Thirty
Zach
“So, how’s retirement?” I ask, flipping the lid of the grill back down over the steaks and veggies.
Xander laughs, swaying with Spencer in his arms. She’s bundled up in a fuzzy blanket, her light gray eyes following both me and Joel. She’s an alert little thing.
“It lasted for all of six months.”
Joel cocks his head to the side. “Wait, did you go back?”
“Nah,” Xander says, shaking his head. “I didn’t go back to the crew. But I’m not good at being idle, so though I retired from firefighting to be around for Teddy and the kids, I hired on as a consultant for the agency, overseeing several different crews. I work from home.”
“You’re a stay-at-home dad,” Joel chuffs, shaking his head. “Never fucking thought I’d see the day. You’re whipped, bud.”
“Happily,” Xander agrees, smiling down at his daughter. He glances at Joel. “You should try it some time.”
“No-fucking-thank-you. I’ll be a playboy til I die,” Joel chuckles, taking a drink of his beer. He shoves at my shoulder then. “You finally make a move on Lou? That dibs you called is about to expire—”
“I’ll take out your fucking kneecaps if you make one damn move on what’s mine,” I warn, pointing the meat tongs at him.
Joel grins, his dark eyes flashing behind the lenses of his glasses. “Perfect.”
“So, this a new development, I take it?” Xander asks, shifting Spencer in his arms.
Joel sets his beer down and takes her from him, settling her against his chest like a football. Rolling his lips in between his teeth, he gnaws at her fingers as she shoves them into his mouth. She belly laughs, and for a second, it makes me miss that.
Is baby fever something men get, too?
Shaking my head, I shove that thought way the fuck out of my brain. Nope. Not going there.
“Uhh, yeah,” I answer Xander, nodding. Lifting the lid of the grill, I rotate the veggie skewers a quarter turn. “Really new.”
“When’s the divorce final?” he asks, taking a drink of his own beer, then crossing his arms over his chest. It reminds me of Chief.
“Final hearing is supposed to be next month, if Britt doesn’t request another extension,” I mutter over my shoulder. “She showed up the other night. Out of the blue. Thank God the girls were here with Mom for the night. Hasn’t seen them in six months and just pops in like it’s no big deal.”
Scrubbing my hand over my face, I shake my head, irritation settling high in my chest all over again.
“And… this isn’t going to cause problems?” Xander asks. His voice is quiet, but there’s no judgement in his tone. He widens his stance, glancing back into the house at the three women still sitting at the table together. “I just know how Brittanee can be. She gonna throw a hissy fit if she finds out?”
I gnaw on the inside of my cheek, because I don’t know how to answer that. I know I’m being reckless to a degree, starting this thing with Louise before everything is signed and sealed. Because I do know Britt.
Glancing through the window toward my girl, I swallow hard. Now that I have her, fuck if I don’t want to give her up for anything.
I just hope I’m not setting the dominoes up to watch them fall… and blow my entire world up as I know it.
Thirty-One
Zach
The visit with my brother and his family didn’t last nearly long enough, and by the time dinner was done, all of the kids were overstimulated and tired and beyond ready for bed. Quick good nights and with too many rounds of ‘See you soon’ promises, we made our exit. Chloe fell asleep in the truck on the way home, still chattering around a series of yawns about her new best friend, Penny.
Saying good night to Louise at the door of the truck, sleeping Chloe draped over my chest and shoulder, I don’t want the night to end going our separate ways.
“I wish you were coming to sleep in my bed,” I whisper against her mouth, having sent Bailey and Abigail inside to brush their teeth and get ready for bed.
“I wish I was, too,” she whispers back, smiling against my lips. “Goodnight, Zach.”
