The Samaritan, page 27
part #3 of Ghosttown Riders Series
He parked in the back and strolled through the lot, walking up the back steps. He could smell whatever she was cooking from outside, and his stomach growled. Before Marissa, he couldn’t remember the last time someone cooked for them. He and Trev shared dinner duty since he was old enough to cook. It started out basic, a lot of mac and cheese dinners early on, but as he got older, Trevor got more creative. It was good for him, good for both of them, but he wasn’t gonna lie to himself. It was nice having someone taking care of them.
He opened the door and smiled at the laughter roaring through the kitchen. He slowed at the doorway and took in the scene. Trevor was setting the table, and Marissa was stirring something on the stove. She was shaking her head with a grin.
“No, seriously, I’m probably gonna have to ban all the guys from hanging out here from now on. None of their moms look like you.”
Caden smirked.
“Dad will probably get pissy seeing a bunch of horny guys staring at ya anyway. That’s it, the fuckers are banned.”
Caden opened his mouth, but Marissa spun around and squinted her eyes. He imagined she was going for a threatening, stern glare, but it came out too damn cute, and Caden bit back a laugh.
“Language,” she said, pointing her dripping spoon at him.
Trevor chuckled and held up his hands. “Sorry, sorry.” He walked over to the counter near the stove and hopped up. “Forgive me?”
“I’ll think about it.” She winked and swatted his leg. “It seems I might be cramping your style here. Maybe I should move back to the apartment.” She was teasing him, but Trevor lost his smile.
“No, Riss, I want you here. I like having you here with Dad and me.”
“It’s only day one. What if I start to annoy you?”
“You won’t.”
“How do ya know?”
He shrugged. “I don’t, but even if ya do, I’d still want ya to stay. My friends warned me about how aggravating moms can be, said they nag, wanna know where you are, what you’re doing, who you’re with.” He looked down at his lap. “Doesn’t sound so bad. I mean Dad does that sh-” He caught himself and cleared his throat before smiling. “Just sayin’, you wanna nag and stuff, you can, ya know, do the mom thing.”
There was a little piece of his heart breaking for his son. He tried his best with Trevor, but no matter how much he loved him or parented him, it wouldn’t change the fact Trevor never had a mom. He stepped forward but stopped when Marissa reached out, grabbing his hand.
“I feel bad for your mom.”
Trevor furrowed his brows. “What?”
Marissa smiled with a short shrug. “I do. I feel bad she missed out on you. She doesn’t get you in her life and watch you become the amazing person I see in front of me. If you’re giving me the go ahead, I’ll be happy to nag the hell outta ya.”
Caden stepped forward, making himself known. Both his son and woman glanced up smiling. His family.
“Hey.” Marissa smiled.
Trevor moved through the small kitchen. “Hey, Dad. I’m gonna go get Pop for dinner.” He skittered his way out of the room.
Caden stalked over to Marissa. She never even saw it coming, but he couldn’t stop himself. He grasped her neck and pulled her against his chest. The kiss was deep and passionate and had her responding with her hands wrapping around his waist.
“What was that for?” She smiled through her hazy stare.
He leaned down and kissed her lips again. “For being a good mom to my kid.”
“Cade,” she whispered.
“Shhhhh…” He pressed his lips against her forehead. “Better than any woman he’s had in his life. You’re giving him something I can’t.”
Caden had done right by his son, loved him, been good to him, taught him to be a man. But Marissa was giving Trevor something Caden couldn’t. She was giving him a mother’s love.
Chapter Twenty
She sat crossed-legged on the couch with Caden’s company invoices stacked in a pile next to her. She had become the official filer for Caden. She sifted through a few papers and organized them into sections. It wasn’t rocket science, but it gave her purpose and some cash in her pocket. Although she resisted, Caden insisted on paying her for the work she started doing around the office.
“You work for me, ya get paid. That’s how it works,” he said. She argued it was her way of helping while she lived with him rent free. He didn’t like that answer.
