by KJ Bell
“What the fuck are you doing?” I shout, storming into the room.
“Oh, shit!” Harrison shoves a naked Del off him and jumps to his feet, covering himself like a teenager who’s just been caught by his girlfriend’s parents.
In a matter of seconds pain shoots through my hand as my fist connects with his jaw. The force of the blow knocks him off balance, and he falls back onto the bed. I scramble on top of him, and my knuckles crack with the next meeting of his face. Blood trickles down my wrist when I draw back. I don’t know if it’s mine or his, but I don’t care, and it doesn’t stop me. This time, he moves his head quickly, and my fist pounds into the mattress, which only succeeds in making me angrier.
Harrison holds his forearm up in front of his face, expecting another blow, but I notice Javier at the door. Thankfully, Del has put a robe on, and I’m blocking Harrison.
I turn my head. “Wait by the door, buddy. I’ll be right there.” His wide eyes soften, and he turns and leaves.
I get off Harrison and stand, the adrenaline coursing through me doesn’t allow me to feel the pain in my hand, but I notice it swelling. I point a finger at Del. “I’m going to assume you didn’t know he had a girlfriend.” She nods nervously, clutching her robe closed. “But that doesn’t excuse you being in here fucking some guy while you’re supposed to be watching Javier.”
“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes. Her lip snarls. “It’s not like Maria pays me. I’m doing her a favor.”
The vein in my temple throbs. Maria and Javier deserve better friends.
“She no longer needs any favors from you. Now go make sure Javier has all his things. I’ll be out in a second.”
My tone is severe enough that she leaves without questioning me. I don’t move toward Harrison, knowing I’ll rip his throat out if I get close enough. He had the decency to put boxers on.
“You tell Liv, or I will.”
He runs a hand through his hair and pulls on the strands. The blood dripping from his nose brings me an immense amount of satisfaction. “I can’t.”
“Fine! I will.”
He takes a step toward me with his hands up. “Look, I fucked up, okay? Things have been difficult between us.”
“So, try ending it before you stick your dick in a prostitute?”
He looks away, rubbing the back of his neck. My disgust with him grows, and I ball my fists, ready to completely annihilate the piece of shit.
“Please don’t tell her. She’s not in a good place, Tug. She still isn’t over what happened with your mother. That’s why I haven’t left.”
“You’re a fucking loser, Harrison. You always have been, but she loves you, and you’d better tell her.”
I turn to leave and he says, “Just give me some time, please.”
The genuine desperation in his voice makes me believe at some point he truly did love my sister. I glance at him over my shoulder.
“I’ll give you a few days, but that’s it. Grow a set and tell her, or I will.”
I go to the living room. Javier is waiting by the front door, holding his toy train to his chest. Del is in the kitchen. Her eyes go wide as I approach her.
“I’m sorry,” she says quietly.
“Harrison has a girlfriend who happens to be my sister. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay far away from him.”
She nods, and I say nothing else. I wash my hands in her sink before I leave with Javier.
Javier and I sit in my car. He’s quiet and hugs his backpack, his fingers toying with the plastic wheels on the toy train in his hands.
“I’m sorry you had to see that.” He shrugs, his expression never changing, and I can’t help but feel like it’s not the first time Del’s been locked away in her room with a man. It’s not appropriate for me to grill him about it though, so I ask, “How was school, kiddo?”
“Good,” he answers quietly. I consider taking his backpack and tossing it in the back, but he’s clutching it like a security blanket, and I figure he needs it.
“Good? That’s it? Did you do anything fun?” He shakes his head. “Recess was fun, though, right?” He shakes his head again, and his expression is one I recognize. As a kid with a genius IQ, and two grades ahead of my peers, I hated elementary school. Humor and brains were my best defense against the bullies. “The kids aren’t nice to you, huh?”
“They’re mean.”
“They can only be mean if you let them.” He shrugs. “Seriously. I’ve been there. Stand up for yourself, give it back to them, and they’ll leave you alone.”
