Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-three
Ben
Mazzy bent down and kissed Katty’s head. “Be good, okay?”
“I will.” She leaned into my side, barely taking her eyes off the TV. I liked that she wasn’t concerned in the least her mom was about to leave her alone with me. I was nervous about doing bedtime on my own, but I was pretty sure I could handle it.
If Kat refused to go to sleep, however, I’d probably cave—especially if she brought on the waterworks. All my girl had to do was stick her bottom lip out, and I was a goner.
Mazzy began to straighten, and I caught her wrist. “What about me?”
She cocked her head. “You?”
“Aren’t you going to tell me to be good?”
She chuffed. “It would be a waste of breath.”
“You have a point. Fine.” I tapped my cheek. “I’ll just take my kiss.”
“Ben…” she groaned. “Garrett’s outside. I need to go.”
I gave my cheek another tap. “Then hurry up.”
She sighed and leaned in, pressing her warm lips right where I wanted them. Well, not exactly where I wanted them, but where I’d asked. Then she jumped out of my grasp.
“Now that you extorted a kiss from me, I really do have to go.” She slung her backpack over her shoulder and stuffed her feet in her shoes. “Call me if you need me.”
I disentangled myself from Katty and crossed the living room to open the door for her. “Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine. Do lots of learning, all right?”
She patted my shoulder. “I appreciate you doing this.”
“I appreciate you trusting me to handle things. I’m almost certain I can do it.”
That earned me a laugh. “I know you can. Have fun.”
I locked the door behind her, then went to the window to check out this Garrett clown.
She’d told me he was her classmate, and before I entered the picture, Wednesday nights were reserved for her study group with him and two other people.
Now that we were into the swing of this co-parenting thing, she was trying to get back to her routine.
Fine. Reasonable. Responsible.
Except when Garrett stepped out of his shiny black SUV, looking like he belonged on the cover of the yacht magazines Nate got in the mail, I didn’t feel exactly reasonable.
Tall, clean-cut, he wore a quarter zip and perfectly pressed chinos. His hair flopped artfully across his forehead, and I could see his blindingly white teeth from the second floor.
He went around to open the passenger door for Mazzy, and she laughed at something he said.
Laughed.
My eye started to twitch.
There was no reason I couldn’t be the one to help her study. I knew a few laws. I could use a search engine. Probably better than Garrett.
Definitely better.
My Google skills were elite.
Leaning my forehead against the glass, I muttered, “Good luck with your study group, Garrett. Hope you choke on your flash cards.”
“What did you say?” Katty asked.
“Um…” I turned away from the window and smiled at my daughter. “Nothing. I’m just talking to myself.”
She tilted her head. “You’re weird sometimes. I like it.”
“Appreciate it, sweetheart.” I flopped down on the couch beside her, and she tucked herself back against me. “I like everything about you.”
“That’s nice.” She leaned her head on me. “I like tonight.”
“I do too.”
Except for Garrett. I did not like Garrett.
A week later, Garrett came back, doing the same song and dance. He opened the door for Mazzy like a gentleman and watched her ass as she climbed in like the letch he truly was. And she lapped that shit up, giving him a great big smile, like it was so difficult to open and close a car door.
Knowing Garrett, it probably was.
Not that I knew him. But I could tell.
Me: Kill me now.
Adrian: I’ll need an address and a half an hour to gather my supplies.
Me: Wow. You were just waiting for this day, weren’t you?
Adrian: I’m your brother. It should go without saying I’ll do anything for you.
Nate: No one’s killing anyone. What are you being over dramatic about now?
Roman: Aren’t you with Katty?
Me: I am. We just sent Mazz off for a study session with Garrett. Not sure what kind of name that is. Sounds like carrot. Who names their kid Carrot?
Mazzy Belle Emerson was nothing if not studious. Law school on top of working and being a mom was kicking her ass, but she didn’t complain. I wanted to be there for her in every way I could, but watching her run out the door to slide into Garrett’s car was testing me.
I hadn’t gleaned why it was necessary for Garrett to pick her up and drop her off, just that it was a thing they did.
And I was so supportive. No one had ever been more supportive than I was.
Adrian: Who's Carrot?
Nate: *Garrett
Me: Some kid she goes to school with.
Roman: By kid, you mean someone Mazzy’s age?
Me: Remember when you were on punishment? I’d like to reinstate that.
Adrian: Should we take another moment to acknowledge how very young Mazzy is?
