Page 31 of Playing Pretend

Caleb wanted to know more, I could tell, but he was polite enough not to probe.

“Braelynn’s mother,” he started, turning his gaze back to the movie, “She, uh, left us, two weeks after Brae was born. She decided she wasn’t ready to be a mother, and that she wasn’t ready to give up her fame.”

My heart broke for Caleb right then, and for the little girl who had burrowed her way into my heart in such a short space of time. The thought of her being left by her own mother infuriated me, made me want cry for the mere injustice of it all.

“Caleb, I…” I bit my tongue. Caleb wouldn’t want my pity, not for him or his child, and experience told me he would rebuff any kind of emotional support I may offer. So I did the next best thing, and told him what I thought he needed to hear.

“You’re doing an amazing job. If nothing else, Braelynn knows you love her.”

He looked down at his daughter. I saw the calamitous crash of emotions in his eyes, and wanted so much to comfort him.

We fell into an easy silence, and a few minutes passed before Caleb spoke again.

“So you’re staying?”

I snorted, and then looked down to make sure I hadn’t startled Braelynn.

“You didn’t give me a choice,” I said, trying to sound indifferent. “But I think we’re going to need rules.”

“Rules?” Caleb chuckled. “What kind of rules?”

“Well for one, no kissing.”

Caleb’s smile faltered, and he had the grace to look apologetic. “That won’t happen again. I promise.”

I promise.

I didn’t want him to keep that promise. Not at all.

“And you’ll let me buy groceries,” I continued. Caleb’s mouth snapped shut, and he looked at me as if to say, not happening. “And you’ll let me help with Braelynn, at least until you can find a new nanny.”

The tick in Caleb’s jaw told me just how much he disliked my ‘rules’, but I quirked a brow in a silent challenge. He knew as well as I did that sharing a living space was already hard enough, we didn’t need to complicate it by getting physical. Again.

He’d slipped up today, and who was to say the next slip up wouldn’t be mine?

“Fine,” he conceded, if with some reluctance. “But you have to promise me you won’t move into a shithole just to get away from me.”

I regarded him for a moment, and couldn’t help but wonder if he had other motives to wanting me to stay. Something akin to hope prickled at my insides, and I thought maybe, just maybe, this was his way of asking for help.

“Deal.” I stuck my hand out, and Caleb smirked when we shook hands. That same smirk dwindled into something else when a burst of electricity traveled through our joined hands. I snapped my hand away, ignoring the leap in my pulse, and feigned insouciance as I turned my attention back to the screen.

Caleb shifted, and slowly rose to his feet.

“I’d better put her in her crib.” He reached for Braelynn, and with a gentleness he reserved only for her, tucked her into his arm. I would never grow tired of seeing him with her, the way he doted on her, shielded her.

“Good night, Kadence.”

I gave him a small wave and watched him disappear out the door, leaving me alone. I wasn’t sure when I fell asleep, but I became aware of two arms lifting me from the recliner. He tucked me in, and after the faintest brush of lips against my forehead, sleep claimed me.