Page 127 of The Maxwell Brothers
Tim’s birthday was last week, and he’d shared with me that he’d wanted so badly to go to a water park with his friends and play on the slides, but his parents couldn’t afford it.
I was trying to surprise him by taking him and his hockey friends to an indoor one. There were a lot of free pools in Chicago, but none had water parks that were actually entertaining. I wouldn’t get my next paycheck until after his birthday, so I couldn’t simply buy eleven tickets.
Pinching pennies reminded me of the most stressful time in my family’s life, after Dad passed away. Mom had to take on three jobs to make ends meet. She didn’t even have time to mourn Dad. Emma and I were alone a lot, and the neighbors reported us to social services. It was terrible, and we both believed they should have minded their own business. Mom was doing the best she could. Because of them, we lived for yearswith constant check-ups and threats to send us to foster care. It was difficult, and it took a toll on Mom, who got sick when Emma was in college.
I shook my head, dispelling those sad thoughts and focusing on the present. I had a solution for my cash-strapped situation. I just didn’t like it. Up until last year, I waitressed for a hole-in-the-wall diner at the end of the world on weekends, so I could earn a few extra bucks. I left after a customer grabbed my ass while I took his order. My boss, Jared, had witnessed it and done absolutely nothing. He still owed me two full months of paychecks, and I’d never asked him for it because I was too proud. But now it was time to set my pride aside and be practical.
I sent him an email before I could talk myself out of it.
Then I bit into my donut while racking my brain on how I could make this happen for Tim. I needed the afternoon pick-me-up badly.
My phone chimed in the meantime.
Tyler: I'll be there in a few minutes.
I replied right away.
Kendra: I'm in a red Ford five feet from the entrance.
Tyler: I'll look for you.
My stomach somersaulted.No, no, no.This won't do.I was determined not to notice his dazzling smile, let alone the rest of him. I wasn’t staying long today, just enough time to ensure he and the kids were on the right track with their first session. I wasn’t planning to stay for the rest.
A few seconds later, there was a knock at my window. I startled and accidentally dropped my donut on the floor in front of the passenger seat. There was powdered sugar everywhere. Thank God I had leather seats.
Tyler immediately opened the door.
"Fuck," he exclaimed. "Do you have napkins?"
"Yeah, yeah, I have some."
I had wet wipes in my purse, and I'd grabbed a few napkins when I bought the donut. I vigorously cleaned up the seat with the wet wipes, and Tyler used the napkins to dry them. His hand accidentally brushed mine during our ministrations, and I was completely unprepared for the jolt of heat coursing through me. I raised my eyes to his—big mistake. I was looking straight at his lips. I moved my gaze farther up, right into those dazzling brown eyes.
My sister's words came to mind.Yeah, “hot” doesn't do him justice, not even a little.
I thought I could ignore that smile, huh? Well, maybe I could, but there was no way I could forget his eyes. They were dark and sinful.
"Way to make an entrance," I teased, glancing at the duffel bag he was carrying, which probably contained his skates.
"I did say I was coming in a few minutes."
"Yeah, I know, but then I got lost in my research for a pool for Tim, and now my donut?—”
I stopped, watching in horror as he took the donut off the floor and threw it in the nearby bin.Why did he do that? He just wasted a perfectly good donut.I was just going to blow off the dust, which I knew did nothing for germs, but who cared?
I tried to smile at him when he returned, but it probably looked a bit manic because he raised a brow.
“I’m dangerous in the afternoon without a snack.”
"Clearly," he said with a dazzling smile. Amusement played in his eyes.
Oh, he’s making fun of me, is he?Well, to be honest, I was completely ridiculous without my sugar fix.
"Come on. We still have time. I'll buy you another donut.”
My heart thundered in my chest. I hesitated for a bit.
He sat in the clean passenger seat, tilting closer to me. "Come on. You don't want to be dangerous for the rest of the afternoon, do you? Who knows what else might happen?"
