Kimberly
"Who is he?"
The front door slams shut behind me as Jeffrey follows me inside the house. The windows rattle while I fume. He's been interrogating me about Tommy since we left the hospital. The results for the CT took a few hours to come back but thankfully everything looked fine. However, his outrage has me questioning those results. It was just a mild concussion— he'll live, will I? I'm not so sure.
"He's no one," I sigh for the millionth time. We've been having this conversation for hours.
That stupid man just won't disappear. I thought I left him in New York where he belonged. What the hell is he doing in Angel Grove of all places? It's in the middle of fucking nowhere. How does instagram royalty just happen to find a job here? He's like a damn fly. Annoying. Impossible to get rid of. But at least I'm home.
I walk into my living room to find Maddox scrubbing the rug with the new blouse I bought. There's suds everywhere and my poor top looks like it was an accomplice to murder.
What?
He looks up at me with that beautiful face that I love to kiss.
"Hi mommy," He continues to scrub the stain with my top, "Muse threw up but don't worry because I'm cleaning it up."
The cat.
I release a breath in disbelief. I dont even know what to say at the moment. Where the hell is Tyler? He's supposed to be watching him.
"Tyler!" I call out and I hear silence.
"He didn't look like no one," Jeffrey continues to fume. "Why was he holding your hand?"
Oh shit. He saw.
"He was shaking it," I lie.
Jeffreys face twists in a way that says he doesn't believe me. What? Don't look at me like that. Believe my damn lie.
"Tyler," I call out again. Where did that kid go?
"No he wasn't. He was all over you. How do you know him? When did you meet? Why was he touching you?"
"Who was touching you, mommy?" Maddox says, coming up behind us.
His eyes are widened, glossy pupils staring up at me in question. I don't need two of them on my back for this.
"No one," I turn quickly. I don't want to lie to his face. My heart can't take it. "Tyler!" I call for the third time.
"Some stupid doctor," Jeffrey yells, "he was holding her hand!"
This is not happening.
"Holding who's hand?" Tyler asks as he forces himself in on the conversation. There he is. I see he's only present when it suits him. I'm fucking furious right now.
I turn to my oldest son who has his arms crossed and a scowl. It's like a damn prison in here. I can't do anything.
"Some stupid doctor had his hands over mom and she was letting him!" Jeffrey furiously informs. "He was touching her! I saw it! I saw all of it!"
"That's enough!" I bellow. "This conversation is over."
I move through the house quickly and I hear several footsteps trailing right behind me.
"Oh, this conversation is not over," Tyler jumps in front of me. "I need some answers right now."
I turn. The nerve.
"No," I raise my voice, "I need some answers. Where have you been? You left your brother alone in the house. You're supposed to be watching him."
"I walked to the park because Brooke Kensington needed my Spanish notes. I was gone all of five minutes."
What?
"Who?"
"Brooke Kensington," He repeats, "She's the hottest girl in school and she's a grade above me!"
I shake my head by this new information, "What if your bother got hurt in the time you were gone? What if something happened? You left your brother alone for some girl?"
"The girl, mom." Tylers eyes grow wide. "I'm lucky she even knows I exist. I left him watching cartoons! He couldn't have gotten into anything in that amount of time."
"My blouse begs to differ!" I throw a hand through my hair.
Whatever. "It's not even about the top. It's about the fact that I can't trust you to do something as simple as watching your brother when I needed you! There are such things called responsibilities, Tyler. You must learn them."
"Hello," Jeffrey waves his arms around. "Are we forgetting what's really important here? Some guy was all over mom and you're worried about some stupid girl that's using you for your notes?"
"She's not stupid and she's not using me," Tyler's eyes narrow.
Jefrey smirks, "Well, she can't be too smart if she's trying to copy off of you."
"Take that back," Tyler shoved Jeffrey in the shoulder with his hand.
"Don't push me," Jeffrey shoved Tyler back, "and she is. You're just as dumb as she is if you think she isn't."
I don't think there has been a peaceful day in the Hart household. Ever.
"That's enough!" I come between them, doing my best to break up the situation.
"Why can't the two of you get along? You used to be best friends."
"Ask him," Jeffrey scowls.
Tylers eyes grow, "Me? What did I do?"
