He shrugged and remained silent.
“What do you want to do? Do you want to go get some ice cream?” I asked hopefully. Mason and Emmie were at day care and I’d missed yet another shift at the hospital, wanting to pick him up from school.
Another shrug.
I fired off a text to Cal at a stoplight.
Max had a bad first day, he won’t talk to me!
His response was immediate.
Come to the club
I glanced again at Max. “How about we head to the club for a bit?” I suggested.
His expression lightened for the first time since we’d gotten in the car, and I received a slight nod.
Progress.
We pulled up to the club, where the garage bay was open, revealing Cal amidst the various bikes, tools, and a classic car of Sal’s. “Hey, bud, need your help with somethin’,” Cal said by way of greeting when Max and I walked up.
Leaning against one of the bikes, his legs crossed at the ankle, arms folded over his broad chest, the mere sight of him had my heart fluttering in my chest.
He pushed off from his position, stepping into my space, placing a soft, all-too-quick kiss on my lips before his hand found the top of Max’s head. “You up for it?” he asked.
Max looked up at him and nodded eagerly.
Cal’s eyes found mine. “We’re all right here for a while, baby,” he told me with a wink.
I felt a wave of gratitude and utter adoration sweep through me. I had a man in my life who stepped up when it mattered. Who was a father figure when Max desperately needed it.
I nodded. “I’ll go whip up a snack for you fellas. Any of the girls here?”
“Ettie and Scarlet are in the back.” He nodded.
“All right, have fun,” I replied with a smile before heading inside.
Cal could comfort Max in his own way and I’d make sure their bellies were full while he did it.
I found Cal in the garage on his weight bench later that evening. “They’re in bed,” I announced distractedly, too caught up in the beauty that was Cal Jackson. Dressed only in cutoff sweats that hung low on his hips, I could observe every muscle flex as he hoisted the bar up and down over his powerful chest.
“Good.” He grunted.
He’d been quiet all evening, distracted, and I wanted to know why.
“Were you able to get Max to share anything about school?” I asked as I leaned against the doorway, watching his movements.
He re-racked the bar with a resounding clang and sat up, wiping his brow with a towel. “He didn’t want to talk much. We worked on the bikes with a few of the guys. He seemed to like it.” Pride was clear in his tone before he admitted. “He alluded to the kids teasing him.”
I immediately bristled. “Teasing him how?” I asked, on edge at the thought of anyone teasing any of the kids.
He sighed. “It’s a small town—gossip spreads like wildfire. Sounds like some of the kids were razzing him about not having a dad.”
“What the hell?” I demanded. “That’s so… mean,” I sputtered.
“Kids are mean.” He shrugged.
“You don’t seem very worried,” I accused.
