Page 38 of Deal Takers

Ugh, this man isinfuriating. I swear he’s made it his life’s mission to piss me off on the regular. I’m used to the fact he can somehow make every word in the English language sound dirty. I can even excuse the fact that he will not stop coming on to me. It’s become our thing over the four years I’ve known him—he makes a pass at me, and I reject said pass. But at a child’s birthday party? Come on, now.

“Hey, Rainey, you want some?” Drew interrupts my internal rant as he holds a plate of cake in front of my face.

Before I can answer, Brody speaks up. “No, man, Rainey here is watching her figure. No cake for her.”

“Whatever, more for me,” Drew says and shrugs as he walks away.

“Why did you do that?” I smack his arm. “I’ve been dying for a piece since I picked it up from the bakery.”

“The kid spit all over it while he was blowing out the candles,” he answers. “I was saving you.”

“Oh, my god, I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”

“Itreallywas,” he argues. “Although, if you’re looking to consume some bodily fluids, I’d be happy to share some of mine.”

“You’re an idiot,” I mutter as I push him aside.

I make my way across the room to my favorite little boy in the whole world. When Nathan sees me, his big brown eyes light up.

“Aunt Wainey! It’s my birfday!”

I scoop him into a big hug. “It sure is, little man. How old are you now?”

After a bit of a struggle, he proudly holds up four fingers. “I’m f-wo!”

“Four?” I repeat. “Oh, my goodness. Before you know it, you’ll be going off to college.”

He has no idea what that means, but he giggles anyway, showcasing his dimples.

“Did you bring me a pwesent?”

“Nathan!” Devyn scolds. “You’re not supposed to ask for presents. Remember, buddy?”

“I sorry, Mommy,” he says.

I ruffle his blond hair. “You know what, big boy? Ididbring you a present. But you’re going to have to wait until everyone finishes their cake, and it’s time to open them. Do you think you can do that for me?”

“Okay,” Nate agrees with a pout.

“Damn! Shit! FUCK!” Drew shouts.

“DREW!” Devyn cries.

“Fwuck!” Nathan repeats with a giggle.

She breaks out her mom voice and points to the kitchen. “Four bucks in the jar. RIGHT NOW!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Drew mutters. “Can’t a guy stub his fucking toe around here without being taxed?”

Devyn glares at her brother. “Five bucks!”

After Devyn ensures Drew has paid his dues, she walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. “Lorraine, you’re a lifesaver. Thank you so much for stopping by the bakery on the way over. When Jackson called saying he couldn’t do it, I was scrambling. I wouldn’t have had time before the party started.”

“You know I always have your back, Dev. Is everything okay with him?”

Jackson is the man Devyn’s been seeing for quite a while now. He’s a bit on the boring side if you ask me, but he treats her well, so I let it slide. It was good to see her finally moving on from Nathan’s father.

“Yeah, he’ll be fine. Some emergency at work. He was really bummed he couldn’t be at Nate’s party, but I guess these things happen during tax season.”

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