Page 70 of Mr. Infuriating (Mister #1)

Gretchen

The last bell of the day rang, and Brittany appeared in my doorway as I shut down my computer.

“Hey, kiddo! How was your day?”

“Hi, Ms. Kelly! It was good. I got an A on my math test.”

“That’s awesome! That calls for a celebration! We should do something special this weekend!”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know? Is there something you’d like to do?”

“Maybe we could go bowling?”

“Oh, I haven’t been bowling in ages! That sounds fun. We’ll talk to your dad about it when we get home and see what he says.”

“If you suggest it,” she replied confidently, “He’ll go for it.”

“Oh, honey. You give me too much credit.”

“I don’t think so. He’s letting me ride home with you, and he never lets us ride with anyone but him or Mom. You know, after Bodhi’s accident and all, he’s paranoid and doesn’t trust anyone to drive us.”

That explained his hesitation yesterday when I’d offered.

“Wow. I had no idea.”

“But he obviously trusts you. You and Jake are special to him. To me, too.”

I ruffled her hair.

“You, Brayden, and your dad are special to me, too.”

It was crazy how attached I’d already become to them—especially Britt since she’d gone out of her way to spend time with us. But Brayden, too, having gotten to know him during our one-on-one tutoring.

I finished packing up and slung my satchel and purse over my shoulder.

“Come on, let’s go get Jake. He’s going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

****

Gabe

I’d been on edge all afternoon, ever since I called the school to grant permission for Gretchen to take Britt home with her.

The lady on the phone tried to explain that staff couldn’t give students rides, so I asked incredulously, “So, you’re telling me my girlfriend, who’s living in the same house as me, can’t have my daughter in the car with her?”

“Oh… well, obviously, that’s different. If that’s the case, you probably didn’t even need to call.”

“I think Gretchen just wanted to make sure all her bases were covered.”

I’d had a pit in my stomach ever since I hung up, but I wasn’t sure if it was because I was worried Gretchen was going to be mad at me for telling one of her coworkers she was my girlfriend, or if I was worried about her driving Britt.

Maybe a little of both.

Or it could be how easily calling her my girlfriend rolled off my tongue .

I noticed the time and texted Britt and asked her to let me know once they got home. I couched it that I’d start that way once I heard from her.

Seconds after I hit send, my phone rang with my daughter’s name on the screen.

“Hey, Dad! We just walked in the door! Gretchen wants to know if you’re okay with spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.”

“Do we have garlic bread, or should I stop on the way home?”

Her voice was muffled when she asked Gretchen about the bread. A few seconds later, she came back on.

“We have some. Gretchen wants to know if you have an ETA when you’ll be home.”

“I just need to finish installing this cabinet, then I’ll head that way. I should be home by six.”

I could tell her mouth was away from the receiver when she said, “He says six,” then with a stronger voice told me, “We’ll see you then!”

Knowing Gretchen was in my house, making dinner for the four of us did something to my insides. Gretchen and Jake fit in so well with my kids, it was like they belonged there.

I’d best remember this thing was temporary.