Page 9 of Protecting Clove
She tried for a smile, but it fell flat. “Sure. Thank you.”
He wasn’t sure the thanks was only because of the offer for lunch. She’d been agitated by that guy creeping on her. Maybe that was why she said thank you. He wouldn’t press her on the issue. Maybe later they could talk.
The drive home didn’t take long, and Clove said she would come over once she and Neo showered. He nodded, not allowing himself to think of her in the shower.
Lunch was relaxed, and Neo ended up falling asleep in front of the TV. He didn’t want to make Clove wake her, so he suggested they sit in the kitchen while Neo rested.
They’d just sat down when her phone buzzed. She read the text, and her lips pressed together as her eyes narrowed.
“Bad news?”
She blew out a breath and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
“Didn’t look like nothing.”
“I can handle it.”
He didn’t want to argue with her. Besides, he had no clue what was in that text. Maybe she would tell him, or maybe not. It wasn’t his business. They were just neighbors, maybe friends, but mostly acquaintances.
Clove couldn’t believe her ex had her phone number. She knew sharing her new number with certain family members would open the possibility of him finding out how to contact her, but she hadn’t told that many people from her past about her new number. She’d called her aunt because she’d heard that her cousin had fallen and was in the hospital. Now Keith had her number.
“Hey, you know, having someone to talk to helps. If you don’t want to talk to me, you could call Andie. I know she would be open to chatting.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it, it’s just—” she leaned in and lowered her voice. “I’m angry, and I don’t want Neo to hear me when I’m like this. She’s smart, and I don’t want her working out how upset I am.”
She was surprised when he took her hand and squeezed. She looked up and saw compassion in his eyes. It was more than she expected.
“Listen, after she goes to bed, you could meet me on the front porch. Just text once she’s asleep, and I’ll be out there. Then you can tell me what’s going on. You look really worried. Like you said, she’s smart and she might be able to figure out what’s going on if you have that worried look on your face once she wakes up.”
Clove straightened up and drew in a slow breath. “Okay. After she’s asleep I’ll text you.”
Maybe it was a mistake to dump her problems on Bud, but he was here and willing to listen. They were just friends, at least that’s all she would allow herself to believe. She wouldn’t put pressure on him for more. Heck, she couldn’t handle more. It was hard enough being a mom and working. Dating had turned out to be way too much and she hadn’t even tried to go on a date in years. Thinking Bud would be into her was just her ego taking over. A man like him would want someone better looking, and someone with a much better body than she had.
7
Bud should have let it go, but now he was waiting for Clove’s text telling him Neo was asleep. He thought about taking a beer out for her, but not having alcohol in his blood system would be better.
When his phone buzzed, he had to stop himself from reacting with excitement. This wasn’t a date or anything like that. Two friends talking. That was all it was. Just two friends having a conversation.
He texted that he was stepping outside and pulled open the door. She opened her door at the same time. He smiled and pointed to the extra chair on his patio. He was never happier than right now that Andie had convinced him to buy two chairs for out here instead of one. He only needed the one to sit in so he could take off his shoes after a run, but having the second chair now paid off.
“She went to sleep fast. You playing with her wore her out.”
“It was fun. I don’t get to spend much time with kids, and Neo is a cool kid.”
Clove chuckled. “She’s a good kid. I love her, but fun isn’t how most adults describe her.”
“Is it because she’s smart and asks questions?”
Clove shrugged. “I think so.”
He sat back, trying to be casual though he was feeling less than casual. “So what was in the text that is bugging you?”
Clove let go a heavy sigh. “Keith, her father, doesn’t know where we are. I’ve been hiding, but not like I changed my name, and fake identities hiding. I just don’t let people know where we are. My family doesn’t know I’m in San Diego.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Only my dad had my phone number until last week. Then I called to check on my cousin, who was in the hospital after a wreck. My aunt must have given my number to Keith. He is texting and calling now. I’m not answering or letting him know he got the right person, but he knows. I blocked the number, but he just texted from another number.”
