Page 4 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

“Okay, Boomer,”Brody said with a grin.

Geena feigned an evil glare. “Be glad it’s your son’s birthday,” she said before lifting her fist. “Or I’d get you, youmillennial!”

“Ooof.” Brody winced. “By some standards… I’m a millennial. Depends on who you ask. But I claim Gen X and hold on to that with both hands.”

“Geena was born in ’64,” Stacey said with a chuckle. “Last year of the Baby Boomers, so youweren’twrong.”

“Nope,” Geena said. “I refuse to listen to that bullshit.” She grabbed her glass of beer and lifted it in the air. “To Gen X andallits glory. May we all hold on to it for dear life.”

A waiter approached the table and stopped at the edge. “Can I get you something to drink, sir?”

Brody turned his head and thought he recognized the young man. From the growing blush, he realized he must’ve run into the guy at the club, more than likely. He smiled, slightly enjoying the show. “Yeah… I’ll take whatever she’s drinking,” he said, pointing at Geena’s beer glass.

“Yes…sir.”

The waiter smiled sweetly before leaving.

Stacey urged Parker closer and covered the boy’s ears. “Did youhaveto flirt at your son’s birthday dinner?”

“That wasn’t flirting,” Parker said, a little too loud.

Stacey let go of his ears and glared at her son. “What do you know about flirting?”

Parker shrugged. “I’m in middle school. Iknowwhat flirting is.”

“I forgot you’re grown now,” Stacey said, rolling her eyes.

“Exactly,” Parker replied. “And so what if dad flirts with a guy? I’ve seen Geena winking at pretty waitresses before.”

Stacey gave Geena the stink eye, and all Brody could do was laugh. Geena shrugged. “I wink. So what? That’sallI do.”

Stacey sighed and shook her head in what appeared to be exasperation. “Why I married you, I don’t know.”

“You love me,” Geena answered. “And I love you.” She leaned over and forced Stacey to give her a kiss. Stacey tried not to smile, but lost that battle.

The waiter returned with his beer and leaned a little too close to place it on the table. Brody’s eyes widened, but he said nothing.

“I see a gift bag—is it someone’s birthday?” the waiter asked.

“My son,” Brody answered. “He’s turning thirteen later this week.”

The waiter grinned as he eyed Parker. “Well,happy birthday, young man.”

“Thanks,” Parker said. “Do you like my dad?”

Brody groaned as Stacey whispered an admonishment at the boy. He saw the waiter’s face go blood red.

Parker wasn’t done. “Well, my mom said you guys were flirting, but I don’t think you were.”

“Honey, your dad and I areold friends,” the waiter grinned at Brody. “We met at his club.”

Brody was at a loss. “Um… yeah… sure.Oldfriends.”

From the rigid guise carved into the waiter’s face, he apparently realized Brody didn’t have a clue who the guy was. He took out an order pad. “Is everyone ready to order?” he asked stiffly.

Brody hadn’t glanced at the menu, and it gave him a reason to look anywhere but the waiter. “You guys go ahead—let me peek.”

They all ordered what they wanted. When it came time for him to order, Brody tried not to glance at the guy. “I’ll have the Honey Shrimp.”

---