Page 41 of The Great Maple Mistake

He nibbles along my jaw. “Just ignore it.” I have every intention of doing that, but his phone vibrates again. And again. Groaning, Alex thumps his forehead against my shoulder. “Hold that thought.” He rolls toward the phone, snatching it up and poking a bit violently at the screen to wake it up and access themessages. “Goddamn it.” He types a few things and then flops back onto the pillows, giving me a pitiful look. “Dad’s making breakfast and wants to know if we’re planning on coming downstairs anytime soon, or if we’re, quote, ‘planning to shake the floorboards a few more times first.’” He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose.

I snort back a laugh, because Alex is obviously annoyed. That is, until he opens his eyes and sees me trying to fight a grin. He starts to chuckle, and I let my laugh go. “It’s not funny, Cody.”

“Aww, come on, Alex. It’s a little funny.” I poke his side. “You’re laughing, so you obviously can see the humor in this.”

“Fine. It’s a bit funny. So should we go downstairs or stay up here?”

I consider my options, but before I can make a decision, Alex’s stomach rumbles with hunger, and mine makes an eerie echoing grumble. “I think we have our answer.”

With another groan, Alex hauls himself out of bed and holds out his hand. “C’mon. Let’s pull on some clothes and go eat.”

I haul on my underwear and jeans, but before I can find my shirt, Alex takes my hand, pulling me toward the bedroom door. “How’d you get dressed so fast? And shouldn’t I put on a shirt?”

“Why? I’m not wearing one.” He’s wearing black running shorts, and I assume he’s wearing his boxer briefs under them, though that’s just a guess. “Dad and Luke probably won’t be wearing shirts either. It’s breakfast in my kitchen, not some restaurant.” He grins over his shoulder. “Tooth brushing and then coffee.”

I groan. “Coffee. Yes please.”

We hurry down the steps, make quick work in the bathroom, then head down to the kitchen. As predicted, neither Luke nor Alex’s dad are wearing shirts. Luke is at the stove, flipping pancakes in light blue basketball shorts. And Alex’s dad—I really need to find out what to call him because ‘Alex’s dad’ is toolong—is pouring two cups of coffee, dressed only in very thin gray sleep pants. For an older guy, he’s still plenty hot. His hair is going a bit gray, and he has small love handles, but it’s obvious he tries to stay in shape, and his bright blue eyes sparkle mischievously. His smile is identical to Alex’s, soft and gentle with a little twist of a smirk at the corner. Alex nudges me. “Stop checking out my dad.”

Worried I’ve upset him, I glance at Alex, but he’s grinning, so I relax. “What? Your dad’s a good-looking guy, and I have eyes.”

Luke brandishes his spatula at us. “Wait, what about me? I’m hot too!”

“Definitely.” I nod and glance at Alex again, but thankfully he sees the humor in the situation. “Hot runs in the family.”

Alex’s dad hands me a cup of coffee and jerks his thumb at the counter. “Sugar’s there and milk is in the fridge if you want it.” He winks at me. “And thanks. It’s been a while since anyone’s said I’m hot. At least in earshot.”

“Dad, that’s because you don’t get out enough. When was the last time you had a date?” Alex takes the coffee his dad holds out to him. “Thanks.”

His dad’s eyes sparkle, and I brace myself for the teasing. “Look, we don’t need two of us in this house making a racket all night.” Even though I’m prepared for it, I have to hold back a snort of laughter. I wonder if this is typically how they act around each other. It’s definitely more of a friend vibe than a father son thing.

“Dad! Jesus.” Alex blushes, but he doesn’t seem angry, just a little embarrassed.

I lean down and kiss his cheek. “Babe, are you ashamed of what we did?” I ask because I’m positive the answer is no. Okay, almost positive.

“Of course I’m not.”

Whew. “So why are you embarrassed?”

He gestures at his dad. “Dude, that’s my dad!”

Now I’m confused. “I told you, your dad’s hot. He’s had sex, you know. It’s how you got here.”

“Thanks, Cody.” Alex’s dad doesn’t look bothered by my compliment, which is good. “And I don’t have time to date. Plus, you know how scary it is out there? I’m not doing that whole app thing. And most of the women my age in this town are married.” He holds up his hands toward his sons, probably to stop them from commenting. “And before either of you start again on ‘Burlington is only an hour away,’ I like it here in Maplewood, and if I met a nice lady in Burlington, there’s a good chance she’d want to stay in the big city. I’m not interested in living in the city, so why bother?”

Luke hands me a plate filled with pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. “Juice is in the fridge too. Help yourself.” He turns to his dad. “You’ve already decided this prospective woman would want to stay in Burlington? How do you know that? You’re not psychic. But I get what you mean about the city. Sometimes I think Maplewood is too busy.”

“Lukey, you’d have loved growing up on my parents’ farm.” Alex’s dad takes a sip of his coffee, and I turn to Alex, mouthing, ‘Lukey?’ Alex rolls his eyes, grinning.

“I would have. I remember visiting out there a few times as a kid, and I couldn’t figure out why you ever left.” Luke hands Alex a plate, and we sit down at the square kitchen table. Alex’s dad sits across from me, and there’s an empty place on my left for Luke.

I swallow my mouthful of coffee and raise my eyebrows. “Mr. MacDougall, you grew up on a farm?”

He winces. “Dear god, call me Graham, please. You make me sound ancient. Mr. MacDougall is my da. And yes, a produce farm out in Portland, Oregon. My brother and his family still run it.”

“And you didn’t want to.” It’s not a question because his relieved tone says it all.

“Not on your life. I was thrilled to get away from farming. Nothing against it, but it wasn’t for me. I’m much happier running my own advertising business.”

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