Me: Absolutely not.
I wasn’t sure why I’d thought texting my brothers would be any help. I’d been hoping they’d let me talk through this creepy-crawly feeling I’d had all over my skin since I first watched Garrett get out of his car and open the passenger door for Mazzy.
Instead, I got this. Like I wasn’t already very aware of Mazzy’s age and how young she’d been when we’d met.
Nate: There are other people in this study group too, right? Otherwise, it sounds like you’re babysitting while Mazz goes on a date…
Roman: He can’t babysit his own kid. And if it were a date, would that be a problem?
Me: Spending time with Kat is a pleasure, and I love that Mazz trusts me to be on my own with her. She’s currently drawing my portrait, and I already know it’s going to be a masterpiece.
Adrian: Why exactly are you yearning for death then?
Me: There are two other people at the study group. It’s legit. Mazz works hard. But this Carrot guy…I don’t trust him.
Adrian: Because you’re into Mazzy.
Nate: Ade, come on. Let Benny work those thoughts out for himself.
Adrian: I’m stating the obvious. He has to realize it.
Me: I’m still here.
Roman: I’m sure they’re just studying. But, as you know, communication goes a long way.
Me: I do know. That’s why I’m texting you guys. Thanks for being absolutely zero help.
Adrian: It’s okay if you have a crush on your daughter’s mom.
Nate: Is it okay? Sounds like it could be messy.
Adrian: Messier than watching her go on a date?
Me: IT’S NOT A DATE!!!
Roman: Go have fun with your kid. Try not to get all up in your head. And remember, communicate!
With a groan, I tossed my phone aside and scrubbed my face. Feeling a little hand on my knee, I dropped my hands.
“What’s wrong?” Katty asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
“Nothing, sweetheart. Your uncles are driving me nuts, but that’s normal.”
“They always drive you nuts?”
“Yep.” I leaned forward on the couch to give her a peck on the side of her head. “Are you ready to show me your art?”
Katty brought me my portrait, and as expected, it belonged in museums. She had an…
abstract style. Eyeballs went just about anywhere, and she didn’t limit herself to two.
I was pretty sure my mouth was on my forehead and my nose had teeth.
It was pure genius. She thought outside the box, and I really admired that.
The apartment door swung open without warning, and Aunt Barb stepped out of the shadows of the garage. We really needed to remember to lock that thing.
I grabbed Katty and put her in front of me. Not like a shield or anything, I knew Aunt Barb would never hurt her. Me? That was questionable.
“I made dinner,” she announced.
“Oh…cool.” I wanted to say the right thing, but I wasn’t sure what that was.
“What did you make?” Katty asked.
“Your favorite: meatballs.” Aunt Barb’s voice didn’t soften even an inkling when speaking to Katty, and my girl ran to her and wrapped her arms around her legs.
“Can Benny come too?” Katty asked.
“He can.” Aunt Barb eyed me as she patted Katty’s hair. “But he has to do the dishes.”
“I can do that,” I said.
“Good.” Aunt Barb nodded sharply. “Let’s go.”
She took Katty’s hand, leading her out of the apartment. My daughter chirped happily, telling her aunt about her day. I followed them across the garage, nervous I was going to say or do the wrong thing. I didn’t get nervous often. This was an unfamiliar feeling I didn’t know what to do with.
Aunt Barb’s house smelled like garlic and tomatoes. Katty kicked her shoes off, and I followed suit without being told, though I hadn’t missed the side-eye Aunt Barb shot me.
Kylie was already at the dining table, scrolling through her phone. She hugged Katty and placed her on her lap, taking a selfie with her.
“Hi, Ben,” she sang. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Hey.” I hovered, unsure what I should’ve been doing or sitting. “It smells really good in here.”
“My mom’s an incredible cook. You’re in for a treat,” Kylie said.
Aunt Barb bustled toward the table, carrying two big dishes. I tried to help her out by taking one, but she yanked it away with a huff.
“For heaven’s sake, you’ll make me drop everything.” She plunked one after the other on the table. “And sit down. I’ll get a crick in my neck if I keep having to look up at you.”
Properly scolded, I dropped into the seat beside Katty. She watched me put my napkin in my lap and did the same, then Kylie helped her scoop meatballs and pasta onto her plate.
Aunt Barb sniffed. “I’ve heard athletes don’t eat carbs.” Then she pushed a smaller dish of noodles toward me. “These are zucchini noodles. I can’t say if they’re good or not.”
