Page 5 of 12 Months of Mayhem

Ryian

“When The Curtain Falls” — Greta Van Fleet

“Yeah, I’m on my way. Is Anson still awake?” I asked through the speaker as I hit the turn signal and took the left toward Dalton’s house. It was still crazy that he’d been willed a whole ass house from a grandmother he’d never known existed.

“He crashed on the couch,” he replied.

I sighed. Though it was after eleven, I was hoping he’d be awake because I’d have to carry his heavy little ass up the stairs when I got back to my mom’s. Normally, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but damn, I was tired tonight. It had been a long day.

“I’m pulling up now.”

“Park in the driveway. We left a space for you.”

“Okay.” A minute or two later, I was parking next to Dalton’s gorgeous blue Chevy truck. He’d come a long way from the beat-up thing he’d owned before I left town.

I shrieked in surprise when I reached for my handle and saw a man standing there. Dalton’s smart-ass grinned, and I was tempted to throw my door open into him, but I didn’t want to dent my vehicle.

“Asshole,” I said through the glass before he opened the door.

“Didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you saw me.”

I huffed, and he helped me down to the ground. He followed me to the front door and took my keys as we stepped inside. I heard him lock my truck, then he hung my keys on the hook that he’d designated for me.

“Dalton, I need to go home.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do.”

“You don’t work tomorrow, Ralph checked on your mom, and he’s sleeping on the couch at your mom’s place just in case she needs anything. Anson is snuggled up and sleeping soundly here. I just finished running a hot bath for you in my tub,” he explained everything so completely and matter-of-factly that I really didn’t have an argument. He knew I loved that deep clawfoot tub.

He also had to know I loved snuggling with him.

“Thought of everything, didn’t you, you little sneak,” I muttered. Before I could change my mind, I kicked my shoes off in the entryway.

“Just about,” he murmured as he kissed my cheek and took my hand. Passing through the living room, I took note of Anson zonked out on the big sectional Dalton had bought for his new home. He had a room at Dalton’s, but he loved sleeping on the couch.

I followed behind him and stopped in my tracks as tears threatened.

The bathroom was awash with the flickering light of a bunch of candles, there were heaps of bubbles that gave off a barely audible popping sound, and a tray rested across the center of the tub. On it was a glass of deep red wine and three fat chocolate-covered strawberries.

My heart melted.

“Dalton,” I whispered. “You shouldn’t have.”

“Shhh,” he shushed as he unclipped my badge and started to lift my scrub top. I happily raised my arms. My long-sleeve undershirt was next. Though his fingertips trailed over my skin as he gently removed my clothes, he kept his touch chaste.

Once I was standing there in all my naked glory, he reached into the water. “Check it to see if it’s okay.”

I did and found it was perfect. At my nod, he helped me into the tub, where I sunk down to my neck in the hot, sudsy water. I was in heaven, and I hadn’t even touched the delectable treats he’d arranged for me.

“Though I’d love to sit here and stare at you, this is about you. Unwind. Relax. I’ll check on you in a bit, but call out if you need something before then.” He left the bathroom and softly closed the door.

At first, I just sat there staring at the way the candles left flickering shadows on the wall. I’m not sure when the first tear fell, but before I knew it, I was silently sobbing, surrounded by bubbles. I was so used to taking care of everyone and everything by myself that to actually pause and allow someone to do the same for me had me literally falling apart.

When I was all cried out, I sniffled, rinsed my face, then lifted the wine glass to my lips. A watery smile lifted the corners of my mouth. Roscato. He remembered.

I took another sip before grabbing one of the strawberries and devouring it. The last two I savored, then washed the decadent sweetness down with the rest of the wine.

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