2. Two
Two
Avery
I sing along to P!nk’s Get the Party Started as I apply the final touches of mascara. Nikki invited our roller derby team to check out a cigar shop. Months after her brother was killed in combat, she’s pushing herself to get out and try to start her life again, which I’m proud of her for doing.
I just need to get out and do a non-Mom thing and pretend that I haven’t forgotten to have fun. Luckily my brothers are wrapped around Bella’s little finger.
I’ve squeezed into my favorite jeans that hug my curves a little more tightly than they used to, but it’s a good change from sweats covered in baby spit-up.
As I’m headed out the door, my oldest brother yells, “Don’t forget to pick up some diapers!”
Mom duty never ceases, but at least the majority of my outing will be fun. After the short drive to town, I pull into the nearest grocery store, grab the largest pack of diapers I can find, and rush back to my car .
That’s when I see him. Roman, Bella’s father.
My blood runs cold as I spot my ex leaning against my car, arms crossed and a smirk on his face. I fight the urge to run back inside. He’s figured out that I had a baby and it’s probably his. The mega-pack of diapers that’s nearly as big as I am doesn’t help the situation.
He stares at them, then huffs.
I walk directly to my driver’s-side door, ignoring him, anger churning in my gut.
He pushes off the front of my car, slapping a hand on the door to keep it from opening. “I think you know why I’m here, Avery. Where’s my kid?”
I’m fired up. “Your kid? Right, you’re great dad material.”
His laugh sends chills down my spine. “I have a right to see my kid.”
“I seriously doubt you want a baby in your precious bachelor pad. You didn’t even want me there other than for booty calls.” That little gem took me way too long to figure out.
“I know you’re living with your brothers. How’s that working out for you? Still can’t stand on your own two feet?”
His words sting, hitting a nerve. I take a deep breath, channeling all my anger and fear into a steely resolve to protect my daughter.
He continues, “You can’t keep my child from me.”
“Even if you are the father, do you really want to man up for midnight feedings? Diaper changes? Maybe you want to see how much diapers cost?” I thrust the receipt at him but he doesn’t take it. I add the kicker. “Child support?”
Uncertainty flickers in his eyes. “So you were fucking around on me and you don’t even know who the father is?”
Letting him believe that is my best option. “Yep, no telling who the father is. Be grateful I’m not trying to pin it on you.”
He scrubs his hands over his face. The thought of me having sex with someone else has to be a shock to him. I seize the moment, fling the door open, toss the diapers inside, and jump in.
“This isn’t over!” he yells as I close the door with one hand and turn the key in the ignition with the other.
I peel out of the parking lot, my hands shaking on the steering wheel. It’s only when I’m several blocks away that I allow myself to breathe. That evil asshole can’t have any place in my daughter’s life, even if he is the father.
Arriving at the cigar shop, I do my best to hide my frazzled nerves. Once inside, all I have to do is follow the laughter to find my friends.
Nikki keeps her voice quiet, but bubbles with excitement. “Avery! You’re not gonna believe what we found.” She’s opening the display case, pointing at a row of thick cigars. “Check out these big boys .”
Belova tries not to laugh. “Don’t get us in trouble again. ”
I’m not sure what trouble they got into, but I’ve never seen cigars this big. They’ll serve perfectly for comic relief. I grab the thickest one, wrapping my fingers around it.
Beatrix playfully says, “I might have to take one of these home and see if the guys have inferiority complexes.”
“TMI,” I blurt out. I can’t deal with the thought of my brothers having any kind of reaction to the size of these cigars.
Mila tries to stifle her laughter, but ends up crying, she’s laughing so hard.
“I thought I made myself clear.” A deep voice rolls past me.
Whoever the voice belongs to must be staring at me. I wince and slowly turn.
He reaches for my hand and wraps his fingers around mine and the cigar. I think he’s upset with me, but I’m on the verge of melting. Is it the heat of his hand, the sparks of electricity zipping through me, or the crazy attraction I feel for him? I haven’t experienced anything like this in a long time.
“You like that size?” His voice softens.
I don’t know what’s happening, but I funnel all of the anger and anxiety from my encounter with my ex into having fun with this sexy, muscular, man-bun wearing god. This is my big outing without the baby. I’m going to enjoy every second of it.
