What annoyed me the most is that when Hunter wasn’t trying to one-up Apex, he was hilarious and obviously doted on Ty. It’d take a fool not to see what a good father Hunter was. Maybe that shouldn’t have gotten to me as much as it did, but I was raised by my father. It was just the two of us and watching them together totally hits me hard. Hunter loves his son, shows it easily and isn’t afraid of his emotions.It’s beautiful.
I push those thoughts aside, trudge straight to my master bath, stripping as I go. I need to calm down and relax. The best way I know to do that is in water. I’m a Pisces and even if I don’t follow astrology, I will be the first to admit that water calms me. I’ve thought about moving and buying a house on the Cumberland River. The only thing that stops me is my home belonged to my dad. It’s like a piece of him. I don’t see me giving it up. I still feel him and that makes me happy. Still, it might be time to think about a nice vacation home. It’s not like I travel a lot. I’ve seen a lot of places, but I don’t think any place is prettier to me than Kentucky. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
It takes me an hour of soaking in my tub, surrounded by my strawberries and cream bubble bath to finally feel my muscles untense. I’m not big on wearing a lot of makeup. I don’t spend hundreds on my hair. Still, my lotion and bubble bath are a must. I slide on dad’s old Lexington Legends jersey he bought when we went to our first baseball game. My dad was a big man, so it falls almost to my knees. If I wore a belt, it’d look like a dress—well, a casual dress with Lexington Legends written across the front in bright green lettering.
I blow dry my hair, put on my “chill” playlist so music plays through my different Alexa units that are spread through the house (kitchen, utility room, my bath and bedroom, office, and great room). I’ve just sat down and reclined back on my sofa, glass of wine on the coffee table, book in my hand when my doorbell rings. I close my eyes hoping whoever it is will go away.It rings again. By the fourth ring, my peace is at an end. The piano music of easy listening tunes has stopped because I told Alexa to do so. It’s just too bad I can’t tell whoever it is outside to leave as easily.
“I know you’re in there, Beau. Hurry up, mine and Ty’s hands are full,” Hunter calls out. My heart stops for a minute. His and Ty’s hands? What in the world?
“Hunter? What on earth?” I ask even before I opened the door. When I do open it, my mouth falls open because Hunter is there with a large duffle bag and Ty and Slider are behind him. Both boys are carrying duffle bags with their school’s name on the side. Hunter is also carrying a large takeout bag from the local sandwich shop. “What’s going on?”
“We brought some sandwiches and chips. The boys were hungry, and I didn’t see you eating much, despite me constantly bringing you food.”
“If I had tried to eat everything you and Apex kept trying to force on me, I wouldn’t have been able to walk through my front door,” I mutter.
“She’s got you there, Dad,” Ty laughs.
“Sure does,” Slider adds. “You guys were out of control.”
“Shut it,” Hunter says, but does it with a smile and not bothering to hide his own laughter.
“C’mon, Ty. I’ll show you where my room is here,” Slider says.
“Come get your food when you get settled,” Hunter tells them.
“Sure thing, Dad. Hey, Beau?”
“Yeah, honey?” I answer Ty. Honestly, I’m confused and not able to move. I just keep staring at the three of them like I’m stuck in a dream. I mean, there’s no way this can be real …Can it?
“Does it matter what room I take?” Ty asks. I blink.
“Um … no. Slider knows where the extra rooms are. There are two upstairs, but Slider’s is downstairs in the basement. There’s one connected to Slider’s by the bathroom,” I tell him. You can just take whichever one you like the best.”
“Oh, cool,” Ty says.
“Let’s check out the basement. You’ll love it. Aunt Beau set up a game system and a huge ass television down there. That’s all that’s down there except for our rooms. It’s like our own place. There’s even a mini fridge down there!” Slider says. I wince because until Slider said it like that, I didn’t realize that I’d kind of spoiled Slider when he was around. The truth is, I didn’t figure I’d ever have a family of my own. So, I kind of adopted Slider and gave him my love. I shrug off my guilt. Slider’s a great kid and I love him.
“Alright!” Ty says excitedly.
“We’ll not see them the rest of the night,” Hunter laughs.
“Am I keeping the boys tonight?” I ask stupidly as I follow him down my hall.
“Yeah, Gordo is still gone on whatever errand he’s doing and apparently wherever he’s at Mary Ann is still with him.”
“Great,” I mutter. I need to find a way to knock some sense into Gordo.
“I see you have the same view of Mary Ann as I do,” Hunter replies dryly.
“She manipulates Gordo. I’m not sure why he can’t see it. Lord knows everyone else does.
“Yeah,” Hunter agrees. “Ah, hah. This must be your room.”
Before I can respond, he tosses his duffle bag on my bed. “What are you doing?” I hiss. Hunter drags me into the room, closing the door with his foot.
“I told you I was moving in, Beau. You can’t be shocked I’m here.”
“I beg to differ. I can be very shocked. I know this because I am! You can’t just move in with me, Hunter.”
