Page 32 of Forever Player

Wipe your mind clean and be normal, I tell myself.

“Good morning,” I say to Jacob. “Is Mom around today?” I look around but I don’t see her. She wasn’t upstairs either.

“She didn’t come home last night.” He cringes.

I cringe too.

Mom is making up for all the lost time she had with Dad. She never did cheat on him. They were just miserable and since his death she seems to be getting around. Can’t say I blame her. I’ve been celibate almost a year and a half and I’m coming apart after two days next to Brett.

“Pancakes are ready,” Brett says, and he walks over to the kitchen table with a heaping plate. “Here is the maple syrup and I cut up berries.” He’s wearing a white T-shirt and a pair of gray joggers that show off just how well-endowed he is. I try to keep my focus on his face.

“How domestic of you.” I giggle. “This looks great. Thanks, Brett.”

Lev walks into the room and looks at the table. He grabs two pancakes and stuffs his face. “You ready?” he asks me with a full mouth. I hate not spending time with my baby girl, but I feel it’s important for Brett to have this time with her, so I give him the space I feel he needs to bond with her.

“Willow, do you want to go into town with me tonight?” Brett asks in a by-the-way tone. He’s waiting expectantly.

My jaw falls slack. “What do you mean?”

“There must be a place for adults to go hang out and have adult time around here, right?” He licks his lips and doesn’t hide that he thinks I look good as his gaze makes a slow perusal of my body. It makes me feel uncomfortable because as a physical therapist I was always physically fit, but I’ve had no time to go to a gym since I had Maylee and it makes me feel self-conscious.

“What about Maylee? You can’t exactly take a five-month-old to a bar.” I snort-laugh, bringing the obvious to his attention. Standing so close to him reminds me of how good he smells.

“Got you covered,” Jacob cuts in.

“What?” I look at my brother, feeling confused.

“I’ll babysit,” Jacob clarifies with a smirk and then he winks at Brett.

What in the ever-loving hell is going on here?

I open my mouth and snap it shut.

“It’s not that complicated, Willow. I just thought we could have a fun night out. When is the last time you did some adulting?” he asks. I really can’t give himthe answer to that question.

His brows raise. “That night.”

Jacob hisses beside me.

“I’m a mom. There is no time to adult,” I retort, standing my ground.

“All the more reason you should go out with me. Maylee is in good hands with her uncle.” Brett grins.

“Willow, you coming or not?” Lev asks impatiently.

“Coming,” I say to him.

“You aren’t going to leave me hanging. Are you?” Brett asks.

“Fine, I’ll go out with you, but only so we can discuss our co-parenting schedules,” I concede to him. He may know I find him attractive, but that is where we draw the line.

“Good. Looking forward to tonight,” Brett says, smiling victoriously.

Good-looking asshole.

I can’t explain why the dialogue in my mind has turned terse where Brett is concerned, other than I’m upset he’s shaking up the careful world I’ve constructed for Maylee and me, and it isn’t fair because he’s been kind and helpful. It isn’t his fault my fantasies of that night are flooding my mind and making me horny. I need to tamp that shit down. I kiss my baby girl, really hating to leave her, and say bye to my brother and Brett. I leave for the market with Lev. I also realize I need some much-needed space away from Brett. At least until tonight.

When we get into the cab of the truck, Lev drives off and it only takes him a second to give me a side glance. “You got a persistent baby daddy after you.” He chuckles all deep and throaty.

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