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  Ever the little man, Peg squared his shoulders. “Yes, Mawmaw.”

  I looked at the clock. It was twenty-to-eight and we had to get going. Parents were encouraged to walk their children to classroom on their first day of school and I didn’t want to be late. “Let’s hit the road, Peg,” He grinned and wiped his mouth with his arm. Sighing, I grabbed a paper towel, wet it and wiped his face and arm clean.

  “Can we take your mo’cycle?” he asked hopefully.

  Mawmaw gave me ‘the look’. “No, buddy. We’ll take the jeep.” I must have said the right thing, because she nodded.

  Honestly… like I’d take him to school on my bike.

  Of course, if I did, I might as well ride naked, juggling fire, because every prissy-assed meany mom would call Child Protective services on me if they saw Peg on my bike. I own a cherry red Harley which was rehabbed by Cotton and I’ve taken Peg on a few rides, only when no one was watching. Momma and Mawmaw hate my bike and although I love and respect them, it’s my choice and my bike. I ride it to work every day. The Rust Bucket, as I call my jeep, is for hauling Peg.

  Maybe I should get a sedan or something.

  A sensible, non-rusty car with a roof, not just a tarp, but the thought of driving a mommy mobile made me nauseous.

  We walked, or should I say I walked; Peg raced out to the jeep after giving Mawmaw a quick kiss goodbye. I opened the jeep’s door and he climbed into his car seat. After buckling him up, I slung his little backpack in beside him and climbed behind the wheel. I started her up and drove the four blocks to school. I know it seemed silly to drive such a short distance but it was too hot to walk to his school. We’d walk to school in the fall.

  We made it to school with ten minutes to spare as I pulled into the parking lot. I climbed out, opened up Peg’s door and hefted him to the sidewalk, locking the car behind him. He slipped his tiny hand in mine and we walked up to the school. I loved these Father/Son times with him. I pushed open the door and heaved a sigh of relief as the cool air chilled my skin. Taking a deep breath, I turned us toward his classroom.

  Peg was dragging behind enough that I tugged him to bring him in line. I looked down at him, wondering what was up, and was horrified to see that his eyes were shiny with unshed tears. He looked so small compared to the rest of the kids milling around us. It’s because of his birthday that he’s starting first grade younger than some of the other kids. I’d asked his kindergarten teacher if I should’ve held him back, but Mrs. Allison had been resolute. In her opinion Peg was ready. Was I? Not so much.

  Kneeling down, I took him by the shoulders and gave him an encouraging smile. “It’s okay, Peg,” I whispered. “It’s okay to be scared.”

  He flung himself into my arms and I wrapped my arms around his little body. “’M not scared,” he mumbled into the crook of my neck.

  “Good.” I pushed him away from me and looked him in the eye. “I’m so proud of you, Peg. You’re gonna do great. Grandma, Mawmaw, Boone, Cotton and I are all so proud of you.”

  “Mommy, too?” His voice was so tiny, barely above a whisper. Now I was the one blinking back tears.

  “Yes,” I said softly. “Mommy, too. She’s always lookin’ out for you, Peg.”

  I’d been honest with Peg about his mother from the start. He knew she’d died in an accident but, about a year ago, he’d begun asking questions about what happened to her. Momma and Mawmaw told me to be straight with him so I was. I told him the truth and that she was watching over him from heaven like his own guardian angel.

  He sniffled, wetly. “Ready?” I asked and he nodded jerkily.

  I hugged him hard and gave him a smurp. A loud, overdone kiss and he giggled so I kissed him again. I’d never get tired of hearing him laugh. I stood up and took his hand and we were about to resume our walk to his classroom when a guy and his kid came flying around the corner and nearly slammed into us. He skidded to a halt and apologized. I was so wrapped up Peg it took me a second to see who it was.

  “Avery?”

  I stilled. I knew that voice—and that face.

  “Martin?”

  Oh fuck me!

  There he was. The man who’d haunted my dreams and provided me with hours of masturbation material. Damn, he was hotter than I remembered. His red hair was longer, sweeping across his brow and his nose was covered in a smattering of freckles above pink and plump lips. He wore a blue polo that made his blue eyes even bluer. He was shorter than me and stockier. His arms were freckled and dark washed blue jeans clung to thick thighs. He was wearing flip flops and his toes peeped up at me.

