Page 77 of Stick Play

“Thanks.” I toss a coffee pod into the machine, and turn back to find an anxious Zoe staring up at me. That’s when I realize she’s waiting to hear about her present. “Let me bring this coffee to your mom and when she gets up, I’ll give you your presents.”

She claps her hands and squeals, and fuck, as much as I should have run the gift by Gina first, it’s too late. Not only because Zoe is looking at me with bright-eyed enthusiasm, but also because I don’t have another gift if this one is bad.

As soon as the coffee is finished, I add a splash of milk and can’t wait to leave the room. Watching my father gloat is not a pretty thing. Speaking of pretty things. Gina stirs as I enter and her soft, sated smile turns to a frown, and worry invades her eyes as Zoe’s voice trails down the hall.

“She didn’t see me.”

She relaxes. “Thank God.”

“I thought you could use a cup.”

She holds her hands out and gratefully takes the mug. My dick twitches as she presses her lips to the edge and takes a mouthful. “Thank you.”

“Zoe’s waiting for her gift.”

“You could have given it to her.”

“Gina, I’m not sure?—”

“Come on, sleepy head.” I turn at Zoe’s voice as she bursts into the room. Man, she wasn’t there a second ago and honestly, I’m getting damn tired of sneaking around. I know Gina and I said some important things to each other in the middle of the night and I am hoping things are going to change between us. She called herself an asshole magnet, but she knows I’m not an Ash-hole, like everyone calls me. But if she’s not ready, I don’t want to pressure her or force the relationship into something else.

“I’m coming. I’m coming.” Gina is about to get up, stopping when she realizes she’s naked.

“Come on, Zoe. You can help me get the presents out of the bag.”

I lead her to the other room, and cast a glance over my shoulder to see Gina. She gives me a grateful smile before I close the door to give her privacy. Back in the kitchen, Dad is making pancakes, and I unzip my big bag. Zoe peers in to see the dark plastic shopping bag that doesn’t reveal what’s inside.

“What did you get me?”

“Why don’t you put the bag on the table? Be careful with it, though.”

She crinkles her nose up, perplexed, and it’s absolutely adorable, and reminds me so much of Gina. “Can it break?”

“Maybe.”

Dad whistles happily as Zoe very carefully pulls the bag out and gingerly sets it on the table. “What’s taking Mommy so long?” She pulls out a chair and sits in front of the bag, never taking her eyes off it.

“Oh wait,” she bursts out. “I made a picture for you.” She dashes down the hall, and into her bedroom. “I did this yesterday after Grandpa and I watched cartoons.”

“You had arts and craft time?” I ask, pleased with my father.

“Then we went to Dodge’s to work on a Cadillac.”

I arch a brow and Dad just laughs. “I’ll explain later,” he informs me and nods to the picture.

I glance down and see a picture of a young girl holding a leash to what might pass as a stick puppy, and on either side of her is a woman, and a man. Beside the man is a smaller man, who I assume is my dad, and beside him is a box of sorts.

“What’s this?” I ask, my heart in my throat. “That’s my new baby brother.” She spreads her arms. “This is my family.”

A sound at the door fills the room and I catch the anguished look in Gina’s eyes. Does she think I’m going to be upset by this picture? Or perhaps it’s her who’s upset. If so, she’s really going to hate the gift I got for Zoe.

“Mommy,” Zoe bursts out. “We can open presents now.”

Gina gingerly walks into the kitchen, her coffee mug in hand, and I take it from her and drop a pod into the machine to refill it. She looks like she could use another stiff one.

Jesus, what am I saying?

“What do we have here?” Gina asks and sits next to Zoe.

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