Love Rekindled (Love Surfaced) (29 page)

“I might be able to find you an investor, but I’m sure a stipulation would be that I’d help manage. I’m not positive I can even get the money, but if I could, would you be open to it? A business partnership.” He nods, but his face pales. “Okay, let’s just look at what I think the future can look like if we do a few things.”

For the next three hours, Wes and I sit in that corner booth, brainstorming and talking through ideas about how to jive the business and bring the center to its full potential. Between the two of us, there are a lot of connections with our college buddies, and I think we could accomplish a lot with little money.

Wes finally orders a cheeseburger, and it’s good to see I’ve calmed him enough to eat.

“The first thing we need to do is build the swim teams for all ages. Then I have an idea about advertising, but I don’t want to say anything until I can fully commit to it.”

“Brad, you can’t do this all for free.” Wes slides out of the booth since we have no choice but to return to the center for lessons.

“I’m not going to.” I pack up my bag and quickly meet him at the end of the booth. “You’ll pay me for my time or consider my offer. I’ll give you until after this weekend to decide.”

Again, he shakes his head and releases a sigh. I don’t envy his situation, but I’m not putting everything I have into his company and not reaping any rewards. For once in two years, I’m enjoying where my life is heading—things with Taylor and now this role of helping Wes and mixing business with swimming. If Wes decides he doesn’t want me involved in Creadle’s, I’ll figure something out, but I’m thinking it would only be competition for him.

Taylor

I BUNDLE EM UP IN
her warmest coat and boots. The snow has started to come down in droves lately, which means winter is here to stay. We get in the car with hardly any time to spare, because I don’t want to be late for her swim lesson, even though I’m sure I’ll get a pass from the instructor.

My old Jetta’s tires slide down the industrial park streets toward the Aquatic Center. The snow falls like rain, melting into water drops on my windshield. Maybe a cancelation of swimming should have been in order, but the idea of seeing Brad is worth taking my chances in a winter weather warning.

I pull up to the center, and park alongside Brad’s truck. I’m thinking we’ll have to take that home tonight. Home repeats in my head. The word so easily came to mind while thinking of the three of us. I have thought about us living together more than once, but never did I see the reality of the foolish thought that plagued my dreams.

Em and I reach the lobby and I brush off the snow covering her hat and jacket before doing the same for me.

“Snow,” Em says, as she tries to pick up a piece of white fluff before it melts on the carpeted floor. “Snowman?” she asks and points outside.

“Maybe tomorrow we can make one at our house.” I hold her hand and we walk toward Katie, the receptionist. Thoughts of Em and Brad outside playing tomorrow brings a smile to my lips. She’s finally getting to the age where she can handle the wet snow for a little while.

“Hi, Katie,” I say and drop Em’s hand now that we’re a safe distance from the door. She wanders over to the cascading waterfall she loves so much.

“What a night, huh?” She clicks away on her computer to check us in.

“It’s horrible out there. Be careful when you leave. There’s an advisory until ten tonight.” I unzip my coat, shedding the layers due to the humidity from the pool area seeping into the lobby.

“Dada!” Em screams, and my head lifts to search out Brad, half expecting him to be coming out to pick up his girl, but I don’t see anyone.

She starts running toward the locker rooms. “Em!” I yell to stop her, but her footsteps continue. “I’ll be right back,” I say to Katie.

“No, you’re good. Go ahead,” Katie tells me, so I pick up our bags and jog after her.

At the last minute, she detours from the doors and dodges left behind a pillar.

“Dada!” she yells.

Catching my breath, I see Brad in his jacket and ski cap facing the wall. My eyes roam down to see two sets of feet, and if I’d inspected further, I would have noticed the red hair sooner.

My stomach drops to the floor at the same point Em hits his legs. “Dada!” He finally turns around, and I exhale all the tension that just gripped me with pain.

“Hi.” He looks at Em and then to me.

