Down and Out (Hawks MC: Caroline Springs Charter Book 3) by Lila Rose Page A

really didn't want to.
    With a quiet, calm voice, intended to reassure him, I said, "He will be fine with me, Mr Brooks."
    "Dive."
    My head jerked back. "Sorry?"
    "Call me Dive."
    My brows dipped in confusion. I'd thought his name was Kalen. Maybe it was a nickname or something, but I wouldn't pass on the chance to call him something else than Mr Brooks.
    "Um, sure. What does it mean?"
    Shaking his head, he said, "It doesn't matter." He looked at his watch and cursed. "I really have to get going."
    "No worries." I picked up Koda's free hand, the one not wrapped around my hair, and waved at Dive, a name I wasn't sure I would get used to. Maybe I should go back to calling him Mr Brooks. "Wave to Daddy." I smiled over at Mr Brooks and said, "Bye-bye, Daddy."
    His lips twitched. He stalked our way, kissed Koda quickly on the cheek, and then started for the front door. "See ya later. Call for anything." He glanced over his shoulder. "Don't fuck me over, Mena. I won't like it."
    "I won't."
    "Good." He opened the front door and stepped out, slamming it behind him.
    Looking down at Koda, I blew out a raspberry and said, "Wow, kiddo, that was tense." He smiled.
    I jumped when the front door opened again. He went to bark out something, then stopped, and looked at his son with surprise flashing in his eyes. "He's not crying."
    Glancing down at Koda, I looked back to Mr Brooks and stated, "Well, no."
    He ran a hand over his face. "Where's your car?" He glared.
    "Um, at home. I took the bus."
    "The bus stop is a long way down the road. Don't like you walking that far. Not safe. I'll drive you to the bus stop tonight."
    "No!" Blushing, I added, "I mean, I like the walk, and it's not far, honestly."
    "We'll see," he grumbled and left again.
    I waited to see if he was going to come back in for something else, but he didn't. So I made my way into the living room to sit with Koda on the floor.
    An hour of fun with Koda went by fast, and then the front door swung open once again. "Where's my grandbaby?" A woman in her fifties, wearing jeans and a tee waltzed in. She picked Koda up and gave him a big sloppy kiss. "Hi." She smiled once I stood next to them. "You must be Philomena. I'm Judy, Kalen's mum. You know, you should really lock the front door after my son leaves. He would hate the thought of it being unlocked where anyone could walk in."
    "Um, yes, okay. I'll make sure I do that and please, call me Mena."
    "Will do." She grinned and looked me up and down, much like her son had. "You're a skinny little thing, aren't you?" I had no response, so I said nothing at all. "So, how's it been with Kalen? Don't let him intimidate you. He's sweet and soft once you get to know him. Though, he probably won't let his guard down for a long time yet. Stick in there and don't take his shit, and you'll be fine."
    "Ah, thank you. I'll make sure I do."
    Again, she studied me. "Good." She nodded. "Now, let me show you the routine Koda and I have, but feel free to add your own in."
    Smiling, I said, "Sounds like a plan."
    Judy spent the morning showing me where things were around the house, all cleaning items, and Koda's clothes and how to use the washing machine. I got giddy at the thought of bringing my clothes to the house to wash. Mr Brooks would be none the wiser, so it wouldn't hurt. She instructed me with how Koda liked a nap after his bottle, which was after a book, a hug, and a fresh nappy. Once she placed him in his crib, he soon drifted off without a sound. He was such a good baby. The best I had ever met. For lunch, while Judy played with Koda after he woke, I made a dish of roasted beef and vegetables. What I didn't mulch up for Koda, Judy and I ate.
    We all sat at the kitchen table enjoying the meal and each other's company. Judy was really easy to get along with.
    "How are you finding things so far?" Judy asked.
    "I'm loving it." I smiled. "Koda is such a great baby. But I think he needs to start on more solid foods. He seems to get bored with