Jack trudged over to the boys. One Tiger I recognized sped over to Jack with a boisterous greeting and a fistful of purple streamers. My son’s sweet face broke out in a grin, and I heaved a sigh of relief.
“We have a good group,” Nick whispered behind me. “Jack could use some fun this afternoon, I think.”
Looking over at Nick, I nodded in agreement. “Yes, he could.” And I could’ve used a shot of something.
“So.” Nick rubbed his hands together. “Time to put you to work, too. Come with me.”
I followed Nick over to one of the half-built booths. My eyes fell to his perfectly denim-hugged ass, but I tore them away before I let them linger. Gawking at the den leader wasn't my goal for today, no matter how pleasing he was to look at.
“Think you can hold the beams while I hammer the bottom?” Nick asked as he knelt and put the beam in place.
I nodded and held the wood as he instructed.
“I can help you with whatever you need. I'm actually good at putting tents and whatever else you need together.”
“Really?” He raised an impressed eyebrow. “Remind me to call you after my next Ikea visit. How’d you get so good at it? You had brothers?”
“No, I had Jack. He . . . made sure I knew how to do a lot for when he wasn’t . . .” Nick gave me a sad nod. Everything except being a father to a little boy. There were no instructions for that.
Nick smiled as he tested the beam. “Jack is lucky to have a mom who does it all.”
“Just nothing that can protect him,” I mumbled to myself. Nick stopped hammering and stood.
“I'm not supposed to say this, being in charge of kids . . . but some of them are assholes.”
A laugh bubbled out of my chest for the first time in days.
“Jack is a good kid. He’ll find his way.” Nick squeezed my shoulder.
“Oh hey, Ellie. I didn’t know you were helping out today, too.” I groaned at Susan’s whiny voice and cringed at her fake, saccharine smile.
“I asked her to.” Nick gave me a side grin. “And I’m glad I did. She’s going to put the rest of the booths together. I’ll follow and be her assistant.”
Susan held her smile despite her gritted teeth. Much to her dismay, Nick had her figured out.
“Uncle Nick, we need more tape.” David appeared at his uncle’s side with an empty dispenser. He offered me a shy smile. Standing next to Nick, I realized how much they resembled each other. David’s father wasn’t in the picture either; I knew that from when he was in my kindergarten class. But he looked . . . happy. He was a well-adjusted, respectful, all-around good kid.
“I’ll be right back.” Nick dropped a hand to my forearm before strolling away.
My lips pursed at the murmurs and giggles behind me.
“Too bad we aren’t having a kissing booth,” Susan’s friend Cara noted.
“Oh, my God, I’d be first on that line. The school would clean up.” Susan's breathy voice made me see red.
I took in a deep breath and forced a huge grin as I turned around. “You may have forgotten, so let me remind you.” Susan and her irritating friend frowned at my approach. “We’re here for our boys, to make this event nice for them. Not to daydream about paying fifty cents to follow their den leader into a kissing booth. We’re parents first tonight; at least I am.”
Susan’s eyes narrowed until something behind me made them grow wide.
“Everything all right, ladies?” I turned to Nick’s raised eyebrows.
Embarrassment singed my cheeks. Taking in the smug look on his face, I realized he heard every awful word I said.
“Fine. Let’s get a move on with the booths.” I knelt to pick up a wooden beam from the floor without looking back to see if Susan and Cara had scurried away.
“You got it, boss.” Nick snickered as he grabbed a handful of nails. “I always wondered what Smurfette would sound like pissed off,” he whispered in my ear.
“Smurfette?” I crinkled my nose as Nick hammered more nails at the bottom.
