Bad Boys After Dark

by Melissa Foster

  Carson stepped between his daughter and father so quickly, it was hard not to be embarrassed for them both.

  “I’ll get you a drink, Addy Girl.” Carson lifted her into his arms and gave their father a signature Bad nod. “Good to see you.”

  Mick offered his hand, giving Carson time to escape into the kitchen with Adeline. “I’m glad you came.”

  Their father looked at his hand for a long moment before taking it in his own. But he didn’t shake it; he simply held it, which spoke volumes for a man who had taught Brett that a firm handshake told the person he was greeting how confident and strong he was. It saddened Brett to see his father giving up that stance, but at the same time, it warmed him to his core.

  “It’s good to see you,” their father said to Mick. He looked at the others and said, “It’s nice to see all of you.”

  Brett led him into the living room to Sophie. “Dad, you remember Sophie Roberts, Mick’s assistant.”

  “Yes, of course. How are you?”

  Sophie smiled warmly. “I’m well, thank you.”

  “Sophie’s with me now.” Brett put an arm around her.

  “Oh,” he said with surprise, and a genuine smile lifted his lips. “How wonderful.”

  “About damn time,” Dylan said too animatedly, showing his nervousness, too.

  The girls came over to greet him, and then Brett motioned toward the couch. “Have a seat, Dad. Kick back and watch the game.”

  His father sat on the couch, looking uncomfortable and silently surveying the room. Brett knew that look. His father wanted to bolt. He couldn’t blame him. There was so much tension in the room, it practically vibrated off the walls.

  When Carson and Adeline returned to the living room, Adeline set her cup of juice down on the coffee table and stood before her grandfather, studying his face. Carson kept a hand on her shoulder, his eyes on their father.

  “Hello, Adeline,” their father said kindly.

  She leaned into Carson’s leg. “Hi. You look different than you did at Mommy and Daddy’s wedding.”

  “Do I? I feel different, too.” He leaned forward, and she wrapped her arm around Carson’s leg. Carson’s hand slid down her shoulder, holding her.

  “You were gray,” Adeline said. “But now you’re a yucky blue.”

  Their father laughed softly, but that laugher didn’t reach his sad eyes, which moved to Carson, then returned to Adeline a little warmer. “You’re a very smart little girl, aren’t you?”

  She nodded.

  “What color is your daddy?”

  She looked up at Carson and gasped. “Daddy! You’re lemony!”

  Carson smiled. “Am I?”

  “Yes!” She let go of Carson and stepped closer to their father. “Now you look kind of gray and yellow and that yucky blue. You have a lot of colors. I haven’t seen anyone with as many colors as you.” She touched his hand, and Carson’s jaw tensed. “I don’t want you to be those yucky colors.”

  She climbed onto their father’s lap, and his eyes shot up to Carson, a silent question hanging in the air between them. Carson’s nod was nearly imperceptible as Adeline pressed both of her hands to their father’s cheeks and said, “Grandpa, please don’t be ugly colors.”

  “Adeline,” Carson cautioned her.

  She looked over her shoulder at Carson and said, “Ugly color, Daddy, not ugly person.” She focused on their father again. “Do you want to be those ugly colors?”

  He swallowed hard again, as if he had a chance of stifling the emotions welling in his eyes. “No, honey, I don’t.”

  She patted his cheeks and said, “Do you see people in colors like me?”

  That earned a genuine smile. “No. You’re very special.”

  “I think you’re special, too.” She climbed off his lap, picked up her juice cup, and went back to her coloring books on the other side of the table.

  Brett swore the entire room exhaled.

  “I…” Their father rose to his feet by Carson, eyed the door, then asked, “Does she have synesthesia? A cross-wiring of the senses?”

  “We believe so,” Carson said.

  “Fascinating.” Their father glanced at Adeline, his expression warming as he shifted his gaze to Carson again. “And terrifying that she could see me so clearly. She saw you, too. Yellow, struggling to maintain control. I’m sorry, son. I appreciate the time you’ve given me with her. I think I’d better take off.”

  “You don’t have to,” Carson said.