He opens his mouth as if to say something but then quickly closes is again. "Never mind."
"Enough!" I interject, my patience reaching its limit. "Will you both quit it?"
Silence fills the room, thick with unspoken anger. "Fine," Jeffrey finally says. "Explain yourself, young lady. Who was that creep?"
The man I thought I left in New York.
"He's no one and he's not a creep. He's your doctor and you need to be respectful."
"HA!" Jeffrey lets out an exaggerated laugh, "I saw the way he looked at you." Jeffrey twisted his face in disgust. "He was doing unspeakable things to you in his mind. I know it."
God, I hope so.
"I want to know who this guy is, mom," Tyler fumed.
Maddox looked up, eyes wide, "Is he going to be my new dad?"
The question hit me like a brick. "What? No!"
What the hell is happening in this household?
"Then why were you holding his hand?" He asked.
"Excellent question, Maddox," Jeffrey smiled. "And I can answer it! It's because mom knows who he is and she isn't admitting it. She knows him, knows him. She's lying!"
My ears burned red. Where's a sinkhole when you need one?
"You know what? I don't have to explain myself to anyone," I finally decide.
I didn't like to be probed about questions that I didn't have answers to myself. I can't explain who Tommy is because I don't really know the answer to the questions. Is he a friend? A fling? A coworker? God, there's so much that I don't know about Tommy. The only thing that is certain is that he hadn't reached out. I'd convinced myself that it was nothing, but seeing him again stirred something deep inside of me.
I thought it over as I made dinner, then some more while I took a shower, and I even thought about it as I laid in bed, eyes wide into the middle of the night. Who was he and why does he get to me still?
The next morning was a little bit better, the boys only fought about who got to use the bathroom first. I walked around with a robe and a cup of warm coffee as I planned what remained of my morning. I wasn't due to go back to work for a few more days, so I had time to think about what I was going to say to Tommy. My decision still stood, I didn't want to pursue a relationship with him, especially not since I realized he wasted absolutely no time getting back out on the scene. A fucking hickey! And he had the nerve to say that he thought about me. Ridiculous!
"Morning," Jeffrey said as he stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing his tired eyes. "I'm sorry about last night. I guess I should have believed you when you said you didn't know him." He managed to give me a weak smile.
It takes a lot for him to apologize. He's been going to therapy for years but we've only recently started to make a breakthrough. He's been angry since Travis left. The asshole left without thinking how this would impact our kids.
I ruffle his hair before running my hands down to his chin. "Apology accepted."
Guilt pings at my heart. You unbelievable liar. You should be ashamed.
Tyler came in afterwards, "Yeah, I'm sorry too, mom. About yesterday and about heading out to meet Brooke. I should known better. I'll find a way to pay for your blouse."
A breath of fresh air. What happened to my kids and when were they replaced with well-mannered clones? They want something, I know it, but I'll take this win.
After breakfast, we cleared the table together, laughter echoing in the kitchen. It's been a while since I heard that. I missed it. The three boys are getting along. Just as I was finishing loading the dishwasher, my phone pings from the counter. Must be Trini.
I glanced at the screen and my eyes widened in horror. How did he get my number?
Tommy:
Hi freckles.
No. No. No. No!
"Mom, are you okay?" Jeffreys voice pulled me from my thoughts. I scrambled to get the phone, quickly hiding it behind my back.
He narrowed his eyes, "Who's that?"
"What?" I chuckled, trying to erase the tension.
His eyes flick to the phone that I'm doing a terrible job hiding. "Oh," I laugh, "It's just… no one." I smile like a freak.
"Let me see," he says, sensing there's more. "I mean, if it's no one then you don't mind, do you?"
You little shit.
"Jeffrey, it's nothing." Another ding— then another just as quickly as the first. "It's just a friend."
"A friend, huh," he says, circling me. "A friend that holds your hand, perhaps?"
Okay, its official. His kid has watched too much NCIS.
"Jeffrey, it's nothing." I struggled to keep my voice steady as I hid my phone behind my back, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. "Can you all just back off for a second?" I snapped, tension rising in my chest.
Tyler's brow furrowed. "So it is him. The jerk-off from the hospital? "
"He's not a jerk-off!" I hate that they're making me defend him."You're both acting like I'm some teenager with a crush."