My eyes widened. “You made me zucchini noodles?”
She unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap, not looking at me. “It took me next to no time. Eat them—or don’t.”
Something told me this wasn’t true. And even if it was, Aunt Barb had still gone out of her way for me, and I didn’t take that lightly. I hated zucchini with the heat of a thousand suns, but I was going to eat every last scrap in this dish.
“Thank you.” I piled my plate high with my special noodles. They were green and utterly revolting, but they were going down the hatch, no matter what. “I really appreciate it.”
Aunt Barb muttered, “You’re welcome,” instead of grunting, and I took that as a win.
Kylie twirled her noodles around her fork. “So, Ben, Mazzy’s at her study group with Garrett again?”
“It’s Wednesday,” Barb snapped. “Of course she is.”
Kylie speared a meatball. “I looked him up on Instagram. He’s pretty cute…in that preppy, future-senator way. I’m not sure he’s Mazzy’s type, but she’d have to be blind not to think he’s attractive.”
I coughed into my napkin. “Huh.”
Kylie tilted her head. “You don’t agree?”
I shrugged, doing my best impression of someone who didn’t want to throw Garrett’s fancy SUV into the nearest ditch. “He’s not my type.”
Barb’s brow furrowed even deeper than usual. “You’re scowling.”
Hello, Pot, meet Kettle.
Of course, I didn’t say that. I didn’t want a pot and kettle to meet my skull.
“I’m not scowling,” I said automatically.
“Your eyebrows are touching,” Kylie said helpfully.
“Why are you scowling?” Barb asked.
“I really don’t think I am.” I dragged my fingers over the deep ruts in my forehead. “I just don’t think Garrett’s anything special.”
Barb hmphed. “He’s been circling around all year, picking that girl up as if she can’t drive herself.” She shook her head. “I say, piss or get off the pot. My Mazzy needs a man of action. He’s going to circle her until he’s dizzy and wind up going in the wrong direction.”
This was the night of pot idioms, apparently. Aunt Barb’s was kind of gross, but I heard her. She was seeing what I saw. Garrett was interested, but he’d been too chickenshit to make a move.
Did Mazzy want him to?
The zucchini swam in my stomach.
Kylie picked up her water glass. “The question is, would Mazzy prefer someone else circling her?”
Barb’s fork scraped her plate. “She doesn’t have the time to play games, and she’s too smart to wait around for a gutless man.”
“That’s true.” Kylie’s gaze gleamed when it met mine. “If you don’t want to end up being the babysitter while Mazz is out on dates, you might want to say that…sooner rather than later.”
Katty looked up from her plate. “Benny’s not my babysitter. He’s my dad.”
Kylie gave Katty’s shoulders a squeeze. “You’re right, honeybun. What was I even thinking?”
I cleared my throat and reached for another meatball, mostly for something to do with my hands. “Guess that’s settled.”
Kylie hummed. “By the way, Mazzy’s birthday is next Saturday.”
Katty nodded. “My mommy’s going to be twenty-five.”
I winced internally. I could barely remember being twenty-five, and here I was, thinking about a woman who wasn’t even there yet.
“She hasn’t done anything special for her birthday in years,” Barb remarked, eyeing me.
“Right?” Kylie twirled her spaghetti on her fork. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she forgot her birthday was even coming up.”
“I’m going to make her a card,” Katty said.
“That’s a great idea, sweetheart,” I replied. “Maybe I’ll make one too.”
Barb chuffed. “I’m sure you could do more than that. If you wanted to.”
I nodded. “You’re right. I’ll have to think about it. Mazz deserves the world.”
“And a break,” Kylie added. “Our girl could use a break, big time.”
My head was spinning in every direction. First Carrot, now Mazz’s birthday. What if she wanted to go out with Carrot for her birthday?
The birthday girl got what she wanted, didn’t she? Of course, maybe she didn’t know what she wanted since she hadn’t been presented with all the options.
Barb gave me a sharp look. “Don’t you like your noodles?”
“Oh.” The meatballs were the best I’d ever had. The noodles were barely edible mush. “Yeah, they’re great, really, so good.”
I scooped a pile onto my fork and stuffed it into my mouth. Aunt Barb watched me chew and chew and chew until I had no choice but to swallow or spray them all over the table.
I swallowed and regretted it deeply.
But Barb almost smiled.
I was winning.