4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Marc
J ogging alongside Mia’s pink bicycle, I guided her wobbly progress with a gentle hand on the back of the seat. Her dark pigtails fluttered behind her like streamers in the spring breeze. Despite my cheerful words, a knot formed in my stomach. She’d missed out on so much because of those damn hospital visits. “You’re doing great!” I called out encouragingly, hoping my voice didn’t betray my anxiety. Please let her have this moment . She deserves it. “Keep those feet pumping!”
Mia’s face scrunched up in concentration, little hands gripping the handlebars tightly as she focused on keeping the front wheel straight.
As we rounded the bend, the front tire wobbled precariously to the side. I tightened my grip to help steer her back on course. “Whoa there! I’ve got you, sweetie. Nice and steady now.”
Mia glanced back at me with a gap-toothed grin, brown eyes sparkling. “I’m doing it, Papi! Watch me go!”
Her joyful giggles pealed through the crisp morning air, mixing with the chirping of birds in the leafy trees lining the path. It was a perfect spring day as I watched Mia’s carefree laughter ripple through the air, her eyes sparkling with unbridled joy. Every pedal she pushed seemed to fill my heart a bit more.
These were the moments I cherished most, the ones I wanted her to remember—not being stuck in a hospital or doctor’s offices.
After a few more wobbly laps around the park, Mia hopped off her bike and flung her arms around my waist in a fierce hug. I smiled down at her, stroking her silky hair. “Thank you for helping me, Papi! You’re the bestest teacher ever! Well, you and Mr. Parker,” she added with a grin.
“Anything for you, you know that.” I held her tight, memorizing the feel of her small arms hugging me. “How about we head home and make some lunch, hmm? I’m thinking… dinosaur chicken nuggets?”
“Yes!” Mia bounced on her toes excitedly. “With extra ketchup! Let’s go!”
We walked back to the truck, pushing Mia’s bike between us, then I stuck Mia’s bicycle in the truck's bed, and we made our way out of the park; just a dad and his daughter savoring a perfect Saturday morning together.
I wished it could always be this simple.
As we drove out of the park’s lot, I smiled at Mia’s excitement from the backseat, her chatter a joyful soundtrack. This little town wasn’t so bad sometimes. Tree-lined streets gave way to neat rows of houses, their lawns filled with flowers and trees. There was no traffic to speak of since every place in town was less than twenty minutes away.
Just another mile and we’d be home, ready to whip up a batch of dino nuggets.
But as we passed Mia’s elementary school, a familiar figure hunched over by the curb caught my attention. Was that…Mr. Parker? Mia’s kindergarten teacher? Sure enough, as I slowed down, I made out his lean frame straining as he wrestled with something near the front tire of his blue sedan.
“Daddy, look! It’s Mr. Parker!” Mia wiggled in her booster seat, eyes widening as if she’d spotted a celebrity.
Though I refused to admit to myself, seeing Mr. Parker each afternoon when I picked up Mia was one of the highlights of my day. More often than not, he’d walk Mia outside to my truck, open the back door for her, and help her inside. Then he’d turn to me with that sweet smile of his, telling me something about her day before heading back inside and I’d drive off, pretending that I wasn’t attracted to the guy.
What was he doing here alone on a Saturday morning?
I pulled into the school lot and drove toward him, rolling down my window. “Hey there! Everything okay?”
Mr. Parker glanced up, his face flushed pink and glistening with sweat. He blew out his breath, raking a hand through his disheveled auburn hair. “Oh, hey there. Hi Mia. I, uh…I thought I’d come in on the weekend and get some stuff ready for next week. Then when I came out, I saw this—” He pointed at the flat tire. “Can’t seem to get these lug nuts to budge.”
“Need a hand?” I pulled into the spot beside him and hopped out. As I approached, I noticed the spare tire he’d pulled from his trunk. Even from a distance, it looked suspiciously low on air.
Mr. Parker’s shoulders sagged as he let out a long, weary sigh. “I’d really appreciate that,” he admitted, glancing at the limp spare tire. “This thing’s as flat as a pancake. I’m not sure what to do next.”
An idea sparked in my mind. “Tell you what. Why don’t I take a look at the original tire? I bet it’s just a small puncture that we could patch up easy peasy. The auto shop where I work isn’t too far from here, my brother Alonso’s place. I’ll give you a lift over and we’ll get you sorted out in no time.”
