Page 47 of Fierce-Michael

“Oh,” she said. “That would be hard.”

“Yes and no. I have custody. She would never fight for it. The fear is her walking out of his life. I don’t want him hurt that way.”

How could anyone not love this guy? Or see how wonderful a man he was?

“He has you,” she said. “He’ll never be hurt as long as there is peppermint spray around.”

He picked her up and spun her for a second. “You’re what I need right now.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“It didn’t scare you?”

“I don’t look like I’m running, do I? Or do I need to find another spray scent if I am scared?”

“I think you’re pretty tough.”

“Tougher than anyone knows,” she said.

15

KNOWING HIS BUSINESS

“Ty,” Michael’s mother said on Saturday. “Go see what Grandpa put on the patio for you.”

It was three and he was dropping his son off for the night knowing he wouldn’t be disturbed. He could relax and enjoy himself and not stress his phone was going to ring and he’d have to disappoint Kelly on another date.

Not that Tuesday was a disappointment because it didn’t seem either of them felt that way when she left after dinner.

Sometimes conversations were going to be hard and he felt they were both mature enough to talk them through and had.

“What did you buy this time?”

“Your father got him a soccer net so they can kick the ball around. Not sure if that is Ty’s thing or not, but he was talking about it last time he was here. It keeps them both entertained and tires him out.”

“Tires who out?” he asked “Dad or Ty?”

“Both,” his mother said, grinning. “Then they are both sleeping early and I can watch what I want on TV.”

He laughed. “You sent Ty out there for a reason. What is going on?”

“You’re dating someone, aren’t you?”

“What makes you ask that?”

“Because last Saturday you asked if we could be a backup if Electra canceled because you had plans.”

“Nothing odd there,” he said.

He’d been known to go out and have a good time with his friends. Just because he hadn’t in a while didn’t mean anything. Which reminded him he should see if Owen wanted to come over for a beer soon. It’d been a good month and his best friend was going to be ticked to learn Michael was dating someone and didn’t know beforehand.

“No,” his mother said. “But you want Ty to stay with us tonight. You don’t normally do two weeks in a row. And if it’s for work, you say that and come back.”

“If it’s too much trouble, I’ll come back in a few hours.”

“Stop,” his mother said. “You know it’s not too much trouble and has never been. I’m just asking if you’re dating someone. Maybe I want my son to be happy and if he’s asking us to babysit, that means he’s trying.”

There was no reason to hide this. They knew he dated. Or assumed it. He didn’t often talk much about it because things didn’t pan out most times.

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