by Mj Fields
She has a tiny version of a bubble butt. It’s a little peach on sticks.
“You gonna stand there all day or come inside?”
And yes, her attitude got my blood flowing too.
I walk in and Kat is looking at the couch, two little ladies are asleep in front of the TV. The movie, Minions, always Minions.
I walk up behind her and whisper, “Where do you want us?”
She looks over her shoulder and up at me. She looks at my lips and it makes me smile. She rolls her eyes and points to her bedroom then walks toward it.
I follow her in and she grabs a bag off the bed, opens it and pulls out a plastic mattress cover.
“You bought a piss sheet?” I whisper and laugh.
“Just in case,” she mumbles opening the plastic bag.
“In case what? My kid takes over your house?”
She rolls her eyes. “No, in case you needed Darby to watch her once in a while. In case she fell asleep, and in case she pisses the bed again.”
“I have no idea why the hell that happened. She doesn’t normally do that.”
“She’s just suffered a loss. It happens.”
She and I put the piss sheet on the bed. Next she grabs a sheet with unicorns. Fucking blows my mind. Kat and unicorns. Who’d have thought.
Finally she moves around the bed tucking the flat sheet under the mattress making her way around to where I’m doing the same.
When she’s next to me, I reach out and push her hair behind her ear and she looks up at me. “Touch me again and I will kick your ass.”
It’s lighthearted, it’s Kat at home.
I sit on the edge of the bed. “Did you have nightmares?”
“What?”
“When you were little, did you have nightmares?”
She shrugs. “Don’t remember.”
I stand up as she starts to walk toward the door and follow her out.
I walk over to the couch and very carefully pick Natalia up, Darby stirs and her eyes open slowly.
She starts to say something and I place my finger over my mouth. “Shh.”
Natalia wraps her arms around my neck and sighs in her sleep. I quietly walk in the bedroom and lay her on the bed, Kat follows me in with a comforter.
I sit on the edge of the bed knowing damn well as soon as I put her down her eyes will pop open and it’ll be twenty questions and go time.
“Need anything else?” Kat whispers.
“Got everything right here,” I nod. “Thanks Kat.”
She seems a little uncomfortable but nods then walks out of her room and very quietly closes the door behind her.
It’s one hundred percent. This little one is my life.
CHAPTER NINE
Last night
KAT
@rider1: Hey sexy, what are you doing?
Kat: Trying to sleep, you should do the same.
@rider1: Wanted to check in, you’ve been offline. Tell me you aren’t seeing someone.
Kat: I’m not seeing someone.
@rider1: No action, no fuck buddy, nothing. Just you, me, and your fingers.
Kat: You have issues.
@rider1: Don’t we all?
@rider1: Kat?
@rider1: Tell me you’re already wet for me.
Kat: I’ll tell you again, I’m trying to go to sleep and you keep blowing up my phone. No, I’m not wet fuckstick. I’m tired.
@rider1: And bitchy.
Kat: I have an idea, why not roll over and poke your cellmate in the ass instead of using our conversations as a means to get off.
@rider1: My fucking hand is flexing, but not because I am beating off, but because I want to smack your ass for being such a little bitch.
Kat: Dude, seriously what do you want from me?
@rider1: The list is long and filthy. But to start with, I want your damn attention. Then I want your honesty. And it’ll end with you and I meeting up and seeing where we go from there.
Kat: Look I’m not into playing games.
@rider1: Perfect, I’m not into fucking around with someone who is nowhere ready to commit and I want you begging.
Kat: This bitch doesn’t beg.
@rider1: Oh sweetheart you will.
Kat: Hey rider1?
@rider1: Yeah sweetheart.
Kat: Go fuck yourself.
He doesn’t reply. Which is good. I don’t require his services tonight anyway.
God I’m tired.
My phone lights up again and I growl as I hit the app.
@baller1: I wanna take you out.
Kat: Take a number.
@baller1: How far back am I? I’m sure you’re worth it.
Kat: Are you that desperate?
@baller1: Not at all. Just think you’d be worth it.
Kat: Not interested.
@baller1: I’ll check back.
“Don’t bother,” I yawn as I roll over and plug my phone into the charger.
I lay back on the single bed mattress in a room I use for an office or studio, whatever the hell it is.
The bed is hard as hell and I am an idiot for not sleeping on the couch, but if Ricco and his mountain cock came out, there is no way in hell I would be walking in the morning, and there is no way in hell I was going to fuck him and allow him to tear me apart.
Not yet anyway.
This will work. This arrangement is just fine. There will be no ‘feelings’ aside from physical ones fucking me up.
I got this, I think.
I got this.
CHAPTER TEN
Morning Sugar
RICCO
I wake to a finger poking my chest. “Daddy.”
I keep my eyes closed and roll to my side. “Sleep Nat.”
“But Daddy,” she whispers slowly, “we had a sleepover.”
I reach back and grab her up and swing her up and over me.
“Morning sugar,” I say rubbing my two-day scruff against her little cheek. Then I tickle her and she laughs. She laughs like a three-year-old laughs straight from her belly, not a care in the world, holding nothing back.
