Page 38 of Gifts

“Sure,” Grady gives Crew a look, “but you never have plans.”

Crew crosses his arms and gives me a smirk. “You gonna tell us or do we have to follow you, too?”

I shake my head. “I met a woman and we’re going to her place for dinner.”

Grady furrows his brow. “Where did you meet this woman? You don’t go anywhere that doesn’t have to do with your kids or our work.”

“I changed her tire, but she was on a date. Since she was on a date, I put her out of my head. Then I walked into my kids’ school and there she was.”

“Wait.” Crew drops his arms and he smiles. No, he grins, which is out of character for him. I only ever see him look like this with Addy and Vivi. “She’s one of your kids’ teachers?”

“Counselor,” I correct him with a grimace, as if being with their counselor is better than being with one of their teachers.

“Nice,” Grady drawls and steps forward to slap me on the back. “It’s about time. You’re depressing to look at some days.”

“Fuck you.” I glare at him. He was one of the most ill-tempered people until he met Maya. Now he’s just ill-tempered with the recruits and only mildly-so with me.

“I’ll tell Addy,” Crew says. “She’ll want to meet her. I’m sure she’ll plan a wine thing.”

“She’s got kids,” I add. “We’re both busy. I’m not even sure how it’s going to work with the kids, let alone socializing.”

“Addy’s pregnant,” Crew announces out of the blue. This halts both Grady and me. Crew and Addy lost two babies before they had Vivi. Crew’s mentioned she wanted to try again, but he didn’t want to. “I can’t seem to say no to her. She’s almost twelve weeks.”

I know that doesn’t mean shit. They lost the second one after that, but I offer my hand and mean it when I say, “Happy for you.”

Grady grasps his shoulder and Crew keeps on. “She promised me she’d hand over the daily business to Evan and that’s happening now. So, when I say Addy’s gonna want to meet your counselor, she’s gonna want that to happen soon because I’m about to put her in bed for the next six months and not let her up.”

I smirk. “She’s not my counselor.”

“You should rethink that. You could use a counselor.” Grady deadpans. “Come on, I want to get home. Maya and I haven’t been sleeping for shit. Just when we thought Chloe was sleeping all night, she’s going through a growth spurt and does nothing but eat. Maya’s exhausted.”

We head back to our cars. I’ve got to pick up Emma and think of something to bring to Keelie’s for dinner. After I start up my truck, I pull out my phone.

Me – You drink beer, but do you drink wine?

She hits me back immediately.

Keelie – Does a fish swim?

I smile at my screen.

Me – See you at six with the masses.

Keelie – Saylor told me she’s giving one of her goats to Emma. Be prepared to take one home. This is your last chance to bail.

Me – I don’t have the space for a goat, it’ll have to stay at your place. Just another reason to visit you, so this is your last chance to bail. I don’t want to make a commitment to a goat and not follow through.

Keelie – Well, fuck me. I thought the goat would scare you off.

That, I felt in my dick.

Me – Baby. That mouth.

Yeah, I can’t wait to fuck that mouth.

While I fist her strawberry blonde hair, guiding her every inch of the way.

Keelie – I didn’t realize you were so sensitive.

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