Robbie needed to get him a tiara. Maybe for his birthday. He’d already bought pearls for Christmas.
“Gross,” Sawyer said. “I can feel you gazing at each other.”
“You literally just took credit for this love fest, bud,” Robbie said with immense satisfaction. “Hoisted by your own petard. Or what is it the kids say these days? Fuck around and find out?”
With a put-upon groan, Sawyer flopped back onto the carpet. Robbie made a note to make sure his high school had a good drama program. He should put that energy to good use. “I know you know that saying. I’ve heard you use it. You’re just pretending to be old.”
“Excuse you. I’mactuallyold. I have earned every one of these grey hairs.” He was looking forward to getting a few more, as long as they came from the happy chaos of a wonderful home life and not from this custody thing getting drawn out any further. Zulma had mentioned she’d recommend an emergency hearing just as soon as she completed her interviews, to avoid the possibility of Sawyer’s grandparents spitting poison in his kid’s ears—that was another reason Robbie had put off making adecision. If he ended up having to take them to court, he didn’t want to worry about a job.
“Whatever, old man.” Sawyer kicked weakly at his foot. “Drink your milkshake. Or are your teeth too sensitive?”
“Wow,” Finn deadpanned. “Someone wants to be sent to bed without his french fries.”
Grinning, Robbie settled with his back against the couch and sucked down the last of his shake. Retired life hadn’t turned out anything like he expected, but he could definitely get used to this.
Epilogue
Eight Months Later
Finn hadbecome unfortunately familiar with the chaos of the high school parking lot. But that was during sunlight hours. He hadn’t expected it to be this busy at 7:00 p.m.
Maybe he should’ve.
Finally he sneaked into a parking spot, feeling vindicated he hadn’t let Robbie buy him an SUV as he’d threatened. It never would’ve fit.
Training with Willow and Bentley had run late this week because they were gearing up for a competition, so he’d come right here from the rink. Robbie should be inside already with their tickets.
“Finn! There you are. Oh my God, you’re going to be late.”
Imogen, apparently, was not content to wait inside. Finn closed the car door and locked it. “The show doesn’t start until seven thirty.”
“There’s no reserved seating. Robbie’s getting hit on by every single parent in a twenty-yard radius.” She thrust a custom-printed ticket into his hands. “And also some couples who are giving off a vibe.”
Ah. Now Finn understood. He shook his head. “I’ll be right there. Shouldn’t you be backstage anyway?”
As if on cue, Imogen’s walkie-talkie crackled at her hip. “Hey, Imogen, we’re missing a Pink Lady. Has anyone seen Megan?”
Imogen’s eyes went wide. “I gotta go.”
“Break a leg!” Finn yelled after her as she rushed into the building. He wasn’t sure if you were supposed to say that to the stage crew, actually, but it seemed better than accidentally jinxing it.
He followed at a more sedate pace, in no particular hurry to save Robbie from his throng of admirers. Robbie could take care of himself. If he were worried about it, he would’ve waited for Finn.
Honestly he probably wanted Finn to make a dramatic entrance, even though this was supposed to beSawyer’sbig night.
For a moment, Finn second-guessed himself, but it was too late now. Sawyer would be too focused to notice, and Robbie wasn’t going to mind. He handed his ticket to the poodle-skirted theatre nerd outside the auditorium, dodged the hint of recognition in their eyes, and made his way inside.
It didn’t take long to find Robbie. He was sitting in the front row, surrounded by a respectable throng of other parents, manspreading just enough that he’d saved a seat for Finn next to him. His eyes lit up when he saw Finn, and he stood up, and Finn let that draw him in and make him bold. He weaved through the crowd until he was next to Robbie and leaned up for a kiss. “Hey, babe. Sorry I’m late.”
Robbie didn’t let him get away with just one kiss; he pulled him back for another, warm but chaste. “All good. Willow and Bentley run you ragged?”
“They’re running each other ragged,” Finn said wryly. “The worst part is reminding them their bodies still need to rest.” He definitely hadn’t been that motivated at their age.
Robbie introduced him to the other parents—Finn promptly forgot all their names and only felt a tiny bit bad about it—and they made mindless small talk for a few minutes before an announcement on the PA let them know it was time to take their seats so the show could begin soon.
Once the crowd dispersed, Robbie tugged Finn down into their seats with a near-manic smile. “Really?” he said a little hoarsely, a little strained, holding Finn’s left hand up between them. “You’re doing this to me today?”
Finn felt the heat rising in his face, but he didn’t back down. “You said I couldn’t put it on before you were ready, because you already were.”