  It was then I noticed the little girl holding his hand. She had to be his daughter. She had the same red hair, same blue eyes and same freckles. She stared up at me with unabashed curiosity.

  “Uh… hi.”

  Damn it.

  I didn’t know what to say. I mean, what do you say to the man who gave you a bone shaking blowjob? A man who asked for my number, only to have me go all chicken shit and bolt, not giving him the damn thing? “How are you?”

  Lame!

  “Fine. Just droppin’ my daughter off.” He looked down at her. “Poppy, this is Avery and…?”

  “Damn... sorry.” I apologized quickly for swearing and smiled at her. “Hi, Poppy. I’m Avery and this is my son, Peg. He’s in Ms. Greco’s class.” Peg stared at them in silence and I nudged him forward.

  “Hi.” He greeted them, shyly.

  “Hi, Peg. I’m in Ms. Greco’s class, too. Come on, let’s get go find our seats.”

  I watched his reaction as Martin’s daughter took charge and held out her hand. Kneeling down, I hugged him quick.

  “Have a good day.” I grinned at him even though my stomach was flip-flopping all over the place. “I’ll be here to pick you up later.” I winked at him and he gave me a small smile “You got this, Peg. Love ya.” His lip quivered, obviously still nervous. Poppy, however, was all confidence and I hoped some of it would rub off on him.

  Martin leaned down, kissed Poppy’s cheek and said fondly, “Go get ‘em, Pops.” She giggled and pushed on his chest.

  “Daddy! You’re so silly!”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you, too. See ya later! C’mon, Peg, we can’t be late.” He gingerly slipped his fingers into hers arm and they walked away. A lump formed in my throat and I bit the inside of my cheek.

  You’re not gonna cry Myer, Peg’ll be fine.

  As I watched him disappear into the classroom, it took all my strength not to race in, snatch him up and take him home. Before I could, the bell rang, leaving me and my former trick staring at each other.

  I sighed heavily. I suck at this. Small talk is not my strong point and I didn’t know what to say. But meeting Martin and his daughter at my son’s school was enough to throw any man off his game.

  “So… your daughter,” I said. “Where’s your wife?” I cringed as soon as the words left my mouth.

  Smooth as a sticker bush, Myer.

  “Subtle,” Martin replied. He obviously thought so, too. “I’m divorced. And Peg’s…?”

  “His mother died when he was two.”

  His blue eyes widened. “Oh, I’m sorry.” His reaction was common. I’d seen it many times before.

  “’S’okay.”

  We fell back into an awkward silence.

  “This is ridiculous,” he mumbled and stuck out his hand. “I’m Martin Gaither.”

  “Avery Myer. Nice ta meetchya.” I was dimly aware of some of the meany moms in the hallway staring at us. Two of them, Melissa and Ally, were scowling particularly hard. Melissa had asked me out when we met at the parent/teacher meet and greet no more than a month ago. I mean, seriously, she’d known me all of five minutes before asking me out. I’d politely told her I wasn’t interested but I guess she wasn’t used to being told no, especially by men. Since then, she and her cronies had been cool toward me. I didn’t care as long as it didn’t affect Peg. If it did, those bitches would have me, my Momma
and, even worse, my Mawmaw to deal with. I marshaled my courage and asked, “Would you like to get a coffee or somethin’?”

  “I’d love to but I can’t,” Martin replied, his eyes lighting up in a sexy smile. “I have to take my ex-wife and her husband to an Urgent Care. They’ve both got food poisonin’. That’s why I brought Poppy alone.”

  “Oh… okay.”

  “How about tomorrow after we drop the kids off?”

  He must have seen my disappointment.

  “You don’t have to,” I fumbled. He put his hand on my arm and smiled.

  “But I want to.” He squeezed gently and I smiled back. “Let’s talk outside,” he added, glancing at Melissa and her friend. “The cougars are sniffin’ around.”

  “I noticed.”

  I was relieved to leave the gossips behind. He turned and I trailed behind him, casting one last look over my shoulder, kind of hoping to see if Peg was running back to me. Of course, he wasn’t. He was being a bigger boy than me. I know I was being foolish, but I missed him already.