"Then why were you hiding it?" Tyler pressed, his brows raised.
"I'm not," I take my phone to place it on the counter. Just as I turned to put my phone down, it buzzed again—another message from Tommy. Oh, god. My heart raced.
"Whoever he is, just tell us!" Jeffrey insists, the frustration rising as evident in his tone.
I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. "Okay, okay. He's someone I knew in New York. We... well, we met there. That's it."
The boys all stare at me, their brows begging for more.
"AND?" The two oldest pressed.
"And that's all you need to know." I cross my arms.
"Mom, this isn't just some random guy. He was holding your hand! That's a gateway to a kiss." Tyler shot back. "You can't expect us to just ignore that."
Oh, god. If only they knew.
"I know what it looks like," I snapped, "But you need to trust me."
"Trust you?" Jeffrey exclaimed. "You're suddenly bringing someone from your past into our lives without even telling us who he really is."
Maddox stood silently by the couch, eyes wide, absorbing the tension in the room. "Are we going to meet him?
"No!" How did this get so out of hand? "You guys don't have to worry about Tommy."
"Tommy? He sounds like a douchebag," Tyler scoffs.
"The nurses are falling at his feet," Jeffrey adds, "I heard them talk all about it."
I roll my eyes, of course he had to hear that.
I turn to the boys. "Okay, that's enough for now. You all need to go to your rooms and cool off or something. We can talk about this some other time."
"But, Mom—" Tyler started.
"No buts! Now," I said firmly, and the seriousness of my tone seemed to settle them.
Maddox shuffled away, glancing back at me with wide, uncertain eyes. Tyler and Jeffrey exchanged frustrated looks but eventually trudged off down the hall.
Once the door clicked shut, I sighed, rubbing my temples. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts. I understand that my boys are overprotective. I don't blame them based on my past, but its like I have a miniaturize secret service surrounding me at all times. This is exactly what I meant when I said that I wasnt ready… I would never be ready. My kids would never allow this. And I know I'm their parent but I think they have a fear of losing me like they lost their father.
I see the phone on my counter and I look down the hall. Their doors are closed. I chew my lip lightly, my interest piqued. It wouldn't hurt… My heart raced as I glanced at my phone, the screen lit up with Tommy's latest message.
Tommy:
Six months have been amazing on you
A flutter ran through me, and I hesitated before opening the message. I knew I shouldn't—he was the last thing I needed right now. But something about his texts drew me in. A siren call I couldn't resist?
Tommy:
I can't stop thinking about you.
My heart skipped a beat. Was he really flirting with me? I quickly typed a response, my fingers hovering over the screen.
Me:
How did you get my number?
A reply bounces back almost immediately
Tommy:
Might have been under Jeffrey's demographics.
I let out a smile.
Me:
So you violated his privacy?
Tommy:
I'm just checking on my patient. I'm clocking in overtime. Only the best for my patients. How is he doing by the way?
Lies!
Me:
Irritable.
Tommy:
So more of the same? I think it runs in the genes.
Cheeky bastard.
Me:
He just wasn't your biggest fan.
Tommy:
Unlike his mother.
I smile
Me:
No, exactly like his mother.
Tommy:
Yet you still owe me the drink.
I bit my lip, a smile creeping onto my face despite myself. But then a wave of realization crashed over me. He was a player—an undeniable flirt who could charm the socks off a nun. Did I really want to dive back into that world?
Tommy:
What do you say? I'll even let you pick the place.
I chewed on my lower lip, weighing the excitement against the chaos it could unleash with my kids. My kids were still healing from Travis. he last thing they needed is to see me date someone like Tommy. They were still figuring out their own feelings about our family, and I'm not about to throw a wrench into the mix.
Me:
Maybe another time?
Tommy:
I'll hold you to that. You know where to find me!
I set the phone down, a mix of exhilaration and anxiety swirling in my stomach. My heart fluttered at the thought of Tommy, yet my mind warned me to tread carefully. This was not just about me anymore. I had my boys to think about—Tyler's frustrations, Jeffrey's protectiveness, and Maddox's innocent curiosity.
