Page 68 of Fight Or Flight

“So what about Saturday night? You’re new in town, right? I can show you all the best spots before you leave.”

Chelsea stared at him as if he’d just told her the number purple piloted a lightbulb.

Adam stared back, narrowing his eyes in deep concentration. Ethan was pretty sure he had no idea he was being shot down.

He’d probably never experienced it before.

Ethan wiped a tear from his eye that had escaped during his laughter. “Is Natalie here?”

“Uh, yes,” she said. “Somewhere.”

Just then, Natalie appeared from behind the crowd, wearing short black shorts, a white tank top, and gold sandals, holding Ben’s little hand. Her face split into the largest grin he’d seen yet. It was like glue, hastily holding the pieces of his broken heart together .

For how long? He hadn’t a clue. He was just happy to see her when he worried he might never again.

“Mama!” Ben said. “Aunt Natalie showed me the diamond and let me run around all the bases.”

“Cool, buddy. Here, I got you an ice cream cone,” Chelsea said, handing the cone to Ben. She looked up at Adam, then raised an eyebrow.

Adam stared down at Ben with the same wide eyed, horrified look he’d given Ethan about the exclamation mark.

Ethan winced. The funny exchange had turned into an awkwardness that was too much to bear. He should have told Adam about Ben before they walked over there. Adam wouldn’t even date a woman, let alone get involved with kids.

“Uh, so . . .” Ethan started. He didn’t know what to say or do, just that he wanted it to end.

Adam cleared his throat, peeled his eyes off of Ben and looked up. “Hey, Natalie. Good to see you again. I gotta go. Nice to meet you . . . Chelsea.”

He turned and walked back to the picnic table with their teammates.

“What the hell was that all about?” Natalie asked.

“Language.”

“Well?”

Chelsea gave a little shrug as she licked her cone. “I’ll tell you later. Ben and I are going home. It’s almost bedtime. Nice to see you, Ethan. Have fun.”

She took Ben by his free hand, and they walked away together toward the parking lot. When she was completely out of sight, Natalie turned to him.

“Did you let Adam hit on her?”

“Let?” he asked with a smile. In fact, his smile totally took over his face. He was so damn happy to see her, even if she was pissed off.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“I like your shirt,” she said with a smirk.

Ethan laughed. “Are you trolling me?”

She laughed and nodded.

She was so pretty, he couldn’t stop looking at her. “Wanna meet the other Masturbatters?”

“Yes, I really do.”

He threaded his fingers through hers and walked, only to feel her arm pull taut. She hadn’t moved. He looked down at their joined hands as she pulled him gently back to her, rose onto her toes, and kissed him.

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