  Trudging after Martin, I took a gander at his butt and I have to say, I liked what I saw. It was high, round and packed tight in his jeans. I wondered if it was freckled like the rest of him. I looked back up and caught him grinning at me—busted. Heat flooded my face.

  Great, caught gawking at his ass like a teenager.

  We came to a stop in the parking lot by his car which was, spookily enough, parked right next to my jeep. He leaned up against his Buick Sentra sedan. Yep, he’d got himself a mommy mobile.

  “Okay,” Martin began. “Let’s set the record straight, sort of. I’m bisexual. I have a seven-year-old daughter and a great ex-wife, who I’m good friends with. I was very surprised to see you here and, to be blunt; you’re even hotter than I remember.” His lips twitched in a half-smile and the slight nod of his head indicated it was my turn.

  “Well… I’m bi, too,” I replied. “It’s just me and Peg. I don’t go out at all and the night we met was the first time I’d ever been to that club. My brother Cotton told me about it. He and Boone go there occasionally for some fun.”

  “Boone?”

  “My other brother. We’re triplets. Identical triplets.”

  “Triplets!” His eyes popped wide as saucers. “Wait a darn minute. If your brothers go to Hobbins that means—”

  I scrubbed the back of my neck with my hand. “Yep. We’re all gay or in my case, bi.”

  “Shut up, chicken butt!””

  “What?” Ain’t never heard that one before.

  “Never mind,” Martin chuckled. “So, coffee, tomorrow at the Organic Monkey?” He shifted from one foot to the other and jammed his hands in his pockets.

  Was I making him nervous?

  “Yup.”

  He turned to get in his car then glanced back at me. “Don’t say much, do you, Avery?”

  “Nope.”

  He smiled. “A man of few words.” He climbed into his car and started the engine. Right before he closed the door, he looked me over from top to toe and murmured, “Dang… see you tomorrow.” He left the word hanging in the air and pulled out. I watched his car disappear down the road then it hit me.

  I have date! Aw…balls!

  Chapter 3

  Martin.

  I know I shouldn’t have shaved my nuts and trimmed my pubes, after all it was just coffee, but it didn’t hurt to plan ahead. After saying goodbye to Avery that morning, I’d driven back to Jackie’s house and loaded her and Matthew into the car. Then I’d rolled down the windows, because they stank and taken them to the Urgent Care near our house.

  I’d sat quietly in the waiting room while they were being seen by the doctor, my fingers flying across my phone as I fired off text after text to Levi. I told him about Hobbins and meeting Avery, about meeting Avery again and that I had a date. Levi’s replies came back one after the other.

  So you’re meeting for coffee?

  Yep, at the Organic Monkey. I’m kind of nervous.

  Why?

  He’s so freaking hot!

  LOL, I gathered. Gonna do him?

  OMG, would love to but it’s just coffee.

  Bet you shaved your junk.

  Dang it, how do you know me so well?

  I’d have of done the same thing. ‘Course, now Seth does it for me.

  TMI, Levi.

  You gonna call me after?

  ‘Course, crap gotta go. Jackie and Matthew are done.

  I shoved my phone in my pocket and rushed over to them. Matthew had his arm around Jackie and both were pale and shaking, yet they looked a whole lot better than yesterday. I took Jackie’s arm, as it looked like helping her was wearing Matthew out.

  “Thanks, Martin,” Matthew panted. “Sorry babe.”

  Jackie patted her husband’s cheek. “It’s okay sweetie. I feel the same way.”

  “Here, sit down. What did the doctor say?” I asked, as I fussed over the two of them.

  Visibly shaking and perspiring, Matthew answered me, his voice tired and weak. “It’s definitely food poisoning. We’re the tenth case he’s seen. All of them have been linked back to the same restaurant. He gave us a course of antibiotics and said to keep hydrated.” He swallowed thickly. Even talking had exhausted him.

  “Let’s get you both home and I’ll get your ‘scriptions. What do you want from the store to drink?”

  “Sprite, Gatorade, some ginger ale,” Jackie muttered. “I hate to ask Martin, but can you take Poppy to your house for a few days. The doctor thinks it may be contagious.”

