Page 18 of Sold to the Single Daddies

At the end of the day, he was still just a seventeen-year-old boy and I loved him for it.

“You’re a dork. Do you need anything before I leave?”

“A new set of eyeballs and to have my memory erased?” He grinned and ruffled my hair. He was already over six feet tall and as lanky as the day was long. He loved that he towered over me. “Other than that? Nothing. I’ve still got plenty of shit from the gas station.”

“Language.” I finger combed my hair and went through my duffel bag for something to wear. I was overthinking it, of course. I wanted to look good but I didn’t want to look like I was trying to look good. I didn’t want them to think I was some desperate woman trying to get to them. It wasn’t about that. It was about Lucky having a dad, the way that Mason and I hadn’t.

“Just wear your jeans and a shirt, Rea. They already saw everything, right? What’s it matter now?”

Sometimes I didn’t like how logical Mason could be. Especially when it involved him calling me out.

“I’m just trying to find the right outfit, Mason.”

He sank down on the bed and picked up his gaming controller.

“Whatever.”

In the end, I wore my jeans and a gauzy, flowy top that made me feel like I would’ve been a great person to take to Woodstock. I added a touch of makeup, all while telling myself it was for me and not anyone else. When I finished, I felt decently put together.

“Mason?”

He glanced over and nodded.

“You look like you’re going to stick a flower in a cop’s gun right now.”

“Thanks?”

He snorted. “You sure it’s okay that I stay behind, Rea? If you need me, I’ll come.”

I returned the favor and ruffled his hair. “I’m the adult, remember? You’re the kid. I’ve got this. You just sit here, gorge on junk food, and play your game.”

I packed up Lucky and his things after calling one of the two cabs around and then leaned down to plant a kiss on Mason’s head. He pushed me away like I expected him to.

“Gross, Reagan!”

“Love you, too, Mason. I’ll be back. I have my phone if you need me. Just call if you need anything.”

“Oh, my god! Go! You’re never this weird about leaving.” Shooting me one last glare, he focused on his game and I doubted he even heard me leave.

I sat outside our room, waiting on the cab, and wondering what I’d been thinking when I shaved. I’d wasted a good shave on men who didn’t deserve it. Nor did they want it, if how they’d reacted to me the day before was any indication of their feelings towards me.

Sighing, I sat on the curb in front of our room and gently rocked Lucky in his car seat. He’d already fallen asleep and his little lips were puckered like he was dreaming about lemons. I lightly brushed my finger over his cheek. I was still so amazed by him. His birth had felt like it would kill me but it was all worth it when I held him. I’d instantly fallen even more in love with him. I couldn’t comprehend how my own mother had walked away from Mason and I so many times.

A bright green minivan pulled up in front of the hotel and a man with matching green hair hopped out. He had to be nearly a hundred years old but he moved like a man a quarter of that. He looked at me with bright, kind eyes and wagged his finger.

“You’re lucky you called me instead of Mo. Mo scares babies. And his minivan is the most putrid color. Orange. Can you believe that? You’re not a Hellstone, are you? I know most of ’em but I’m having to update my list of banned riders since the damn family just keeps expanding. Pardon my language.”

I grinned. “The Hellstones are banned?”

“You bet. I’m not letting hide nor hair of a Hellstone in my van ever again.”

I held up my hands.

“I’m not a Hellstone. You’re safe with me.”

“Good! I’m Rudy, by the way. But you’d know that considering you called for Rudy’s Uber.” He gripped my hand roughly and shook it. “Now, let’s get you and this baby loaded up. I have a reputation to keep, ya know? I’m not some slowpoke like Mo.”

I smiled to myself as the two of us installed Lucky’s car seat. The characters of Devil’s Den just kept getting better and better.

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