“You do more shit around this place than any of us. Besides, this is your home now with us. You don’t have to earn a keep. You wanna work at the shop, I pay.”
With her first paycheck, she blew it all on groceries. Another thing Caden didn’t approve of, though he didn’t bitch when she told him. “It’s my money, right? I can do what I please with it.”
In the last month, she had settled into her life with Caden. And Trevor and Jack. Some days were better than others. With Jack’s episodes, it took its toll on Caden and Trevor, but Marissa found her place and became his go-to person, which she secretly loved. As Colleen, of course. It felt good to be needed. It had been so long. And it felt equally good to be cared for.
A week ago, Caden had come home with Jack from a doctor’s appointment. As they made their way upstairs, Caden dropped a card on the table, making brief eye contact with her. He hadn’t said a word and went upstairs to get his dad settled. Marissa walked over to the table and picked it up.
Martin Decker, Grief Counselor
Her heart tripped, and she stared at the card a long while. When Caden emerged from the stairs, he stopped in the doorway.
“The doctor gave me the card.”
“How did he know? Jack talked about it?”
Caden averted his eyes to the floor and gave a sharp jerk of his head. “I asked him if he knew of someone you could talk to.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and gazed up. “If you want, you don’t have to go. Just thought, if you need to talk to someone, maybe who could give you advice or help you in a way I can’t…” He shrugged. “It’s up to you, but I got the card in case you wanted to.” He dug into his back pocket and pulled out a flyer, unfolded it, and handed it to her.
“This is local, some support group meeting they do down at the community center. It’s a general support group, no specifics, but the doctor said he knows a few patients who attend, and they enjoy it. You can share or just listen. Maybe we check it out one night?”
He surveyed her in a way that had her thinking he was gauging her reaction. She smiled, grabbed the card, and put it in her pocket. She walked over, tangled her hands around his waist, and rested her chin on his chest. “Thank you.”
He kissed her forehead and held her close. “You’re welcome.”
She had her reservations on doing one-on-one therapy but figured the support group sounded kind of interesting. There, she could just listen, and if and when she was ready, share on her terms.
Although no one pushed about Carly, she knew they didn’t want Marissa to keep her hidden. Caden didn’t push, none of them did, but they did ask. Of all the men in her life, his dad was the most forward. Jack insisted on seeing a picture. It was harder than she thought showing him, but she did. It took everything she had to stare down over his shoulder as she held it in her shaking hand. Jack swiped it from her and leaned closer, almost examining it.
“A beauty, your little one,” he whispered and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, tugging her tightly into his ribs. He kissed her temple. “Just like her momma. You make pretty babies, Coll.”
Marissa chuckled. A month later and she was still Colleen. Where was the harm? If it made Jack better, then she could feign a former club whore.
She got back to separating the paperwork. She opted to work at the house while Jack rested upstairs.
The door opened wide and slammed shut. She jerked her head to the door and watched Trevor storm in with a red face and obvious anger.
“Where’s my dad?”
She raised her brows. “He went over to Ghosttown with Drake. Something about parts at the junk yard.”
She barely finished her sentence, and he was stomping up the stairs. This was not like him. She debated on whether she should go up and check on him. While they had gotten closer and she knew Trevor liked her, this may have been Caden’s territory and not her place. She bit her lip and stared at the steps.
She uncrossed her legs and slowly walked up the stairs and made a right. His door was closed, but she could hear the rumbling from the other side. She knocked softly and waited. A loud crash and a sharp curse from his room had her stepping back. Maybe she should let Caden handle it.
Against her better judgment, she knocked again. The door flew open, and Trevor stood at full height with his brows furrowed. He looked so much like Caden when he was angry.
“You okay?”
“No.” His answer was curt.
She drew in a breath. “Can I help?”
