Justice comes running in wearing just his pajama bottoms, “Dean, did you come for breakfast?”
Observant kid.
“Sure did, brought you French toast from the Breakfast Hut.”
His face lights up because everyone around here loves eating at the Breakfast Hut and their French toast is phenomenal.
“Someone is getting spoiled,” Josie teases. “Wash your hands, Justice.”
He does as instructed. “Nothing wrong with a treat. And don’t worry Jo, I’m happy to spoil you in other ways,” I tease and her cheeks heat as her nipples pebble against the thin fabric of her pajamas.
Leisurely we eat together as if this is a regular thing. I find myself imaging it as my routine and I find I like that idea. Sitting here together like this feels natural.
After we eat, Justice shows me his new block set and asks me to help him put it together. We get started and the time passes. There are more steps in this little block set than rebuilding a damn engine.
There is a club ride for charity today. I should leave. I look to my watch.
Shit!
I should have been at the clubhouse fifteen minutes ago.
About that time, Country Boy text: you good?
I shoot a quick reply otw before hopping up. “I’ll be back to finish this up tonight, Justice.”
“Okay, Dean,” he says still working on his part.
Jo leans against her doorway with her arms crossed as I grab my cut from the kitchen chair and slide my boots on. “You’re late?”
“Little bit. Got a ride for the superhero van that goes to the hospitals for the kids. It’s only gonna take a couple of hours.”
“Country Boy is gonna give you a hard time. He says you’re never late.”
I grin, she’s right, but this is so worth it.
By the time I roll up, everyone is there in line, engines rumbling and waiting for me. Country Boy gives me a serious look, “you’re late.”
I nod. “Kinda obvious, brother.”
“Hell has frozen over,” Grinder mutters from my right.
Miles twists around from in front of me, “It’s Josie. She’s got a hold on you.”
“And what if she does?” I challenge. “We’re here to ride. We gonna do that or sit here mumbling like some bitches
“She’s gonna be a bad habit,” Grinder chimes in.
I smirk, “Bad habit or not, I’m not about to give it up. Momma always said don’t be a quitter. Like smokin’ and drinkin’, Josie’s a habit I’ll stay hooked on.”
I don’t care to hide it. I’ll tell the damn world. I’ve had a taste and I’m not about to give it up.
And like an addict craving my next hit, as soon as we finish the ride, I turn off to head home not bothering to go back to the clubhouse with everyone else.
The entire ride I kept thinking about her. The feel of her, kissing her, holding her. Killing the engine, I drop my kickstand, secure my helmet and then make my way right to her house.
I knock softly as Justice answers the door. He doesn’t bother saying hello, rather he takes me by the hand directly to his room. I manage a wave to Josie in passing as Justice shows me the progress he made on our building project.
After an hour we finish the package, and he shows me the one he wants to do next out of the little catalog in the box. I make note of it so I can pick it up tomorrow when Josie scurries him off to the shower. I relax on her couch watching television while she gets him to shower and tucked into bed.
