Her Lucky Love (4 page)

Chapter 3

“Mom!” Cameron yelled from his room. “Aiden is looking at me!”

“So what, buttface?” Aiden yelled back at his brother from the same room, which also happened to be Lacy’s room.

The three kids shared the only bedroom while Allison slept in the storage closet that came with the apartment, roughly the size of the cupboard under the stairs that Harry slept in. She didn’t need much more.

Sure, keep telling yourself that
.

“I’m not a buttface. You’re the booger eater,” Cameron yelled back.

“Shut up, puke head.”

Oh yes, her boys were growing up. Allison resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Even though Aiden was almost a teenager, she swore he reverted to a younger kid when fighting with his brother. Though she couldn’t be sure that a teenage boy didn’t like a good buttface insult. She’d never lived with one before.

This was why she needed a man around.

No, no. She didn’t. Not even a little bit.

“Mom!” Cameron bellowed. “Why aren’t you helping? Aiden is
still
looking at me!”

Allison walked the short distance to her kids’ room and folded her arms across her chest, giving her best mom-pose.

“I’m just trying to figure out what happened to my nice, growing-up boys. Because from what I’m hearing, they aren’t in this room.”

Aiden opened his mouth to talk, and Allison held her hand up.

“No, no excuses. I don’t want you guys to call each other names. You know that. It’s hard enough when you go out and people call each other names and you have to stand up for each other. I don’t want you two to act like degenerates and beat down on each other. Do you understand me? You’re brothers. Act like you love each other.”

“We do love each other, Mom,” Aiden said then smiled. “That doesn’t mean we
like
each other.”

Cameron smiled and nodded. “Yep, that wasn’t in the brother contract.”

Allison held back a laugh at her boys who were too smart for their own good. “We’ll have to add that clause in, shall we?”

Her boys dissolved into fits of laughter, their fighting forgotten. She loved when she didn’t have to scold them with more than a few simple words. Bringing her boys to smiles and giggles was so much better than yelling.

Not a bad day for a mom.

“Mommy!” Lacy called from their small kitchen where she was finishing up her cereal.

Okay, maybe she spoke too soon on the whole day thing.

“Coming, dear,” she said as she gave her boys a once-over. “Finish putting on your shoes and brush your teeth. We don’t want to be late for school.”

The boys groaned, even though she knew they both actually enjoyed classes, Aiden more than Cameron. Her kids were going to finish school, go to college, and be something. Something more than her.

She’d finished high school—barely. She’d been pregnant and married by the time that summer rolled around and her friends where leaving for college.

She’d stayed behind with Greg. The man she’d thought would be her center.

God, how much of an idiot could she have been?

She should have been her own freaking center, not some man’s.

Allison shook her head and walked back to the kitchen, burying the memory of a time long passed when she’d made foolish choices. Though every time she said that, she wanted to kick herself.

Without those choices, she wouldn’t have her babies, so all in all, she’d do it again.

Anything for her kids.

“What is it, Lace?” she asked as she walked into the small kitchen, picking up a dishtowel on her way in, then cleaned out the boys’ cereal bowls. She barely even noticed anymore because she cleaned up as she breathed. It was just second nature by this point.

“I want to bring in Brayden for my show and tell. Do you think he’d come?”

Her heart did that annoying little flutter thing at the mention of Brayden’s name, and she tamped it down.

“Why would you want to bring in Brayden, dear? I thought you were going to bring in the painting you did?”

She knew why she was fighting off Brayden’s influence in her kids’ lives, and she mentally hit herself. She needed to rein him back, but she was afraid she’d been too late.

Lacy stuck out her bottom lip and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t want to show off a silly painting. I’d rather show off Brayden instead. He plays with cars and helps me with my bike. He has funny stories and makes me smile. He’s what I want to show everyone since I don’t have a daddy. This way people can’t say anything mean again.”

Allison broke down right there. Oh, no, not physically, but, mentally, her body shook, and fat tears rolled down her cheeks. She wanted to curse Greg and the world around her.

