More Than Ever: The Home Series, Book One Read online

  “Ava.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ava. It looks like we’ll be neighbors.”

  “That’s what Bennett told me. He said I would have a beautiful girl named Lucy to sit with and that she was very brave. He said I need to be brave, too.”

  I look at Bennett, who’s standing there with his arms folded across his massive chest, taking this whole scene in.

  “He’s right. We do have to be brave. I think you’re doing great,” I tell her. I give her the bravest smile I can muster. She must be terrified.

  Brittany comes over to get me hooked up. Ava turns her face away. I don’t blame her. I turn my face away, too.

  Bennett decides to start talking. “Ava, sweetheart, do you want to color? I brought you a whole bag full of things to do. I put some puzzles in there for you, too.” He’s trying to distract her while Brittany is doing her thing. It’s totally working on me, too. I am just mesmerized by this side of him. He’s so good with her.

  “Bennett, I’m tired. Will you just finish our book?” She lets out a huge yawn, her little jaw moving in a crooked manner. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

  “Sure. We have to find out what happens to Goldilocks.”

  I scoot down in my chair, pull my blanket around my shoulders, and let Bennett’s hypnotic voice wash over me. My eyes start to feel heavy. I don’t hear the end of the book.

  Alarms beeping from someone’s machine jolt me awake. The sound is a common occurrence, but this time it sounds awfully close. My eyes spring open, just as I remember the sweet girl in the chair next to me. She’s crying, and Bennett is trying to calm her. It’s not working. He needs to get to her machine dials but he doesn’t seem to want to leave her. Nurses are starting to come to our little area.

  “Ava, I need you to stop crying and tell me what you feel,” Bennett tells her.

  “I don’t know, Bennett. I just don’t feel good. I don’t like this. I want to leave.” She’s getting upset, pulling at her arm, and I don’t understand why she’s alone. Where is her family? Is she Bennett’s? I dismiss the thought, though, because she calls him by his first name.

  “We can’t do that yet. Soon, sweetheart. I promise.” He yanks his stethoscope from around his neck, listening to her chest first and then her fistula. It’s a familiar scene. My heart aches for this sweet, scared little girl. Maybe I can help.

  “Ava, can you look over here for a minute?” I ask, trying to distract her.

  She glances over at me, giving Bennett a moment to tamper with her machine and make adjustments.

  “Did Bennett tell you what happened when I met him?”

  She shakes her head.

  “I wasn’t feeling good, either, and I threw up ALL over him.”

  She starts to giggle. I glance over at Bennett, who is flushing out her line with a syringe. I guess it was clogged. Alarms cease, and all is right again.

  “That’s really gross, Lucy,” she says, wrinkling her little button nose.

  “It was pretty gross.”

  “I didn’t mind,” he says, looking at me for the first time since I woke up.

  He’s rubbing the top of her dark head, but doesn’t take his eyes off of me. ‘Thank you’, he mouths. A warm sensation floods my body. I smile and look away.

  Maggie must have left during my nap, but I see Daddy strolling up. He comes straight to me.

  “You got evicted, Goose?” he says, kissing my forehead.

  “I guess cute kids get preferential seating in this place,” I reply, nodding towards an almost asleep Ava.

  Bennett is sitting next to her, not taking his eyes off of her. I don’t even think he sees that someone else has joined me.

  “What’s that all about?” Daddy asks.

  “I’m not sure. I think she’s one of his patients. I’ve never seen her here before. She just had a little episode, but she’s better now.”

  “Why is she alone?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know anything but her name.”

  “Well, let’s talk about something you do know. How about this date Rose just told me about?”

  And, Bennett’s head pops up. I guess he did know Dad was here.

  “Dad, I think Rose has a hearing problem. I don’t have a date.”

  He looks over at Bennett, who raises an eyebrow and goes back to caring for Ava. Daddy smiles and looks back at me.

  “We’ll see.”

  “How long are you staying?” I ask. I miss my dad. Our visits are few and far between lately. All the man does is work. It shouldn’t be like that. He should be spending time at home with Momma.