Mr. Parker blinked, surprise registering on his flushed face. “Wow…that’s incredibly kind of you. You sure it’s no trouble?” he asked, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath.
“No trouble at all.” I waved off his concern with a grin. “C’mon, let’s get this tire off and loaded up. Mia and I would be happy for the company, right?”
“Yes! Come with us, Mr. Parker!” Mia bounced in her booster seat, her smile bright.
“Well, all right then.” Mr. Parker’s eyes caught mine as he smiled, relief mingling with gratitude. “Thanks again, Mr. Mendez. I appreciate this.”
“Don’t mention it. And it’s Marc.”
“Okay, Marc.” He pointed at himself with this adorable grin. “Ken.”
“Ken,” I repeated and smiled back. “Toss the spare back there and we’ll get it aired up too, for good measure.”
A few minutes later and Ken’s flat was off the car and in the bed of my truck, next to Mia’s bike and his flat spare tire.
As Ken fumbled with his car keys to lock the door, I slid behind the wheel. “We might have to hold off on lunch for a bit, sweetie. Is that alright?”
Mia nodded, entranced by having her beloved teacher in our truck. As we pulled out of the lot, Mia launched into an animated story about our bike riding adventure, her voice filled with glee. Ken listened attentively, his chuckles urging her to keep talking.
As I drove, I stole glances at Ken from the corner of my eye as he listened to Mia’s enthusiastic storytelling. He had this ethereal quality about him, almost like he’d stepped out of a Renaissance oil painting you’d see in a museum. High cheekbones with a smattering of freckles, a strong jawline, and bright eyes—this blend of gray, green, and orangey-brown colors, wrapped up in a slim, well-toned body.
But it was more than his physical appearance. Ken’s manner was tender yet assured, an unspoken strength in the way he moved. He leaned in closer, nodding and smiling as Mia’s animated chatter filled the truck. His soft laughter wove through her words, making her eyes light up brighter with each giggle.
There was a hint of something else there too, a flicker of vulnerability that he tried to hide behind a polite smile.
It made me want to know more.
I shook my head. This is Mia’s teacher, for fuck’s sake. The last thing I need is to make things awkward by ogling the poor guy.
Fuck, I wasn’t even sure he was gay.
Just focus on getting Ken’s tire fixed, idiot. Quit making this into something it’s not. Now wasn’t the time to get distracted by a pair of pretty eyes and a great ass.
Get his car fixed and make sure Mia got her lunch.
Still, as we pulled into Alonso’s shop and I watched Ken unfold his lean frame from the passenger seat, I couldn’t ignore the fact that there was something special about him. “All right, let’s see about getting you back on the road,” I said.
Ken smiled, and the curve of his soft lips sent warmth surging through my chest. “Lead the way.”
I grabbed the flat tire from the truck bed and headed inside, Ken trailing behind me with the spare, and Mia skipping alongside him, chattering away. Ken’s eyes widened as he took in the shop—clearly a setting that he had little experience in. “Thanks again for doing this for me. I didn’t mean to take up your afternoon.”
“No worries, man. This’ll just be a few minutes. Let’s get this tire patched up, yeah?” I headed over to the tire machine, clamping the flat in place. “Ken, grab that buffer and bring it over, would ya? Might as well show you how it’s done as long as you’re here.”
Pointing to the heavy-duty sander, I grinned as Ken lugged it across the garage to where I had the tire secured. Ken watched with keen interest as I flipped on the sander and began buffing away the old rubber around the puncture site. “So, first we grind away the damaged area,” I explained, angling the sander to expose the inner lining. “Then we’ll plug it from the inside before patching over the outer hole.”
Ken nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration as he studied my movements intently. “Makes sense. Mind if I give it a try?”
“Sure, here.” I held out the sander’s grip, my hand brushing against Ken’s as he took it from me, raising goosebumps along my arm.
Ken flushed, his eyes meeting mine for a fleeting moment before refocusing on the task at hand. This surge of… exhilaration flit through me. What are you doing, Marc? I wondered, with a rush of warmth that had nothing to do with the sander’s heat. Stepping back, I gave him room, but couldn’t resist glancing at the curve of his neck as he worked, taking in the fresh scent of his shampoo mixed with the faint muskiness of exertion.
“Like this?” Ken’s tongue poked out adorably as he worked, those long fingers deftly guiding the sander.
