Page 16 of Big Obsession

I shake my head. “Nope, I appreciate everything you’re doing for us, but you’re not here to wait on either of us. Let me help.”

She puts another pancake on the stack. “Well, we can do dishes together afterwards. The food is ready.”

“Everyone want some OJ?”

“Yes!” Ace hollers, and I try to hide my wince but not well enough, it seems.

Dolly nudges Ace. “Remember, honey. Your dad hurt his head last night, and we gotta try to be a little quiet until he heals a little bit.”

Ace starts to whisper. “Oh yeah. I’m glad you’re okay, Dad, and I’m glad you’re going to spend the next few weeks at home.”

I reach over and ruffle his hair. “Me too, son.”

Dolly starts carrying everything over to the table, so Ace and I help her. I soak up every minute of sitting around the table, talking and laughing with the two of them.

We talk about the practice that Ace has later in the day and how much he’s loving the team. And I talk to Ace about the accident yesterday and try to explain to him that I had no business entering a barrel race.

When Dolly tries to clean up after we’re done eating, I tell her that Ace and I are going to take care of cleanup, so she nods her head. “Okay, you care if I take a shower before we head out to Ace’s practice?”

I nod my head. “Sure thing, honey. You can use my shower.”

We have two other showers in the house, but I like the idea of her using mine.

When she walks down the hall, Ace looks up at me. “You like her, don’t you, Dad?”

I put a hand on his shoulder. “You know I do, son. What about you? You like Dolly?”

He nods. “I love her, and I’m glad she’s going to be around here more.”

I nod. “Me too.”

My phone dings, and I pull it from my pocket. I groan as I read the thread of text messages I’ve missed. Jace wasn’t kidding. He outed me to the guys, and it seems now they’re having a field day discussing my life.

“Ace, go brush your teeth and get ready for practice.”

“Okay, Dad.” I hear him running up the stairs and then I look at my phone.

Walker: So how’s the barrel racer this morning?

Brody: Barrel racer, my ass. What was he thinking?

Walker: He obviously wasn’t thinking.

Jace: Guys, he’s probably still sleeping. I left him in Dolly’s capable hands. He’s probably milking his bruised ribs and headache.

Brody: She spent the night?

Jace: Yep.

Brody: I told that fucker he needed to tie that down.

I sigh and start typing. “First of all, I have a concussion, not a headache. Second of all, quit talking about me like I’m not here.”

I pause and then add another text. “Fuckers.”

Walker, Brody, and Jace are my best friends. We met because we’re all single dads—well, we were until the three of them all fell in love. We get together weekly to play poker, and it’s a good time to just hang out and relax.

Brody: Did you hook up?

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