Page 14 of Thoroughly Innocent Intent

“Whoa, whoa, wait. Hold up.” Shane holds up his hand. “Your ex-wife and daughter moved in with a guy over the summer? You didn’t even tell us she was dating anyone.”

“I didn’t know. It happened sorta fast.” I chuckle, remembering the wacky set of circumstances that preceded them moving in together.

“You’re smiling. And laughing. You’re freaking me out, why are you smiling?” Shane looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“I smile all the time.”

“No man smiles about their ex-wife dating and moving their kid in with another dude.” Dante shakes his head as he studies me.

“I do. Whole thing was pretty funny.”

“What does that mean?” Shane asks.

If he thinks Jen moving in with a guy is big news, he’s in for a real treat. “Remember how I got my pool redone? By the guy that finished your basement?” I can’t hide my grin, he’s gonna freak out.

“Yeah?” he says skeptically. “What does that have to do with Jen?”

“That’s the guy she moved in with. Turns out he was helping her with a flip while overseeing the work at my house. Here’s this guy getting all lovesick over some woman; who I had to give dating advice to since he was kinda rusty, and it wasn’t until he and Sawyer bumped into each other at my house that I realized he’d been talking about Jen the whole time.” I’m laughing so hard I snort, but I can’t help it. That shit was funny!

Shane’s jawliterallydrops as my story registers. “You gave dating advice to the guy cozying up to your ex-wife?”

“I did!” I hold my side to stop the cramp from forming.

“What kind of advice?” Dante looks at me in horror, hand frozen mid-way to his locker. “Sex advice?”

“Hell no, come on.” I elbow him. “Love advice.”

“And the poor dude took it? You’re the last boy who should ever give anyone love advice.” He shudders. I sneak a quick look at Shane, who has also been the recipient of my advice, and who is now happily married because of it.

“Come on Dante, all Colt’s experience has to count for something.” Shane slaps me on the back, his way of saying thank you.

“As a matter of fact, he did listen. That’s how I know this one’s a good guy.”

“He did do a great job on my basement,” Shane muses out loud.

“You should see my pool. But seriously, I couldn’t have picked a better guy for her. Sawyer too.”

“Small world.” Shane chuckles as he stows his cleats in his locker.

“Sawyer goes to Rocky Mountain Academy, right? Like this guy’s son?” Dante listens better than I thought he did.

“She does.” I nod, still trying to catch my breath.

“That don’t bother you?”

“Why would it bother me? Kid’s great. He’s got a good arm from what I hear.” I stash my pads in my locker.

Dante shakes his head like he’s disappointed in me. “It don’t bother you that your teenage daughter is living with a teenage boy she’s not related to?”

“Huh, never really thought about that.” I shrug, understanding his look. I suppose raising four kids in one house gives you a different perspective than weekend visits and the occasional vacation. “I’m sure it’s fine though. They’re both good kids. Wes, the son, is off to college next year, so it’s kinda temporary anyway.”

“Okaaay.” Dante shakes his head and changes the subject. “So, Thursday? We have late practice Friday, but we’ll make it an early night.”

Thursday is supposed to be my next meeting with Sam. Before practice, I thought I’d be listening to her suggestions with an open mind, which would give me the opportunity to get closer to her. Now I’m not so sure I can, and that leaves me feeling slightly depressed.

“Yo, Colt.” Dante slaps my arm. “Where’d you go?”

“Sorry. Yeah, I don’t know about Thursday. I’ve got an appointment.”

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