bumped—”
“You
said you had to see your ex yesterday. Did that son of a bitch do this to your
face?”
Fury
radiated from him, completely contradicting the gentle way he held her chin as
he examined her.
“No. Kevin would never hit me. It’s nothing.
Really. Just drop it.”
Braydon’s
gaze roamed over her body. His strong hand picked up her wrist and turned her
arm. “What are these marks from?”
Feeling
cornered, she snatched her arm back. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I
assure you it’s misplaced.” She grabbed her purse and stood, hating how exposed
he made her feel. “I have an appointment. Thanks for lunch. I’ll send the
paperwork over to Mr. Dillard’s assistant when I get back. You should have it
by Thursday at the latest.”
He
didn’t look pleased, but that wasn’t her problem. Taking the long way to the
door so she didn’t have to get close to him again, she fled her office. She
held her breath as she raced to the elevators and didn’t exhale until she was
safely tucked inside and rushing toward the ground.
* * * *
That
afternoon, as Becca drove to Hunter’s school, she couldn’t stop thinking about
the things Braydon had said. She recalled the way he asked if he could touch
her, the way he announced his desire to please her. The entire experience took
on a different feel, now that she knew his past with Miranda.
Having
to make enough decisions for everyone in her little world, she definitely
didn’t want anything to do with a guy that needed a woman to decide for him.
But still…something didn’t add up. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t
imagine Braydon being ordered around. Asking was one thing. Manners were always
nice. But thinking of him behaving subserviently in any manner was absurd.
Maybe that was why he and his boss had broken up.
Once
buzzed in to the aftercare room she spotted Hunter at the computer, a set of
cushioned headphones covering his ears.
“Hi,
Becca,” Natalie, the after school aide, greeted. Natalie was also an aide in the
resource room, so she was great for Hunter. The woman was familiar with her
son’s needs and often sat in on their IEP meetings.
“Hi,
Natalie. How was he today?”
“Good.
A little off in the morning, but he was fine by snack time. He actually did so
well sorting today he earned an extra ten minutes on the bike.”
A proud
smile crept to her face. Those slight victories were worth their weight in
gold.
Hunter
had various preferred activities. Above all, he loved music, especially The
Rolling Stones. But he also enjoyed other activities like riding the bikes in
the resource room at his school, piecing together model trains, and, his most
recent affinity, playing the piano.
The
bike was a special treat because it was a one-on-one activity. The teachers
shadowed him as he took the large bike with training wheels around a circle of
cones. Every time she observed him maintaining his balance it delighted her,
seeing him beam with unspoken excitement. It was amazing to witness his progress
considering his visual perception issues.
Strolling
to the computer she placed a hand on his right shoulder. He turned and offered
a wide smile. “Mom! Work’s over?”
She
removed the headphones so he’d realize he was shouting. “Work’s over. Did you
have a nice day?”
“I rode
the bike! Work’s over now. Natalie, work’s over now!”
Natalie
smiled. “Yup. Time to go home, bud.”
“ If
you start me up I never stop ,” Hunter said and laughed loudly. Becca
chuckled at his form of a joke. He frequently quoted lines in his best Mick
Jagger impersonation.
She
laughed and patted his shoulder. “You ready, bud?”
“ You
make a grown man cry , Mom.” He laughed again. The return of his pleasant
mood filled her with calm and relieved some of her worry.
Natalie
came to their side with Hunter’s belongings. A few minutes later Becca was
buckling him into his seat in the van. They drove home, The Stones
“You
said you had to see your ex yesterday. Did that son of a bitch do this to your
face?”
Fury
radiated from him, completely contradicting the gentle way he held her chin as
he examined her.
“No. Kevin would never hit me. It’s nothing.
Really. Just drop it.”
Braydon’s
gaze roamed over her body. His strong hand picked up her wrist and turned her
arm. “What are these marks from?”
Feeling
cornered, she snatched her arm back. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I
assure you it’s misplaced.” She grabbed her purse and stood, hating how exposed
he made her feel. “I have an appointment. Thanks for lunch. I’ll send the
paperwork over to Mr. Dillard’s assistant when I get back. You should have it
by Thursday at the latest.”
He
didn’t look pleased, but that wasn’t her problem. Taking the long way to the
door so she didn’t have to get close to him again, she fled her office. She
held her breath as she raced to the elevators and didn’t exhale until she was
safely tucked inside and rushing toward the ground.
* * * *
That
afternoon, as Becca drove to Hunter’s school, she couldn’t stop thinking about
the things Braydon had said. She recalled the way he asked if he could touch
her, the way he announced his desire to please her. The entire experience took
on a different feel, now that she knew his past with Miranda.
Having
to make enough decisions for everyone in her little world, she definitely
didn’t want anything to do with a guy that needed a woman to decide for him.
But still…something didn’t add up. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t
imagine Braydon being ordered around. Asking was one thing. Manners were always
nice. But thinking of him behaving subserviently in any manner was absurd.
Maybe that was why he and his boss had broken up.
Once
buzzed in to the aftercare room she spotted Hunter at the computer, a set of
cushioned headphones covering his ears.
“Hi,
Becca,” Natalie, the after school aide, greeted. Natalie was also an aide in the
resource room, so she was great for Hunter. The woman was familiar with her
son’s needs and often sat in on their IEP meetings.
“Hi,
Natalie. How was he today?”
“Good.
A little off in the morning, but he was fine by snack time. He actually did so
well sorting today he earned an extra ten minutes on the bike.”
A proud
smile crept to her face. Those slight victories were worth their weight in
gold.
Hunter
had various preferred activities. Above all, he loved music, especially The
Rolling Stones. But he also enjoyed other activities like riding the bikes in
the resource room at his school, piecing together model trains, and, his most
recent affinity, playing the piano.
The
bike was a special treat because it was a one-on-one activity. The teachers
shadowed him as he took the large bike with training wheels around a circle of
cones. Every time she observed him maintaining his balance it delighted her,
seeing him beam with unspoken excitement. It was amazing to witness his progress
considering his visual perception issues.
Strolling
to the computer she placed a hand on his right shoulder. He turned and offered
a wide smile. “Mom! Work’s over?”
She
removed the headphones so he’d realize he was shouting. “Work’s over. Did you
have a nice day?”
“I rode
the bike! Work’s over now. Natalie, work’s over now!”
Natalie
smiled. “Yup. Time to go home, bud.”
“ If
you start me up I never stop ,” Hunter said and laughed loudly. Becca
chuckled at his form of a joke. He frequently quoted lines in his best Mick
Jagger impersonation.
She
laughed and patted his shoulder. “You ready, bud?”
“ You
make a grown man cry , Mom.” He laughed again. The return of his pleasant
mood filled her with calm and relieved some of her worry.
Natalie
came to their side with Hunter’s belongings. A few minutes later Becca was
buckling him into his seat in the van. They drove home, The Stones
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