  “Sure thing, Jacks. Let’s get you guys home and I’ll pack Poppy a bag.”

  “Wha-what about work?” Matthew asked wearily.

  “Don’t worry; I already called Bill and told him I’m not comin’ in today ‘cause you’re both so sick. He’s cool with it.” I opened the door to the clinic for them and they trudged over to my Buick. They piled into the car and after I’d buckled them up, I drove them back to their home and saw them inside. I sprinted back to my car—I had a crap load of running around to do.

  Two hours later, Jackie and Matthew were all set and I had enough clothes and supplies to keep Poppy for a few days until they felt better.

  When I picked her up after three that afternoon, she fairly raced to my car. She climbed in and buckled up, her mouth running a mile a minute the entire time. Obviously, she’d had a good day. I pulled into traffic and let her know what had happened. The chatter stopped from the back seat of the car and I glimpsed over my shoulder to see Poppy nibbling at her lower lip.

  “What’s up, Pops?” I asked.

  “Are Mommy and Matthew gonna die?”

  “Gracious no, sweetie,” I said incredulously. “Their tummies are just really sick and your Momma thought it best for you to stay with me until they’re better, that’s all.” I gave her a sideways glance. “You good with that?”

  “Oh yeah, but can I call Mommy and Matthew when I get home?” She seemed anxious.

  “Sure,” I replied then rapidly changed the subject. “So how was your day?” Yep, I’d asked for it and boy did I get it. I half-listened as I drove us back to my house until…

  “I feel sorry for Peg.”

  “Why’s that, sweetie?” I looked over my right shoulder at her and she was fiddling with the strap from her back pack.

  “His mommy died. He misses her bad.” Her voiced hitched as she spoke and it dawned on me, she was scared her Mother and Matthew might die because they were so sick.

  “Poppy, you don’t need to worry about Mommy and Matthew. They’re already getting’ better.” I gentled my voice.

  “For real?”

  “For real.”

  “I like, Peg. He’s nice. He made friends with Wally and gave me his cookie at lunch. He said he doesn’t like cookies. He likes his Uncle Boone’s cakes better. Did you know his daddy has two brothers just like him? They’re tiplips.”

  “Triplets,” I corrected. “And yes, Avery told me.”


  “That’s so cool.” She settled back into her seat, mollified. “I told Peg he was lucky to have so many uncles. He also gots a Grandma and a Mawmaw!”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah.” Then she was off again telling me about her, Imagene and Magarite’s latest escapade. I parked the car in the driveway and we headed into the house. She tossed her backpack in the entry way and rushed to her bedroom to call her Mom. I’d had a land line installed in her room a few months ago because I refused to even contemplate getting her a cell phone. I was shocked when I’d seen several five-year-olds with them at her school.

  I strode past her room to mine and I listened to her chatter loudly with her mother. She needed Jackie’s reassurance that she was okay. Changing into house clothes, I went to the laundry room and loaded the washer, then set about getting dinner ready when my sister, Nan, called.

  “Hey, Nan. What’s up?”

  “I heard from our baby brother that some guy you bumped uglies with is a daddy at Poppy’s school. I knew it was going to happen sooner or later, you’ve slept with all the single men in Atlanta.” At times, her voice could cut through steel. “He’d better not be married or I’ll skin you alive!”

  “Har, Har.” I said sarcastically. “And no he’s not. He’s widowed.”

  Silence. “Oh. And he’s gay?”

  “Bi. Nan, is that all you wanted, you gossipy wench?”

  Nan tittered. “No. I was also calling to remind you of our annual family vacation. The big one! It’s happening in seven weeks.” She sounded exhilarated and stressed at the same time.

  “Dodie and Graham confirmed?”

  “Yes. All six of us, spouses and kids. Six Flags Over Georgia here we come!”

  I almost groaned. I wanted to see my siblings, I really did, but spending a sweltering summer weekend at a theme park was not a favorite of mine. Poppy, however, was on cloud nine. A day didn’t go by that she didn’t squeal about riding the Riverview Carousel or the Thunder River of Splashwater Falls. I made a mental note to wear a pair of board shorts the day we went to Six Flags, which was just west of Atlanta in Cobb County, as they tended to dry faster if they got wet.