She knew kids could be mean, and she did her best to stop the bullying, starting with the other parents in town. She’d missed something intrinsically brutal.

Allison knelt down and brushed a lock of hair behind Lacy’s ear, swallowing hard as she did so.

“We can ask him. He’s a very busy man, but we can ask.” Lacy’s face brightened, but Allison didn’t pull her into a hug yet. “I want to know who said those things, Lace. I know you miss your daddy, but that doesn’t give the other kids an excuse to be mean.”

Allison had always had to tiptoe the line involving Greg in her children’s eyes. As much as she’d hated him, though she knew she couldn’t hide everything, especially not from Aiden, her kids had needed a father.

“I’m okay, Mommy. I have Aiden and Cameron, who watch my back.” Allison held back a smile at the words that came from her little girl that sounded so much like her boys. “Plus, when I bring in Brayden, I’ll get to show him off.”

Allison smiled, imagining Lacy showing off her Brayden.

She had to remember that, as much as she wanted to be selfish and block Brayden from their lives, he was good for them. Even if it hurt her beyond measure to think of him moving on.

Allison pulled Lacy into her arms for a moment, inhaling her sweet just-a-little-girl smell, then pulled back.

“Okay, go brush your teeth, and then let’s get on the road, kiddo.”

Lacy smiled and rushed to the small bathroom they all shared. Allison did some last minute cleaning, grabbed her apron for work, and put on her coat.

“Come on, you guys, let’s get going.”

The three kids piled into their coats, Allison helping Lacy zip hers, and put on their backpacks, and they were on their way.

Her car was still in the shop, but it would only be a short walk for them.

“Brayden!” Lacy called and let go of Allison’s hand, running to Brayden, who held his arms out for her as she jumped.

“Good morning, Lace,” he drawled in that deep voice of his.

“Mommy said I could bring you for show and tell. So now I get to show you off.”

“Get,” Allison corrected and blushed. She always seemed to be blushing around this man.

“Get,” Lacy repeated and kissed Brayden’s cheek.

He grinned then rubbed his cheek against hers. “That sounds like a plan, Lace. Just let me know when, and I’ll get there. Now, how about I get you three to school and your momma to work?”

Allison shook her head, trying to tamp down on the warmth that spread through her at his nearness.

“It’s not that far a walk, Brayden. We should be fine.” Even as she said it, she knew it was a lost cause. Her boys had already bumped fists with the man and were climbing into the truck while Lacy had wrapped her arms around Brayden’s neck, daring Allison to say no.

“It’s not a big deal. I just wanted to make sure you guys were safe.”

Well, she knew when she’d lost.

Stupid, happy, lovey-dovey feelings and all that crap.

“Well, all I can say is thank you I guess,” she conceded, and Brayden grinned.

The damn grin was creating all that stupid warm and tingly crap inside her.

 “I still have Lacy’s booster in the backseat, so just hop in the front and we’re ready to go.”

Allison nodded and climbed in, too aware of the heat radiating from Brayden as he did the same.

She could do this. It wasn’t as if she’d jump his bones right there.

Great, now that mental image wouldn’t go away.

And what a nice image that was.

They dropped the kids off first, all three of them hugging Brayden and her on their way out. The whole situation reeked of domestic bliss, and just for a moment, she could imagine what it would be like if this were a real family outing with a man who really loved her.

And then the moment shattered with its inevitable fragility as she spotted some of the other mothers eyeing Brayden’s truck with a mixture of envy and a curiosity that would lead to more gossip.

Justin, the school principle, and Abby, one of the teachers, waved, and Brayden and Allison waved back.

“Let’s get you to work,” Brayden said, his voice gruff.

“Thanks.”

As he drove, she watched as he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think of what everyone’s reaction to me dropping you off would be. I don’t want them to think that you’re staying with me for anything more than just as a friend.”

She shrugged. It was too late to have regrets. “It’s Holiday; they need gossip. It’s not like it’s wrong anyway if we were together. It’s not like either of us are married or with someone. People just need to grow up and get over it. I just hope the other kids leave my kids alone.”

Brayden nodded. “I hope so too. I don’t like the thought of your kids being hurt.”