“I’m gonna shower,” she squeals and I immediately stop not wanting to chance it.
She looks up at me, her eyes are mine, but less jaded. I want her to be this happy all the time. I know it’s not going to always be possible, but I’d give it to her as often as I could.
“Daddy,” she smiles, “I like Darby and the cat.”
“Yeah, I know you do,” I say sitting up and climbing off the bed. “How about you go in there and use the bathroom.”
“And you make pancakes, cause it’s our day off,” she says scooting off the bed.
I nod. “Sure is, but how about we…” I pause because what am I gonna say to her? Can’t tell her the truth about what’s up, it’s my job to keep her sheltered… safe. “You use the bathroom and I will see what I can find around here.”
She’s in the bathroom and I am digging through cupboards that aren’t ours, trying to find food that’s not ours, and feeling like the weight of the world is on my damn shoulders.
I find flour, which is a start, but it’s not a mix.
I look up and Kat is bouncing down the stairs. She’s in some short pajama shorts and a tank, braless, which makes damn sense because she is at her home and it’s her day off. But damn.
She’s got no makeup on and looks like she did Wine Wednesday when I convinced the guys to come with me. I knew what was going down at the shop, I knew she was about to be handed something she was completely capable of handling but would somehow try to convince everyone, including herself, she couldn’t handle.
Regardless, that’s the damn night shit changed. She was sexy all the damn time, but when her guard was down and was less made up, she was damn near perfect.
“What?” she scowls and flips me off.
Like I said, damn near.
I shake my head and she tilts her head. “You okay?”
Holy shit, did she really just ask that?
> “Looking for pancake mix. Hope you don’t mind. It’s our Sunday morning ritual,” I manage to say without sounding stunned.
“Catch.” She tosses me her phone. “Google it. You don’t need mix and everything should be here.”
“You sure?” I ask as she walks past me to the sink.
“I’m sure,” she says and the phone buzzes in my hand.
I look at her then back at the phone.
She rolls her eyes. “Have at it, look, I give no fu-”
“Morning sugar,” Natalia says smiling as she runs out and wraps her arms around Kat’s legs. She rubs her face against her leg as she squeezes her.
“Wow, well, hello,” Kat says and actually smiles.
“Thank you for the sleepover. I loved it.”
“Me too,” Kat nods, looks at me and rolls her eyes.
I’m about to ask her why she rolled her eyes when Darby catches Nat’s attention and she’s off across the hardwood floor toward her.
“That piss you off?” I ask.
“What? No,” she shakes her head.
“My kid, the eye roll?” I whisper my inquisition.
“Chill Poppa Bear.” She rolls them now more dramatically.
“Bugs you though,” I say.
“You bug me, she’s, I don’t know, cool?”
I nod and look around trying to refocus on the task at hand. Making sense out of the senseless shit surrounding me.
“I could use your help out here,” Kat calls while walking to a door that I assume goes to her garage. “Nat can you make sure Darby gets her orange juice, she doesn’t come full to life without it.”
“Uh huh. Let’s go Darby.”
I walk out and see a black Pontiac Trans Am. It’s gotta be mid 1980’s. It has T-tops, tinted windows, rear spoiler and nice aftermarket aluminum rims.
“This yours?” I ask walking around admiring it.
“No, I stole it last night so you’d have something to drive,” she says as she opens the drawer to a workbench.
“Why?”
“I didn’t really steal it. Damn you’re moody today.”
“And you’re not,” I say opening the door and sliding into the driver’s seat.
The interior is black leather and looks like it’s been taken care of. “Sweet ride Kat.” I look out as she walks up with the keys. “Why don’t you drive it?”
“It’s not practical. It’s a gas hog.”
“Then why have plates on it?”
“In case I’m feeling impractical.” She hands me the keys.
“I don’t need charity Kat, I can-”
“You’re such a dick.”
“Oh, I see,” I say taking the keys.
“See what? Your contradictions?”
She’s right. I need to get it together. I need to reel it in and take control back.
“You think this is an even exchange for the orgasm I’ve given. Heads up, it’s not.”
I push the key in the ignition and turn it over.
The engine’s purr drowns out her growl.
“I see that you are in a damn good mood this morning and for a woman who says she’s not a morning person, I can only assume it’s because of last night.”
She steps back. “Don’t flatter yourself. Apparently if I don’t get fucked up on Saturday nights, Sundays are a little more tolerable.”
I turn off the car and step out.
“Before we go back in I think you need to shake off whatever it is that’s making you miserable,” she points at me.
“Me? What do you expect?” I laugh.
“I expect you to suck it up,” she says raising her eyebrows.
“Oh is that so.” I reach out and grip her hip.
She wiggles away. “Yep. I expect you to be the man she needs you to be. So pull up your big boy pants and be her dad.”
“Am I really getting a pep talk from Kat?” I look up as if I am asking God the question.
“And then I expect you to make some damn pancakes. So go get your apron on and feed us.” I reach out again and she laughs when I catch her hip and she tries to wiggle away again. “I’m serious. I’m fucking hungry.”
