Page 18 of Doctor’s Orders

“He’s just giving him directions on how to get back to the hotel in town,” I lie. Because I don’t actually know what Graham is doing.

That’s not entirely true. I know him enough to know he’s not going to put his hands on him. Graham is too classy for that. Too smart. No, he’ll use his words and his brain to deal with Billy. My ex might have been drunk, but he’s never been dumb. He’ll understand what the kindly pediatrician is putting down.

Sure enough, Graham appears around the house and walks over to us. I scan his body and his clothes aren’t askew. His knuckles aren’t bloody.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yes. But you know what? I forgot that the there are people coming here bright and early in the morning to do some work on the pool house. I need y’all to come up to my house for a while.” He squats down to Lydia’s level. “Can you go pack up some stuff for you and mommy? We’re going to get Bennett, then walk over together.”

At first she just looks at him, then she throws her arms around his neck and holds on. “I’ve got you, baby girl. Everything is okay.”

She sniffles, then runs into the house.

“Guess we’re having a sleepover, huh?” I ask.

“I need to know you’re safe and while this house has security, I will be able to actually sleep if you’re inside my house.”

“I’m sorry if he disturbed you. I guess it’s a good thing you don’t have neighbors super close by.”

He pulls me into his chest. “Has he ever⁠—”

“Hit me? No, he’s never been violent. He’s a cheater and a liar, but he’s never been mean. But he was drunk tonight.”

“Drunk and high, I’d bet.”

“Shit. Thanks for coming to our rescue.”

“Sugar, I came down here for my own sense of peace. You’re a strong woman, probably the strongest I’ve ever known. You could have kicked his ass if you needed to.”

I give him a watery laugh. “I don’t know about all that.” But I stay tucked into his arms.

chapter

eleven

Graham

After Lizzie finished getting the kids settled into rooms, she finds me standing in my bedroom, pulling off my shirt.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she says and turns.

“Don’t be. Come here.”

She turns and walks straight into my arms. “Thank you for all of this. Lydia was scared and I hate that so much. Why would he do that to her?”

“I don’t know, sugar. Some people never grow up, grow out of their own selfishness.”

“Will you just hold me for a little while?”

“Of course.” She climbs into my bed and after I’m in there with her, she cuddles close, resting her head on my chest.

“Every time I see him again, I’m reminded of what I fool I was. Like I told him, I’ll never regret being with him. I can’t. He gave me my kids and I don’t know who I’d be without them.”

“Everyone makes mistakes, sugar. Doesn’t make you a fool. I am a little curious, though, because of the age difference between the kids.”

She sighs heavily, her warm breath skating across my bare chest. I resist the urge to moan because this woman has me so tied in knots. Right now, though, she needs comfort.

“Billy and I started dating in high school. You know how that story goes. Young, stupid girl gets unexpectedly pregnant?”