I glanced at the door to the hallway, where my boys had relunctanly retreated. They needed stability, not the whirlwind of a relationship with someone who thrived on attention. I was still trying to figure out who I was without Travis, and the last thing I wanted was to complicate matters further.
As I settled onto the couch, I could still feel the heat of Tommy's messages lingering in my thoughts. I wanted to explore that connection, but right now, my heart and my head were at war. I needed to focus on my family, to rebuild what had been broken before I could even think about letting someone else in.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to turn away from my phone. I needed to be strong for my boys. Tommy could wait. For now, family was my priority, and I wouldn't let a flirtation cloud that.
With determination, I grabbed a book from the shelf and settled in, hoping to distract myself. But the words blurred together, my mind still drifting back to Tommy.
How was I ever going to get him out of my head? And the biggest questions, did I want to?
A week later, the hospital buzzed with its usual chaos. I maneuvered through the emergency room, my scrubs a second skin, familiar and comforting. It felt nice to be back in the swing of things and doing something I was actually good at, helping patients and keeping the chaos at bay. Trini was right beside me, her laughter infectious as we navigated the latest wave of emergencies.
"Did you see how Dr. Oliver handled that last patient?" she gushed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "He's like a superhero in scrubs!"
I forced a smile, trying to keep my expression neutral. "Yeah, he's… something."
More like an insufferable know it all.
"Something? Kim, he's amazing! The way he communicates with patients, the way he leads the team. I swear, half the nurses are in love with him," Trini said, shaking her head as if she couldn't comprehend it.
And I'd bet my life that she's one of them.
"Really?" I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised.
Inside, I felt the discomfort. How can I let this go on? I hadn't told her about Tommy. I thought about what happened in New York. I couldn't tell her. I'm sure Trini would understand, in fact, I'm sure she'd love the dirty details, but I have that locked inside the vault of my heart.
"Totally! I even heard Sarah is planning a potluck just to get him to notice her. It's like an episode of the Young and the Restless in there!" Trini laughed, but I could feel my stomach twist at the mention of his name.
"Must be nice to be the center of attention," I said, attempting to sound casual.
Trini looked at me, concern crossing her pretty face. "You okay? You've seemed a bit off lately."
No, you're totally in love with Dr. Orgasm! I'm not okay!
"I'm fine, just… busy with the boys," I lied, trying to steer the conversation away from my internal turmoil. "Actually, I've been thinking they need some more activities. They've been a bit restless lately."
"Good idea! You should definitely get them involved in something," she said, her enthusiasm returning. "What about the little league I told you about? It's perfect for kids their age, and you know they used to love playing baseball."
I nodded, a smile creeping onto my face at the thought. "Yeah, they really did." I recall their faces lighting up whenever they stepped onto the field. "It might be a good way for them to bond and let off some steam."
"Exactly! Plus, it'll give you a break. You deserve some time to breathe," Trini said, bumping me with her shoulder. "I can help you sign them up. It'll be a blast!"
As we chatted, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was missing something. I hadn't heard from Tommy since that last flirty text, and a part of me wondered if he even thought of me at all. Maybe he was just another passing memory from a life I was trying to leave behind.
"Hey, if you're worried about being a single mom at the games, just remember, I'll be there cheering them on too," Trini added, her voice pulling me back to the moment.
"Thanks, I appreciate that. It means a lot to me," I replied, grateful for her support.
"Of course! And who knows? Maybe while we're at the games, we can catch a glimpse of the coach. Just to see if he's as dreamy in daylight as everyone claims he is!" she joked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I chuckled lightly, but my mind was elsewhere. I needed to focus on my boys, on building a life that felt stable and secure. I couldn't let Tommy's shadow linger over me any longer.
"Alright, little league it is. Let's do it," I said, determination solidifying in my heart. I'd sign them up first thing when we got home.
As the day continued, I pushed thoughts of Tommy aside, burying them beneath my responsibilities and my hopes for my boys. The world felt heavy with possibility, and I was ready to embrace it—starting with baseball.
That evening, I gathered the boys around the kitchen table.
"Hey, guys, I've signed you up for baseball!" I announced, trying to gauge their reactions.
