“Good job,” Stoney said. “Okay, let’s go find those brownies.”
“Yes,” Felix said, and he grabbed Stoney’s hand.
Stoney led us back outside where dessert had already been set out, then we piled our plates high with sugar. Felix was in heaven.
Sabrina
Thursday arrived and I was a heap of nervous energy the entire day. I picked Felix up from school and we headed home so he could clean up and change for his night out with Stoney. We were both buzzing with excitement as he got ready.
“Is Stoney really taking me to the Summit?”
“Yep,” I said, combing his hair.
“Can I play laser tag?”
“You’ll have to ask him.”
“Can we bowl?”
I chuckled. “You’ll have to ask him, sweetie. He’s the boss of you tonight, so what he says goes.”
“I’ll be good, Auntie.”
I kissed his forehead. “I know you will.”
Stoney arrived just before six and I pulled the door open so fast, I almost lost hold of it. “Hi,” I said. “He’s coloring in the kitchen.”
He smiled, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “You look pretty.”
“Oh, um, thanks.” I shivered, wanting to strip in front of him for some reason. “I actually haven’t changed from work.”
“It’s workin’ for you.”
I smiled, closing the door behind us, and leading him into the kitchen.
“Stoney!” Felix squealed, launching into his arms for a hug.
Stoney caught him, squeezing him tight. “Hey, bud, you ready for some fun?”
“Can we play laser tag? And bowl?”
“Please,” I prompted.
“Please,” Felix said.
Stoney set him back on his seat. “Yeah, bud, we can do whatever you want.”
“But we need to talk to you about something before you guys go,” I said.
Felix frowned. “Am I in trouble.”
“No, bud, why would you be in trouble?” Stoney asked.
Felix shrugged. “I don’t know, it’s just Auntie’s using her serious voice and she only does that when I’m in trouble.”
Stoney smiled. “Well, this time, it’s because we have something to tell you that’s serious, but it’s not because you’re in trouble.”
“Okay,” he said slowly.
“Remember how you asked me who your dad was?” I asked.
“Yeah. Because I don’t have one and my mama’s in heaven.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Well, when Mama went to heaven, she left a letter in a box. I’d kind of forgotten about the box, but when you went missing, I thought I’d see if there was anything in there that would help me find you.”
“I’m sorry I went with Ms. Morales,” he said, quickly.
I cupped his face. “Baby, you’re not in trouble. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
His lips quivered, which made my lips quiver, so Stoney took over. “Your auntie found a letter addressed to me in the box, and it was from your mom.”
“My mom wrote you a letter?”
“Yes. She wrote to tell me that I’m your dad.”
“What?”
“Stoney’s your daddy, honey,” I confirmed.
“No!” he cried. “I don’t want to leave!”
“Baby, you’re not going anywhere,” I promised.
“I want to stay here,” he continued, climbing over the kitchen island to jump into my arms.
“Fox,” Stoney said, his voice low and quiet. “You’re not goin’ anywhere, bud. I promise. You can stay with your aunt for as long as you want to.”
“Promise?” he rasped.
“Yes, honey,” I said, giving him a gentle squeeze. “Stoney’s gonna visit and take you to fun places, but you’ll sleep here forever if you want.”
“So, if I don’t want to go with Stoney, I don’t have to?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Stoney confirmed.
“You won’t be mad?”
“No way. How could I be mad at you?” he asked.
“Can I stay home tonight?” he asked.
“Of course,” I said, even though Stoney’s face fell slightly.
Felix hugged my neck harder, burying his face against it. “Okay.”
“What about...,” I hedged, “...we all go to the Summit together?”
Felix’s face brightened. “Really?”
“Sure,” Stoney said. “The more the merrier.”
“Does that sound good?” I asked Felix. “I want you to feel comfortable with your dad, baby, but it’s on your schedule. Whatever you feel comfortable with.”
“You’ll come with us?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Okay.”
“Go brush your teeth and we’ll get going,” I said, setting Felix on his feet.
He ran off and I stepped out from behind the island, feeling guilty about the fact Felix didn’t want to go with Stoney. “I’m sorry, Stoney. I hope you don’t feel like I’m—”
His lips landed on mine and I gripped his vest as one hand went to my pulse, while the other settled on my lower back. I opened my mouth slightly and his tongue swept in and I touched his with mine as I relished his touch.
After a few seconds, he broke the kiss, dropping his forehead to mine.
“You’re not mad?” I asked.
“Why the fuck would I be mad?” he asked.
“I kind of blew up your plans to get to know Felix one-on-one.”
“That’s not how I see it,” he said.
“It’s not?”
“No.” He smiled. “You’re giving him the space to ask questions and object to things he’s uncomfortable with.” He stroked my cheek. “You’re showing him you love him and believe in him. You’re a fuckin’ superhero.”
I leaned into his touch. “Okay, I was not expecting that.”
“You’re trouble, baby.”
“I am?”
“No doubt.”
I blushed. “I should go change into something more comfortable.”
“I’m hangin’ on by a thread here, baby.”
I stepped back. “I meant jeans or sweats. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“No promises.”