  “Not as long as I’d like. I just have a few minutes before I need to get going. We still on for dinner Wednesday?”

  “You know Mom would skin us alive if we missed, Daddy.”

  He shakes his head, all while grinning at the thought of my mom. She still makes him smile after all these years.

  “Gotta run, Goose. See you soon.” I get a kiss and he stands up. He glances over at Bennett, doing that chin nod thing that men do. His chair isn’t even cold before Bennett takes over.

  “How did you get here today?” he asks.

  “I drove.”

  “Have dinner with me tonight,” Bennett demands.

  Does he ever ask anything?

  “I think we already covered that.” I want to talk about something else. I don’t know how long I can resist him. I look over at Ava, saddened by the fact that the chair is swallowing her small body. “Tell me about her,” I say, changing the subject.

  “We can do that over dinner tonight.”

  “Why do you have to make everything so hard?” I huff. He is infuriating.

  “Are you really asking me that?” he asks, looking at me like I’m crazy.

  I have no response. He’s right.

  “Thank you for helping me with her. She has been terrified about this for weeks. Let me take you to dinner to thank you how I want to.”

  I’m sure he hears my gulp. Why does he want this?

  “Don’t try to think up another excuse, Lucy. Quit fighting this. It’s just dinner.”

  I’m silent, so he continues.

  “Try this. ‘Sure, Bennett. I would love to have dinner with you’.”

  That gets him a laugh from me. Alright, here goes nothing.

  “Sure, Bennett. I would love to have dinner with you. But, can we do it tomorrow, instead? I don’t do so well after I’m done here.”

  “What do you mean? What’s going on? Does Amador know about this?”

  He’s reaching for his stethoscope. Umm, no. We are not playing doctor.

  “Slow down, I just don’t have any energy. I usually just go home and just crash.”

  “And you want to be fully immersed in our date….I get it. I can do Tuesday.”

  Cocky bastard. He takes my phone off the table and puts his number in it. Then he calls himself so he has mine. He looks back over at Ava. She’s starting to stir. Brittany is preparing to shut down her machine and get her unhooked.

  “I need to finish up with her. Thanks again for helping me. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  He gives me one of those beautiful smiles and goes to rouse that sweet little angel from her sleep.

  I try to sneak out the doors when I’m finished without a Rose run-in. No such luck.

  “Is Bennett taking you to dinner tonight?”

  I resist the urge to roll my eyes at this sweet, yet meddling woman.

  “No, he is not.” She wants more, but I’m not giving it to her. I’m sure she will hear all about it from him, anyway. “I gotta go. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

  I don’t give her the chance to ask me anything else. I walk through the doors, taking my first full, clean breath of air in over four hours. As soon as I step outside, I get a text.

  Maggie: Get ur ass to the restaurant. Need 2 talk.

  Shit. I never did explain to her what happened. I shoot a quick text back.

  Lucy: B there soon.
r />   I pull up to The Red Magnolia, the restaurant where Maggie works, and she’s waiting for me at the door. Damn. She’s really eager to talk.

  “I already ordered your food.” She is practically dragging me to a table. A glass of water and silverware is set out.

  “Spill it, Goose.”

  She sits with me. I drink my water, taking my time. I love fucking with her. I know she’s dying inside.

  “Come on, Luce. What happened? I should have been called immediately.”

  “Well,” I say, “that was how this whole thing started. You and Miller both had dead phones. Bennett found me stranded with no ride. He took me to get something to eat and took me home. End of story.” I leave out all the drama that happened in between. No need for the juicy details.

  “Seriously? That’s all you’re gonna give me?”

  “That’s all there is to give. We went to grab a sandwich and he took me home. He had a meeting. It was nothing.”

  She’s not buying it.

  “So, what’s with the dinner talk from Rose?” she asks.

  I can’t hide this date from her. I live with her.

  “He asked me to dinner and I said no.”

  She starts to speak, but I hold my hand up to shut her up.

