Page 82 of Dr. Stone

“Not a problem,” I smiled as I pulled out my phone. “Hey, Siri, call Jake,” I said as we entered the threshold of my house.

Andie took Brandon from me as the phone rang. I wasn’t going slow anymore. I wanted to push this relationship forward. The days of being intimidated and questioning myself were gone.

“What’s up, buddy?” Jake said as I heard the familiar sounds of him walking out of the office.

“Perfect timing,” I said. “You’re just getting off?”

“Yeah. I’m on my way to get Kaley from the sitter’s and then meet Ash at Jim and Avery’s for dinner.”

“Ash and Andie use the same sitter, right?”

“I’m right here, Jace, and yes,” Andie chuckled. “What are you doing?”

“What do you want, Stone?” Jake questioned.

“I’m doing the right thing for once since I met you, gorgeous,” I answered her.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Jake asked, confused.

“I’m talking to Andie. Hold on,” I said, my brain starting to scramble as I watched Andie’s face contort into a cute expression that made me want to bring her into my arms right then and there.

“Well, excuse the fuck out of me. I’m sorry, but who called who here, dickwad?” Jake bitched on the other side of the line.

“You’re right. Okay, I’m sorry,” I said, laughing. “Forgive myhorriblemanners, sir. I was calling because I need you to pick up Duke from that sitter’s house tonight, too.”

“That bitch yapping little prick can walk his cocky ass home. I’m not?—”

“Listen, you owe me, and I’m fairly confident you’re still in your head about our loss yesterday. Duke will snap you right out of that shit. Besides, Ash said Duke loves the kids, and they love him.”

“I planned on fucking my wife tonight, and that little bastard isn’t going to block my cock again like he did all weekend when we watched him,” Jake said.

“Lock him up in the pantry or some shit.”

“Is this little fucker cockblocking you as well?” he asked.

I heard the smile in his voice and couldn’t resist laughing, “Sure as fuck is, and if I ever want to get laid properly in this relationship, I need you to watch him.”

“I’m supposed to helpyouget laid by making it so Ican’tget laid, eh? What kind of world are we living in?” Jake’s humored voice told me he’d get the dog and deal with him for the night, but I would have to pay the piper for this favor.

“I just need you to take him until I figure out how to manage the little tyrant and put him in his place.”

“Only because I owe you for taking that second surgery with me will I bring the damn dog home for the night. But he goes right out of the house the next morning.”

“Have the kids sleep with him or something,” I said.

“Tried that, but I swear that dog matches his yapping to my romantic moves. He’s a goddamn menace,” Jake said while I laughed. “You’d better hope I don’t block your number after this.”

“Okay, I hear you loud and clear. Thanks, dude. I’ll talk to you later,” I said, hanging up the phone.

“Well, that wasn’t an ordeal or anything,” Andie said with a confused look. “Are youtryingto ensure that everyone hates us as a couple?”

I laughed. “I’m not finished with our day,” I said, staring into her beautiful eyes. “I want you to stay with me. I have a room that will work perfectly for Brandon as well, if you think he’ll be comfortable staying here?”

She softly exhaled. “He does very well when staying with others,” she said, then reached her hand up to my face. “You’re acting a little unhinged right now, though.”

I bent to kiss her lips, rubbed the top of Brandon’s sleepy head, and let her observation slide. “Let’s get him settled in his room, and then I’m taking your gorgeous ass and running a hot bath for the both of us.” I arched a brow at her. “I hope you love baths?”

“I think I’m starting to love you,” she chuckled. “But honestly, I need to get a play pen or something. I can’t just have a random sleepover at your house with a one-year-old and not have extra clothes and diapers.”