Everything I Desire (Lupine Valley #3)

14. Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Porter

Against my wishes, I am trudging across the strip of lawn between our homes. I need to get home before Kayla. I push open the front door and my jaw clenches, as I slam the door shut, rattling the pictures on the wall.

“What in the actual hell is happening here?” I grit out.

“Oh my god! Uncle Porter!” Kayla jumps off Eric and tries to run to the other side of the couch. The kid, smartly, gets up and turns to face me like a man.

“Get the fuck out of my house, kid.” I yell at him.

“No! Uncle Porter, stop it. We were just kissing!” Kayla yells.

“Kissing, and sitting on top of him with his hand under your shirt! I don’t think so. Get. Out. Now.” I seethe.

The front door opens, and I see the angel I just left behind walking in, out of breath.

“What is going on, Kayla? Why did you text me 911?” She asks clearly concerned that someone is hurt. Her eyes are roaming everyone looking for what could be wrong.

“What’s going on?” I ask rhetorically. “I’ll tell you. This one here had his hand up her shirt! Copping a feel and making out on my couch.” I point at Eric, who is shaking like a leaf, and red from the tip of his head down his chest.

“Oh jeeze, Porter. Can we talk on the porch for a minute?” I follow her outside to the porch, and leave the door open a crack.

“This is a bit dramatic don’t you think?” Addy looks at me with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Dramatic? Are you -” I’m speechless.

“Yes. Dramatic. No, it’s not something you want to see. No, it’s not something that you want to happen. But dramatic none the less. Look at this poor kid!” She points to Eric through the window. “Go upstairs and I’ll handle this,” she says.

“What?” I ask dumbfounded again. How the hell is she so calm?

“Go.” She says with a finality in her voice, but softens it with a kiss to my lips.

I grumble to myself all the way to my room and slam my way through turning on the shower like a pissed off kid who got grounded.

After about ten minutes of stewing in the shower, I climb out and dry off. When I open the door I find Addy sitting on my bed, smiling.

“Is that fu- kid gone?” I ask her.

Laughing she answers, “No. He isn’t. But they are fully clothed and watching a movie on your couch. I might have pointed out the security camera under the TV that will pretty much guarantee it won’t be happening again.”

“Oh God! Baby. I forgot about that camera. I can’t- ugh, please delete any recordings.” I say handing her my phone.

She finds this whole situation hysterical. “Porter, do you remember that first night you worked up the courage to go under my shirt?”

“Yes, that was the best night of my life.” I say smirking, trying to figure out where she’s going with this.

“Yea, well, you didn’t think it was so great when my dad came out on the porch and caught you. And you were shaking just like Eric.” She stares at me, raising her eyebrows, waiting for me to make the connection.

“Fuck. You’re right. I need to apologize, don't I?” I ask, regretting the fact that I already know the answer.

She nods her head, and climbs into my lap. “You do. You should probably go now. I can’t be held responsible for anything I do with only that towel on your waist.” Her eyes roam my chest, down my abs, and she stops at the towel.

“I like that much better.” I pout.

She swats my chest, “You get dressed now, then go down and apologize. I’m going to stay until Eric leaves. ”

My frown deepens, “You can stay, baby. I’d like you to stay. Now that I’ve had you again, I never want to let you go.” I pull her tight.

“I can’t yet, Porter. You need to let Kayla get used to it first. You can’t throw me in her face. I’m one of the few people she’s trusted these last couple years. We need to talk to her first.” She pulls out of my arms, and pushes a pair of sweatpants in my hands.

“Fine. But I hate when you are the logical one, just so you know.” I give her a pointed look as I walk out of the room to apologize to some sixteen year old kid about having his hands on my niece again.

I stand on the bottom landing of the stairs, “Eric. Can I please speak to you?”

“Yes sir.” He jumps up and runs over to me, I lead him outside on the porch. He is still nervous as hell.

