I try to keep the disappointment off my face. He’s got a son to take care of, a responsibility I can’t understand. But I can understand his decision.
I sigh, resting my head on his chest, breathing him in. “I had fun tonight.”
Soft lips brush the top of my head as he hugs me tight. “Me too.” He kisses my lips once more before releasing me. “Sleep well. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
He waits until I unlock my door, his hands in his pockets like he has to hold back from reaching for me. The bright smile he gives me before I shut the door warms my heart. And as I tuck myself into bed, my smile and that feeling of warmth don’t fade.
Chapter Five
Grant
All four kids run around Cole’s backyard with full bellies and happy smiles. This isn’t the life I imagined when I graduated medical school, but nights like this make me realize all the hardships were worth it.
Every Sunday night we meet up at Cole’s house for dinner. We tried rotating between our houses, but Cole’s is by far the nicest. His backyard is the perfect setup with a large green yard with a playset for the kids and a covered patio with a TV mounted above the built-in fireplace. The kids can wear themselves out while we watch football or baseball, or whatever is on.
Now if only Hazel were sitting in my lap, things would be perfect.
Thinking of her has me hiding the grin that pops on my face whenever she crosses my mind, which is often, especially after the other night. The whole drive to Wells’ house was spent trying to calm my raging erection. It didn’t help that every time I looked at the empty seat next to me, I’d remember Hazel melting at my touch.
“What’s got you lookin’ like that?” Cole kicks my foot off the coffee table to nudge his way past me before plopping on the couch.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Wells leans forward pointing the neck of his beer bottle at me. “It’s the same look you had the other night when you picked Harrison up.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Cole sits up. “What am I missing here?”
“Yeah, Grant. What are we missing?” Wells usually isn’t the shit-stirrer, but tonight’s my lucky night.
My two best friends glance at each other before fixing back on me. They’re not going to let me get away with not telling them about Hazel. I didn’t tell Wells why I needed a babysitter Friday night and my parents don’t ask questions when I need them to watch Harrison.
“Look, I’ve got nothing to say.” I hold out my hands to protest my innocence, but they’re not buying it.
“Like hell, you do,” Cole laughs. “I’ve known you for a helluva long time and you’re hiding something.”
“Time to tell us about the woman whose perfume you came home smelling like.” Wells leans cockily back in his seat knowing he opened up a metaphorical highway for Cole to exploit.
I rub my forehead at the headache I feel coming. “Here we go.”
Cole leans forward, all business. “Oh, a woman? Is it one of those handsy moms at the office?”
I laugh in denial. “Seriously? What are you, a teenager?”
Cole squints his eyes as he stares at me ignoring my comment. “You didn’t tell us, so I’m thinking it's someone we know. Who has he talked to recently?” he shoots his intimidating gaze over to Wells.
“How the hell am I supposed to know?” Wells snorts.
A squeal of pain has all three of us sitting up, our attention turning to the lawn. The three older boys stand in a grouplooking guilty as Marie turns her tear-filled eyes to her dad and wails from the ground.
“Boys!” The sound of Cole’s voice has all three boys looking at the ground.
“This is all you,” Wells adds before taking another drink as Cole makes his way to his daughter and to deal with our guilty sons.
Grateful that something more important than my love life has their attention, I breathe a sigh of relief.
A chorus of arguments rings out from the yard drawing a sigh from Wells. Our sons are like brothers and they sure as hell fight like ‘em. It’s clear they’re willing to blame anyone as long as they avoid punishment. What they haven’t seemed to figure out yet is that they’ll get punished no matter what.
Cole comes back, Marie resting her head on his shoulder, her hiccups making her whole body shake. “Our sons decided to play keep away and smacked Marie in the face with the ball. They’ve had a stern talking to. One of you can dole out punishment.” He lowers himself into the chair with an exhausted sigh. Apparently, it’s been a long weekend at Cole’s house.