Drew runs out of the house when we pull into the driveway, his overnight bag in hand. Tori comes out shortly after, waving. Javier and I get out of the car. Drew hugs me and I take his bag, tossing it in the backseat.
“Hey, is Brady here?” I ask Tori.
“No, he’s at the studio with the band.”
“Liv?” I ask hesitatingly.
“The Center, I think.” She smiles at Javier.
“Oh, this is Maria’s son, Javier. Javier, this is my sister-in-law, Tori.”
Tori says hi, and Javier waves.
“You want to see my rope swing?” Drew asks. Javier nods, hands me his train, and they take off to the side yard.
“So I’m guessing you worked things out with Maria.”
“We’re giving it a try.”
“Good. I’m happy for you.”
“Why don’t you look ‘happy,’ then?” Her lips purse. “I’m about to get some motherly advice, aren’t I?”
She nods. “I am happy for you, but be careful. If you’re not serious, don’t get too attached to that kid. I’m sure he’s been through a lot, like Drew. Trust me when I tell you, kids trust easily, and their hearts break just as easily. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
“I haven’t really thought about it.”
“You need to.”
“I like Maria.”
“I know, but you have more than her to consider here.”
I find myself rolling Javier’s toy train up and down my palm while I process her words.
“You encouraged me to make things work with her.”
“I did, and I want you to, but carefully. And just so you know, Javier should be in the back seat if you’re going to be driving him around.”
“Why?”
She gives me an exasperated look. “Because it’s the law.”
“Oh. Thanks. I didn’t know.” I don’t bother to tell her that Drew rides in the front seat as well.
“That was awesome,” Javier shouts as he and Drew return from the rope swing. They climb into the backseat of my car.
“Why don’t you bring Maria and Javier to the barbeque tomorrow?” Tori suggests. “If you’re serious about her.” She winks.
“I’ll see if she can make it.”
“Good.” She hugs me.
“Thanks, Tor.”
Drew and Javier giggle in the back seat the entire drive. They storm through the front door and pound down the hallway to the guest bedroom. I glance at my phone and notice at least ten texts from Crazy Red. If I could, I’d kick my own ass for the arrangement I made with her. I knew she was the clingy, possessive type, and I went there anyway. I text Maria, and let her know I have Javier and can’t wait to see her.
She texts back immediately.
Maria: I along with my kitty can’t wait to see you, too.
I chuckle and set my phone down on the kitchen counter.
The boys and I hang out for the evening, chowing on pizza and playing video games. Watching Drew and Javier, I realize Tori’s advice about getting attached might have come too late.
I tuck them into the guest room bed for the night. As I start to turn out the light, Javier asks, “Can you read us a bedtime story?”
“Yeah, can you, Uncle Tug?”
“Did either of you bring any books?” They both shake their heads. “Sorry, guys, all I have is a few cop novels that I know your mothers will frown on me for reading to you.�
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“So make one up,” Javier suggests.
“Yeah, make one up,” Drew agrees.
Make one up. Hmmm … an age-appropriate story, for boys. “I’m betting princess fairytales are out?” They both make a face and nod. The only things kids have any life experience with is bodily functions, which are always funny. I decide to roll with it. “Okay, then,” I say, and sit on the bed next to Drew.
“This is a story called, ‘Who Made the Giant Pile of Purple Doo-Doo?”
“Purple doo-doo,” they scream in unison, and break out into adorable laughter.
“Yes, it is very serious stuff, now. Prince Javier and Prince Drew have to find out who made the giant pile of purple doo-doo.”
They squeal with laughter again. I laugh, too. Doo-doo stories are funny, but their laughter is hilarious.
“Okay, but I want to be a knight, not a prince,” Javier says.
Drew follows with, “Me, too. I want to be a knight, too.”
“All right, all right. The knights Javier and Drew were decked out in their finest armor, riding their noble steeds through the forest when they came across a giant pile of purple doo-doo.” They laugh again, and Drew snorts, which is a riot, and I continue. “‘Whoa,’ says Sir Javier. ‘That is a giant pile of doo-doo.’ ‘Indeed, a giant purple pile,’ adds Sir Drew. ‘We must find out who made it,’ declares Sir Javier. ‘It is our knightly duty. ’ The knights’ chests puff up with pride.”
