Page 23 of Temptation On Ice

“I’ve read the parenting books, I’ve joined the dad groups, so I know there are a million different ways to raise a happy kid. They all need to be treated differently. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and I’ve decided mine looks different from how you raised me and Bianca, and that’s okay.”

I swallow down the rampant anxiety that claws at my throat as I draw a proverbial line in the sand with my mother. She’s a strong New York Italian woman who doesn't take shit from anyone and is loud with her opinions because she thinks she knows best. Arguing with her rarely leads to anything good, but I’m twenty-nine and need these boundaries more than ever.

“I’m surprised, Sebastian. This isn’t how I raised you, to question everything and disrespect your parents. I’m just trying to help you because I love you and Enzo. It hurts me to see him with all these strangers, whether a nanny watching him, a chef cooking for him, or now some dog trainer weirdo who could get him injured around all those dogs.”

I bristle at her calling Tucker a weirdo. I may not know him well, but I’m a damn good judge of character, and he’s been nothing but wonderful to Enzo and me.

“That’s enough, Ma. Tucker is a former police officer with over ten years of service to his community. He now trains dogs for military veterans who were injured in the line of duty. He’s selfless, kind, and goes out of his way to ensure others have what they need and are taken care of. He’s not some weirdo, and he’d never let Enzo get hurt. I don't want you saying another bad word against him or anyone else I bring into my life, because ultimately, it’s my choice who I have around my kid.” I cross my arms and pray it’s enough armor against any reply she can make. I’m standing on business and mean this with my whole chest.

Ma’s hand flutters to her heart, and she gapes at me in shock before her face reddens and her eyebrows draw together in anger. “Well, if that’s how you feel, I’ll keep my mouth shut about it.”

“Ma, that’s not what I’m saying,” I insist, reaching out and putting an arm around her shoulders to comfort her injured pride. She shrugs me off and walks into the kitchen.

“I gotta get this sauce started for dinner. It takes a few hours. Tomorrow I’m making chicken piccata. Will that be alright with you, or should I ask your chef what he has planned?”

Fuuuck.

I swallow the groan of frustration that wants to come out. “Chicken piccata sounds good. I love your recipe. I’ll be here tomorrow.”

She makes a shooing motion with her fingers as she turns to the pantry for ingredients and dismisses me. I go without another word, feeling like a failure of a son, a horrible father, and now a terrible friend because I couldn't even defend Tucker well enough to have my mom see reason. That small reprieve from my guilt was short-lived, and now I’m back to shouldering the weight of it once again.

Eleven

Tucker

Ifinish up feeding the dogs with Rowan and Hayden while Ava resets the agility course before sending them all home. Saturdays are busier than weekdays around here, with more of the private training clients that support our business. We spend most of the day in group and one-on-one sessions, while still having to exercise and care for our service trainee dogs and the puppies that are getting big and rambunctious. The puppies have already started training, and we’ve incorporated it into the schedule, too. I need to move them out of the whelping room and into a bigger space. I add that to my never-ending mental to-do list.

With business picking up and the extra time required for appearances at the Hydras’ events, I need to bring on more help, and that’s a good problem I hadn’t anticipated for this year. I pull my phone out and open the notes app to write a reminder to ask Cami to put out feelers for another trainer and see if any of our seasonal help may want a full-time job. That’s a message I can send on Monday, though. The facility is closed on Sundays, and I get to spend the day fishing on the pond or dicking around however I want because Rowan is on dog duty and I’m officially off the clock for my one day off.

I exit the notes app and spin the phone in my hand, wondering what Sebastian’s up to. I haven't seen or heard from him since the puppy photo shoot. Maybe I was too obvious as I took pictures of him, or too flirty in our conversation, and now he’s weirded out by me. I’m still thinking about him all the time, which sucks for my poor heart because I learned this lesson a long time ago. Straight men aren't romantically interested in gay guys, and falling for them just leads to heartbreak and insecurities.

I should just call Callum and see what he and the gays are up to. At least they’ll flirt with me, and I’ll know I’m wanted by someone. They’re good for my ego when I start to realize my type leans toward straight dudes who don't look twice at me, rather than a man who wants to kiss another man.

Instead, I stupidly open my texts and send one to Sebastian.

Tucker: Hey, I’m moving the puppies to a larger kennel in the barn tonight. It’s their temporary home before I get some renovations done and make more room. I thought Enzo might want to help with this dog task, knowing how crazy he is about them.

What the fuck? Am I using this man’s child as an excuse to hang out with him? I’m shameless. No, I’m lame, and this speaks to my desperation which has been taken to a whole new level. I exit our text thread and open Callum’s so I can quickly make other plans and pretend I was called away, in the rare possibility that Sebastian responds.

But then he does respond. I can’t stop my interested fingers from clicking out of the unsent message to Callum and moving to Sebastian's.

Sebastian: My mom has been up my ass about spending time with Enzo, so I just dropped him off for an overnight with her. If you still need extra hands, I’m more than happy to come help you out.

My heart flutters at his easy acceptance and willingness to spend time with me despite my lame excuse and no kid to use as a buffer. I have to check the stupid grin that’s pulling at my lips. He didn’t say he wants to be with you, idiot, he said he can help you out. You need to calm the fuck down and not get ahead of yourself.

I type out what I hope is a chill reply.

Tucker: Only if you don't have other plans for your child-free evening. No need to come all the way out here when you don't even have Enzo to entertain. I can do this on my own, no problem, just thought he’d enjoy it.

Wow, now I’m fully sabotaging my chance to spend time with him. Do I want this or not? Whose side am I even on?

Tucker: Wait, that came out wrong. I don’t not want you to come out here if you want to. Just letting you know I can handle this on my own if you’re busy.

Oh, fuck, that’s too much of an overcorrection! Did it even make sense? Jesus, he’s going to think I’m crazy.

Sebastian: ???

Sebastian: Does that mean you do or you don't want me to come out? I don't have plans tonight, it’s not a problem at all.