Page 6 of Dead Serious with Benefits
“Mason—”
“What? I’m not talking shit, it’s the truth, and he’d tell you the same thing, but he’d get that sad puppy dog look on his face while he did it. But Jace doesn’t tolerate that from himself, he’s sure as shit not going to tolerate it from Micah...and really, he’ll be a lot nicer and more patient about it with his son than he ever would be with himself.”
“I suppose,” she said softly, sounding convinced but unhappy. “Why couldn’t it be boy or girl problems? God only knows this family has more than enough experience withthat.”
“You say that until he actually goes through his first relationship,” Mason said with a snort. “Remember how dramatic Milo was during his first breakup? Or when Dom was found passed out in a laundry basket on the fourth floor because he tried to make his first real breakup feel better by drinking with that group of girls?”
“Fine, fine, I’ll leave it in Jace’s hands,” Moira muttered, waiving Mason off. “I expect a drink waiting when my shift ends.”
“But of course,” Mason smirked, giving her a bow and winking at me as he walked off.
“Am I going crazy, or was Mason actually being nice?” Dom wondered aloud, crossing his arms over his broad chest and frowning. “Do we need to ask Jace if there’s something wrong with Mason? Uh, well, more wrong than usual, that is.”
I smiled. “Mason’s always had a soft spot when it comes to Micah. And I think it would be foolish on our part to assume he doesn’t have a soft spot with Jace as well.”
Moira blinked. “Thank you for knowing I don’t need to be involved in everything with Micah, and realizing that it was something Jace could handle.”
“Ah,” I said, though I didn’t think that was worthy of much thanks. “It just...seemed like Jace had a handle on things, was all. And I know he tries to fill the role of a true parent.”
“You’resobad at accepting compliments,” Dom chuckled, still glued to his phone despite probably knowing I was frowning at him.
“Again, you were right to think that,” Moira said, her brow furrowing. “I pretty much did solo parenting for so long?—”
“Because the rest of the family is chopped liver,” Dom said, his brow easing as something happily dinged from his phone.
Moira huffed. “I am not going to get weepy-eyed and vomit thanks all over the place to acknowledge the help I’m getting.”
“What, don’t want to do it again?” Dom asked with a grin, finally looking up, though I suspected he was measuring whether Moira would hit him rather than losing interest in his phone.
“That was...extenuating circumstances,” Moira said between clenched teeth. “My point is, I’ve solo-parented for so long, I forget that Jace has every right andshouldget involved with Micah, whether the kid is doing something fun or needs to be...corrected.” “You, I have to deal with,” Moira said, jabbing a finger toward Dom without looking at him. Her finger came around to jab at me. “But you...I expect better out of you.”
“I have said nothing,” I pointed out, giving myself away by hiding the smile I was fighting...and losing. “Although, considering I was closest to the hallway doors, Icouldrepeat what you told Kayden.”
Her eyes went wide. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“What things?” Dom asked, his curiosity finally pulling him away from his phone.
Things that were remarkably similar to what Milo had been ‘whispering’ to Eli when they’d been leaving.
“Some things shouldn’t be heard by outsiders,” I said, watching as Moira let out a sigh. “And definitely not repeated.”
“You’re no fun,” Dom groaned in what I assumed to be defeat, which was confirmed when he threw up his hands. “I’ll never get you to tell me.”
“You will not,” I affirmed, snorting when he scowled.
“It’s always lame when someone can keep a secret, especially someone else’s,” Dom complained.
“I have to disagree,” Moira said, and I shook my head at her smugness. As different as she and Mason seemed, it wasn’t hard to peel back the layers and see the similarities. Both were adept at spotting things that typically went unnoticed. Both found amusement in getting one over on the other, him through wits, and her through determination, but they weren’t picky; a win was a win. That last bit worked in an athletic sense, but neither was a team player. They worked well with others, but when it came to the responsibility and the credit, they preferred to do it solo.
It was fair to say most of the family was independent, to differing degrees. We were close, but every one of us was happier to deal with things without interference...unless asked for...or someone decided their sibling needed help and stuck their nose into their business. The exceptions were Micah, where we had all taken turns helping to raise him, though we had eased back a little with Jace in the picture, and trying to be the best dad he could be. The other exception was Milo and Eli, who had lived their lives since meeting so entwined that we all wondered howthey would allow others in. That question was answered by them being together, so we didn’t need to mull over it.
“Ah,” I said, earning a look of confusion from Dom and Moira. “That would make a great deal more sense.”
“Arlo?” Moira asked quietly.
“Yes?”
“You’re doing that thing where you leave half the conversation you’re having with yourself in your head.”
