Page 27 of Something Reckless
Easton and Lincoln make a half-hearted attempt to do the ‘stern dad’ thing. But Rocco and Oliver high-five the kids for pulling the ultimate prank. I can't help but laugh at their antics, too. Yet still, I send them straight to the kitchen sink to wash all the spoons so we can use them for dessert.
At the end of the evening, Easton’s family gets into their huge SUV and drives off. But Easton stays behind, explaining that he drove here in his own rental car.
He walks Jagger and me up the stairs to our apartment.Our home is not much, but it’s been perfect for us. It’s been nice being so close to my mother. It’s handy because she’s close enough to help me with Jagger. But also because I’m able to keep an eye out on her.
When we get inside, Jagger immediately drags Easton to his bedroom. He’s so proud to be able to show his dad his room. I trail along, watching Easton’s reaction when he steps inside and sees that the walls are covered with hockey decor and posters of Easton.
“See?” Jagger says excitedly. “I told you you’re my number one favorite player!”
“Wow,” Easton breathes, looking a bit emotional. “Come here, my man.”
A lump forms in my throat when the two of them hug in the middle of Jagger’s bedroom.
When they part, I step in. “Time for bed, buddy.”
“Are you sure?” my nephew asks, batting those big blue eyes at me.
“ Yes , I’m sure. You played hard today. Brush your teeth and then time for jammies.”
Jagger nods, “Okay. But I wish this day would never end.” With one more hug, Easton says goodnight to Jagger, who then runs off to brush his teeth.
“Thank you for the perfect evening,” Easton says, as I walk him out onto the porch.
I nod, unable to fight a smile. “It was perfect. You know, the only thing that would make it better would be some of those old-fashioned donuts from Sweetie’s,” I say, reminiscing about that pastry shop in town we both used to love.
“Oh, heck yeah. Those were so good,” Easton says with a laugh.
“Man—it’s been years since I had them,” I muse.
“Years?” He echoes. “You live five minutes from your favorite donut shop, but yet it’s been years since you’ve had it?”
“Haven’t had the opportunity.” I shrug. “Been kind of busy.” And broke.
His head tilts to the side. “Oh, Alba. You can never be too busy for Sweetie’s donuts. ”
I laugh again. “Maybe sometime soon.” I turn back toward the house. “Well, I’d better go get Jagger to bed. He’s got to be exhausted from running around with his cousin all evening.”
“They’re going to be trouble as they grow up,” Easton says, even though he’s grinning.
“Aren’t all the Raines boys?” I smirk.
“Touché,” he says with a chuckle.A more serious look comes over Easton’s face.
In fact, he looks kind of nervous when he says, “I was thinking, I’d like for Jagger to start spending the weekend at my place.
” When my eyes widen, he backtracks. “Well, maybe just one night per week to start. I mean, that’s how the whole joint custody thing works, isn’t it? ”
A knot forms in my stomach at the thought of being away from Jagger overnight. He’s never even gone to a sleepover before.
And joint custody? Oh my god. We’re talking about joint custody?
But then I pull in a breath and remind myself, this is Jagger’s father, and Easton has been nothing short of incredible since the day he found out that he’s a dad. I want to keep giving him the benefit of the doubt.
“Jagger would like that,” I say with a nod.
Easton’s shoulders relax and a smile unfolds across his face. “I’d like that, too. We’re gonna have so much fun.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I say with the tiniest laugh.
His gaze softens as he stares at me. “Thank you again for a perfect evening, Tiny Tiger.”
I release a happy sigh. “ You’re the one who made it perfect, Mr. Tower.”
The grin widens across his lips .
We say a quick goodnight, and then I stand behind the curtain watching Easton climb into his car and drive off.
I imagine an alternate ending for this evening. An ending that involves Easton and me, standing face to face on the front porch. I imagine him taking my cheeks in his big, rough hands and pressing his plush mouth to mine right here, under the porch light.
The fantasy makes butterflies dance in my tummy.
It’s silly and it’s stupid. I’m his son’s aunt. Nothing more.And after keeping Jagger a secret for so long, I should just be grateful that Easton and I get along so well now.He could hate me for the decisions I made, but instead, we’re hanging out and smiling and reminiscing like old friends.
That has to be enough.
Yet still, my lips tingle and yearning stirs deep in my belly.
I try to convince myself that wanting to be kissed has nothing to do with Easton.
Nothing to do with the fact that he’s even more handsome than he used to be.
Nothing to do with those chiseled hockey biceps and that dazzling panty-melting smile.
Nothing to do with how great he is with his son and how quickly he’s adapting to his fatherhood role.
I’m just starved for male attention. Which makes sense, since I’ve been single for too damn long. A girl’s got needs. Needs that I’ve squashed down and ignored in order to take care of my little family.
After tucking Jagger into bed and reading him a short book, he’s out like a light. I drag myself through my night routine, scrubbing my face and brushing my teeth.
With my comfy pajamas on, I climb into bed, ready to study for my upcoming real estate exam. But before my laptop even comes to life, my phone dings with a text message.
Easton: Look out the window .
What the heck?
Stumbling out of bed, I rush over to my bedroom window. Past the branches of the old oak tree in the yard, I’m shocked to see Easton here, standing in my driveway.
Smile splitting his face, he puts a finger to his lips, motioning for me to be quiet. Then he waves at me to come and meet him outside.
I rush down the hallway, so excited to find out what’s happening that I don’t even remember I’m only in my pajamas. And not pajamas of the sexy-time variety, either.
When I swing open the front door, Easton’s there on the steps, flashing his dimples and holding up a bag of old-fashioned donuts.
A smile rolls across my lips. I dash outside to join him.