It dawns on me that I was right to let them meet.
What the future holds is another story. Toni lives a five-hour drive away, and Ace’s home is here. But it will probably be good for my son to have someone he can text or video call. Apartfrom his nana and teachers, the only other adults he comes into contact with wear leather or are associated with those who do. It wouldn’t harm him to foster a relationship with a civilian.
As the evening draws on, and they pull me into their conversation, I find I’m enjoying myself. Her companionship is easy, and nothing like the long awkward silences when, on the rare occasions I’d been home, I’d taken her sister out for a meal.
The more time I spend with Toni, the more I think I’m being unfair to compare her to the twin she never knew.
CHAPTER EIGHT
FREAK
As days go by, I realise that once I can get past the crazy similarity in appearance, I’m looking at Toni as someone I’m learning anew and leaving behind my bias shaped by my knowledge of her sister.
Like tonight, she’s come to the clubhouse several times, and even Bullseye begrudgingly admits she seems “alright”, and that bastard is suspicious about anyone. As for my brothers? Once I made the position clear, they’ve been polite and, to avoid an unwelcome visit from Child Protection Services, have kept the clubhouse PG when she’s around. That’s not to say I don’t miss the leering looks they send toward her behind her back, and I’ve heard more than one describe her as a MILF. More than once, I’ve had to slap a brother’s head when his tongue has been too obviously hanging out.
I couldn’t blame them. Once I was able to put Josie out of my mind, I admitted, but only to myself, that I found her very attractive. Those conservative clothes did something for her. Maybe it was the way they hinted at a banging body underneath, without making it blatantly obvious, unlike the attire of the clubgirls. But the more I get to know her, the more I like her. She has that laugh I adore, a great sense of humour, and a strangely endearing way of making a feminine snort when something takes her by surprise. It doesn’t hurt that she dotes on my son and puts his needs and wants first.
Last night, when I was driving him back to Ma’s, he’d made a suggestion that at first had left me spluttering – in his view, it would be an excellent idea if I had a relationship with her, made her my old lady, and maybe even marry her.
I’m sure my mouth opened and shut like a damn fish when the unexpected words came out of his mouth. It had taken me a moment to answer.
“Are we not alright, Ace? Do you think you’re missing out by not having a mother?”
He’d shaken his head. “It’s not that, Dad. I think she’s perfect for you. You’re always alone, and one day I’ll probably leave for college. You’ll have no one if you don’t have an old lady.” He’d shrugged. “I just think Toni could be your ride or die. And…” he’d drawn in a deep breath. “I think she likes you.”
I didn’t question him further, I’d have sounded like a schoolboy if I’d have asked, “Do you really think she likes me? How do you know?”It’s not like school, and she’d written our initials in a heart. And what did my autistic son know about adult relationships? He’d shown no interest in girls himself as yet – or boys for that matter. Not that I would’ve minded either way. So what measurement is he using to suggest what she thinks of me? Or is he just trying to find a way to make her stay and projecting his own thoughts onto her?
I never wanted an old lady. I wouldn’t have stayed with Josie if she hadn’t gotten pregnant. I couldn’t understand Saint when he fell for Pippa, nor when Short got entangled with Bronwyn and all her baggage. Variety is the spice of life, as they say, and who wants to be tied down to just one pussy?
More than that, I didn’t think it was fair to my son to bring anyone else into the odd mix of our little family. Anyway, I enjoyed sex with none of the complications. But Ace’s comment had got me thinking. Had I been selfish, not thinking of Ace when I’d made the conscious choice to remain single? Of course, even if the answer was yes, I couldn’t just go out and grab the first available female.
If I were in the market for an old lady, it would be one who accepted my son and with whom I could joke and laugh with. It just so happens Toni ticks those boxes. Would we be a good match sexually? I really doubt I’ll ever find out. But just say she did, wouldn’t it be convenient? A woman who I can tolerate, and one who Ace already loves.
Too fucking convenient. It’s almost incestuous. Is there a law about marrying, not only your dead ex’s sister, but her fucking twin? Probably not, there’s no blood shared. But morally? My brothers would have a fucking field day.
I’d be unable to deny that I’ve jerked off to thoughts of the sexy librarian, and how I’d teach her what I liked in bed. The thought of her head, wearing her glasses of course, bobbing over my dick was guaranteed to have me coming fast. But shooting ribbons of cum over my shower, or into my hand when I was in bed, says nothing about our compatibility. The reality might be so different, I’d know immediately that I’d made a mistake.
Idly, I notice Ace has left his place on the couch where Toni had been sitting beside him playing a game, and moved to the bar. I watch as he talks to the prospect, and narrow my eyes, worried he might be asking for an alcoholic drink that he isn’t allowed. But after a couple of minutes of animated conversation, he grins widely, spins, and heads back in our direction.
He then speaks to her, grabs her hand, pulls her out of her chair, and drags her over to where I’m sitting. She seems as mystified as to the reason, as am I.
He plants himself in front of me. “I’ve got it sorted. Dee’s going to be giving me a lift back to Nana’s, so Aunt Toni can stay here with you. It’s her last night, and it’s not fair that she has to end it so soon.”
Stupidly, the first thing to come out of my mouth is, “How do you know you spoke to Dee and not Dum?”
“Duh, Dad. Can’t you tell the difference?”
No, I cannot. I wonder what he’s seeing that I’m missing, then the more important part of his statement hits me. “I always drive you home.”
He rolls his eyes. “No, you don’t. Not when you’re busy. A prospect’s often taken me.”
“Er, I can drive you, Ace,” Toni offers.
“But you don’t have to. Why not stay and enjoy yourself?”
When Toni looks at me, probably to see what I want to do about Ace’s suggestion, the expression on her face looks almost hopeful.Could Ace be right? Is she into me?
My dick jumps at the thought that if she stayed, I might end up finding out. She goes back to Flagstaff tomorrow. Can I persuade her to spend her last night here in my bed? One night wouldn’t hurt. It’s enough time to find out whether there’s a spark between us, and not long enough to suggest I’m making any commitment to her.