Maddox's eyes lit up immediately. "Baseball? Like in the movies?" He bounced in his chair, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Tyler and Jeffrey exchanged looks, their enthusiasm a bit more restrained. "Do we have to?" Tyler asked, crossing his arms. "I mean, isn't that for little kids?"
"Come on," I smiled. "You both loved it when you were younger. It'll be fun, I promise! Plus, you'll be on the same team."
Jeffrey hesitated, but I could see the spark of interest in his eyes. "What about Maddox?" he asked. "He's way younger than us."
"He'll be in a team called the Little Tykes," I explained. "And I heard they have a great coach who really knows how to make it fun."
"I want to meet the coach!" Maddox squeaked, bouncing again.
"Alright, then it's settled. We'll meet everyone tomorrow," I said, feeling a surge of hope. The boys' excitement was infectious, and for the first time in a while, I felt optimistic.
The next day, we arrived at the baseball complex, the sun shining down on the vibrant green field. The place buzzed with energy as families poured in. Jason Scott, the coach, greeted us warmly, his smile instantly putting the kids at ease. Trini was right. He's a hunk. All six feet and two inches of tanned skin and muscle and… okay, get it together Kimberly.
"Welcome, everyone! I'm excited to have you on the team," he clasped his hands together, motioning for the boys to gather around him. "I'm going to give you a quick tour of the field and our gym, so you know what to expect. You're going to love it here!"
Tyler and Jeffrey still played it cool, but I could see their excitement build as Jason showed them the practice field, explaining the basics of the game. Maddox was practically vibrating with excitement, asking a million questions.
"This is going to be awesome!" Maddox exclaimed as we walked through the gym, his voice echoing off the walls.
Jason led us into the gym, and I noticed the boys looking around, their eyes wide with wonder. "And now, I'd like you to meet my best friend and your other coach," Jason said, grinning.
As he opened the door, my heart sank, and I felt time freeze. There, standing in the middle of the gym with a welcoming smile, was the gorgeous Tommy Oliver.
"No," I whispered under my breath, dread pooling in my stomach. His is not happening.
Jeffrey's face darkened instantly, his eyes narrowing as Tommy turned to greet us. "Hey, everyone! I'm excited to work with you guys!" he said, his voice bright and warm.
But Jeffrey was having none of it.
"You!" he growled.
Tommy's smile faded, confusion washing over his face. "Jeffrey?" he said, recognizing him. "What are you doing here?"
"This isn't happening," Jeffrey seethed, fists clenching at his sides. "You can't be serious, Mom!"
Who fucking cursed me?
"Guys, wait!" I interjected, but the tension in the room had already escalated."I didn't plan this. I didn't know."
"Who is that?" Tyler turned to a red Jeffrey. Then it came to him. "Why is he coaching us?" Tyler demanded, his voice tight with frustration.
"I thought you'd like Tommy—he's a great coach," Jason said, trying to diffuse the situation, but I could see it wasn't working.
Jeffrey stepped forward, glaring at Tommy. "You're the last person we want to be around!"
"Tyler, stay back," I warned, sensing my oldest was about to bolt into the chaos.
Tommy opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked caught off guard, and for a split second, I saw a flicker of regret in his eyes.
"Mom, you can't let him be our coach! We won't play if he's here!" Jeffrey insisted.
I felt the weight of their emotions pressing down on me, and I knew I had to act fast. "Boys, please, let's just take a breath," I pleaded, my heart racing. "This is just a misunderstanding."
"No misunderstanding here," Tyler snapped. "This is the guy you were holding hands with at the hospital, right?"
"Tyler!" I said sharply, but it was too late. The truth hung in the air like a thick fog.
"Let's just all try to be civil," Jason suggested, looking back and forth between Tommy and the boys, clearly sensing the tension.
But I could see that wasn't going to happen. The look in Jeffrey's eyes was fierce and I felt my heart break all over again.
"Hi, I'm Maddox," my youngest looked up at Tommy in wonder. He put his small hand up to him to shake, "So you're my new dad?"
Author note: Woah! It's been a while. I'm sorry for the delay... I guess I just really needed a break from writing and I wanted to give myself time to get the juices flowing again. I've been writing for a little bit but it's really difficult when you've been away for so long. I'm not sure if there's still an audience out there but I decided to just give it a shot. I hope you guys enjoy.