Page 20 of Bleeding Hearts

“Be good for Aunt Stacy. I’ll pick you brats up Monday morning as soon as my shift ends.”

“Are you going to be bored tonight, Daddy?” Mollie asks before she kisses his cheek.

“Are you kidding me?” He makes the craziest face I’ve seen. “I’m going to watch ESPN all night, in my underwear and nothing else.”

“Eww,” both girls say in unison.

I’m not sure I agree with them. The thought of Nolan in just his underwear makes me tingle in places that have been ignored since long before the accident. Maybe tonight I’ll dig out my vibrator, charge it, and let my imagination go wild while I pleasure myself.

“Boys are so gross.” With a laugh, Stacy jokingly puts her finger in her mouth and gags. “Come on. Uncle Levi will be home soon. He’s bringing home a surprise, and we don’t want to miss it.”

Mollie wiggles out of her dad’s hold. “What surprise?”

Shrugging, Stacy reaches for Mollie’s hand and tugs her down the hall. Kellie follows, and they head out the front door. “Don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me.” Even after the door closes, we hear them chattering until they fade away.

Nolan, deep in thought, remains still while he watches them leave, then looks at us, letting out a low, husky grunt. “What?”

I can’t believe he has to ask us what. He can’t be serious. He’s lived across the street from me long enough to know I don’t miss much. His sweet little excuse to Mollie, to make her feel better, did something entirely different to me and Jodi. We just can’t help ourselves. Two peas in a pod with dirty minds that are always in sync. Which is why, as soon as we look at each other, we burst into a fit of laughter.

Once I’ve recovered, I say what I know she’s thinking. “You painted quite a vivid picture there. I might have to get the telescope out again and aim it at your living room.”

“You could join me.” His lips curl into a smirk, but he doesn’t blink. “But you’d have to be wearing the same thing as me.”

Not one to shy away, I don’t hold back. “I’m not so sure your underwear would fit me, but I’d be willing to see if you are.”

That’s right mister, two can play this game.

Jodi laughs. Right as she’s about to open her mouth, her phone rings, signaling her to step away and answer it in the living room.

“You’re trouble.” Nolan takes a seat in the empty chair next to me, and it creaks under his weight.

Right as I’m about to say more, Jodi returns and grabs her purse. “I need to go. When’s Alicia getting home?”

I glance up at the clock on my wall. “Not sure. Shit happened last night over at Dillon’s place. I can call and tell her you’re leaving. Client?”

“Big one. He wants to tour the property off Dutch Island. This could be a game changer.” Pulling her sunglasses from her purse, Jodi puts them on her head. “I’ll drop the boys off at my house. Keep them tonight to give you a break. So, what’s the story about that nice, expensive vehicle outside?”

“They wouldn’t take it back just yet.” I still can’t believe it. “Nothing has been decided.”

Jodi smirks. “You heard him mention he was getting a divorce, right? You could invite him to the party we’ll throw as soon as you’re back and ready to mingle. He was a nice-looking man with deep pockets. If you’re not interested, maybe I’ll see if he’s looking for a new place or needs to sell his old one. Perhaps he’d like a brief fling for shits and giggles.”

“That’s not happening.” Nolan grumbles. “Bethany can do better.”

His comment only makes Jodi laugh more. “You’re cute. Do you mind hanging with her until Alicia gets home?”

My days of requiring a babysitter are long gone. “I’ll be?—”

He butts in before I can finish. “I don’t mind.”

“Boys!” Jodi hollers as she passes the basement stairs. “Let’s go. I’ll grab a pizza on the way home before I go sell some rich guy a four-million-dollar home. Hurry up.”

“Four million dollars?” Nolan chokes on air and coughs. “I’m in the wrong business.”

“Thank you for today.” I yawn again and cover my mouth before I catch a fly or two. “You really don’t need to stay. If you help me into the recliner after I use the bathroom, I should be good.”

Heavy footsteps echo through the house as three teenagers run up the stairs, their voices full of excitement as they shout their goodbyes and rush out the door. Nolan gets up, and a wave of warmth fills the air. I blame it on the heat behind his eyes as he looks at me.

“Need help getting to the bathroom?”

---