They giggle.
“Did you get it, their duty?” I ask them.
They stare at me blankly. Clearly, they did not. My humor is obviously lost on their young minds. They need to be about twelve for that one.
“Okay, so the knights go in search of the poop perpetrator. They come across a little mouse, nibbling a piece of cheese. ‘Uh, um,’ Sir Javier coughs. ‘Little mouse, did you make the giant pile of purple doo-doo?’ The little mouse drops his cheese.” The boys erupt with laughter, again.
“What?” I ask seriously.
Javier answers. “A mouse can’t make a big pile of doo-doo.”
The kid’s got a point, and I continue my story.
“Mr. Mouse wiggles his nose. ‘Oh, gee. I wish I could, but I’m too little to make a giant pile of purple doo-doo. ’ Sir Javier nods. ‘Very well,’ says Sir Drew. ‘Carry on, then. ’ And the mouse scurries away.”
“You’re funny, Uncle Tug.” Drew beams up at me and I smile back.
“Next, the noblemen come across a unicorn. ‘Your Graceful Unicorn,’ Sir Drew says. ‘Did you make the giant pile of purple doo-doo?’ The unicorn makes an outraged face. ‘Hmph … hardly. That is an appalling accusation. I make giant piles of rainbow and sparkly doo-doo, not purple. Whoever did it is simply scandalous.” The unicorn turns its head. ‘I see,’ says Sir Javier. ‘Carry on, then. ’ The two knights are completely baffled.”
“It was a squirrel,” yells Drew.
“I bet it was a bear,” Javier guesses.
“You’re both wrong, for next our knights ride up next to an enormous moose. The animal’s face is covered in blueberries. ‘A-ha!’ shouts Sir Drew. ‘Moose, you made the giant pile of purple doo-doo,’ Sir Javier accuses him. ‘Uh-uh, not me,’ declares the moose, shaking its huge antlers. ‘It was you — the evidence is all over your face,’ Sir Drew points out, and the moose hangs its head. ‘All right, you caught me, but these blueberries are very tasty. I couldn’t help myself.’ The knights understand not being able to turn down a scrumptious treat. ‘It is quite all right, Mr. Moose. We understand,’ says Sir Drew.’ The moose smiles. ‘But, by order of the king, you must clean up your doo-doo, and all future doo-doo must me made behind trees where it will not block the road. ’ The moose nods and says, ‘I understand. ’ The knights were happy to have found the poop-perp. The moose was happy not to be in trouble and shared his blueberries with the knights, who later that evening made their own pile of purple doo-doo — in the toilet, of course.”
The boys roar with laughter as I tickle them relentlessly, their merriment the most amazing sound I’ve ever heard. I get off the bed and move to the door. “All right, little knights, time for you to sleep.” I flip the switch as they tell me good night.
Their laughter comes through the door, and I wait and listen.
“Drew?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you think if we ate enough blueberries, we could make a giant pile of purple doo-doo?” Javier asks.
“I don’t know, but we should try it.”
They break into a fit of giggles, and I stand at the door with a smile so large it hurts. This. This is what life is truly about.
I settle on the couch, watching sports news while I wait for Maria. The conversation I had with Tori continues to replay in my mind. I come to the conclusion that I’m not the one she has to worry about taking the relationship seriously. I’m already in deep with both Maria and Javier, but Maria and her commitment are fragile. One small thing could force her to put a halt to things between us. If I knew what she kept secret, what is was that could come between us, maybe I could stop it. With that thought, I realize, I can. I have endless resources at my fingertips.
My eyes close briefly, and then I hear the doorbell. I open the door. The smile on Maria’s face makes my heart flutter. Although she looks exhausted, she is breathtaking. It’s hard for me to imagine how she came to be so insecure. She’s mine now, and I’ll never allow anything or anyone to make her feel small again.