“Yeah, you’ve got it.” I leaned in to change his grip, and the physical proximity made it hard to ignore the electric pull between us. “Slow and steady does it.”
Ken’s breath hitched ever so slightly as I moved toward him, but he didn’t pull away. If anything, he seemed to sway infinitesimally closer, our arms brushing as he continued sanding under my guidance.
The contact sparked a delicious tingle low in my belly, one I ruthlessly tamped down. Don’t go reading into things, Mendez. He’s just…being friendly, that’s all.
Still, as Ken’s throat bobbed with a hard swallow, a faint blush tinted those chiseled cheekbones, my heart thudding insistently. That undeniable spark of mutual interest, telltale signals that all gay men knew well and understood—one that made my pulse kick up a notch.
Ken Parker was definitely into guys—and unless I was wildly misreading the signals here, he just might be into me too.
Fuck.
I smoothed a layer of pungent glue over the sanded patch, acutely aware of Ken’s proximity. “Now we need to let that rubber cement dry for a bit before applying the patch.”
While the rubber cement dried, Ken leaned closer to the tire, brows knotted as he examined each inch. A streak of grease marred his cheekbone, and my thumb tingled with the urge to clean it away.
Whoa there, I thought, my heart stuttering in my chest. He’s Mia’s teacher, for Christ’s sake. Off limits.
I busied myself with preparing the tire patch, trying not to notice Ken watching me. “How’s Mia doing, by the way?” Ken asked, his voice soft. “First few days at a new school can be tough.”
“She’s hanging in there. Brave kid.” Emotion welled in my throat like it did anytime I talked about my Mia. “I just want to give her the world, you know?”
Ken’s fingers flinched, hovering uncertainly, as if torn between restraint and the urge to offer a comforting touch. “She’s lucky to have you.” His eyes met mine and for a suspended moment, we looked at each other. Something flickered in Ken’s gaze, a flash of heat, of possibility.
My breath caught—then Mia’s giggles shattered the charged silence, breaking the spell.
Swallowing hard, I busied myself with applying the patch. “There, good as new.” I glanced down and caught him looking at me with a hint of hero worship.
Oh fuck, this situation was a mess, but seeing him look at me like that felt good. “Let’s get this back on your car.”
We made the short drive back to the school, and in ten minutes Ken’s car was ready to go, along with a fully inflated spare. “I can’t thank you enough, both of you.” Ken smiled, his eyes sincere. “You saved my bacon today.”
I chuckled at the way he talked, so innocent and mild. “Happy to help,” I said, meaning it. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
The word “friends” hung in the air between us, weighted with unspoken possibilities. For a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like to be more than just friends with Ken, to have someone to share my life with again.
No, that was impossible. Ken was Mia’s teacher, the second most important human in my daughter’s life right now. Even more, he was a sweet guy, a genuinely decent person who deserved the best partner he could find.
Not some loser jacking off online for money.
“I mean it, though,” Ken continued, his voice earnest. “I’m not sure what I would’ve done without you today. Let me repay the favor somehow, maybe lunch? My treat.”
I hesitated. On one hand, I wanted to spend more time with Ken. On the other hand, my heart wasn’t ready for a relationship, even if I could openly date Ken. Even worse, the thought of bringing in another person into Mia’s life, only for them to break her heart as well was a hard pass.
But one look at Mia’s hopeful face, and I couldn’t say no. “Lunch sounds great,” I said, a smile spreading across my face. “Lead the way. We’ll follow you.”
We followed Ken to Rooster’s Cafe, a cozy little building tucked away on a quiet side street. Warm, earthy tones and rustic wooden accents gave it a homey, inviting vibe.
“I used to work here when I was in high school,” Ken said as he held the door open for Mia and me, flashing me a shy smile as we stepped inside. The place was bustling with a lunchtime crowd as the hostess led us to a corner booth, the vinyl seats cracked and worn from years of use. “Everything’s good here.”
“Well, something smells delicious,” I added, inhaling deep as my stomach rumbled at the aroma of burgers and fried chicken.
Mia grabbed a kids’ menu and a handful of crayons, her eyes lighting up as she scanned the colorful pictures. “Daddy, can I get the chicken nuggets?” she asked, bouncing in her seat.
I shook my head, laughing at my daughter’s one-track mind. “Of course, sweetie. You can get whatever you want.” I turned to Ken. “I think at this point Mia is about fifty percent chicken nugget.”