I shook my head. “I’ll be quick.”
I rushed upstairs and changed quickly, then we headed out.
* * *
Felix stayed glued to my side pretty much all through dinner. I let him just be, and he seemed to relax as the night went on. We were sitting in a booth, Felix and me on one side, Stoney on the other and Felix was snuggled close.
“Do you want to bowl or play laser tag?” Stoney asked.
Felix looked up at me.
“I vote bowl,” I said. “You know how I feel about laser tag.”
“Not a fan?” Stoney asked.
I smiled. “Dark room with loud noises, not so much. I like to see what’s coming.”
“Okay,” Felix said, but I could tell he was disappointed.
“You can go play with Stoney, honey,” I said. “I’ll stay right here, or if they need the table, I’ll hang over by the laser tag entrance. You can come out anytime you want to.”
Felix eyed Stoney, and he slid out of his seat, stepping to our side of the booth and hunkering down beside Felix. “Whatever you want to do bud, it’s all good with me. Then we can bowl with Auntie if you’re not wiped out from pew pewing me.”
Felix laughed. “Pew pewing?”
Stoney shrugged. “Don’t actually know what the term is, but I figured pew pewing was accurate.”
“You’re funny, Stoney.”
“Heard that before, bud.” He smiled gently. “So, you wanna come pew pew with me?”
Felix looked up at me again.
“Whatever you want to do, honey. If I’m being given an opinion, though, I think you’re gonna have way more fun playing laser tag with Stoney, than bowling with me.”
“But can we bowl after laser tag?” he asked.
“If that’s what you want, absolutely,” I said. “This night is all about you, Fox.”
He nodded, and focused back on Stoney. “I’d like to pew pew with you, please.”
Stoney laughed, standing to his feet and waiting for Felix to slide out of the booth.
“You should pee before you go,” I suggested.
“You take him to do that, and I’ll get us a time,” Stoney said.
I nodded and took Felix to the bathroom.
* * *
Stoney and Felix managed to get in for a game almost right away, and fifteen minutes later, Felix came running out, jumping up and down as he sat beside me again. “We won!”
“You did? That’s awesome,” I said. “That was quick.”
“Thought one game was a good start,” Stoney said.
I smiled. “Smart.”
“Stoney’s even better at it than Uncle Luca,” Felix said.
Stoney laughed. “Make sure you tell him that.”
“Or, maybe we don’t,” I suggested.
“Can we bowl now, please?” Felix asked.
I checked my watch. “We have a lane in ten minutes. Do you want something for dessert?”
“Can I have a milkshake, please?”
“You bet.”
Once Felix was done with his dessert, our lane opened up, so we rented shoes and spent the next hour playing the worst game ever. Our scores would have been stellar if we were playing golf, but bowling, not so much.
By the time we were ready to leave, I was exhausted, but Felix was still jumping off the walls. So much for running off his energy.
We headed home and Stoney followed us in. I could not stop yawning, so I told Felix to run upstairs and get ready to take a bath.
“Will you read to me, Stoney?” he asked.
“If it’s okay with Sabrina, you bet.”
“It’s fine by me,” I said. “I’ll get your bath started, then Stoney can read to you once you’re in bed.”
“Okay,” he said and ran up the stairs.
“You tired?”
I bit back another yawn. “What tipped you off?”
Stoney chuckled. “You want me to do the bath shit?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. We have a system, so we’ll do that, then you can read to him.”
He nodded.
“Grab a beer and make yourself at home. I won’t be long.”
I headed upstairs and started the bath. Felix came in a few minutes later and I lifted him into the tub. He didn’t linger, excited that Stoney was going to read to him. He chose a book, then I tucked him into bed, and he took my hand. “Do I have to call Stoney ‘Dad’?”
“Only if you want to,” I said.
“Will it hurt his feelings if I don’t?”
“You should ask him that, baby, but I don’t think so.”
He nodded.
“You ready for him to read to you now?”
He nodded again.
I patted his leg and called Stoney in.
“What did you pick?” Stoney asked, and Felix handed him his favorite book, “The Monster at the end of the Book.”
“Ooh, I love this one,” Stoney said, and opened to the first page.
I stepped out, leaning against the wall and listening for a few minutes, my heart slamming against my chest as the warm fuzzies settled deep inside. Stoney did all the voices making Felix laugh until he complained he might pee, so I rushed into my bedroom out of sight, so Stoney could take care of Felix like a Dad should.
This man was a good man. I knew I needed to find out more information about him on a deeper level, but I really liked what I saw so far. Not to mention, the man could kiss.
I settled my fingers over my lips at the memory, closing my eyes. I wanted that to happen again. Soon.
“Sabrina?” Stoney called and I walked out of my bedroom.
“Hey.”
“Fox wants to say goodnight.”
I smiled. “Okay.”
After kisses and hugs, I turned off the light and led Stoney downstairs. “Thanks for tonight,” I said.
“I was gonna say the same thing,” he said.
“He had a blast and that’s really the most important thing. I want him to trust you.”
“I see that,” he said. “And I appreciate it.”
“Do you want to finish your beer?”
“Sure, if you’re not too wasted.”