“Oh, my God, you look just like him.” My eyes focus on the indent in his chin and his mysterious eyes. His hand reaches up and slides off his skull cap. His dark hair is neatly styled just like Greg’s.

“I’m sorry, do I know you?”

The girl steps up to his side, taking his hand in hers to show some sort of claim.

“Oh.” I break from the fog. “I’m Taylor Delaney, Brad’s girlfriend.” Em comes to my side, turning shy that the man in Daddy’s jacket isn’t Dada. I pick her up in my arms. “This is his daughter, Emerson.” He smiles, appeased by my answer. “I knew your brother. I’m sorry.” The words cannot do much at this point I know, but what else do you say?

That was a lesson I learned after my mom died. Sorry might not help you, but it makes the others feel useful, because in all honesty, a casserole won’t diminish the pain. If anything, it gives you extra time to address it.

“Thank you. He talks about you both a lot.” Cayden’s hand hangs in the air, and I quickly grab a hold of it.

I’m sure my cheeks are flushing as red as the girl’s hair. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is this your girlfriend?”

The girl’s eyes narrow at me and Em.

“Um . . .” He hesitates and I figure maybe I should mind my own business. She hits his arm. “We’re new.” He’s honest, which makes me like him even more. Greg was similar in his mannerisms with the girls. Never a promise, but he never used them either. A true gentleman, unlike Brad—the old Brad that is.

“Is she fixated on that waterfall again?” Speaking of, Brad barrels down the hall from the men’s locker room in his swim trunks and sandals.

I bite my lip, thinking back to last night and how I really hope there’s a repeat tonight. He finds us in the corner, cocking his head at first in confusion as to what we’re doing until he catches sight of Cayden and the redhead, who I’ve yet to be introduced to.

“Dada!” Em turns around and wiggles her body to be freed from my grip. I set her down and her little feet can’t go fast enough. Brad continues walking, scooping her up in his arms on his way to me.

“You are late for your swim lesson,” he tells her, tapping his finger on her nose. She giggles, doing the same to him.

“I’m pretty sure you aren’t going to penalize her,” I say, and those perfect, white teeth shine my way.

“I can’t show favoritism.” His hand casually slides along my back and he gives me a small kiss. “So you met Cayden?” The redhead clears her throat. “And Quinn,” he adds, but his voice loses the happy inflection.

“Yes, Em was confused because he is wearing your jacket.” I raise my eyebrows to say maybe me too.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “No faith.” I’m glad there’s no hurt in his eyes for the fact that maybe initially it scared me, but I think anyone would have the same reaction.

I snuggle into his chest, and Em places her hand on my cheek. “He’s wearing your jacket and he had a ski cap on, what was I to think?”

Cayden and Quinn stand there, probably wondering what they are witnessing.

“I get ya. Cayden forgot his jacket this morning, so I loaned him the one you bought me.” He does remember, there goes that pitter-patter in my heart. Brad must notice the lovey-dovey gleam in my eyes. “No faith.” He shakes his head with his usual smirk in place.

“Yeah, sorry for the confusion, Taylor.” Cayden’s eyes convey his remorse, and I wave it off. “Quinn was going to sit and watch me swim today.”

Brad clears his throat, which is usually a sign he might not agree with something. “Just make sure there’s no distractions. This might be a dumb question, but where’s Ava?”

Quinn laughs and touches Cayden’s arm. He doesn’t pull her in, but he doesn’t move either. “Her parents picked her up. I’m off now.” She smiles brightly and pushes out her chest a little.

“Oh,” I speak out loud, when really that should have been an internal thought. “You’re the nanny?” My mouth needs to shut.

“How did you know?” she asks.

“Oh, um . . .”

“We need to get going. She’s going to have like fifteen minutes in the water. Remember to work on the butterfly for the majority of the time. Shorter breaths. The last half hour, work on your endurance only, not form.”

A twinge of arousal zings at my center from witnessing Brad being so authoritative.

