Page 17 of Tripp

“Whoa.”

I looked over at my son, as did Casey.

“I never thought I’d see the day when playboy Tripp Cavannagh would give up his bachelor lifestyle in sin city.”

I scowled at him.

“You can’t quit your job. You said you couldn’t work here.”

“It takes a class, or a test. It can be done. My skills haven’t changed. If you’re willing to give me—us—a chance, then I’m fully in.”

“If you break my heart again, you’re losing a body part.”

Phoenix laughed so hard he choked. That’s what he got, the asshole. I ignored him to lean in and claim her mouth in a heated kiss.

“I will do my best to never cause you pain of any kind. I know the age difference will bother?—”

“People can kiss my ass. They have no say in my life. Our lives. Period. The three of us, Scooter, that’s who matters. And you’re still alive, so you know where he stands. He actually asked me the other night when I was going to tell you about Penny.”

“How’d he know? Did you tell him?” I mean, of course, she probably had. He was her brother.

“Actually…” She turned slightly to look across the table at Phoenix. My brow arched.

“So look, I saw you bring her to the shop one day; Trace was working on my bike. She looks like me at that age. I just inquired. I wasn’t sure if he was going to punch me for suggesting it or what. We agreed to let y’all sort your shi—stuff out.”

Standing, I gave her a quick kiss then moved back to the chair. “That’s fair. But next time, give me a little more of a heads up.”

“Next time?” they spoke at once. Penny, who had been squishing a piece of blueberry, jerked at the sudden shout.

“Tripp Cavannagh, as God as my witness, if you have another kid?—”

“Hey. Hold up now, sweetheart. That’s not what I meant. Maybe I should have worded that differently.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “What I mean is, don’t keep shit from me.”

“Pops, there’s a baby at the table.”

“Crap.”

“It’s okay. That was one of her first words…” Casey started to laugh, her face beet red. “I’m not that big of a helicopter mom. I won’t spank you for cursing.”

I met her gaze, the corner of my mouth tipped up. “If anyone’s doing the spanking, it’ll be me.”

“Oh, hold the phone. Nope. Nuh-uh. We are not having that kind of talk with me and my sister sitting literal inches from you. Jesus, Pops.”

The absolute horror on his face had me losing what little composure I had. I laughed so hard that it hurt to breathe. Casey, too, was in hysterics. When Penny chimed in, her little girl laughter filling the room, we all melted. It was a super power all babies and toddlers had.

“This reminds me of when Mads was this age.” My boy sighed.

I reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “It reminds me of you at this age. Ready to explore and find mischief.”

“Who is Mads? You have a daughter too?”

I shook my head. “No, Maddie is my granddaughter, Phoenix’s daughter.”

“Oh, wow. You have a daughter? How old is she? Does she live with you? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with a kid before.”

“Maddie lives with her mother. I don’t see her as much as I’d like to. They live on the other end of Burke, up toward Lufkin, but she’s in a private academy school in Houston most of the time. She’s super smart. My girl’s going to rule the world one day.”

“Oh.” She smiled. “Smart kids scare me. You remember that show from about a decade ago? The one with Jeff Foxworthy. It’s sad, but some days, I’m not smarter than a 5th grader.”

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