  “Stick around for a while,” Brett urged as he and his brothers followed their father to the door.

  “I can’t, but this was good. Thank you.” He held Brett’s gaze for a beat before his sharp eyes moved to his other sons, lingering on each of them. “I can’t make up for the hurt I’ve caused. I understand that. But you should know that I’ve learned how to let some of that anger go, and I never would have if it weren’t for the four of you making the decision to bring Lorelei back into the world of the living. I am tremendously grateful for that and for you allowing me to come over tonight. I love you boys, and I’m proud of the men you’ve become.”

  He reached for the door, and Dylan reached for him, drawing him into an awkward embrace. His father looked over Dylan’s shoulder and mouthed thank you to Brett, but Brett knew it wasn’t him who deserved the gratitude. He reached for Sophie as his brothers said their goodbyes to their father.

  “This is because of you, baby,” he said into her ear, taking a step away from the others. “Thank you.”

  “I didn’t do anything but follow my heart.” She wrapped her arms around him, her sweet smile lighting up her eyes. “You thought you caused the demise of your family, but look”—she motioned toward his brothers and father—“I think you saved them.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “I LOVE THESE heels.” Sophie showed Grace a pair of taupe suede pumps that laced up the ankle. “I wish I had them last week.” Sophie and Brett had checked off their nooner fantasy when she’d sent him a key to a hotel room with a note that read, Meet me in room 303 at noon. Bring a special package—or two. He’d brought a whole box of condoms.

  Grace snort-laughed. “If you think Brett would have noticed your heels, then you’re dreaming.”

  “Ha! You’re right. You have to admit, he’d go crazy for lace-ups, but they don’t go with my dress.”

  “Then we’ll have to find a new dress.” Grace ran her finger down the shoe boxes until she found Sophie’s size and handed her the box. “Try them on.”

  She sat on the bench and slipped off her boots. “The musical is tonight. I wish we had more time to shop.” She couldn’t believe it had been almost two weeks since Brett’s father came over. She swore Brett and his brothers were closer because of it, and Brett definitely seemed like the weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders.

  “Time? I think I’ve heard of that elusive element.” Grace handed her one of the heels.

  “I know, right? Thank you for putting all this together for Adeline. I know you have hardly any time between shows, and coordinating the private showing must have been a real pain.” Grace had arranged for Brett’s family to see a play they’d run last year called the Magical Musical, which featured princesses, knights, and friendly dragons. Brett was footing the entire bill, and Grace didn’t know it yet, but in return Brett had arranged for an all-expense-paid trip to Hawaii for her on a date of her choosing. Sophie loved that he didn’t take anyone for granted.

  Grace sank down beside her. “Actually, setting this up for Brett has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I love the cast in this play. They’re less divaish than most. And I got to do some creative things this time around. Brett was worried about how long Adeline could sit still, so we modified the show and rewrote the end of the first half to seem like the end of the entire play in case she fizzled out early. If she’s doing well and enjoying it, we’ll do the second half.”

  “You’re amazing, you know that? Adeline’s excited
, and I have to say, Brett is, too. He’s nervous about it all coming together. You’d think he was the one doing your job. But I guess that’s to be expected since he hasn’t been to a show in so long and he really wants it to be special for Adeline. We’ve had dinner with Carson and Tawny four times in the last two weeks, and she was so excited, playing the piano and showing us her new dress.” She stood and walked down the aisle and back in the heels. She stopped in front of Grace and said, “What do you think?”

  “I think we’d better buy you new lingerie, too, because those heels say forget waiting until we get home; take me at intermission.”

  “Perfect.”

  They bought the heels and went in search of a dress to match, weeding through racks of dresses that were either too fancy, too professional, or too sleazy. When they left the third store, Sophie said, “We’re never going to find one. Maybe I should save the heels for another event and look for a pair of heels to go with the dress I have instead.”

  “Absolutely not.” Grace pulled her toward a lingerie store. “We just need to change directions a little. Lingerie, lunch, more dress shopping.”

  Sophie looped her arm with Grace’s and said, “Do you know how much I love you?”

