Page 29 of Stick Play

“Of course, you can. You know where it is.”

“Hi Ash,” Zoe says. “I like your house.”

She brushes past him and he grins at me. “She likes my house.”

“It is a nice house.” He glances over his shoulder, like he’s checking to see if the coast is clear and when it is, he pulls me to him. I slam against his hard body, and he dips his head. God, I feel like I’m back in high school, sneaking kisses in the hall with my boyfriend.

“Thanks for coming.”

“Of course.” His lips brush over mine, soft and tender at first. When I moan, and grip the front of his shirt, needing the contact with his body, he groans and drags me closer. A car goes by and someone honks, and it pulls us from our stupor. Ash lifts his head and waves.

“Who was that?”

“I don’t know. Let’s just hope it’s not a reporter or we’ll be all over the news.”

God, I don’t want that. “Do you think they saw me?” I turn and scan the street, as the car slows and pulls into a driveway.

“Looks like it’s one of my neighbors. Just being friendly, I guess.” He pulls me inside and shuts the door behind us, locking the world out and us in.

“How’s your dad?”

“Ornery as ever.”

I hold up my bag. “I brought my mom bag.”

“Mom bag?” He looks at the black bag in my hand and I laugh.

“When you’re a mom, you rarely go anywhere without all the meds and thermometers. When you’re also a nurse, it’s a big mom bag.”

He laughs and takes it from me. “Jesus, this is heavy. I’m guessing you can cure whatever’s ailing him.”

I give him a hopeful smile. “I’m going to try.” I hold up another bag. “This is dinner.”

“That was really sweet of you. I owe you.”

I grin. “Maybe you do.”

“Hang on.” He hurries down the hall with the dinner bag, and when he comes back, he puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me to the stairs. In the distance, I can hear balls clanging. “Are they okay playing pool on your table?” I can just imagine them driving the stick into the felt and tearing it.

“They’re fine. Camryn knows her way around this place, and there’s nothing they can get into.” We head up the long staircase and I note there’s no pictures on the walls, or anything that really makes the place homey. Does he ever get lonely in this big old place? Or does he fill it with bunnies when his father isn’t here, and when he’s not helping out a friend—with benefits?

“He’s in here.” I step into the big bedroom and find Grant lying in bed, watching TV on a huge TV over the dresser. The minute he sees me, he moans and puts his hand on his stomach.

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

“Horrible.”

I take in his pallor, which is no different from earlier today, and step up to him and put my hand on his forehead. “You don’t feel hot. Is it okay if I take your temperature?” He nods and Ash brings my bag to me. I fish out the thermometer and put it to his ear. I click the button and check. “No fever. That’s a good sign. Can you tell me about the stomach pain you’re experiencing?”

Just then the news comes on and he turns it up. “Look at that,” Grant says, sitting up like he doesn’t have any kind of distress. “More snow coming tonight.” He clicks his lips. “Probably best if you and the kids stay here tonight. No need to be on the roads if you don’t have to be. Amiright or amiright?” He fakes a cough and I angle my head to study him. I thought I was here because he had a bad stomach and possibly the flu. I’m about to ask about this new symptom when he takes my hand and pats it. “Also, with me not feeling well, it would be good to have a nurse close by.”

“Dad,” Ash says in a low, warning voice. “What are you up to?”

10

Ash

“Dad?” I ask again when he lays back down, turns the TV off, and moans like he’s in total agony.

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