“I’ve had bigger,” I tease.
His lips quirk. “If you like big things in your mouth, I’d be happy to help you find a perfect fit.”
I’m in a store, surrounded by my closest friends. It’s so good to feel sexy and desired and to have fun. I run with the banter. “How big ya’ got?”
He lifts my hand. “If you’re impressed by this, maybe I shouldn’t show you.”
Beatrix says, “Let’s give them some space.” She and the rest of my group run out. So much for being surrounded by my friends.
I can’t believe I’m flirting with this gorgeous stranger. His eyes sparkle with mischief, drawing me in.
I bite my lip. “ Shouldn’t show me … Sounds like you’re just a tease.”
He removes the cigar from my hand and returns it to the shelf. The world transforms into slow motion as I long for his strong touch.
Taking my hand, he leans in closer, his breath warm on my ear. “I’d love to tease you.”
I struggle to maintain my composure and make the mistake of pushing on his deliciously firm chest to create space. “Do you make that offer to everyone who walks in here?”
“It’s a special offer, just for you.” He winks. “I’m Diego.”
“Avery,” I reply, unsure if swapping names makes this too real.
“Good to meet you, Avery. What do you do when you’re not admiring large-ring-gauge cigars? ”
I tense up. Why make this serious by getting personal? I don’t want to see his face if I tell him I have a baby. “Not much.”
Diego raises an eyebrow. “Are you trying to tease me? You must do something. You know I work in a cigar shop. What do you do?”
Suppose he’s ready for me to reveal I’m a foot-fetish camgirl? Maybe we can skip past that. “I’ve been thinking about a career change lately.”
“Fine. I can go all night with you teasing me. But seriously, you intrigue me, you seem fun. What do you do?”
Intrigue him? “Then I must be misleading you because I stopped having fun a while back.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t buy it.”
Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “I want to get out of being a camgirl—only foot stuff, but still.”
Diego’s eyes widen as he lowers his gaze. What does he expect to see? And is that actually a very low, repressed groan I hear from him?
I’m regretting my honesty, as well as my choice of flip flops. But instead of judgment when he looks back up, I see interest.
“And what do you want to do instead?”
“I don’t know.” I slump. I’ve killed the sexy vibe. “Sorry for taking up your time. My friends are waiting on me.”
“Wait.” He strokes my cheek with the backs of his fingers.
Maybe that sexy vibe isn’t gone after all.
“At least give me your number. ”
Diego is possibly the hottest guy I’ve ever met, regardless of how old he is, and I’m supposed to believe he wants me? “Why do you want my number?”
“Do I really have to spell it out?”
I’m a mom now. This outing is the most fun I’ve had in a while. I can’t live on whims. “I’m not really dating much right now.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t.”
“I… um…” Why did the fun have to be so fleeting? Am I really so afraid that he’ll freak out over me having a kid, that I won’t even try?
“Let me try a different approach. Aside from my initial reason for wanting your number, you’re looking for a job and we happen to be looking for a new employee. Give me your number so I can call you about the job.”
He said, “we” as if he owns the place. That is fitting since he looks so much older than me. I’m way out of my league. But what am I supposed to say to his offer? I’m just making this stupid. I blurt out, “I have a baby. No offense, but this isn’t the kind of job I’m thinking of.”
Diego’s face lights up. “A baby? I might have the perfect solution.”
That’s the absolute last reaction I expected.
“We have a toddler, Evie, cutest little—”
I jerk away. “You’re married and have a kid? What the hell?”
“That came out wrong. My business partner, Bane, has a toddler… Guess you could say I’m pretty attached to her. Anyway, his nanny just quit. How would you feel about being a live-in nanny instead of a camgirl?”
“Are you serious? You don’t even know me.”
Diego shrugs, grinning. “Sometimes I just know when something—or someone—is right. What do you say? Want the job?”
My heart races. How many problems does this solve? I can stop being a camgirl and get a new place to live? It seems too good to be true.
“I would need to meet your partner and his little girl.”
Diego nods. “Fine, but I already know he’ll love you. Now can we exchange numbers?”
“Or you could just give me his number?” I try this not-too-subtle approach, but doubt he’ll go for it.
“Then how will I get in touch with you for our date?” His grin brings out his dimples—not a good reason to get dragged in over my head.