“Fuck!” he shouted and stalked back into his room, leaving the door open. She took it as an invitation and stepped just inside the door. She had passed his room a few times but never ventured in. Personal space was important. Clothes were strewn around the room and floor. She scanned the walls. He had mainly posters of bands she’d never heard of and scantily clad women on various cars and motorcycles. Not a décor she’d find on Pinterest.
“Won’t be needing this shit anymore.” He threw his gym bag across the room, landing next to his chair in a loud thump. The bag had been part of his uniform since she met him. His football bag.
“Did you quit the team?”
He turned and snarled. “No, I got fucking benched.” His eyes darkened. “For the rest of the season.” He folded his arms, and his temple pulsed. She was right, she’d never seen him this angry.
“What happened?”
“Got a D on my English paper. She fucking reported me to the coach.”
Seeing his frustration and anger, Marissa decided to let the f-bomb slide. “I’m not following.”
He dropped his hands, and his tone swiftly changed to irritation. “Riss, I can’t play unless I got a B average. That D dropped me to a C, and until I get it up, I can’t play. She’s had it out for me since I walked in her class.” He paced his room. “You know what this means. I can’t play the homecoming game or Thanksgiving.” His lips twisted. “Fuck!” He shouted so loud she winced.
His head dropped, and his shoulders sagged. This was a defeated boy.
“Did you talk to her? Maybe you can do extra credit or something.”
He remained silent, his posture completely deflated.
“If you have a C, then you just need an A to get it up to a B.”
He glanced up. “She won’t.”
“Did you ask?”
“No,” he snapped and seemed to realize he was doing it. He sighed. “Sorry.” He fell against his bed and rested his elbows on his knees. She walked over and took a seat next to him and rubbed his back.
“I think you should just ask, Trev.”
He shook his head. “She’ll say no. Shit!”
“But how do you know until you ask?”
He turned his head, and his cheeks reddened. “’Cause on the first day of school when I was in the hall, Nick was talking about her, and I said,” He dragged his hands down his face. “I said I’d tap that ass if she promised not to fucking talk ’cause her voice gives me limp dick.”
Marissa’s hand halted on his back, and her bottom lip dropped. Oh my God. “Trevor.”
“I know, I know, it’s stupid. Hell, I didn’t know she was standing behind me.”
“And ever since then?”
He glanced over. “Gives me the fucking death stare every second I’m in her class. I swear she got off on giving me a D.”
“Did you deserve a D?”
“Fuck.” He sighed. “Yeah, probably.”
“Can you have your dad call her? Maybe coming from an adult, it will hold more weight than you asking.”
He jerked his head. “You think?”
She shrugged and smiled, finally seeing some relief in his face, which made her feel better. Caden calling might do the trick. “It’s worth a shot, right?”
Trevor’s face transformed, and he jumped up from the bed and dug into his back pocket, taking out his phone. “Yeah, it might work.” He hit a button and brought the phone to his ear, smiling down at Marissa. She wasn’t sure if Caden would go for it, but they would soon find out. Trevor punched in two more digits and raised the phone to his ear. She cocked her brow.
He mouthed, “Her extension.”
Her extension? Whose extension? The teacher? Why was he calling her when she specifically suggested Caden call?
“Hey, Miss Donaldson, this is Trevor Reilly.”
He took a breath and nodded, staring at Marissa.
What was he doing?”
“Yeah, so uh…. can you talk to my mom?” The phone jutted out in front of Marissa, and she gasped. What the hell was he doing? “Trevor, no,” she snapped with a low hissing gasp.
He bent down, shoving the phone in front of her, and whispered. “Please, Riss, just talk to her.”
“What? No, I said have your dad call, not me. I’m not even related, Trev. Oh god.”
“Please Riss, she’ll like you more than dad. C’mon, please?” He pleaded with such desperation, she couldn’t say no.
She sighed and grabbed the phone from his hand, glaring at him. She cleared her throat.
“Hello.”
