Page 44 of Mother Pucker

“Are your toes cold, buddy?” he asks, placing one skate to the side before taking Kai’s foot in his large palm and rubbing his toes.

Kai’s eyes bounce from the hockey star to his foot. He’s hardly able to believe any of this is real. “A little.”

Rowan continues to rub Kai’s feet for a few more minutes until he’s satisfied they’re warm. He wiggles them back into Kai’s shoes. “Cool velcros!”

A shallow groan escapes my son’s lips. “They’re embarrassing, but my mom thinks shoelaces are dangerous.”

“Well, these are the slickest velcros I’ve ever seen,” Rowan responds. “So, whether laces are dangerous or not, I’m going to get myself a pair of shoes just like these.”

I clear my throat as I approach them, feeling all sorts of combobulated. “You guys looked like you were having fun.”

Kai turns to smile at me, his hair mussed from being under his helmet. “Did you see me, Mom? I didn’t even fall without meaning to!” He and Rowan exchange a meaningful look before Kai amends his words. “Rowan said it’s important that I knowhowto fall, though, and that it’s only natural to fall when you’re learning. So, we practiced that, too.”

I sweep some of his hair off his forehead before giving Rowan a grateful look. “You were picking it up really quickly from what I saw. Did you say thank you to Rowan, again?”

“At least a hundred times,” Rowan answers for Kai, his eyes gleaming at my son. “You’ve got one hell of a polite kid, Doc.”

Kai beams. “Good thing Phoebe and Collette aren’t here; you’d have to put a thousand dollars into the swear jar for saying a bad word.”

Rowan’s head reels back. “A thousand dollars for saying ‘hell’? That seems like highway robbery! Are these the twins you told me about on the ice?”

Kai nods, and I take in the ease in their conversation. Within just a few hours, they’ve become so comfortable with each other, you wouldn’t know they hadn’t met before. “Mom calls them the ‘Destructive Demons’ sometimes.”

My mouth falls in shock. Firstly, I’ve never heard this kid have so much to say–not even in front of people he feels close to, like Liam or Winnie–but secondly, what the heck! I’d only called Delia’s twins that name under my breath, when I didn’t think anyone was listening.

They deserved it, too, after the last prank they pulled on me when they downloaded audio files that sounded like yawns, farts, and burps, replacing all my computer system sounds with them. I couldn’t figure out how to undo them for weeks, and it made for awkward moments while I was with my patients if I didn’t have my computer volume off.

“You were not supposed to have heard that, and you were definitely not supposed to have repeated it!” I scold Kai, who gives me a half-apologetic smile. I turn to Rowan. “Delia’s twins are incredibly sweet in their own way, but let’s just say . . . I wouldn’t put it past them to become tyrannical dictators one day.”

“Yeah, Bossman calls them the Shining Twins!” Kai adds, making Rowan laugh.

The rumble of his voice bounces around the empty seats, and I notice, not for the first time, just how ruggedly beautiful he is–a square jaw, a slightly crooked nose that may have been broken at some point, and a small faded scar in between his brows. His teeth are pristine white, nestled between plush lips, and the tops of his cheeks always seem flushed.

“I’m looking forward to meeting them someday.” He gives me a meaningful look before smiling down at Kai.

“What about today?” Kai asks before turning to me. “Mom, can Rowan come over to say hi to everyone at the house today?”

I’m just about to respond that today won’t work, given that I don’t want Rowan over without giving my best friends a heads up, when he speaks. “Actually, I’d love to do that another day. How about I make you lunch at my house instead today? I bet you’re both hungry.”

Again, I’m about to decline when my son practically squeals in delight, nodding. “Yes!”

I give Kai a raised brow. “You promised you’d do the homework Aunt Dylan assigned you after hockey.” I see Rowan’s brows furrow, and I rush to explain before he even has a chance to ask, “Kai is homeschooled by my friend Dylan.”

Kai’s downturned eyes plead with me. “I can still get it done afterward, Mom. I promise.”

Jesus. The kid could charm a genie into giving him an extra wish. Still, I try once more.

“Kai-bear, you promised not to beg, remember? Plus, I’m sure Rowan has other things to do than have us over for lunch. We have an early flight out tomorrow.”

Plus, I can’t have another meal of excess saturated fats and sugar. Not to mention that Kai’s already had what I’m sure is more sugar than liquid inside that sports drink he chugged.

“Oh, I have nothing going on until practice tonight, and I’m already packed for the trip.” Rowan winks at me, and I gather he knows I’m trying to dodge his invitation. “Anyway, you wouldn’t want to miss what I have planned for lunch today.”

Yeah, monster-sized burritos that could cause all sorts of terrible things, like near-orgasmic moans and gastrointestinal hibernation.

Both Rowan and Kai wait for my answer.

Ugh, this is not what I wanted! It’s one thing for Rowan to teach Kai to skate, but it's another for my son to be around Rowan and me in his home. He’s an observant kid. What if he can tell there’s something going on between us?

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