“Well, good morning.”
At the sound of the voice behind her Ridley stood up straight, bumping her head on the dryer. “Ouch!”
The clothes in her arms fell to the floor in a scattered heap. She held a hand to her forehead as she turned around.
One of the men she remembered from yesterday stood in the doorway to the laundry room. He looked just like Jackson so she had to assume this was Nick, the rude brother she’d overhead him talking to in the hallway. The two young boys she’d met in Raina’s backyard stood directly behind him watching her curiously.
“I wasn’t expecting you to still be here.” He looked down at her borrowed shirt and Ridley squirmed under his gaze. Despite the fact that she knew nothing had happened, it was still weird to have his brother see her wearing Jackson’s shirt this early in the morning. She tugged the hem a little lower.
“Unfortunately, the locksmith hasn’t called back yet. Your brother was kind enough to let me stay. And to loan me something to wear while my clothes are washing.”
“How did you sleep?”
“Okay, I guess.” Ridley blushed. The way he said it came across more like where did you sleep? She turned her attention to the two boys behind him.
“Did you guys have fun with your uncle?”
“Yes! We played games and ate ice cream. All night!” The oldest boy, Chris, if she remembered correctly, was practically quivering with glee as he said it.
The little one took his thumb out to say “Ice cream!” then immediately stuck it back in his mouth after answering.
Nick smiled ruefully. “That was supposed to be our secret, remember?”
Ridley knelt down so she was more on their level. “That’s okay. I won’t tell. I like ice cream, too.”
“Where’s you mommy?” The little boy asked. Ridley looked up at Nicholas uncertainly. He looked a little stunned.
“Sorry, he’s been really curious about that subject lately. Okay, Jase. Let’s go find your dad.” He tried to herd them back through the door. Jase didn’t move, just stood watching her. Nicholas sighed.
“It’s okay, really.” She moved a little closer to Jase and looked him in the eyes. “I don’t have a mommy, anymore. She’s gone.”
“Our mom’s gone, too. We’ve just got our dad.” Chris said. He looked down at his sneakers, then peeked up at her shyly.
Ridley smiled at him. “But you’ve got a really awesome dad.”
“You look like Miss Raina.” Jase giggled and launched himself into her arms.
Nick looked at her curiously.
She grabbed Jase and pulled him into her lap. “That’s because I am Miss Raina.” She laughed weakly. “I guess I look a little different without my makeup on. Should I take that as an insult?”
Ridley couldn’t resist squeezing his chubby little body. It filled her with a small pang to think that she might not ever get to have children of her own. When she was still young enough, and stupid enough, to believe in fate, she’d always assumed she’d meet the perfect guy eventually. They’d get married, and have the kind of family she’d always longed for.
But all the friends she’d envied, who’d gotten married after college, had also gotten divorced just a few years later. Considering her track record with men, she wouldn’t have fared any better if she’d actually married any of her boyfriends. The thought of putting her children through a nasty custody dispute made her feel ill.
“Okay guys,” Nick’s voice broke through her daydreaming. “Go on upstairs and put your stuff away. Make sure you wake up your father while you’re at it.” He rubbed his hands together in mock delight.
The boys whooped and raced for the stairs. Nick turned back to her. “Sorry about that. Jase has been curious about moms lately. It’s hard to explain to a toddler why everyone else lives with both parents except for him, you know?”
Ridley waved away the apology. “It’s fine. They’re adorable. Besides, I understand. I grew up without my father and I’m still looking for him.” She sighed and wiped a hand over her face. She definitely didn’t want to think about her search for her father.
After a few moments, she looked up to find Nick staring at her. She glanced behind her and then back at him. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s just that you really do look different without makeup.” He stopped and held up his hands. “In a good way.”
“Right. I’m sure vulture was meant as a compliment, too.”
“No,” he barked. At her strange look, he cleared his throat and then said in a more normal tone of voice, “It wasn’t a compliment. But let’s be real. You know exactly why I said it.” Then he turned and walked out without another word.
“What was that about? These Alexander men are all crazy.” An image of Jackson sleeping on the couch the prior night, his handsome face soft with sleep, crossed her mind. “Gorgeous, but crazy.”
She got up off the floor and finished transferring her clothes from the washing machine to the dryer. Then she went back upstairs to call her sister again. She had to get out of this house. All the testosterone was clearly rattling her brain.
If Raina didn’t answer soon, she’d be forced to resort to breaking and entering!
* * * * *
THAT AFTERNOON, JACKSON glanced up the stairs, guilt twisting his stomach. It was past noon and Ridley still hadn’t come down.