“Mrs. Reilly?” Oh, great, now she was going to have to lie.
“Hi, Miss Donaldson, how are you?”
“Confused.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I didn’t know Trevor had a mother.”
“Oh, um, yeah, here I am.” She gave a nervous chuckle and rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry to bother you, but Trevor explained about his D, and I wanted to call in hopes of there being an extra credit opportunity.” Trevor smiled and nodded. All his hope was riding on Marissa.
“There isn’t.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip. “I understand.”
“Look, Mrs. Reilly…”
“Please, call me Marissa.”
“Marissa. Trevor is a smart kid, but he doesn’t put forth any effort. He is too concerned with talking with his friends to pay any respect and learn in my class. A child like that doesn’t deserve to be given extra credit.”
She had a point, and while Marissa understood it, she was still willing to try a new tactic.
Marissa nodded. “You’re right, he doesn’t. And thank you.”
“For what?”
“For recognizing he is smart, he’s just not applying himself. I couldn’t agree more. He got a D on the paper because he deserved the D. But you didn’t have to mention him being smart, but you did because I think you believe it’s important a child knows their worth.” Marissa tightened her grip on the phone and decided to plead for Trevor. “It’s completely unfair of me to do this, so I’m going to apologize ahead of time, but while he hasn’t earned the opportunity, I’m just asking you give it to him. Just give him a second chance, and I can assure you, this is a lesson he will learn from. You have my word.”
She wasn’t sure if it worked, but when she heard the sigh from the other line, she smiled.
“A three-page report on Women’s Literature and the importance of female authors. Due by Friday.”
“Great topic.” Marissa nodded at Trevor, and the relief washed over his features. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. It’s nice to see parents going to bat for their kids.”
“And one other thing, while I will not mention the conversation, I want you to know, Trevor has given me a full rundown of the incident which occurred, and another lesson he will learn at home will be there are consequences for his actions and the importance of respecting his teachers and women in general.”
Trevor’s smile faltered, and his brows knitted together in confusion. Marissa raised her brows and nodded.
She snickered. “It was a pleasure speaking with you, Marissa.”
She hung up and noticed Trevor’s eyes widen. “So?”
“A three-page report on Women’s Literature, due by Friday.”
He jumped up from the bed in obvious excitement. “Yes, God, Riss, you’re the best.”
She shook her head. “We’ll see how awesome you think I am while you’re grounded.”
He halted. “What?”
She narrowed her eyes. “While I get you meant it to be funny, it’s not right to disrespect any woman, let alone your teacher.”
He laughed. “It was a joke.”
“You think it would be funny if someone said that about me?”
“No.” His gaze sharpened, and his lips tensed.
“Right, so you’re grounded for a week. School and practice, but then you come home.”
He folded his arms, and his lip twitched. “Are you allowed to ground me?”
“As your,” she used her fingers for air quotes, “mom, I’m pretty sure I can.”
A large grin spread across his face, and he rolled his eyes. She walked out without saying a word and closed the door. The laughter started the minute she started toward the steps.
****
Caden came to a halt and slid the door open. Marissa was lying on her stomach, her legs bent and her feet facing the ceiling. Her elbows were propped on the mattress, and her hands cupped her chin as she stared at the television.
It was well past midnight. It had taken longer than expected with the day’s deliveries. He’d called a few hours ago to tell her not to wait up. He hated saying it, but he did. Truth was, he wanted her up and waiting for him. He wanted the plate covered with foil containing leftovers in the oven. He didn’t expect it, but he loved it.
He stepped in quietly and closed the door but didn’t let the lock click. She was in a daze in front of her as he made his way to the bed. Her legs dropped to the mattress, and he fell on top of her, pinning her to the bed.
She screeched and strained her neck. “God, Cade, you scared the hell out of me.”
He chuckled, brushing his mouth over her ear. “Hell? I think you been hanging out with us Reilly’s too much. What’s next? Fuck?”