And right there. That was why she loved him.

Yep, she totally loved the man she’d never have.

That was just par for the course in her life.

Brayden parked in front of the diner and got out with her.

“Don’t you have to go to work?” she asked, secretly pleased he was coming in.

“I need my morning cup of coffee.” He grinned. “I thought you’d be used to it by now.”

She shook her head and chucked. He’d been doing the same thing every day for years; she should have remembered. Apparently being in close proximity to the man had taken away her mental capacity.

They went in, and she set him up with a cup of coffee and got ready for her shift. When she walked past the counter though, she froze.

Greg.

No, that couldn’t be right. Greg was dead, but why was the spitting image of him standing next to Brayden?

Her gaze rested on Brayden’s as her body shook and she felt the blood leave her face. She saw the surprise and confusion in Brayden’s eyes that surely matched her own.

No, not Greg. He couldn’t be back.

Brayden reached out and grabbed her by the waist, letting her body rest against his, as a curse let out under his breath. She swallowed hard, taking in his heat and strength.

Damn her for being weak.

She strengthened, but let Brayden’s arm stay wrapped around her waist. She needed the comfort, if only for a moment.

“Who…who are you?”

The man with Greg’s face tilted his head. “I see you recognize me, Allison Malone.”

“Stop playing games. Why are you here?” Brayden said, his normally smooth tone deep with anger.

She’d curse herself later for it, but she was glad he was there with her in the empty diner. She needed him.

“I wasn’t talking to you.” He turned to Allison. “I’m David, Greg’s brother, and I’m here to give you a warning.”

No. No, this couldn’t be happening. She’d hidden from Greg’s family for so long because of the horror stories he’d told her about them. If they scared Greg, the scariest man in her life, she hadn’t wanted a moment with them.

“What warning?” Brayden asked.

“Like I said, I wasn’t talking to you,” David repeated.

Thank God he was here because she couldn’t speak. Thoughts where running wild in her head.

How fast could she get out of here and get her babies?

What did this man want?

Where were his parents?

Would he hurt her like Greg had?

David smiled, a truly feral smile that sent a shudder through Allison. “I’m here for your children. They’re of our blood, our family. We don’t want them raised by a whore like you.”

Before she could blink, Brayden had the man by the throat and pinned against the wall.

“Watch your fucking mouth around her. Do you understand me? You say another thing like that, and I’ll fucking kill you. Got it?”

Though she’d lost the strength of Brayden’s embrace, Allison straightened, trying to look strong, as though she could take anything down in her path.

She didn’t want to be weak.

Not anymore.

David only smiled again. “You’re nothing, but I see that she’s opened her legs again. Not a surprise there.”

Brayden punched David in the face, the sound of bones breaking echoing in Allison’s head.

David screamed, holding his nose. “Oh you’re going to pay for that, dick.” With that, he left the diner, passing Rina as she walked in. The two looked at each other and froze for a moment before David walked away.

Rina came in and rushed to Allison’s side. “Oh, my God, what happened? Why was that man here? Brayden, go in the back and put ice on that hand. Allison, sit down, you’re as a pale as a ghost.”

The little elf shuffled everyone around, and Allison did as she was told.

“I need to go get my kids,” she said, her voice hollow.

“I’m calling Justin now to keep an eye on them,” Brayden said as he came out with ice in one hand and his phone in the other. “We’ll go get them in a second.”

She nodded and drank the rest of Brayden’s coffee, needing strength.

“Now, how did you know that man?” Rina asked.

“He’s Greg, my late husband’s twin brother.”

Rina’s eyes widened, and she paled. “Oh, my God.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

Rina looked around the empty diner, and Allison thanked God it was the lull before the rush when another waitress would come in.

“That man? He’s a gnome. He’s not human Ally. They make you do things you don’t want to do.”

There was a buzzing in her ears as Allison tried to process that information.

Not human?

That would mean Greg wasn’t human.

And her babies.

She blinked a couple times, trying to get those black spots out from her field of vision. She would
not
faint like a damsel in distress.