I gesture to the chair on the porch for him to sit next to me. “Listen, I’m sorry I maybe overreacted. But you have to respect boundaries, dude. Feeling up my niece on my couch is one of those boundaries you don’t need to cross.”

“Yes sir, I understand.” He says wringing his hands.

“We good?” I ask him.

“Yes sir.” He sputters.

“For God’s sake, call me Porter not sir. And you respect that girl in there. She’s special.” I say before walking inside, letting him make the choice to stay or go .

“Thank you si- Porter.” He yells to me as I walk through the door and go back to Addy who is now in the kitchen.

I walk in scowling and she can’t contain her smile.

“Was that so bad?” She comes over to wrap her arms around my waist.

“Not anymore.” I say kissing the top of her head. “What do you say we pop some popcorn and go chaperone the movie watching?”

She walks over to the pantry and pulls out a bag of popcorn to microwave.

Damn, I’ve missed this woman who always has my back. It’s been a lonely existence without her.

I will not let my past rule my future one more second.

Despite last night ending with me in my bed alone, and Kayla’s boyfriend staying even after I told him to get out, we did end up having a good time watching the movie and even played some card games after.

But now, the fun is up. Addy is meeting me in a few minutes so we can go down to the jail before they release Maura. I want to try to get her to go to rehab one more time. But after this, I’m done. She can take the help or leave it but she needs to leave Kayla alone and let her have a good, stable home with me .

“Hey, Uncle Porter.” Kayla greets me as she sleepily shuffles into the kitchen for some breakfast.

“Hey. What are you up to today?” I ask her. I haven’t told her about Maura, and I don’t know if I want to bother her with it this morning.

“Nothing. I might go hang out with Emily later.” She shrugs, pouring sugary cereal into a bowl.

“Oh ok, I’m going to go out with Addy for a bit, but I’ll be back shortly. We just have an errand to run.” I say nonchalantly.

“Are you two dating?” She pauses with the spoon midway to her mouth to ask.

“Uh, we are -” A knock at the door saves me from answering.

I rush off to open the door, and find Addy on my front porch.

“Good morning,” she says.

“Good morning, baby.” I pull her in for a soft kiss.

“Yup. I called it. Dating,” Kayla says. “See you later lovebirds” She sing-songs from the kitchen table.

I roll my eyes and pull Addy to the garage. “I just need to get my shoes on and we can head out.”

“Okay, no worries.” She pulls the door closed tight behind her, “Sheriff Miller knows we’re coming so he won’t release her until you get there.”

“And how do you know that?” I raise an eyebrow.

“I might have run into him at the diner while getting coffee,” she shrugs.

Laughing, I walk back inside to find my keys. Once I’m ready to go I yell up the stairs to Kayla that I’m leaving and I’ll be back in about an hour. She doesn’t answer because she’s in the shower and having a full blown Taylor Swift concert.

I secretly love that she feels safe enough now to listen to music on full blast instead of trying to always be on high alert listening for every sound. I smile to myself as I lead Addy out to my truck. Another nod that I'm not the man I thought I was.

The drive over to the police department is short, but silent. Addy knows that I’m warring with myself about Maura. It makes me feel like a piece of shit to tell her to leave her kid alone and walk away.

That isn’t the ideal outcome, but if she is going to refuse the help, I have no other choice. Kayla needs peace for once in her life.

I park the truck in a spot behind the station, this town is nosey as hell and I don’t want them to see my truck and speculate. There’s been enough of that with my family over the years.

Addy places her hand on my thigh, “It’ll be ok, Porter. No matter what she says, I’m here for you. You and I will protect Kayla as long as we need to.” She gives me a weak smile.

“Thank you, baby.” I lean over to kiss her before hopping out of the truck and going around to open her door.

We walk into the police department hand in hand, like she’s giving me all her strength for the conversation that’s about to happen.

“Hey, Son. You ready?” Sheriff Miller reaches out to shake my hand, before pulling Addy in for a hug .

I nod my head.

