’d bought for Kalista. The one I never had the opportunity to give her. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to discard it. A part of me kept it as a reminder to be on guard, remembering the soul-shattering sadness I’d felt when she left. Reflecting back, I guessed I was a glutton for punishment.

I’d taken it to a jeweler and asked him to cut the small stone in half. I wanted the pieces to be placed on either side of the new stone I’d picked out. And boy, was it a big one. My income had greatly increased since then, so I could afford to give her a ring she would be proud to show off, even though I knew in my heart she didn’t care about such things. But it made me feel good I could buy her something many women would be jealous of.

The added bonus for me was that you could see the sucker from a mile away, warning all men she was taken. I was claiming her for all the world to see.

Wanting to have a talk with Holden about what I was planning, I asked him to run to the store with me to pick up ingredients so I could make my famous meatloaf for dinner. Kalista had been busy with her new job at the hospital, even though I reminded her she didn’t need to work. I quickly ended that conversation when she looked as if she was going to argue.

I kept forgetting how fiercely independent she was. After all, she’d managed to graduate college and raise my son all on her own. Loving them both the way I did, I hated the thought of either one of them struggling back then, even though I knew it was irrational of me to feel that way.

We were a mile from the house when I started the conversation. For some reason, I was nervous, even though I had no need to be. Holden had hinted about us getting married, so whatever I was going to tell him shouldn’t have been a shock.

“So,” I started. “There’s something I want to run by you.” Even though I was staring straight ahead, I saw him twist his head toward me.

“You want to buy me a car when I turn sixteen? Why yes, father, I approve.” He laughed, and I could tell he was only half kidding. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be too disappointed.

“Nice try. How about we discuss it in a couple of years?”

“Okay,” he said, mock disappointment in his voice, since he knew he was nowhere near the age where he could study for his permit.

“I wanted to know what you thought about me asking your mom to marry me.” I swear to Christ, as the last word left my lips he yelled excitedly, clapping his hands together.

“It’s about time, Dad! What took you so long?” The smile on his face was contagious. His response was better than I could have ever hoped for. “Does this mean I get a brother or sister soon?”
      

And…there it was. His main motive for wanting us to get married, although I was sure he knew in this day and age, you didn’t have to be hitched to have kids.
      

“One thing at a time, buddy. First, she has to say yes, then we can discuss having more kids. Actually, come to think of it, I have no idea if she wants any more children.” I remembered having the discussion when we were younger, but that seemed like forever ago, young people in love wishing for a large family of six.

I was sure she felt differently about it now. I’d be sure to ask her as soon as she agreed to be my wife.

“When are you going to do it?” Holden asked, fidgeting next to me when we walked into the grocery store.

“I haven’t decided yet. But until I do, no ruining the surprise,” I joked, pulling him close for a quick side hug.

“My lips are sealed, but you better do it quickly because neither one of you are getting any younger.” Laughing, he ran ahead of me before I could catch him, smirking at me over his shoulder until all I could do was smile and shake my head.

I love that boy.

KALISTA

“A
re you sure this is a good idea?” I asked, scouring through the closet to find something to wear. “The last time I went to your family’s dinner, it didn’t end so well.” I was nervous about going, but he’d assured me he’d talked to Drayden, as well as his other brothers, Cal and Dex. Everyone was on board with me being back in his life, more than simply the woman who was his son’s mother.

“It’ll be good, I swear.” He gave me a quick kiss before scooting around me to find his own clothes. “Besides, if anyone says anything off-putting to you, they will have me to deal with,” he promised, winking as he selected a navy blue shirt, the color almost identical to his eyes.

Deciding not to let my paranoia ruin our evening, I pushed all negative thoughts aside and dressed for the evening, enjoying our conversation on the way to his mom’s house. Holden was in the backseat, chiming in when we asked him where he wanted to go on vacation in a few short months. It would be our first family getaway, and I was a little more than excited. It was a small thing to other people, but to us it symbolized our lives were joined and moving forward.

Standing on the porch, I fidgeted next to Eli as he pushed the door open, ushering both Holden and me inside. I wasn’t two steps in when he reached for me, linking our hands together and pulling me in to him. “I love you,” he professed, moving me toward an empty room off the entryway. Holden had walked on, looking back only to make a mock expression of disgust at our open display of affection. Secretly, I knew he loved to see me and his father embrace and kiss, realizing our family unit was back on track.

“I love you, too.”