As Mia colored in her menu, I sneaked glances at Ken across the table, grinning as I pretended not to notice him sneaking glances at me, like two teenagers pretending not to like each other.
Oh, yes. I was in trouble.
I looked up to see the server approaching our table, his eyes fixed on Ken. “Kenny?” he said, a grin spreading across his face.
Ken blinked, surprise registering on his features. “Alex? I didn’t know you were back in town.” He turned to me, a sheepish smile on his lips. “Marc, this is Alex Henderson. We, uh, we used to know each other.”
Alex’s gaze flicked between us, his smile widening. “Yeah, it’s been a few months since I moved back. Small world, huh?” He pulled out a notepad, his eyes never leaving Ken’s face. “So, what can I get you two gentlemen and the little lady today?”
Kenny? I felt a prickle of jealousy as I watched their exchange, the familiarity in their body language and the way Alex’s eyes lingered on Ken. Get a grip, Mendez, I chided myself. Ken’s a grown man, he can have friends.
Still, I didn’t like how Ken’s cheeks flushed slightly under Alex’s intense gaze. There was some history there, and I wondered what kind of relationship they had shared.
Then again, did I really want to know?
“Uh, I’ll have the cheeseburger and fries,” Ken said, his voice a touch unsteady. “And Mia would like the chicken nuggets, right sweetie?”
Mia nodded enthusiastically, her crayons forgotten as she beamed up at Alex. “And extra ketchup, please!”
“You got it, kiddo.” Alex scribbled down the order, his eyes lingering on Ken. “And for you? he asked, turning his gaze to me.
“I’ll have the same as Ken. And a side salad.”
Alex nodded, his smile never wavering. “Coming right up.” With a final, lingering look at Ken, he turned and headed back toward the kitchen.
I watched him go, my mind racing. What the hell was that all about? There was more to the story between Ken and this Alex guy, that was certain. The way they had looked at each other, the subtle tension in the air—it was unmistakable.
Friends, huh?
I wondered if there was more to it than that. Wouldn’t be surprising, given how Alex had watched Ken—it all suggested there might still be some unresolved feelings there.
I opened my mouth to ask another question, but Mia’s excited chatter cut me off. “Daddy, look! I made a dinosaur!” She held up her menu, proudly displaying her crayon masterpiece.
I smiled, grateful for the distraction. “That’s amazing. You draw the best pictures.” I ruffled her hair affectionately, my gaze flicking back to Ken.
Alex returned with our drinks. But instead of continuing his conversation with Alex, Ken’s attention was on Mia, watching her with a soft, wistful expression. What was going through his mind, I wondered. Was he thinking about his own family? His own dreams of being a dad one day?
I wanted to know everything about him.
Fuck. It was already too late.
I was smitten with my daughter’s teacher, and I was pretty sure he was smitten with me.
Ken seemed oblivious to what was happening in my head as he took a sip of his iced tea, his eyes warm with curiosity. “So, how long have you and Mia been in Blanco Springs? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before this school year.”
I fiddled with my napkin, a deep sigh escaping as I thought about the shitshow that had been last year. “We moved here right after Christmas. Needed a fresh start after my divorce.” I shrugged, trying to keep my tone light. “Mia’s my top priority now, and my old job wasn’t cutting it financially.”
Ken nodded sympathetically, his brow furrowing. “I can only imagine how tough that must be, being a single parent and juggling work on top of everything else.”
“Yeah, it’s been a challenge for sure.” I glanced over at Mia, who was happily coloring away, oblivious to our conversation. “But we’re making it work. My brother Alonso offered me a job at his garage while I figure out my next move. It’s been a godsend, honestly.”
“That’s great that you have family nearby to help out,” Ken said. “And it seems like Mia’s adjusting well to the new school and everything. She’s just a great girl.”
Hearing good things about my kid always felt amazing. “Mia, go wash your hands, okay? The bathroom is right there.” I laughed as she scooted sideways out of the booth and made her way to the restroom. “She’s a resilient kid, that’s for sure. Tougher than her old man in a lot of ways.”
Ken chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I don’t know about that. From where I’m sitting, you seem like a pretty tough cookie yourself.”
I ducked my head, my cheeks heating at the compliment. “Just trying my best. Mia deserves the world, and I’ll do whatever it takes to give it to her.”
