Page 36 of The Single Dad Dilemma

I ordered us room service for dinner, and we both agreed that we were too tuckered out for more adventures. And now, here we are watching TV when Ridge finally walks in a few minutes after seven.

His eyes give away just how tired he is. Despite that, he perks up when he sees us, mustering enough energy to embrace Lou and swing her around much like he does any other day.

We tell him—well, Lou mostly tells him—all about our day and where we went. Then he tells us all about his day, how many people he talked to, and the tattoo he did. It sounds like he interacted with a lot of freaking people who stopped by. His voice is even a little raspy.

There’s a knock on our door, and Ridge and I exchange glances, confused about who it could be. He goes to answer it, and no sooner than the door opens, I hear the familiar voice of Waylon.

“There’s a double feature at the movie theater down the street. They’re playing both Beetlejuice movies, and the girl Banks met really wants to go. So we’re making it a group thing. Interested?” he asks, looking at each of us.

“Yeah!” Lou shouts. “I can come too, right?”

“Of course,” Waylon says.

Ridge looks at me, a plea in his eyes that tells me going out for four hours of movie does not sound good to him. Honestly, it doesn’t sound good to me either.

“I don’t think so, man,” Ridge says. “Not this time. I’m cashed.”

“What about you?” Waylon looks at me expectantly.

“I don’t think so,” I say. “Lou and I had a big day, too.”

“Aw man,” Lou says. “Does that mean I can’t go?”

Ridge exhales, clearly conflicted about the whole thing, but Waylon pats him on the shoulder reassuringly.

“Of course you can still go,” Waylon says. “Uncle Waylon would be happy to take you, if it’s okay with your dad?”

Ridge looks from Waylon to Lou to me and back to Lou. “I suppose it’s okay.”

“Great! Grab your jacket, Lou,” Waylon says. “It’s party time.”

When she runs to get her jacket, there’s an awkward silence. Waylon is looking between me and Ridge with a strange grin on his face.

“So what are you guys going to do while we’re gone?” he asks.

“I’m going to try not to fall asleep standing up in the shower,” Ridge says, rotating his arms. “And try to work out this kink between my shoulder blades.”

Waylon looks at me.

“Oh, um, I don’t know. Maybe read?” I can’t think of anything else I’m in the mood to do, and I want to keep it chill for Ridge. It feels like he needs that right now.

Waylon claps his hands and rubs them together, looking between us. Man, he’s weird. Lou shouts that she’s ready, drawing Waylon’s attention away. The door clicks behind them, and all the noise is gone from the room.

In the silence, I look over at Ridge, who’s already looking at me. He runs the pad of his thumb over the corner of his mouth, a gesture I’ve seen him do many times.

“I’m going to hop in the shower,” he says. “See if I can ease this pain in my back from hunching over.”

“Okay,” I say, turning toward the bed. “I showered after we got back from the pool, so I don’t need in there for anything. Take your time.”

And he does. The water runs in there for more than thirty minutes, and I hope it helped ease the knots. I almost offeredto rub it for him when he mentioned it, but I wasn’t sure how appropriate that would be.

I change into my big nightshirt while he’s still in the bathroom, then cover my legs with the blanket and flip through the TV channels for something to hold at least a little of my attention.

Ridge comes out of the bathroom, steam pouring out behind him. I keep my attention on his still damp hair to restrain myself from staring at the very obvious dick print in his gray basketball shorts. I noticed it in about two-point-four seconds. Guys have to know when they’re displaying one, right? Can’t they feel it? Surely they can see it in the mirror?

“Did the hot water help your back?” I ask before swallowing thickly.

“Not as much as I’d hoped,” he says, arching his shoulders back.

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