His words made my heart flutter. It wasn’t the first time he’d said them to me since I’d come back into his life, but every time made my soul soar.

His lips brushed over mine, his hands tightening around my waist as he pinned me against the nearest wall. “I can’t seem to think straight when you’re near,” he declared, devouring me with his skillful mouth before I could respond. At first, I wanted to bask in his light, to stare into his eyes and silently profess my love for him, but as soon as his lips made contact, I was a goner. Slinking my hands around his neck, I enticed him closer.

Pressing his body to mine, he moaned into my mouth, his tongue capturing mine and pushing me closer to becoming very indecent with him in his mother’s house.

“I want you so bad,” I panted, tangling my fingers into the thick of his dark hair. “Why don’t you make up an excuse and we’ll come back for Holden.” I was desperate for his touch, and I would do and say anything to get it.

His hand brushed over my breast before trailing down my side, only to move around and cup my backside, pushing me hard against him. His excitement was evident and if we weren’t going to leave, then he needed to calm down before anyone saw us. We both did. I felt a flush cover my body and knew the instant anyone laid eyes on me, they would know exactly what we’d been up to.

“For as much as I would love to ravage you right now, we have to stay.” He tripped over his words, instantly intriguing me as to why he was adamant about not leaving.

Something was up, but I wasn’t sure what it was.

Loud chatter drifted in the air the closer we walked toward the kitchen. It sounded like everyone was already there. I stood tall and walked closely to Eli as his entire family came into view. Children were running around the dining room, loud screams of delight as they all played with each other. Holden was in the midst of playing with his two youngest cousins when his eyes found us.

“What took you so long?” he asked, Isla and Emma tugging on his arm for his attention. He smiled at them and they giggled, running around the table and wanting him to chase them. They were so enthralled with him, they didn’t even notice their Uncle Elvis, as they liked to call him. Not yet, at least.

“I had to tell your mom something,” Eli responded, leaning in to give me yet another tempting kiss.

“Sure.” Our son smirked, looking so much like his father, before he took off chasing after the little girls, making them squeal in excitement.

“About time you two joined us!” Cal shouted, smacking Eli on the back before bending to give me a kiss on the cheek, his affection surprising me since it was the first time I’d seen him in years. “Hey, Kalista,” he greeted. “How are you?” Cal had always been laid-back, his demeanor remaining calm and unaffected when so many others would have been stressing out. I always liked that about him.

Returning his smile, I replied, “I’m good. Great, in fact,” I beamed, stealing a glance at Eli as I spoke.

Dex suddenly joined us, moaning in faux annoyance. “Oh, good God, the sickly love is going to kill me,” he teased, pulling me in for a quick hug before kissing my other cheek. “So good you could make it tonight,” he said, running his hand through his hair while he glanced back and forth between Eli and me, a smile curving his lips in a genuine smile.

“It’s so nice to see you both,” I said, meaning every word. I really wasn’t too worried about being around the two of them, knowing they weren’t as intense as Drayden. My heart skipped a beat just thinking about our future encounter, but Eli had assured me he was okay with seeing me again.

I guess we’ll see.

ELI

“W
here is my boy?” my mom shouted, stepping away from the stove. “Give your mother a hug, honey,” she fussed, acting as if she hadn’t just spoken to me the day before.

But I wasn’t complaining.

Running her fingers over my stubble, she shook her head, but for once didn’t say anything about me shaving it. There was a new twinkle in her eye and if I had to guess, I would say it was because I was truly happy again. I had the love of my life back and a wonderful son to make my life complete.

“Kalista, honey. So nice to see you,” she said, drawing her into a loving embrace.

“Nice to see you as well, Mrs…I mean, Vivian.” She laughed, remembering my mother’s scolding at being so formal with her the last time we were there.

“Dinner is almost ready,” she announced. “Everyone go wash up.” I reached for Kalista’s hand and pulled her beside me. We rounded the corner to enter the nearest washroom when Drayden and Essie met us in the hallway.

A bristle of tension sprung up but was quickly dashed when I reached for my sister-in-law. Before I could accost her, as my younger brother loved to say, he spoke up. “Hah!” he exclaimed. “What are you going to do now, Eli? You can’t very well attack my wife now that you have a woman of your own.” Bastard. But he was right. Turning to look at Kalista, I saw she was smiling, grabbing onto my brother’s olive branch gesture with both hands. The fact he was joking about her, in front of her, was a very good sign. The moment wasn’t lost on any of us.