Chapter 29
JINX
The grass at the cemetery didn’t need to be cut today, but when Mason texted this morning to ask if I had any work for him to do, I didn’t want to let the kid down.
I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to see his mother, either.
When I rolled up, though, Mason was outside waiting for me. According to him, Rachel was in the shower and aware he was leaving. It’s hard not to wonder if her timing was intentional, or maybe I’m just paranoid.
It’s killing me not knowing how her date went.
It’s also killing me that she left me hanging with those two simple texts.
I tossed and turned all night, imagining every scenario, from awful and awkward to the teacher trying to put his hands on her.
Worse? What if it went better than expected and she wants to see him again?
“Hello.” Mason waves a hand in front of my face. “Earth to Jinx.”
“Huh?” I snap out of the trance. Shit. I’ve been standing at the trailer with a ratchet strap in my hand for god only knows how long. “Oh. Sorry.”
He gives a grin and shakes his head. He’s fair skinned like his mother, so the sun has already turned his cheeks pink.
“You forget your sunscreen?” I ask with an arched brow. “Your mom is gonna kick my butt if I send you home sunburned, boy.”
He snorts. “Sorry.”
“Mm-hmm.” I give him the side-eye as I tighten down the equipment. “You’re lucky it’s a short day.”
“You mean you’re lucky,” he snarks back.
With a guffaw, I reach for him so I can give him the same knuckles Aiden gave me last night, but he jumps out of the way just in time.
“You better run,” I joke as I wrap the excess strap around the clip and knot it.
His face is still lit up as he grabs a bottle of Gatorade from the cooler in the back of the truck and twists it open.
“So, two more weekends until school starts, huh?”
He sighs, and his shoulders sag a little. “Yeah.”
“What’s the sigh for? Aren’t you excited to see your friends?”
“Saw most of them during football.”
“Yeah, but that’s over now.”
He shrugs. “I know. I wish there were more games.”
“Me, too.” Can’t say I don’t like having my evenings and Saturday afternoons back, but the kids were fun. “You can play next summer, right? You won’t be too old?”
“Nope. If I have a ride again, I’ll play. I can play middle school football, too.”
“Yeah?” I lean up against the truck beside him. “You gonna keep at it? Be an all-star someday?”
He laughs. “Maybe.”
“Good. But you better remember me when you turn pro.” I nudge him with a playful elbow.
“You want tickets, huh?”
I give his hair a good tousle, catching him before he can duck. “Dang right, I do.”
He takes a couple of gulps of his drink and then wipes the back of his hand across his mouth. “This is kinda awkward, but I wanted to ask you something.”
My stomach instantly ties itself into a knot, but I keep my expression neutral. If it’s awkward, the question might be one best kept for his parents, but I want to be an outlet for him, support when he needs it. “Sure. What’s on your mind?”
“You like my mom, don’t you?”
Ah, shit. I had a feeling we’d be having this conversation sooner or later, but that doesn’t stop heat from burning up my neck. “What makes you think that?”
He cocks his head to the side and gives me a disappointed look, his lips turned down. “I might be a kid, but I’m not stupid.”
I chuckle, doing my best to ignore the discomfort creeping through me. “All right, then.”
“You talked to her a lot this summer. And you made her smile.”
His words hit me in the gut. “Yeah, we have talked. And I’m glad. To have made her smile, I mean.”
“She likes you, too, you know.”
Yeah, I think she does, too. “What do you think about that?”
“I want you to answer my question first. Do you like my mom?”
Kid holds back no punches, does he? “Yeah, Mase, I do. I like her a lot.”
He nods and ducks his head, kicking at the grass beneath him. “She cried a lot when my dad left. I don’t want that to happen again.”
Fuck.“I don’t want that to happen again, either. That’s why…” How the hell do I explain this to him? “That’s why I’ve been giving her space and time. I haven’t been through a divorce, but I imagine it’s hard on a person. Especially someone with a big heart like your mom has.”
