Page 39 of Risky Taste
I allow myself to relax as I peel down the road, heading back to the hotel. “What’s the plan?” I ask.
“Handelbrook. We picked up your shit already.”
Thank fuck.My heart warms at the family I gain rather than lose. The last thing I wanted to do was drive back to the hotel or the clinic. “And our assignments?”
“My old Sarge knows and Logan submitted an emergency request. There hasn’t been any pushback and my Sarge is trying to find something local in Handelbrook so that we’ll be out of the way.”
I have a mind to ask what Sebastian gave up to make this work but I know better. We’re all making sacrifices to ensure that we come out on top. I just hope that it’s enough. “And Noah? He’s supposed to deploy in two days.”
“Working on it but I’m not leaving him here. If we can’t get this shit fixed, we’ll all be on that plane to wherever the fuck he’s being shipped off.”
Making a U-turn at the next light, I head for the little town Logan called home in the summers growing up. Besides getting a fucking rest from all this crazy shit, I am excited to spend some extra time with Noah–what little we have–and see Logan’s mother again. She makes the best fucking pies. “Sounds good. I’ll be there soon.”
“Drive safe.”
And then Sebastian hangs up and I focus on the few peaceful moments we’ll get to experience before everything turns to shit.
Because there is no way in hell this is over. Kurt won’t let it be.
Chapter twenty-eight
NOAH
I lean back in the passenger seat of Logan’s truck, staring out the window as Handelbrook’s quiet streets roll by. The scenery is wholly different from my little city, warmth and something likehomespreading through the air.
And yet, I’m nervous and on edge even if this is just a break from Kurt’s chaos because it’s a step I’m not sure I’m ready for. This week has proven that I want these men in my life but meeting the parents? That’s a much bigger step than I had planned out in my head. I was thinking more dates and weekend trips…
Not to mention that my body still shakes every now and then with the aftershocks of my brother unloading blanks right by my ear. I’ve taken no less than three showers but the tang of whiskey is still in the air, threatening to suffocate me. Only a heavy dose of Sebastian’s cologne is helping me keep my sanity.
I try not to think about my deployment in less than 48 hours, knowing that if we don’t find a way out of it, I’m going to be on the next plane overseas. I’ve heard my men discussing who would come with me but none of that’s going to work. I’d have to go alone.
There’s one ace up my sleeve, though, one that I’ll use if nothing else works. Carl has my file and he at least had to log in my initial injuries. Everything about the alcohol was absent but after I explained what happened to my ear, he documented it. Which means, I could use the ringing that’s still lingering as a way to delay my departure to give us enough time to figure things out. It’s not perfect but I’m grasping at straws at this point.
The car slows as we pull up to a modest brick house, the porch sagging slightly, flower boxes clinging to life with wilted blooms. It feels lived in, in a way that my parents’ house doesn’t. It did at one point, boasting life and love when they were alive but after they were gone, it became just a place to rest my head. The memories were gone and the happiness had withered away with whatever was left of me and my brother.
That home became a house… but this place feels like it’salwaysbeen a home. “You grew up here?” I ask as I slide from the front seat, Sebastian coming to stand behind me. I take in the pale colors swirling around the brick and the cute little Toyota in the driveway in front of us.
“Yeah, it’s not much but it was everything to me.”
I follow him, Sebastian on my heels as we step up on the porch, wood creaking beneath our shoes. And that’s when the door swings open before we can reach it, Logan’s mother barreling out, her arms wide. She’s shorter than I expected, her hair a wild tangle of gray curls, her apron dusted with flour. “Logan! Oh, and you must be Noah!” she says, pulling me into a hug that smells of cinnamon and warmth before I can dodge it. I stiffen,unused to this, my skin prickling as she steps back and beams at us. “Come in, come in. I’ve got dinner almost ready.” She ushers us inside, the house swallowing us with its creaking floors and faded wallpaper, a lived-in kind of worn that feels too cozy.
There’s no fucking way Logan grew up in this picture perfect kind of life. Except he didn’t, did he? He mentioned something about Nevada and as far as I know, he never goes back there. I let out a small sigh as we’re led into the living room, Logan’s mother starts babbling. It’s unnerving and yet refreshing to see how proud she is of her son.
“Noah, I’m Maura. It’s so nice to see him bringing someone home.”
My face heats as I lean back into the cushions, Sebastian all but sitting on my side as Logan perches on the armrest. She doesn’t miss how close theybothare to me but it doesn’t change the direction of her conversation.
She points to me and then her son. “So, you two together then? When’s the wedding? I could use some grandkids running around here.” Her eyes sparkle and my stomach drops, a cold sweat breaking out along my neck.
I open my mouth, fumbling for words as I fight a smile. “It’s not like that. That’s not how it works, Miss—”
“Maura. Don’t you dare put a Miss in front of my last name.” She glares at Logan, “And yes, I’m aware adoption is a thing.” Her gaze narrows as she surveys the three of us. “There’s one missing. Where’s the stealthy one? He always had his fingers in my pies. He isn’t here, is he?”
Logan bursts out laughing, reaching for his mother and pulling her to sit down in the seat beside us. “Mom, take a breath. Declan should be here soon. And for the record, Noah is with the three of us.” His mother merely raises her brows but doesn’t say anything. “I know it’s sudden but we needed a placeto stay out of the way while some things boil over and I thought I’d multitask and come visit.”
“You don’t need areasonto visit, Logan. No, I’m not complaining but I can see that this isn’t an entirely pleasurable visit.” She reaches forward to pat my knee. “I can see the pain in your eyes but know that you’re in good hands with these boys. And I still expect grandchildren.”
Then she just gets up and disappears into the kitchen, leaving me at a loss for words. Sebastian cuts into the silence with a hearty laugh, leaning over to kiss my cheek. “Babe, meet Logan’s mother.”
