Page 23 of Trick or Treat

Following the sounds of clanking dishes and the smell of something wonderful, he found Jackson sitting at the table, staring at his wife’s ass as she bent over and loaded dishes into the dishwasher. Trick bumped his hip into Jackson’s shoulder to get his attention as he moved past him to take a seat.Perv, he mouthed.

Jackson’s smile was all “you know it.”

He shook his head like he’d caught his friend being naughty. “How were the kids?”

“Great as always,” Calliope informed him while scraping food into the sink. “There’s a plate for you in the microwave,” she told him right before she turned the garbage disposal on.

“Oh, yeah?” he asked once she turned it off. His best friend definitely lucked out with Calliope. The woman was an excellent mother to Jackson’s son, an amazing cook and from the happy glow that constantly surrounded his friend, she must be excellent in the sack, too.

“Chicken pot pie,” she informed him as she poured tea in a glass and set it in front of him.

“From scratch?” He got up and opened the microwave door. He grinned at the same time his stomach growled.

“Is there any other way?” she asked him.

He hit reheat before turning and planting a big wet kiss on her cheek. “You’re the best, Calliope. If you were married to anyone other than Jackson, I’d have to try and steal you away just for your cooking skills alone.” Calliope blushed prettily at Trick’s teasing.

“Really, man? Making a play for my wife again? I’m sitting right here.” Jackson pulled her onto his lap and dropped a quick kiss on her lips.

“He can try, but you know my heart only beats for you, honey.” She wrapped an arm around his neck and whispered something in his ear that brought a lascivious smile to his face.

It made Trick happy to see his brother in such a strong, loving relationship. He’d given up on the idea he would ever have one for himself. Michelle had done a number on him and he didn’t think he would ever be able to trust his heart to anyone else.

The microwave dinged and he grabbed his plate. He took a seat at the table and thanked Calliope again for saving a plate for him.

“How did the parent/teacher conference go?” Jackson asked.

Trick fought the smug smile threatening to pop free. The last thing he wanted to do was tell his brother how he banged his son’s teacher at her desk. It wouldn’t matter that he’d already had her once, Jackson would think he was an asshole.

“Well, Keegan is reading on a fifth-grade level,” he started. Calliope squealed and clapped her hands in excitement and he had to laugh.

“That’s amazing, Trick!”

“Yeah, I thought so, too.” He took his first bite of his chicken pot pie, closed his eyes and moaned in ecstasy. “My God, woman, this is so good.” He opened his eyes and asked her again. “Are you sure you don’t want to leave Jackson for me?”

“Yes,” she laughed. “I’m sure.” She started to get up, but was quickly pulled back down into Jackson’s lap.

“My woman, dude,” he teased, not quite pulling off the stern expression he was going for. He pulled her mouth down to his and gave her a lingering kiss this time.

“Get a room, man! I’m trying to eat here.” Trick loved to harass his friend. Jackson had been fighting his feelings for Calliope for a long time. All it took for him to wake up and finally claim her was nearly losing her forever. Literally. Her ex-boyfriend beat the shit out of her. After that, he wasted no time making her his. Sure, there had been some major bumps in the road, but they were able to get the Happily Ever After in the end. Trick couldn’t be happier for them.

Once upon a time, he thought that was what he wanted in life, too. He also thought Michelle could be that special someone for him. As it turned out, the only good things to come out of his marriage to her were Keegan and Reagan. And he wasn’t even married to Michelle when they’d conceived Reagan. She’d burned him too bad for him to think there was ever going to be a Happily Ever After for him. He mentally shook his head at his use of Happily Ever After. He must be watching too many princess movies with Reagan.

Jackson pulled away from Calliope, shared a lingering stare, then turned his focus back on Trick. “What else did you find out?”

Trick wiped his mouth with the napkin next to his plate. “I found out that Michelle has forgotten to pick up Keegan more than once. The last time just last week.”

“What? How does that happen? And didn’t you get him a phone?” Jackson wasn’t any more happy to hear about that than Trick had been.

“Yes, I did give him a phone.”

“Why didn’t he call you?” Calliope frowned.

“That’s what I intend to find out.” He went to the back door and yelled for Keegan to come inside for a minute. He went back to his seat and took another bite of his dinner.

“Hey, Dad! When did you get here?” Keegan asked, a little out of breath. He’d been running around the backyard with Reagan and Ryker.

“A few minutes ago.” He took a drink of his tea and waved at an empty seat next to him. “Have a seat, buddy. I need to ask you something.” He waited until Keegan took his seat, then began. “I had a meeting with your teacher and she told me something that confused me. She said your mom didn’t pick you up until really late a few times. The last time was last week. Why didn’t you call me? I would have come for you.”

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