“She’s lucky to have you,” Ken said softly, his gaze holding mine. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing an amazing job.”
I swallowed hard against the sudden tightness in my throat. “Thanks. That…that means a lot.” I trailed off, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about Ken’s kind eyes and gentle demeanor made me want to open up, to share the burdens I’d been carrying for so long. “It’s been hard, since Mia’s other dad left.” The words came out strained, memories dredged that I’d tried hard to bury. My fingers played with the condensation on my glass of water.
Memories of late-night arguments and my ex’s exit flooded my mind. “We adopted her from my ex-husband’s teenaged cousin when she was just a baby. The family was going to put her up for adoption, and Jacob and I jumped at the chance to raise her. At first things were great.” I paused, the lump in my throat growing. Why am I even telling him this? He probably doesn’t want to hear my life’s sob story. “But then my ex got an important promotion, and then Mia started having health problems, and the stress … it tore us apart.”
“I can’t even imagine how difficult that must have been,” Ken said, his voice filled with empathy. “But you’ve done an amazing job with Mia.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.” I took a sip of my water, gathering my thoughts. “Mia’s epilepsy diagnosis was a real blow. It’s been a steep learning curve, figuring out her triggers. But we’re getting there, day by day.”
Ken’s fingers nervously tapped on the table. “Just know that living in a small town, you’re not alone in this anymore, Marc. If there’s anything I can do to help, or anyone else at the school,” he quickly added, “anything at all—just say the word.”
Life in a small town, indeed. “I appreciate that, Ken. More than you realize,” I said, as my daughter returned, shaking her still-damp hands. “All clean?”
She held up her hands, then displayed her handiwork for our inspection. “Daddy, look! Mr. Parker, what do you think?”
“That’s beautiful, sweetie,” I said with a grin. “You’re quite the artist.”
“It’s amazing, Mia,” Ken added.
As Mia launched into a detailed explanation of her drawing, I caught Ken’s eye. He smiled softly, his gaze filled with understanding and something else, something warm and tender that made my heart skip a beat.
The arrival of our food provided a welcome distraction, and we dug in with gusto. Mia chattered between bites of chicken nuggets, regaling us with stories of her latest adventures on the playground.
It had been a long time since I’d enjoyed a conversation this much. Ken was so easy to talk to, so genuinely interested in everything Mia and I had to say. It was like we’d known each other for years, not just a few weeks.
There was this familiar warmth that had nothing to do with the burgers and fries and chocolate milkshakes that we devoured.
It was a contentment, a sense of belonging that I hadn’t had in a long time.
“Hope lunch was good.” Alex’s gaze lingered on me for a moment as we approached the counter to pay our bill, his smiled widening before turning back to face Ken, who handed him his credit card.
There was some history there between them—and it set off a twinge of jealousy deep in my gut that I had no business feeling.
I forced a polite smile, pushing down the irrational surge of possessiveness. “Nice to meet you too.” I cleared my throat, trying to get Ken’s attention. “Well, we should get going. Mia’s got a busy afternoon ahead of her.”
“Of course, of course.” Alex rang up our order, his gaze flickering between Ken and me. “It was great seeing you, Ken. And it was a pleasure to meet you both. You come back any time, you hear?”
“Thanks, Alex.” Ken flashed him a warm smile as he took his card back. “Tell Monica that everything was delicious.”
As we headed out the door, Mia chattering excitedly about the chocolate milkshake she’d devoured, I stole one last glance at Ken. My chest tightened with emotion I couldn’t quite place. Jealousy? Longing? Disappointment?
No, that was ridiculous. I had no right to feel that way. Ken was his own person, with his own history and relationships. I was just the single dad of one of his students—nothing more.
It had to be that way for now.
But as we climbed into the truck, Mia’s cheerful chatter fading into the background, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling I’d missed my chance. That there was something special between Ken and me, a connection that I’d let slip through my fingers.
I gripped the steering wheel as I forced myself to focus on the road ahead.
Still, as we drove away, I had to glance in the rearview mirror one last time, glimpsing Ken standing next to his car, his gaze fixed on our retreating truck—like he also felt the weight of those unspoken words and missed opportunities, just like I did.
But I knew I had to let it go. Ken deserved someone who would give him their whole heart, not a broken-down single dad struggling to keep his head above water.
With a heavy sigh, I turned my attention back to the road, determined to focus on the one thing that mattered most—being the father Mia deserved.