  “Keep your comments to yourself, Mags. Against my better judgment, I gave in today before I left. We are going to dinner tomorrow night.”

  She starts screaming and clapping like a crazy person. People are looking at us so I promptly hide my face. The screaming comes to an abrupt stop. I look up at Maggie to see her face turning a deep shade of red. Maggie Brennan does not blush. What is this about?

  “Maggie,” a tall, slim, tattooed hottie with a slight accent says as he puts our food on the table.

  He gives my sister a very long, intense stare, then turns to walk away.

  “And who might that be?” I ask. I’m assuming this is who’s been occupying all of my little sister’s free time. Strange, because he’s not her usual type. Mags likes a preppy, clean cut college boy.

  She looks quite flustered. I have never seen Maggie react like this before. Interesting.

  “Just someone I work with,” she mumbles, stealing one of my fries and shoving it in her mouth to avoid talking.

  “Duh. Try again.”

  “No one. Drop it. You need to eat. Then you need to go rest. You have a date and we have got to go shopping. No yoga attire for almost doctor Bennett.”

  As soon as I get home, I collapse on the couch. It’s old and worn, but it’s so comfy. I think about the day, and start to regret my decision to go to dinner tomorrow. I was caught up in the moment. Bennett totally used that little girl to get to me. I don’t know anything about her. Just her name. Seeing the two of them together made something start to crack open inside of me. It’s like a little fizzure. If he keeps it up, that shit could erupt like a fucking volcano. Her situation is a tragic one, obviously. No child should be going through what she is going through, and that’s just what’s on the surface. Who does she belong to? Why aren’t they with her? I’m grown, and it’s rare for me to be alone at any appointment I have, much less dialysis. And alone at the first one?

  That’s just crazy.

  And, dear Lord, Bennett Strickland. He was like a different person with her. He was gentle, loving and kind. I saw a playfulness in his eyes that hasn’t been there before. I’m completely intrigued and want to see it again and again. No wonder all the nurses were standing around that station gawking like Brad Pitt was there. I can’t blame them. I felt like a bolt of lightning traveled through my body when I laid eyes on him this morning. All I can think about are Dad’s parting words last week during that back porch talk.

  You need that kind of love, Goose. Take it.

  Here goes nothing.

  Chapter Eleven

  I’ve never been this nervous in my life. Bennett doesn’t call, but sends me a text shortly after I get home from lunch with Maggie.

  Bennett: Dinner tomorrow, 7. Salvatore’s on the River. No yoga pants and hoodie. I want to see ALL of you.

  Holy Hell.

  I don’t respond. What do I say to that? And what am I supposed to wear? I have nothing. Maggie and I can’t share clothes anymore. She has such a nice body, curves in all the right places. I have a body like a pre-pubescent little boy. Another lovely side effect of my kidney.

  We shop as promised, and I find the perfect dress. It’s nude with a black lace overlay. It’s short; almost too short. Thankfully, I still have the legs that the years of gymnastics helped me build. It’s backless, but long sleeved. A bit of the scar on my back shows from my nephrectomy, but enough fabric comes around from the sides that it’s not too noticeable. My left arm is covered. I’m happy that all my flaws are hidden well. I couldn’t ask for a better type of dress. Maggie and I can still share shoes, and she has a pair of kick ass nude heels that will go perfectly with my new purchase.

  Date night arrives, and I wash, shave, scrub, and exfoliate from head to toe. I’m not expecting anything to happen- I won’t let it. But, it’s a rarity for me to get dolled up. I’m milking it for all it’s worth. Maggie does my hair and make-up. She pulls my pale blonde hair into a low, side bun, with my bangs swept dramatically to the side. It’s sleek, and makes me look older. I always look like a kid, but not tonight. My makeup is natural, except for my eyes. Maggie can apply smoky eyes like a pro. I slip on my dress and shoes. Maggie lets out a slow whistle.

  “I’m speechless, Goose. You look awesome. Bennett is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you.”

  “Let’s not get carried away.”

  We walk out of my room, and Miller stops dead in his tracks. We stare at each other, neither of us wanting to speak first.

