Page 9 of Cluelessly Yours

But…no. No way. I have no business dating anyone right now. I wouldn’t even know how to fit a date with a man into my current hectic schedule.

Are you sure?the woman who’s somewhere deep inside me, the one with wants and needs and desires that don’t revolve around her two boys and career and daily responsibilities, questions.

But not even a second later, a shooting pain radiates up my calf, and stars find their way behind my eyes as the bottom of Seth’s foot makes hard contact with the top of mine on an energetic jump. With a grimace, I grab Seth by the shoulders and gently relocate him to my side as all thoughts of considering bringing more chaos into my life fly off with the wind.

I mean, I’m on my way to the hospital to see my sister, for God’s sake. I have enough going on.

“Are you all right?” Gavin questions, concern wrinkling the corners of his eyes.

“Sorry, Mom,” Seth apologizes at the same time.

I swallow past my discomfort and meet Gavin’s eyes again, a few tears surely glistening in mine from the sting in my toes. “I’m okay.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “I’m really fine. But…”

“Oh no. Not the but,” Gavin comments good-naturedly, his back arching with the gentle blow of rejection.

“I’m sorry. But my life is absolute chaos on a good day. I…just…I can’t go to dinner. Not right now.”

His reaction is surprisingly—thankfully—relaxed. And his smile is even charismatic as he looks down at Seth. “Looks like I struck out, huh, bud?”

Seth looks defensive, his brow flexed in a harder line than normal. Given the impulsive state of his brain-to-mouth coordination, I pull him directly to my front and wrap my arm around his chest in warning. “Sorry,” my son says simply, and I let out the breath I was holding in terrified anticipation. “But my mom doesn’t like losers.”

“Seth!”

Gavin laughs it off, waving at the air in front of him, and my whole body catches on fire, I’m so humiliated.

“Apologize to Mr. Evans right now.”

Seth rolls his eyes, and once again, I consider doing something to him that would land me on an episode ofLaw and Order: Special Victims Unit.

I settle for squeezing his shoulder a little tighter instead.

His voice is disingenuous, to say the least, but he does apologize. “Sorry, Mr. Evans.”

Gavin has the decency to accept his pathetic apology with a smile. “No worries. A son’s job is to be protective of his mom. That’s how I know you’re a good kid.”

“I’m bad to the bone,” Seth counters. “I almost got kicked out of school today.”

Oh, for the love of everything.

A genuine laugh jumps from Gavin’s lungs. “You know, Seth, the instant I saw your light-up Captain America shoes, I knew you were not to be messed with.” He flashes a discreet smile in my direction. “Only real tough guys can pull off sneakers like that.”

I snort, but I also let out a deep sigh. “You’ll have to excuse my son, but it’sbeen a long day. For both of us. Mr. Bad-To-The-Bone here got in a bit of trouble at school this afternoon, and if he keeps this attitude up—” I pointedly squeeze Seth’s shoulders again “—he’ll certainly be facing more trouble when we get home.”

Seth straightens his back and keeps his little mouth shut, and Gavin’s smile turns knowing, even a little entertained.

“Looks like you’ve had quite the day, huh?” he asks, his eyes softening toward me.

“That’s an understatement.” I blow out a breath. “And sadly, the day is still young.”

“Well, how about you just think on the dinner thing? No rush. No deadline. Just…keep it in the back of your mind, and I’ll silently hope you’ll reconsider at some point.” He winks, and I’m surprised when a smile actually finds its way onto my face.

“Okay. I can do that.”

“Good. I know you’ve got my number. So, call me if you change your mind, or hell, call me if you don’t. If you want someone to talk to. Whatever, Sammy. Just use it.”

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