Page 54 of Protecting the Boundary
“So, what are we making here?” She immediately lights up and starts talking so fast, I can only understand a handful of words as she makes up some story about her playdough food.
What a simple life it must be to move through feelings so quickly without letting them weigh you down.
If only adults had that ability, the world might be a much better place.
THIRTY-FIVE
It’s been a week since Kaylee made it clear she knew about Mere and me, but instead of getting to soak in the new relationship endorphins, I’ve been slammed with work—either games, practices, or meetings with my agent and current sponsors.
I don’t need more money, but I want to make sure I fulfill all my contracts and agreements with my sponsors to get the full payout. That money will go into a high-yield savings fund for Kaylee which she’ll be able to use for whatever she wants, whether that be college, buying a house, or anything else.
While I know these meetings are necessary, all I’ve wanted to do all week was have some real alone time with Meredith—and not just alone time we steal after Kaylee goes to bed before I inevitably need to go to bed, so I can be a functional dad when Kay wakes up at the butt crack of dawn.
Which is why I talked Ty and Lexi into watching Kaylee tonight so I can take Meredith out on a proper date.
They show up right on time, and I help Ty get Kay’s car seat strapped in.
“Text me if you need me to come get her,” I tell Ty. Overthe years, these guys and my in-laws have rallied around me and helped take Kaylee so I could occasionally get a break. It’s a luxury I’m grateful for because it helped a ton, and I know not a lot of single parents have this level of support. But it’s still always hard to see her go with someone else, to know I’m not going to be the one reading her a bedtime story. It never gets easier.
Ty slaps me on the back. “She’ll be fine.” In a lower voice, so no one else can overhear even though Lexi and Kaylee are still inside, he adds, “Do you have everything for tonight?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “You know…condoms and shit.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
“We’re not having sex.” Although I wouldn’t mind. As much as I love eating her sweet pussy, I’m aching to feel her come all over my cock. Four years of celibacy followed by a raging libido is not a good combination.
Ty purses his lips. “Dude, come on. It’s me you’re talking to.” He opens the trunk of his SUV. “Don’t worry. The guys and I figured you’d probably try to cock block yourself, so I made a stop by the store on my way here.”
He throws a box of condoms at me. I look around to make sure none of the neighbors are walking by and then shove the box under my shirt. “What the hell, man?”
He grips my shoulder, staring me in the eye, his face the picture of seriousness. “You’ve been there for all of us when we were in new relationships and trying to find our footing. It’s our turn to be there for you. You’re more emotionally mature than the rest of us, so we figured where you’d struggle would be the bedroom department and going slower than molasses.”
I shake my head. “You guys are insane.”
He smiles wide. “It’s what you do for your brother.” Hepoints to the box. “Those are good for a year, but I recommend breaking that box open tonight. You’ve gone long enough, my friend. Time to ditch the celibacy.”
Before I can respond, Lexi and Kay walk out the front door, hand in hand. Kaylee’s smile is as big as her face as she laughs at something Lexi says. In her hand, she’s got her small overnight bag that she typically uses for when she stays at Larissa and Jimmy’s house.
“Daddy! Auntie Lexi got a fish!”
Now I get why she’s so excited. Lexi looks at Ty. “Uncle Ty wanted a dog, but with the baby, we thought it was better to start with a fish before we had our hands too full.”
Strapped to Lexi in a baby carrier is little baby Lana, sound asleep against her mama.
“God, I can’t wait to get that woman pregnant again,” Ty says low enough so only I hear him.
I shake my head and fight back a laugh. We’ve started teasing him that he has a pregnancy kink—which Lexi overheard once and corrected us, telling us it’s called a breeding kink. Who knew that was a real thing?We’d thought Ty was joking the first time he mentioned it at the beginning of the season.
I give Kaylee one last kiss and then wave as they drive off. I turn back toward my house, and instead of the usual “what now?” feeling I used to get whenever Kay was gone on the rare night she’d sleep over with our extended family, I’m filled with anticipation.
I pull the box of condoms out from under my shirt and wonder if maybe my friends are right. Maybe this dry spell has lasted long enough.
I take Meredith to my favorite seafood restaurant on the beach for our date. Growing up near Seattle, I was used to fresh seafood, and it’s always been my favorite. Thankfully, Meredith loves it too. I was nervous she wouldn’t, and I didn’t even think to ask her if she liked fish before we arrived. It’s been so long since I’ve dated, I’ve forgotten the basics and feel a bit out of my depth here.
As if she knows, Meredith has made this night exceptionally easy for me. She’s got a carefree attitude like she’s up for anything, and it’s been nice to enjoy each other’s company.