  “Enough that you didn’t blow me off today,” Grace teased.

  “I love you so much that when I spoke to Nana last night I told her that you needed some matchmaking.” Sophie laughed at Grace’s deadpan stare as they entered the lingerie shop.

  “I’m making a mental note not to be available for their next anniversary party.” Grace went directly to a display of thongs. “Pick your poison, baby.”

  Sophie picked up a beige thong and said, “Who needs underwear?”

  “Ew. You’re wearing a dress. You need underwear. At least butt floss. But you’d better buy two, because once your man realizes you’re wearing a thong and those heels he’ll have you wet and wild on the ride over.” She handed Sophie another thong and headed for the bras.

  “You’re such a good friend. You mother me when I want to be a tramp.”

  “I’m not sure what kind of mother would convince you to buy fuck-me heels and a thong.”

  Their gazes met and they both said, “Nana,” then burst out laughing.

  Two thongs and two bras later, they had lunch at a café and caught up on all the things they hadn’t discussed over text during the week. Then they hit the pavement again in search of a dress. After going through several shops, trying on at least ten dresses and coming out empty-handed, Sophie was ready to give up.

  “We live in the fashion hub of the United States. Finding a dress should not be this hard.”

  “At least you can fit in all the dresses you try on. I’ve got nasty cramps, and I swear I’m carrying at least seven pounds of water weight right now.”

  “Oh please, you look great.” They went into another store, and as Sophie fished through a rack of dresses, she tried to remember when she’d last had her period. The Indian restaurant! She’d had wicked cramps that night and had tried to back out of going.

  “How about this one?” Grace held up a beautiful dress almost the exact same color as the heels Sophie had bought. “It’s sleeveless, but your man will keep you hot.”

  Sophie was hot now, sweating over how long it had been since she’d had her period, although she’d never been very regular. She told herself not to panic and said, “That’s perfect.”

  They searched the rack for her size, and Sophie asked, “Do you remember when we had dinner at that Indian restaurant?”

  Grace handed her the dress in her size. “That was forever ago. Why? Want to go again? It was good.”

  “Yeah, we should go again sometime.” She went into the dressing room, pulled out her phone, and searched her calendar for the date of that dinner. Shit, shit, shit. Her period was almost a week late. But she’d been so busy—humping like bunnies—and maybe a little stressed, too, with the trip home and then Brett’s father’s visit.

  “Hurry up, Cinderella,” Grace called from outside the dressing room.

  “Coming.” She whipped off her clothes and tried on the dress. The classic sheath-style, sleeveless silhouette dress gathered at one hip and had a high neckline. There was a small slit just above the knee, which Brett would love. She put her hand over her belly and warmed with the idea of carrying her and Brett’s baby. She tried to remember if they’d ever had unprotected sex, and their shower tryst came back to her. She closed her eyes as memories of that incredible morning hit, followed by the sound of Brett’s voice. The last thing either of us needs is a kid.

  Committing to a relationship was one thing, but a child?

  “Soph, I’m dying out here,” Grace said.

  Sophie closed her eyes, breathing deeply, and said, “Be right out.”

  She stared in the mirror, telling herself she was being ridiculous. Her period was always three or four days early or late. She’d probably get it at the event tonight. She made a mental note to put tampons in her purse, smoothed the gorgeous dress over her hips, and decided not to worry unless she had to.

  “TONIGHT, THOSE HEELS stay on,” Brett whispered into Sophie’s ear later that evening as they sat in the theater awaiting the start of the musical.

  Shivers of anticipation rippled through her. Getting dressed around Brett was as much fun as getting undressed. He was the handsiest, most sensual and loving man Sophie had ever known, which meant getting anywhere on time took advance planning. But tonight, as they’d dressed for the musical, she’d been running late, and she’d had to deny his advances. They’d made out in the car on the way over, but she’d had to cut that short, too. We already made your family wait in the hall before the football game. If we’re late tonight we’ll forever be known as the nymphomaniacs who can’t control ourselves. He’d promptly bit her neck and growled, What’s wrong with that? It’d be true.