“Got it. Have a good class, Emerson.” Cayden gives her a small wave.

Brad wraps his hand around mine, tugging me a little down the hall.

“It was nice meeting you both,” I holler, twisting in Brad’s hold as he pulls me through the family locker room doors.

Once we’re secure on the opposite side of the doors, Brad quickly undresses Em and shoves everything in the locker.

“I was talking,” I say.

“You were about to get me in trouble. The conversation we had about the obsessed nanny was between us. Plus, I don’t want Cayden to think she’s the athlete groupie type. I think being with her boosts his self-esteem.”

He snatches my purse from my arms and throws it in the locker as I stand there awestruck at how caring my boyfriend is.

Unable to resist, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him all over his face. “You’re such a sweetie. I love you.”

He laughs, his hands latching around my waist. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“I’m going to tell everyone.” I dislodge from his hold and run to catch Em before she escapes through the doors to the pool. “Em, did you know your Dada is a great guy?”

“Dada, love.” She tilts her head and dreamily stares over at her dad. There goes that pitter-patter again.

His large arms shelter around us and pull us to his strong chest. “I love you both.” He kisses the tops of our heads and steals Em from my arms. “Time for swim, little one.”

I watch my two favorite people break through the doors with tears threatening to fall. Happy tears.

Twenty minutes later, Em is screaming because her swim lesson is over. Either that or the fact that Tyler, Brad’s next swim lesson, is currently where she wants to be—in her Dada’s arms.

I shuffle her away, because it’s obvious Brad can’t concentrate with his daughter screaming his name. Cami bounces out of the office to save the day, and I’m grateful to see her.

“Why is Em so upset?” She pouts her lips at Em, but that doesn’t deter her tears. She holds the office door open for us. “Come in.”

I walk in with Em in my arms. Wes is at his desk, working on some spreadsheet. “Hey, Wes.” My voice sounds as exhausted as my legs feel. He swivels around in his chair.

“How are you?” His usual smile has lost some of its luster, and I can’t help but recollect what Brad told me about the business.

I plaster on my biggest and widest smile, covering up the fact that he shared it with me. His grin turns down, and I realize I laid my act on too thick, giving away the fact I know.

“Cami, why don’t you take Em on the slide?” He reaches over and presses the button for the small children’s waterslide to start up.

“What a great idea.” She strips off her top and shorts, leaving her in a cute boy shorts swimsuit combo that shows off her amazing flat abs. Man, what children do to your body.

She swoops Em up from my arms. “Waterslide time, baby.” She twirls the two of them, gearing up the excitement of the event. Cami is full of energy. Em’s frown turns into a smile, and soon they’re out the door.

Wes stares at me for a minute, holding his hand out to the vacant chair at a nearby desk. I slither over, sliding into the chair, wishing I would have refused Cami’s invitation into the office.

“So, he told you?” His lips purse. “Should have assumed.”

He leans back in the chair, his hands locked behind his head.

“I’m sorry, Wes, but know that I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Especially not Cami.”

“No.” I raise my finger in the air. “Although, I do think you should discuss it with her.”

His eyes stare into mine like I’m boring him with my long-winded stories, not thrilled in the least with my opinion on the matter.

“Or not,” I add.

“I need to ask you a few questions because I’ve only known Brad for six months or so. He seems like a good guy, but he approached me about something today.”

This topic peaks my interest. The only thing I know is that Brad is helping him figure out a business plan that will keep the center running.

“What do you think about that?” I’m vague, hoping to find out information I haven’t been trusted with yet.

“Can I trust him?”

That’s a loaded question that I just answered myself, even though my mind zoomed into Crazyville only an hour ago when thinking he was in the corner with some hot redhead.

“I do.” I’m confident in my answer, and in all truth, he can. Brad might have cheated on me and he might have done some shitty things in his past, but deep down, he’s a good guy.

“I know about senior year in college with Tanner McCain.”