Five Years

| two

Dax was going to arrive any minute. I waited near the side door, a mug of coffee in hand. In an effort to make it in time to meet him, I had driven home early that morning from Mom and Dad's.

I had just enough time to grab a quick shower, throw my wet hair up into a top knot, and slip on a pair of ripped jeans and a plain white T-shirt.

On the way home, I spent the drive reminiscing about babysitting for Dax and his younger sister, Emily. I was sixteen at the time, while Dax was eleven and Emily was eight.

I remembered that Dax's dad, Karson, was the chief paramedic in our small community, and his Mom, Jeanie, worked at the nursing home. They often needed someone to be at home with the kids to fill in the gaps between their shifts.

All about making that cash, I babysat a ton as a teen. As far as kids went, Dax and Emily were probably the most well-behaved kids I looked after. Dax was reserved, but not necessarily shy. I could tell he let his guard down around me. The three of us had fun. Emily was a sweetheart, and Dax was very protective over her. 

I only watched them for a couple of years, just until Dax was able to stay with Emily on his own. I was hoping he was still the same pleasant kid he once had been. Because if not, I might have to give Desiree a call and see if she'd be interested in an open-ended contract. Ugh.

Just as I finished my last sip of coffee, I heard three knocks at the side door. I set my mug down and padded my slipper-covered feet to the door.

Expecting to see a five-foot-six dorky-looking kid with a superhero T-shirt and acne, I was more than shocked at the boy... no.. the MAN standing in front of me.

Wow.

Dax smiled a warm, disarming smile that I couldn't help but return. I opened the screen door, trying hard not to stare at the muscular arms and chest that his black fitted tee hugged tightly. This was very, very unexpected.

"Hi, Nik."

I'd completely forgotten he used to call me that. I felt his eyes on me as I stepped aside to let him in. I guess he was probably just as surprised by me as I was by him.

"It's so good to see you," I said.

Damn. He was tall, towering over me by a good six inches, at least.

I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling very confined next to this giant inside the tiny entrance. Awkwardly, I sidestepped around him, taking the lead down the stairs to the basement.

I couldn't ignore the smell of his woodsy cologne. The scent followed me all the way to the last step.

Daxs' blue eyes gave me a slow once over. "This is crazy. I never thought I would see you again. When you texted me, I couldn't believe it."

"Me either.  I can't believe you're so...."

Good looking? Hot? Ripped? He must have had a twelve-pack. No joke. Even though he was fully clothed, it was pretty obvious how in shape he was.

Jesus, Annika. Get a grip. He's still practically a kid.

Gathering my thoughts, I finished my sentence, "I can't believe you're so old! Last time I saw you, I had a few inches on you."

Dax laughed, highlighting his deep, silvery voice.

"Yeah, I kind of hit a growth spurt in the tenth grade." He ran a hand through his thick head of brown hair. As he did, my eyes caught on his bulging bicep, but I instantly tore my gaze away.

I felt guilty for even noticing. First, it was weird. Second, I had James. James might be almost forty, but he was in very good shape.

"Anyway, this is the place." I gestured towards the decent-sized living room with a modern Ikea sectional, coffee table, and TV stand. The furniture might have been purchased on a budget, but the entire basement had been updated within the last five years with brand new vinyl flooring, fresh paint, and trim.