He presses his forehead to mine. “Adult alone time, sweet cheeks. Jake is going to a movie with friends tonight. That means—”
“That means adult alone time,” I breathe, when inside I’m melting and swooning and doing high fives all around the joint.
“Fuck yeah.” His eyes flash with heat before his hand is tangled in my hair and his tongue is in my mouth. It’s definitely not the most appropriate kiss for the ninth hole of a mini-golf course, but then again, with Rhodes kissing me like an unspoken promise of all the fun we’ll have later, I don’t mind one single bit.
After downing hot dogs and fries and pop, Jake and Harvey did end up kicking our butts, winning by a clear five shots.
But with Rhodes by my side, it’s safe to say that my mind was not on mini golf.
Chapter 13
Rhodes
Dee: So . . . still want me to come over tonight?
Rhodes: You think for one second I’m going to say no to adult alone time with you after teasing me all day in those jeans?
Dee: It was a few hours. Surely it wasn’t THAT torturous.
Rhodes: Anytime I’m around you and can’t touch you is torturous.
Dee: That’s a yes to coming over then?
Rhodes: Why aren’t you here already?
Dee: See you in twenty then.
“This is like living with a mooning teenager, I swear,” Jake says sarcastically.
Looking up, I find him leaning against the doorway to the living room grinning at me.
Raising a brow, I drop my phone in my lap. “I think you’re confused. I’m the dad, and you are the teen.”
“Yeah. Yet you’re the one grinning at your phone while texting, whereas my phone’s on vibrate and I’m playing it cool by not responding straight away.”
I chuckle. “Or maybe your phone’s on silent so I don’t know you’re not getting any texts at all.”
Jake clutches his chest in mock pain. “Ouch. That one hurt, Dad.” His wide smirk makes me shake my head.
“You still heading out?” I ask.
He narrows his eyes. “Uh huh. Although maybe I should stay home and supervise . . .”
“Don’t you da—”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Gotcha!”
“Why did I have to raise a smartass,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.
“But to answer your question, yeah, Dad. I’m going out. Kyle’s dad is picking me up and playing security guard for the night.” I arch a brow and shoot him ‘the look,’ and he soon holds his hands up in surrender. “Yeah, I know. It’s no skin off my nose. Saves wasting money on an Uber, and he’s a bit like you anyway.”
“How?”
“He’s cool.”
“Thank god. I can go to my grave having succeeded in being a cool dad.”
“It’s true. All my friends say so. Obviously being a badass firefighter doesn’t ruin your cred either.”
“Good to know. You need some money?”
“Nah. I’m good. So, Dee is coming over?”
“Yeah. You okay with that?” I ask, my tone turning serious.
Jake’s head jerks back, his eyes flashing wide. “Dad, this is your house. You’re the adult in this relationship.” He waves his hand between us. “It’s not up to me to say anything. But if it makes you relax, I’m fine with Dee staying the night. It’s not like I’m a light sleeper, and I’m not naive enough to think you’ve been celibate for the past six years.”
My mouth drops open, earning an amused gaze from my son.
“You’re a grown man, you’re not a virgin, and if anyone is gonna practice safe sex after all the lectures you’ve given me, it’s you. So have fun. I’ll text you before I come home to give you the head’s up, and I won’t be a smartass and embarrass you around your girlfriend. Deal?”
I look at him in wonder, again thinking that when god was handing out sons, I lucked out with mine. “You’re a pretty good kid, you know?”
Jake’s mouth quirks up. “You mean wise? Handsome? Pretty damn cool?”
“Humble too,” I say with a laugh.
“Yeah that.”
“Okay. So, you sure you’re okay with it?”
He rolls his eyes. “Dad. Relax. Have your girl over. Don’t act like I’m a ball and chain holding you back. I want you happy, and Dee makes you happy. It’s as simple as that.”
“You make me happy too, kid. And proud.”
His chest puffs out a little. “Well, of course. I’m awesome.” He looks me up and down. “Go have a shower and clean yourself up. You wanna make a good impression, don’t you?”
I push myself to my feet and walk past him, bumping his shoulder as I go. “You’re lucky I love you. Otherwise, I’d start to get a complex that my kid thinks I’m a lost cause.”
“Nah. You’re not that bad. A little direction is all you need.”
“Gee, thanks,” I scoff. “Let me know if Jeff arrives before I’m out. Okay?”
“Sure thing. Don’t forget the aftershave. Chicks love that shit.”
“Chicks probably don’t like being called chicks either,” I call back.
“Whatever. Women, then. Happy now? And I’ll tidy up in here too. Can’t have Dee thinking we live in a bachelor pad or anything.”
. “Thanks, kid.” I reach out and ruffle his already styled hair, earning a groan of protest. And as I walk down the hall to the shower, I’m smiling.
We did good with him, Lils. I hope I’m making you proud, baby.
And even not getting an answer to that, I know in my heart that she’d be smiling at me with her cute lopsided grin.
Fifteen minutes later, I see Jake off at the door, waving to Jeff. Us parents have a group chat where we fact-check and keep our fingers on the pulse of everything going on in our children’s lives, and we all take turns at playing the cab of mom and dad. It’s great for me given my work schedule and the amount of time Jake has with an empty house. Sometimes he stays with my parents or Lily’s, but generally, he’s home. I definitely hit the jackpot in the kid lottery with that one, because—touch wood—so far, apart from the