“She does a lot for me and Emma. And she did a lot for my dad, too. And Grandpa Kaczmarek when he needs help.”
I dip my chin. “She’s a giver for sure.”
His expression tightens. He keeps his head down, and for a moment, he holds his breath like he’s trying not to cry. “She needs someone to do nice things for her, too. Not because she can’t do them herself, because she can. But I think she wants someone to help, you know?”
I chuckle. “I sure do. And I’ve been working on that.”
“That’s how I knew you liked her.”
With a long breath out, I rub my neck. “I was kinda obvious, huh?”
He gives a half laugh, finally looking at me full-on. “A little. I saw you staring at her a few times, too.”
Oh. “Uh… sorry about that.”
He rolls his eyes. “No, you’re not. I’m a guy. I know how it is.”
He does, huh? I bite back a laugh. “How do you feel about me maybe dating your mom?”
“Maybe? I thought you already were.”
This kid does not miss anything. Damn. “Not officially.” And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
“I think I know what that means.” He makes a disgusted face, his lips pursing and his eyes pinching. “You should take her on a date at least.”
Shit, if I thought this conversation was awkward before… “You’d be okay with that?”
The disapproving frown he gives me is reminiscent of many I’ve received from my old man over the years. Damn. “You should buy her dinner if you’re gonna be kissing on her.”
Okay, this kid is way too fucking smart. “I… don’t know what to say to that.”
He smirks, perking up a little, but just as quickly, he deflates. “Wait. If you marry my mom, can I still work with you?”
“Whoa, dude. Slow down.” I hold up a hand, laughing again. “We’re talking about a date, not a marriage proposal.” But I’d marry her in a fucking heartbeat if that’s what she wanted.
“Yeah, but my mom is pretty awesome. If you go on a date with her, you’re gonna fall in love.”
I don’t need to take her to dinner for that, buddy.
I lift my ball cap and scratch a hand through my hair. “One thing at a time, kid.”
He grins again, standing a little taller, chest puffed out, all confidence.
Dammit. I’m fucked. The kid sees right through me.
“I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t keep working with me,” I say. “It’ll be stuff like we’ve done this summer for a while. When you’re old enough, you can move on to some of the bigger jobs.”
“Good,” he says, wiping at the sweat on his forehead. “Because I don’t have enough money saved up for a truck yet.”
I chuckle. “Nah, that’s gonna take a while.”
“Maybe I could help you shovel snow this winter, too.”
Damn. I don’t think I’ve ever met a kid this motivated. “That’s a great idea. I always need help with that.”
With another kick to the grass, he nods. “If you fall in love with my mom…”
Ah, Christ. Here we go again. What’s it gonna be now? Are you going to start sleeping over? Will you be my stepdad?
“Yeah?” I prompt, bracing for the worst.
“Will you sell me your truck for cheap?”
RACHEL
“Mom!”Emma calls from the front of the house. “Mason is home! I’m gonna ask Jinx to look at my bike tire before he leaves!” she hollers. An instant later, the screen door slams, and then the house is silent.
I pull in a few deep breaths, then I set my cleaning cloth aside and follow after her.
Now that football is over and Justin isn’t picking up Mason for practice, he and I have hardly seen each other. In fact, I haven’t seen him since the night we had ice cream together. The night he and Jesse got into an argument about him being there with us. Thankfully, the kids didn’t overhear any of the exchange. Becca and her kids showed up as the guys were storming off, and they ran off to play. But I heard enough, and guilt has been gnawing at me ever since.
Add in my date last night, and I’ve been on pins and needles, waiting to see him. When he picked up Mason this morning, I was in the shower. Needless to say, my house is cleaner than it’s been in weeks. I’ve spent the day nervously scrubbing and dusting every surface. I’ve been too preoccupied with this inevitable conversation to do anything else.
“Hey, Mom.” Mason approaches the front porch, carrying his water jug. His forehead is smudged with sweat and dirt, and his dark hair is damp and sticky.