“Hey,” he says as I walk through the door. “The boys are asleep.”
“Thanks for watching him.”
“Yeah, about that. You’re going to need to find a new sitter.”
I know the reason for his request, and this isn’t going to make him happy. “Del was entertaining again?”
His eyes widen in shock. “You know? How can you leave him there?”
“Don’t get on your moral, preaching soapbox, please. Yours is broken. It’s a bit like Pinocchio giving a lecture on telling the truth, and I’m too tired to argue.”
“This isn’t a question of morality. It’s about his safety. Del paid absolutely no attention to him, and he answered the door without even asking who it was.”
Crossing the room, I sigh. I put my purse and keys on the coffee table before turning to face him.
“Okay, I know. I had a new sitter, but the night I stayed with you the first time didn’t make her happy, and she won’t watch him again. I know it’s fucked up, but I really can’t handle a lecture right now. You don’t know what it’s like. I can’t afford a sitter, or daycare. Del is free, so it’s a choice between Del, who occasionally entertains, but has a son the same age for Javier to play with, or my grandfather, who can’t remember he has a grandson some days.”
I didn’t want to make him out to be the jerk in this situation, but he is responsible for my losing the new sitter. He frowns as he strides close to me.
“I’m sorry. I’m not judging, but I’m concerned. There wasn’t another kid when I picked him up.”
“His dad picks him up from school on Fridays, so Del can work weekends.”
“I don’t want Javier going there,” he says sternly.
“I can’t aff —”
“I don’t care. I’ll hire a nanny.”
“No. You. Won’t.”
“Fine, then I’ll pay Veronica extra to keep an eye on Javier until you get home.”
“No. I’ll look into making other arrangements, but I won’t let you pay for it.”
His arm snakes around my waist. One of his hands presses into my back, the other grips my jaw tight. “You’re so stubborn, woman.”
I lift an eyebrow. “I think you like me just the way I am.”
“And ‘just the way you are’ likes to irritate me,” he says, releasing my jaw.
“Ah, a match made in heaven. No more arguing, please. I need a shower, and I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?” I nod with a roguish grin. “A good one?”
&
nbsp; “A very good one,” I tease and disappear into the bathroom.
I stand under the steady stream of water, washing the day away. I’ve never been this happy or felt this complete. This amazing guy chose me to spend time with and get to know. He spent the entire evening with Javier. His protectiveness toward Javier, although at first it irritated me, makes me realize how incredible he is. As I do, he wants better for my son.
Fully reenergized, I towel-dry off, and slide my feet into the red heels I wore the night I ran into Tug at the club. He recently mentioned how sexy he thought they were. I hope he meant it, because they’re the only thing I have on as I exit his bathroom.
Tug lies on the bed in his boxers. His mouth falls open when I come through the bathroom door. If anything came from my time at the club, it’s comfort with my nudity, and by the look on Tug’s face, it’s clear he loves his surprise. He moves to the edge of the bed and sits with his feet on the floor.
I touch my index finger to my bottom lip. “Do you like your surprise?”
A playful smirk appears on his lips as he curls his finger at me. “Come here,” he commands softly.
I walk to him and stand in front of him. His warm hands mold to my breasts. He massages them gently while kissing my stomach. Goosebumps dot my flesh, and I shiver. He peers up at me.
“You’re always beautiful, but naked, with wet hair and fuck-me heels, you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
I blush and place my hands on his shoulders.
There’s a light knock on the door. “Mommy.”
“One second, Javier,” I yell, and kick the heels off. I run to my bag and grab a pair of cotton shorts and a tank. Tug laughs at me scurrying around the room like a maniac.
I open the door and put a hand on Javier’s shoulder, guiding him away from the room. “Come on, honey, let’s get you back to bed.”
He stops and turns around, his big brown eyes fearful. “But I want to sleep with you,” he whines.
I sigh. It’s always been the two of us. He sleeps with me every night, and I’m sure he’s nervous in a strange place with new people. I open my mouth to explain to him that he can’t sleep with me tonight when I hear Tug.
