Page 12 of Piece Of Me

“Don’t be an ass. You know what I mean.”

“I do know her.”

“Barely.”

“I’ve seen her in her nightgown,” he quipped, hoping she’d take the hint and back off.

“Taz,” she laughed “So did half the town.”

“She’s got a kid.” Not that it had anything to do with anything.

“You have two.”

Fuck me, he thought. He was on the losing end of something and whatever that something was he knew he had to shut it down. He started placing the patties on the buns. “Look, I’m just being nice and neighborly. That’s all. There’s nothing between us.”

“If you say so.”

“I don’t think she likes me all that much.”

“How can anyone not like you.”

He smiled at that. “I know plenty of folks who don’t.”

Martha reached for the platter of burgers. “Well, for someone who doesn’t like you much she sure enjoys your profile. And for a man who says she’s just a girl in need of some socializing, I call bullshit.”

“What?” He frowned darkly.

“Bull, as in bullshit,” Martha replied. “The two of you have been checking each other out when you think no one is noticing.” She shot a triumphant look his way. “As you well know my boy, I notice everything.”

With that his mother grabbed the tray of burgers and headed for the long table full of food. He stared after her in silence and finished his beer. The thing of it was his mother wasn’t wrong. He was more interested in Scarlett Bridgestone than he should be. He glanced toward the pool and caught her looking his way. She held his gaze, chin up as if in challenge, then turned and smiled at Mike Paul in a way that made his stomach clench.

A tug on his shorts drew his attention. “Daddy, I want a piece of pie.” Ryan stared up at him with those big eyes and a cheeky grin. He’d give her ten pieces of pie if he could. But that would be irresponsible.

“You can have a piece of cake when you’ve eaten a burger or hotdog.”

“But I don’t want a burger.”

He shepherded his daughter toward the table, deciding Scarlett Bridgestone was something he could think about later. “A hotdog it is.” He turned to the crowd and shouted. “Food’s ready.” Then waited for the stampede.

Nearly four hours later, after everyone had eaten, after the cake had been finished, after the girls had opened all of their presents, after most of his guests had left, and after the cleanup had been finished, Taz finally relaxed. He was by the pool with Millie and Cal, the Rockies a painted picture of perfection hung in the distance. The air had cooled a bit, bringing with it an early evening chill that felt amazing after a hot day in the sun.

Bent sat with his daughter, Nora, a few feet away, who in turn squatted with the twins near a baby carrier. He saw toes wiggling in the air and a small hand that clutched a purple and pink unicorn.

“Where’s Scarlett?” he asked casually, nodding toward the group.

“I don’t know,” Cal replied. “But it’s time to get a move on. I’d like to be home by eight.” He slid his arm around his wife and kissed the top of her head. “It’s movie night.”

“It’s not movie night,” Millie Sue said, batting at her husband before turning to Taz. “Cal and I are rewatching Gilmore Girls and he’s more addicted than I am.”

“Gilmore Girls?” Taz repeated in disbelief.

“Don’t knock it, there’s some good dialogue in that show,” Cal replied sheepishly as he changed the subject. “Now where is my sister?”

“Scarlett said something about Eddie.” Millie made a face. “Isn’t that a snake?”

“Sure is.” Taz stepped back. “I’ll let her know you guys are ready to head out.”

He walked out back to where the barns were, bypassed at least one hundred pink balloons, and entered the first building on his left. It was darker inside, cooler as well, and he spied Scarlett almost immediately. She was by Ranger’s stall, her head near the horse as she murmured softly to him.

---