“Hi, baby. Looks like you worked hard today.” I resist reaching out to ruffle his hair and settle for a smile instead.
He nods. “Yup. I’m gonna take a shower. Can I make pizza rolls when I’m done? I’m hungry.”
“Of course. But don’t you dare leave your dirty clothes in the bathroom. I just cleaned in there.”
“I won’t.” He skirts around me to head inside, and I traipse casually down the steps to join Justin and Emma by his truck.
“Mason says I need a new tire, but when it did this last year, Dad fixed it, and it was fine,” she explains. “Will you look at it for me? Mariah and I want to go for a bike ride later.”
Dressed in his usual jeans, a snug T-shirt, and a ball cap, Justin nods. “Sure, I can take a peek. Did Mason try to put air in the tire already?”
Our eyes meet over the top of her head, and he gives me a soft smile. Then those light blue eyes sweep all the way down to my freshly polished toes and back up again.
“Hey, Sunny. I like your hair like that.”
I reach up and touch it, mostly because I’ve forgotten what I did with it after my shower. Just a messy knot with lots of stray strands from my vigorous and cathartic cleaning binge.
“Thank you. This is called the shabby chic cleaning lady style. Saw it on Instagram and just had to try it out.”
He half snorts, half laughs and follows Emma to the garage. The door is already open, and her bike is parked out front. Clearly, she’s been waiting for him to bring Mason home. That makes my mom heart happy.
Knowing that the kids like him as well as they do makes the decision to spend time with him so much easier. The way he is with them in return, how well he treats them, though, is the part that really eases my mind.
With one quick lift and twist, Justin flips the bike upside down, resting it on its handlebars and seat. The move makes it impossible not to home in on his biceps as they flex. And when he squats to inspect the tires? Not checking out his ass is impossible.
The man really does have a nice butt… among other things.
“Do you have a pump for the tires?” he asks, giving them both a squeeze.
“Yep. Hold on.” Emma hurries into the garage and grabs the pump. “It’s not a great one, but it works.”
“Doesn’t need to be fancy.” He takes it with a grin and pumps up the front tire first. For a moment, he inspects it, turning it slowly. “Hmm. I think you have a leak, Em.”
“We have a patch for it.” She rushes away again and digs around in an old toolbox that I forgot we even had. A moment later, she holds her arm up, producing a little orange square with a black patch on it. “Ah-ha!”
With a chuckle, Justin scratches at his jaw. “Are you sure you need me to help? You already know what’s what.”
She beams as she hands over the patch, and her expression turns serious as she watches him work.
“Yep, here’s the spot.” He holds a finger over a spot on the exposed tube beneath the tire. “Give me your hand.”
She does.
“Feel that air?” He holds her finger over the leak and squeezes the tube.
“Yep. That little bugger.” She shakes her head.
I bite back a laugh at how adorable the scene is.
A few minutes later, with the front tire repaired, the back tire pumped up, and her chain greased, Justin flips the bike back onto its wheels.
“There you go. She’s good as new.”
Emma jumps up and down, her ponytail bouncing. “Yay! Can I try it out?”
“Of course,” I tell her. I’d love a minute alone with her bike mechanic anyhow.
“You got a helmet?” Justin cocks a brow at her.
She huffs and fists her hands at her sides, frowning. “Yes.”
“Better put it on. That patch should hold, but you never know. Don’t need you wiping out and cracking that smart noggin of yours.” He tugs on a lock of her hair.
Her cheeks go pink as she turns toward the shelf where her helmet sits. “Fine,” she says. She straps it on and hops on the bike. “I’m just going to the end of the street,” she tells me.
“You can go a little farther if you want. Just watch for cars and stop at the stop sign.”
With a thumbs-up, she takes off.
Justin and I watch her go, and when she’s far enough down the street that we have some privacy, he grabs my hand and pulls me hard against his chest.