She squeezes my hand. “Everything will be alright, I promise.” She whispers in my ear.

She drops my hand and walks over to the waiting area at the front of the station, while I follow Miller through the doors.

The whole place smells like booze. I scrunch my nose up in disgust. The memories of my childhood are wrapped up in this smell. My parents passed out at the kitchen table, drugs and an open bottle of tequila sitting there while we played feet away.

Miller notices my discomfort in being here.

“Yea, sorry about that. Typical weekend morning smell with all these guys here in the tank to sleep it off.” He shrugs before pointing me to the last cell at the end of the row.

I tentatively step toward the cell, getting more nervous with each step to see my sister.

I look in her cell and see her curled up on the tiny concrete bench.

“Maura.” I say to wake her up.

She opens her eyes a crack and looks in my direction.

“Fucking Christ,” She mutters. She turns to sit and face me. “What the hell do you want, Porter? I’m not in the mood for your shit today.” She rubs her temples. I know she’s hungover and probably starting the withdrawal process. She’ll be jittery soon, looking for her next hit and me asking to get her help isn’ t going to be so easy.

“I came here to ask you to go to rehab one more time. For Kayla. She needs her mom, but she needs a sober mom, Maura. I’m offering one last time for you to go to rehab, fully paid by me. We’ll help you get on your feet after too. Just please, get help. Don’t be like Mom.” I plead.

“Fuck you and whatever white horse you think you rode in here on. You left us. You left her and you knew the situation she was in, don’t act like you give a shit now.” She shouts. Sheriff Miller is keeping a close eye on us in case she gets too rowdy.

I want to point out that I fought to get custody of Kayla for years. That she is the reason Kayla had to stay in that situation, and that she is the one who created it. But I don’t. I keep my anger in check. A nod to the fact that I am not like my family, and that maybe I can start to fully see myself as Addy does.

“Maura, please. Your daughter misses you. This is the last time I’m offering to pay for rehab, and if you don’t choose to go, then I’m going to tell you that you won’t see your daughter again. I’m filing for full custody. And with all the statements from Sheriff Miller and Stacey, I’ll win.” I stare at her, waiting for her decision.

She’s calm for a moment. Almost like she’s actually thinking about taking my help and my heart beats a little faster that I actually got through to her.

“Jesus, Porter. You really do think you’re some kind of fucking hero. Coming in and kidnapping my daughter from me. Well, just know I’ll fight you every fucking step of the way. You won’t win.” She snarls at me.

“Have it your way, Maura.” I say and walk away.

Sheriff Miller looks at me with a hint of sadness. I think he honestly hoped this would have gone differently. I shrug my shoulders and give him an I tried my best look.

He nods, knowing I really did.

He pats me on the back and escorts me back to the front of the station where Addy is waiting for us. She jumps up at the sight of me, and immediately notices the defeat in my face.

“Oh, Porter. I’m so sorry.” She hugs me fiercely.

“It’s fine. She knows the score now. I told her I’m filing for full and permanent custody of Kayla. She still chose to play victim to me.” My shoulders drop.

“You did good, Son. I’ll be releasing her about lunch time when she calms down, give you time to get home to that girl. It might be best if you can get her out of town today. You never know if Maura will find out where you live, and she’s mad as a hen right now.” He stands just beyond the waist high door that separates the waiting area and office area.

“That’s a good idea, Sheriff. Thanks. Maybe I’ll take her to the city for a movie and dinner.” We shake hands and I thank him for all he’s done for me recently.

Addy and I walk out hand in hand, same as we came, united .

“You know, it might be nice if you let her invite Emily. They could go shopping at the mall, then the movie, and then we could all meet for dinner. Maybe even a hotel room in case Maura waits until it’s dark,” she suggests. Almost immediately she adds, “I mean you could. I wasn’t inviting myself.” The blush takes over her cheeks.

“Of course you’re coming, baby. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.” I place a kiss on her cheek as I close her door.