I let go of her hip and I think I see disappointment in her eyes but it quickly fades.
She walks past me and looks over her shoulder. “We good here?”
“We’re good.”
“So you’re staying until Nick DeAngelo gives you the okay?”
“I don’t need an okay from anyone to-”
“For her?” she asks.
“Fine, yeah.”
“Good, tell her you’re taking care of my cat while Darby and I go away. She doesn’t need to worry anymore right?”
“Right,” I agree then ask, “You have a cat?”
“Nope, but it’s a damn good excuse. Tell her it’s out hunting or some shit.”
“Kat, I got this, but thanks.”
“Thank me with pancakes,” she says and opens the door.
I walk in and Nat is on a stool at the counter on her knees with a mixing bowl in front of her and Darby is handing Nat a measuring cup of flour to add to the mixture.
Nat looks at Kat and her head tilts. “You’re pretty.”
Kat looks back at her and says, “You just noticing this?”
“You look more prettier in the morning. You don’t have the eye stuff and red lips,” Nat says with all her three-year-old honesty.
“Makeup,” Kat says.
“Yeah, that. Why do you wear it?” she asks as she dumps the flour in the bowl.
“Well, that’s a great question. I suppose it’s habit.”
“Well you look pretty.” Nat looks up at Darby. “You too.”
“Well so do you,” Darby says and I see Kat smile out of the corner of my eye as she walks over to her coffee pot.
“You want some knockoff Dunkin’ Donuts coffee?” she asks me.
“Sure.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Mom-sters or bust
KAT
“My girls!” Mom says opening her arms wide and then squeezing the hell out of us.
“Hi Mom,” Darby laughs.
After the hug I step back and look at my mother. She has on a hippy helmet and denim bibbed overalls splattered with paint.
I almost laugh because my mother doesn’t wear shit like that.
“What?” she asks when she notices me eyeing her.
“You, you’re, I don’t know, dirty.”
“I’m painting Katherine,” she says and quickly walks through the kitchen to the dining room. “I wanted a nautical feel.”
I look around the room. The floors look unharmed. They don’t look like there was any damage. Hmm.
I look up at her and she gives me a look. A look to say ‘no, don’t, stop, bite your tongue.’
So I oblige.
The walls in the living room and dining room are white half way up and navy blue the rest of the way.
“You did this?” Darby asks.
“I did.”
“Wow Mom, it looks, great, beachy. I like it.”
“Just like?” Mom asks her.
“Love, I love it.”
She hugs her again and I watch my mom melt before me. Every uptight muscle in her body morphs into mush.
I don’t ever remember her being that way with me. I have a better understanding of why now.
“Is my room done?” Darby jokes.
“Why don’t you go have a look,” she smiles.
“Really?” Darby squeals, yet doesn’t give her a chance to answer as she runs to the stairs.
“Your room is too,” she says with a smile.
“You do know I have a house right? I mean you were just there a couple-“
“I’m aware. I just hope you come home more.”
I nod and look around. “Floors look great.”
She leans in and whispers, “New contractor.”
“Oh yeah?” I can’t help but laugh.
She smiles and nods. “Y
eah.”
“You work fast Mom. Damn.”
“Macey talked me into Tindered, a different app,” she whispers.
“Oh dear God,” I say as I sit down and lean back in the light denim colored chair.
“Matched Up just didn’t give me enough options,” she sits down in the matching chair. “So tell me, how are you doing on there?”
“It’s amusing. Entertaining-”
“Addicting,” she says in a low whisper.
“Great way to combat boredom.”
“I’m not bored,” she says. “Look around.”
“Cool, so this contractor,” I stop when I hear Darby running down the stairs.
“It’s perfect. Perfect Mom,” she laughs and smiles.
“I’m so glad you like it.” Mom stands up. “How about I get changed and we have a picnic on the beach.”
She nods at Mom and looks at me. “Natalia would love it. She is so funny, she loves everything girly.”
“Who’s Natalia?” Mom asks.
“Kat’s partner Ricco’s three-year-old-”
“Partner in what?” Mom gasps.
“The tattoo shop. Kat is co-owner with the Steels until he gets things sorted out with the sisters who both said they were carrying his baby. Turns out, they aren’t his and-”
“Hold on, slow down.” Mom puts her hand over her forehead and sits in the chair. “Kat did you use your trust fund money to buy that place?”
“That place?” I laugh. “You mean where I have worked for over three years?”
“And the man she’s talking about, is he the one from Wine Wednesday, the huge inked up-”
“That’s him,” Darby laughs. “He’s super nice Mom, and he’s a great dad. I watched his daughter last night and when I go back to Kat’s I am pretty sure I’ll be watching her a lot. I adore her and-”
“Darby, slow down.”
“Mom it’s cool, it’s like a summer job and-”
“Darby,” Mom says shaking her head. “We need to get settled in here. A week maybe, but the summer, I don’t think Kat needs that kind of responsibility.”
Darby’s face goes flat and she shrugs. “Right. Of course.”
“This is a me and Mom thing Darby, it’s nothing against you, trust me,” I say as I stand up.