“I’ve fucking missed you,” he growls. He slides his hands to my butt and presses his lips to mine.
He tastes like coconut lip balm and an addiction I don’t ever want to kick.
Last night, when I was supposed to be enjoying the company of another man, he was all I could think about. These kisses, the way I feel simultaneously protected and free when I’m with him.
I thought about his body, too. About the way he holds me and touches me and makes me want him like I want my next breath.
He breaks away with a knowing smile and grasps my arms, easing me to the balls of my feet. Because somehow, I’ve managed to crawl halfway up said body, desperate to get as much of him as I can.
“Oh…” I take a step back and lower my head. “I’m sorry. I…” Got a little carried away.
That ridiculously sexy dimple in his cheek pops. “You didn’t kiss the teacher like that last night, did you?”
I give a small scoff, even as my heart twists. “As if.”
He chuckles, but a hint of trepidation shines in his eyes. “Why not?”
“You know why.”
He sticks his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels, instantly smug. “You’re supposed to be giving these guys a real chance, babe.”
“You make it a little difficult. And guys? Plural?” Exactly how long does he expect this dating experiment to last? I already know what I want, and that’s him. Preferably naked, really freaking soon.
“There will be more.”
Ugh. My heart sinks.
“Don’t look at me like that, Sunny.” He shakes his head and glances away, a sudden tension in his neck. “When you do, all I wanna do is toss you into my truck, drive us someplace private, and fuck every other man out of you.”
My core clenches in response to that declaration. I would absolutely let him. God help me, but I would.
“There’s only been one.” The confession rolls off my tongue easily, but the second it’s out, I hold my breath, waiting for his reaction. I suspect he’s probably figured it out, but I need him to know.
Jaw tight, he grits out a feral “one too fucking many.”
Oh, sweet Jesus.The possessive side of this man is quickly becoming my favorite.
“We need alone time soon,” he murmurs, closing the distance between us again. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear with one hand and uses the other to pull my hips against his so I can feel his erection.
Blood rushes to my lower belly, my body aching for him.
“I want that, too,” I rasp. “But I don’t know when I can.”
A low growl vibrates in his chest, and his lips find mine again. I part for him, welcoming him, savoring the way his tongue teases against mine in a slow, sensual dance. It’s impossible not to wonder if that’s how we’ll make love. Or will our first time be more like that first kiss? Rushed and frenzied and—
A car horn sounds in the distance, and I jerk away, fingertips pressed to my guilty lips. The garage door is wide open. Anyone driving by could have seen us making out like a couple of horny teenagers.
Justin gives a sly grin. “Afraid of getting caught, Sunny?”
“By my children, yes.”
His tone is low and full of mischief when he says, “We may have to get creative.”
I’m all about creativity. I don’t know how much longer I can pretend that he hasn’t woken a need in me that I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel again.
Last night’s date with Reese proved what I was already pretty sure about. We talked entirely about school and our classes, and it was no different from chatting over lunch in the breakroom. There was absolutely no spark between us.
But Justin…
Good god. The buzz in my veins and along every one of my nerves is entirely his fault.
“Hey, Mom…” Mason’s voice cuts into my greedy thoughts.
I spin toward the door between the garage and the kitchen, where he’s standing, freshly showered. “Where are the pizza rolls?”
Thank goodness for that horn.
“Check the top left of the freezer, baby.” I force a smile, then I flick a sidelong glance at Justin, who’s stuck his tongue in his cheek, probably to keep from laughing.
“’Kay, thanks.” Mason pulls the door shut, and a heartbeat later, Emma rolls back into the driveway.
“Still holding air!” she calls out with a huge grin.
“I better get going before I do something stupid,” Justin mutters. “Text you later?”
Anticipatory butterflies take flight in my stomach. “You better.”
“And about that alone time…” He lowers his gaze to my lips. “I’ll find a way to make it happen.”
“Promise?”
He flashes a wicked grin. “Oh, I promise.”