Charlie gets up and takes her phone. “I have a feeling that’s not all they trained for together. Look at this other video Dax sent me. He took this last night after I left.”
She hands the phone back and I press play, only to be greeted by a stripper in a traditional cop costume. Only it’s not a stripper, and it’s not a costume. It’s Kaden, stripping out of the same uniform I saw him wearing the other day, to the songCloserby Nine Inch Nails, and, if anything, his moves are even filthier than Devon’s.
“Hold on,” I say, shaking my head, trying to make sense of this. “Are you telling me that instead of reputable members of law enforcement, I had my baby daddy investigated by strippers?”
“To be fair, I still think Kaden’s a solid cop. Plus, he loves kids, so I doubt he would have told you Archer was okay if he wasn’t. And Devon takes his side job private investigating seriously. The stripping has nothing to do with the quality of their investigations, nor the information you got from it.”
I nod absentmindedly at Charlie’s reassurances and walk myself into the living room before dropping onto the couch. This is going to take me a few minutes to work through.
I had Lincoln’s dad investigated by strippers. That should give me pause, but I think Charlie is right. Kaden and Devon are reliable men. The information they discovered is still valid despite both of the investigators being good at shaking their junk for strangers. Remarkably good at it.
Besides, if worse comes to worst, and Archer isn’t who he says he is, I’m sure the stripper cops will have my back.
Chapter 24
Meeting the Ex
Archer
Myreflectioninthewindow beside Phoebe’s door is faint, but it’s enough to fix my hair and straighten my monstrosity of a sweater. Whose terrible idea was it to wear ugly Christmas sweaters today, anyway?Oh, yeah. Mine.
I can’t do anything now about how stupid the sweater looks, but I can pat down my hair one last time before knocking. The door flies open a moment later, revealing Phoebe looking as sexy as ever with her bright red hair tied in a knot on top of her head. She was sexy as a brunette, but this copper color takes her to the next level. Top that off with tight, dark jeans that show off her short but shapely legs and a hideous Christmas sweater that does nothing to hide the sweet curves underneath, and I’m left standing here with my tongue hanging out.
Figuratively, of course. I’m not an animal.
“Hey, come in. I need to get Lincoln dressed. Gavin just finished giving him a bath after he made a mess of himself.” She rolls her eyes and turns to walk back inside. I shake my head and step in behind her.
“Here you go, little guy. Go to your mommy.” Gavin passes a towel-clad Lincoln to Phoebe, and she carries him back to his bedroom.
“Hi Gavin, how’s it going?” I reach my hand out and shake his hand. With how much Phoebe cares for her brother, I’ve decided it would be good to get him on my side. One day, when I get it together enough to ask Phoebe out, it can only help if Gavin already likes me.
“Not bad, Archer. How’s the Daddy life treating you?”
I bark a laugh. “I’m still learning. I’m taking Phoebe and Lincoln out to visit Santa today so fingers crossed I can handle it.”
He looks me up and down, then looks like he comes to a decision. “Give me your phone,” he says, holding his hand out. The question on my face prompts his reply. “I’ll give you my number. If you ever need a hand with Lincoln, and you don’t want to call Phoebe and, you know, have her think less of you or something, call me.”
Yes! I’m one step closer to winning over the little brother. I hand my phone over. “Thanks. I’ll take all the help I can get. But how is that going to work when you go back home?”
He looks side to side before leaning in to whisper, “I graduated early. I’m looking for my own place here in town. If everything works out, I’ll be moving here right after the Christmas holiday.”
“Gavin that’s…wow. Graduated early? That’s impressive. Good for you.” I’ll be the first to admit, looking at Gavin, I wouldn’t have thought he’d be the type of guy to finish high school early.
Which obviously makes me a judgmental prick. I sigh. So much for being nice to Phoebe’s brother.
He smiles. “It’s not that impressive. But don’t tell Phoebe yet, okay? I want to surprise everyone after I’ve found somewhere to live.”
“I won’t say a word.”
“Say a word about what?” Phoebe appears beside us like she popped up out of nowhere.
“Gah!” Gavin and I both jump.
Phoebe squints between us. “That wasn’t suspicious at all.”
“I was telling Archer about a, uh, Christmas surprise I’m planning. I needed another man’s input.”
She tips her chin with a sarcastic nod. “Sure, sure. I believe you.” She holds Lincoln out to Gavin. “Say bye to Uncle Gavin.”
