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“But my motion sensor,” he rebutted with a scowl. “How…?” Then he remembered. There had been one short incident where his alert had gone off while he’d been engaged in laser hunting. But since it had chimed in for less than ten seconds, Mike had put it down to the wind, or an animal.
“Sly one, Mason,” Mike admitted.
Mase looked proud of himself. “Yup. I told Jack where your truck was, and how to disarm your sensor. Plus…he’s a car guy. He easily lifted your locks and got inside your old-ass POS to pop the hood. Once he managed that, he went to work and integrated new sections of hose onto your busted lines using clamps, bled the lines, then filled your brake fluid. Now you’re ready to roll, but he says not to let too much time pass; to take it to your regular guy to do a total replacement.”
“Cripes, Mase. You’re the best. I totally owe you.”
“Just get the girl, okay?” Mason replied. “Now go.”
Before Mike had taken three steps, Mason stopped him with another question. “When are you going to tell the kids about her?”
Mike didn’t have to think.
“As soon as I get home. I want them to believe I’ve been seeing her casually, around town, for a while, and that we’re having our first real date tonight. That way they’ll know I’m serious about her, but won’t feel like I’ve left them out of the process.”
“Good call,” Mase agreed. “Have fun.” He clapped Mike on the back.
Mike shot him a huge smile, and couldn’t help the joyous flutter in his chest which grew with every step he took toward the parking lot. He shouldn’t be this pumped, cognizant that things with Joe could very easily go sideways, but he found that the unknown was almost as exciting as thinking he might get lucky tonight.
Amazing. A week ago, his libido had been dormant, and his idea of a good night was sitting on his couch with a beer, binge watching cop shows. If someone had told him he'd soon be actively pursuing a hot undercover…agent, if that’s what Joe was, he would have told them they were certifiable. After Mellie, he’d determined he was done with women. Trust was big in his book, and his ex had tainted females for him…except for maybe the idea of a quickie every now and then. But even that hadn’t panned out. With his busy schedule, and being there for his kids, he’d never found the time to even go sniffing.
So solo is what he’d figured he’d be for a long fucking time. But now there was Joe. And walking away from what “might be” with her, was the farthest thing from his mind. Joe made him crave things with a hunger he hadn’t realized he missed.
Mike made it to his truck in record time, dropping his gear into the bed before getting in and starting it up. As he drove toward his parents’ house to get his kids, his whole body thrummed, feeling more vibrant than it had in what seemed like forever. And that was after spending the night sleeping on the hard ground. But anticipation sometimes had that effect on him. Challenge did, too, and he was certain Joe would make him work for what he wanted. To which his reply was…bring it on.
Pulling up to his parents’ place, Mike was nervous about breaking his news, but also hungry as hell. He hoped his folks would feed him some lunch. He’d had boxed cereal for breakfast, and the meager calories had dissipated with the hard work he’d done in the water this morning. Drysuit be damned, the quarry was deep and still damned cold. Speaking of which, he could really use a long, hot shower to wash off the dried sweat. But that would have to wait until he got home.
Mike strode up the walkway, his steps feeling light. He felt almost buoyant. Would his family see a difference in him? If they did, it might be the opening he needed to tell them about Joe, uh, Elle. He guessed for a while he’d have to refer to her by her working-handle in case word got out.
Which it would. His wasn’t a very small town, but it certainly felt like it sometimes where gossip was concerned.
“Hey Mom.” Mike gave his mother a kiss on the cheek as she opened the door. He hadn’t knocked, but his mom was uncanny like that. It was almost as if she could sense his presence. “How were the kids?”
She smiled at Mike. “Are they ever a problem? Dilly helped me clean out some cupboards I’d been meaning to tackle, and Tim spent most of his time playing video games with your father.”
“With Dad?” Mike questioned with a raised brow. His father wasn’t one for Fortnite or Minecraft, although he could sometimes be tempted by something retro like Pacman, Donkey Kong, or Frogger.
“I know, right?” she smirked. “It was some game you used to play, I think. Grand Theft Auto?”
Mike laughed. He hadn’t had his hands on that one in a while. It might be fun to revisit it. But that wasn’t on his current agenda. His plans for Joe and himself tonight would put any kind of screentime on a back burner.
“So is that where my offspring are now?” Mike asked.
“Nope. Right now, they’re both out back in the vegetable garden, helping your father weed.”
“Good. I’m glad you put them to work. It sounds like they had a good time,” Mike said as he stepped into the house. “I don’t suppose you have lunch ready?” His stomach chose that moment to growl.
“Reuben sandwiches, all set to be seared on the panini maker. I figured you might want something after your busy weekend.”
“Thanks, Mom. You know me too well.”
“Well enough to see that there’s a little extra jaunt in your step,” she observed, astutely. “Want to share?”
“How about I tell everyone together when we’re sitting down to eat.”
“Oh! There is good news, then,” she grinned. “Should I guess?”
Mike snickered. “I don’t think you could come up with this one if I gave you all day. It’s pretty…unexpected.”