I smiled. “I’m good.”
I poured myself a glass of wine and sat with him at the kitchen island. “Did he talk to you about calling you ‘Dad’?”
“Yeah. I told him he could call me whatever he felt comfortable with.” Stoney smiled. “His whole body relaxed. He’s a worrier, huh?”
“Oh my god, you have no idea. I know it’s because of everything he saw with Ria, so I try to make things really calm and peaceful here.”
“You’re doin’ a great job, baby. He’s obviously happy and well-adjusted.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I just want him to get to a place where he sleeps easy. He has nightmares a couple times a week.”
“We’ll fix that, Breezy.”
“You think so, huh?”
He grinned. “Yeah.”
Since we weren’t quite close enough to toast, I tipped my wine glass toward him. “Good luck with that.”
He smiled. “Why’s his nickname ‘Fox’?”
“I think he was three when it started.” I shook my head at the memory. “He pulled everything out from under Mom and Dad’s kitchen sink, climbing in and closing the doors. For a good ten minutes, we couldn’t find him, and he wasn’t answering us when we called. We rushed around the house, of course, everywhere except the kitchen because we figured where could he hide? Finally, Mom walked into the kitchen, finding everything on the floor. Mom opened the cabinet doors and Felix laughed, saying ‘I found a fox hole.’”
“Jesus,” he said with a chuckle.
“Right? It was pretty scary, but funny once the shock wore off. He had apparently watched a special on foxes the day before. So, now he’s ‘Fox.’ I am getting to the point where we’ll need a moratorium on fox gifts, though. It’s getting a little ridiculous.” I smiled. “His room is out of control with foxes.”
“Yeah, I noticed.”
“How is it you’re so good with kids?” I asked then took a sip of wine.
He shrugged. “I like kids. Well, I like cool kids. And I remember what it was like to be a kid, so it’s easy to get down on their level so-to-speak.”
“Do you have family close by?”
“My mom and my sister. Dad’s gone. Been dead ten years now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“He was an asshole. None of us mourn him. My sister’s a nut and she’s probably the closest to me. Mom’s super religious, so we butt heads a lot, but she’s the only mom I got, so I try not to let it rub me the wrong way.”
I sighed. “That sucks. My parents are super Catholic, but once we became adults, they let us choose. We chose not to be part of the church, but we do mass on Christmas and Easter.”
“You’re creasters, huh?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, pretty much.”
“How did you get involved with your club?”
“My buddy, Greenie, and I met Sundance when I was workin’ for Rocky. He owns Rocky Mountain Motors down on Fifth and kept it even when the club went into the cannabis business.”
I nodded. I’d driven by a couple of times.
“Rocky gave us both jobs while we were in high school and Rocky and Sundance were kind of the dads we never had, I guess. I patched in the second I turned eighteen. Greenie waited until he was nineteen. I haven’t looked back.”
“Are you and Greenie still close?”
“He’s dead.”
“Oh, god, I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “Can’t change it.”
“Is your club really on the wrong side of the law?”
“I don’t talk about my
club, Sabrina.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I need to know what I’m letting Felix walk into.”
“Felix isn’t walkin’ into anything except an extended family and brothers who have his back,” he said. “That’s all you need to know.”
“You know I’m going to ask Luca, right?”
“Go ahead,” he challenged.
“I’d rather hear the answers to my questions from you,” I said.
“And I’m happy to answer what I can. But club shit’s off the table.”
“Which leads me to believe your club isn’t fully above-board, Noah.”
He smirked. “You can believe what you want, Breezy.”
“This bothers me, Mr. Stonewell.”
“I’m sure it does, Ms. Moretti, but it’s never gonna change.” He slid off the stool and rinsed out his beer bottle. “I’m gonna head out.”
“Okay.” I slid to my feet and followed him to the front door. “Thanks for tonight. It was a lot of fun.”
He smiled, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “It was. I’ll see you soon.”
Once he walked away, I closed and locked the door behind me. Leaning against it, I shut my eyes tight. This would never work. It was time to put the idea of climbing into Stoney’s bed out of my mind. I would never be able to be with someone who didn’t share everything with me.
I pushed myself off the wall and set my alarm, grabbing my wine and heading upstairs. It was time to finish my day in bed. With wine and the Notebook.
Or Cujo.
Sabrina
Friday night, Luca came by after work, and he came by because I asked him to. “You okay?” he asked, once he walked inside.
“I need information, actually.”
He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t get a chance to respond because Felix made a run for him. “Uncle Luca!”
“Hey, bud,” Luca said, lifting him high. “How’s my favorite Fox?”
“Are you having dinner with us?”
“Yep.”
“Can we play Super Smash Bros after?”
“Yep.”
“Yay!” Felix sang.
“How about you go wash your hands, honey,” I said. “We’re gonna eat in five minutes.”
Luca set him on his feet and Felix made his way to the bathroom while Luca washed his hands in the kitchen sink.
“What information do you need, Bree? And if it’s about the Howlers’ save your breath.”
“I think I’m entitled to information on who our nephew’s going to be hanging out with.”
Primal Heat Page 9