  “What’s up?” he asks, running his eyes down the length of my body. His jaw is tight, clenched. He hasn’t seen me dressed like this since Prom. No way for me to blow this off as anything other than a date.

  “I’m just going to dinner,” I shrug, trying to appear as casual as possible. Not an easy task, especially when my insides are a jumbled mess.

  “With who?”

  Like he needs to ask. I have no interaction with the world. He has to know it’s with Bennett.

  Maggie is backing away and going into the living room. Just then, I hear the doorbell. Lovely. We don’t need to re-create the lunch scene from the other day.

  “Bennett,” I say, answering his question.

  I start walking to the door, with Miller hot on my heels. Maggie throws open the door. Bennett just about takes up the entire doorway, and he is quite a sight in his dark gray suit, pale gray shirt underneath, no tie. A few days’ worth of stubble covers his perfect face. I’ve never seen him clean shaven. I don’t think I want to. Maggie backs away, and he comes in the apartment.

  His eyes are slowly taking me all in. What is with everyone? He finally walks to me, kisses the side of my head, and places a bag in my hand. His mouth moves slowly from my temple to my ear, leaving a burning path.

  “I don’t even know what to say about you. I’m at a loss for words. Beautiful doesn’t begin to do you justice.”

  He steps back, and I have to do the same. I can’t breathe when he’s this close. He smells divine. Not overpowering. Just masculine. Clean, but all man. I have to pull my stare away from him, so I look at the bag he gave me a few seconds ago. Most men would have come with flowers. Not him. I’m holding a bag of salted caramel Godiva Chocolates.

  “My favorite,” I say, turning to place the bag on the counter. “Lucky guess?”

  “Maggie here is very eager to share all your secrets,” he says, nodding her way.

  The color drains from my face. I feel exposed, pissed off, and I’m about to go on attack. I don’t like conversations revolving around me, especially if I’m not involved.

  “And when did you and Maggie have your little chat about me?”

  “Yesterday. You and Ava both fell asleep. What else were we supposed to do?”
r />   He leans in close again. His delicious smell almost makes me forget that I’m mad.

  “Don’t worry,” he says. “I didn’t let her get into all the good stuff. I want to find that out for myself.” His mouth is at my ear again. I can’t take that. I feel my stomach clenching in anticipation. Of what, I don’t know, but I want more. I hear a throat clear, and turn back to Miller, who is taking everything in.

  “Have fun kids. Don’t stay out too late. Remember, dialysis bright and early. I’ll bring you to the center in the morning.”

  He walks up to me to kiss me goodbye. This is nothing new. We’ve done it for years. At the last minute, I turn in for a hug instead and put my head down, avoiding his lips landing anywhere on my face. Why, I’m not sure. It just doesn’t feel right to do in front of Bennett. I just pissed him off big time. He turns and walks to his room, the door slamming loudly behind him, the stereo coming on. I’ll have to do damage control later.

  “All righty. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Maggie says with a giggle. “Have fun. See you tomorrow. I’m going out.”

  Bennett gestures for me to walk ahead of him. I grab my purse off the island and start walking. His hand lands on the small of my back, right at the base of my spine. It is scorching my flesh. His fingers move slightly, and I can feel his thumb tracing the line of my scar. I guess it’s not as well hidden as I thought. I immediately stop and turn to look at him.

  “Can you do me a favor?” I ask, hoping he’s feeling generous.

  “Anything.”

  “I don’t want to talk about that. I don’t want to talk about any of this,” I say, gesturing up and down at my torso.

  “If you mean yourself, not gonna happen. I want to know you. If you mean your medical history, I can give you that.”

  I relax back into his touch. I start to walk again.

  “For tonight,” he adds.

  I roll my eyes.

  We leave the apartment and I look around for his Jeep. Parked next to my car is a sleek, black Infiniti. He guides me to it and beeps the locks.

  “No Jeep tonight?”

  “If I know ahead of time you’ll be with me, I’m not putting you in that thing. It’s too rough.”