  Now, as Adeline bounced excitedly in her seat, chatting about the upcoming show, and Brett’s brothers and sisters-in-law surrounded them in the otherwise empty theater, the tips of Brett’s fingers moved into the slit on her dress brushing her thigh. She put her hand over his and glared at him. Suddenly Grace’s joke didn’t seem like such a bad idea.

  She leaned closer and whispered, “Maybe we can find a dark corner of the theater at intermission.”

  His eyes glistened with wicked intent as the theater lights dimmed.

  “It’s starting!” Adeline said loudly, clapping. She was adorable in a fancy pink dress with white bows in her hair. She leaned closer to Brett and said, “I can’t wait to get up onstage! We’re going to look pretty up there!”

  He put his arm around Adeline and said, “Maybe after the show.”

  “This was such a great idea,” Sophie said to Brett. “You might have inspired a future actress.”

  “And you inspired me to finally live my life to the fullest,” he said as the curtains opened and the show began.

  THE MUSICAL WAS incredible, clearly designed for children, but with enough humor and vague romantic elements to keep Sophie and everyone else riveted to the stage. When the curtain came down at intermission, everyone clapped, and Adeline jumped up and down in front of her seat, making them all laugh, which made Sophie realize she had to pee.

  “I’m going to run to the ladies’ room,” she said to Brett.

  Adeline grabbed Brett’s hand and said, “Now, Uncle Bretty? Now can we go up onstage?”

  “Give me a second, monkey. Then we’ll see if we can find our friend Grace and ask if it’s all right to take a peek.” He turned to Sophie and said, “Want me to walk you out?”

  “No. It’s okay. She’s so excited. But I don’t know if you’ll be able to actually take her up there. Usually at intermission Grace and the stage crew are crazed.”

  Brett hoisted Adeline into his arms. “That’s okay. If we can’t get onstage, we’ll find other things to look at. Right, monkey?”

  “This place is so shiny and bright! I want to see it all!” Ade
line said. “Daddy, are you coming with us?”

  Carson put a hand on her back and said, “You know it, baby.”

  “Adeline, do you have to use the bathroom first?” Tawny asked.

  Adeline shook her head.

  Sophie and Brett’s sisters-in-law went in search of the ladies’ room.

  “That was magnificent,” Tawny said as they entered the luxurious bathroom. “Did you hear Adeline giggling?”

  They each headed for a stall.

  “Your daughter kills me,” Amanda said. “I can’t wait to have babies.”

  “I can’t wait to get Dylan home tonight,” Tiffany said. “The man has been feeling me up since the lights went down.”

  “I thought I heard a few deep sighs,” Tawny said.

  Four flushes later, they washed their hands and primped in the mirror.

  “Did Mick tell the guys he reached out to their father last week?” Amanda pulled a brush from her purse and ran it through her hair.

  The girls shrugged and murmured their uncertainty.

  “I know Brett’s been talking with their father, but he didn’t mention anything about Mick doing the same,” Sophie said.

  “Well, then, don’t say anything, please.” Amanda put the brush back in her purse. “But I think what Brett did has made a world of difference, at least for Mick.”

  “For Carson, too,” Tawny admitted. “I wasn’t going to say anything because Carson’s so private, but I know they talked yesterday, and Carson said he thought it was a good beginning.”

  They all looked at Tiffany, who said, “Do you even have to ask? It’s Dylan. He went to see his father the very next day, had breakfast with him last weekend, and he talked to him before we left tonight.”

  All the girls laughed.

  “And we have Sophie to thank for it,” Amanda pointed out.

  “All I did was fall in love. This was all Brett, and I don’t think it had as much to do with me as it did with our visit with my family. He definitely changed when we were there. It’s like he needed to remember that all families weren’t doomed to unhappiness or something. I don’t know, really, but I couldn’t be happier. He hasn’t been to a musical since they lost Lorelei. Have you guys ever thought about how much love our guys had for their little sister?” Her eyes teared up, and she tried to blink away the wetness. “Seriously. Their hearts are so big.”