Willow crossed her arms over her chest in a huff. She’d been wired since the moment she’d woken up. Today was her first dance lesson with Alex. I don’t think I’d ever seen her so fucking excited about anything. Of course, Mama Liz and Rev found her behavior cute. As for me, she was about to drive me bat-shit crazy. Unlike my brothers, I couldn’t tell her to fuck off. Instead, I had to be as patient as I could be with her, which for me wasn’t saying a whole lot.
When the gym door blew open behind me, I didn’t have to guess who it was. Willow’s ear-splitting squeal told me all I needed to know. I released the ropes and started to her.
“Oh Miss Alex, you’re finally here!” Willow shrieked, as she danced around Alex.
Alex grinned down at her. “I didn’t realize I was that late. I had carpool duty this afternoon, so I didn’t get to leave on time. I didn’t even stop to change. I came straight here.”
“I’m glad you did,” Willow replied.
“So am I,” I muttered.
With a laugh, Alex said, “Just let me go get changed.” She thrust a glittery, pink bag at me. “Can you get Willow ready for me?”
Warily, I eyed the bag. Ever since Willow had come to live with me, Mama Liz had taken care of bath time and getting her dressed. Yeah, she was my kid, but I didn’t exactly know the rules when it came to seeing her without clothes. Although I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, there was something pervy about it.
Before I could argue anymore, Willow reached out and took my hand. “Come on, Deacon.”
I let Willow drag me back to the men’s locker room. “Miss Alex can take the ladies room,” Willow informed me.
She started to barge right in, but I jerked her back. “Wait a minute. I need to make sure nobody’s in there getting dressed.”
“Okay.”
Releasing her hand, I ducked inside. The smell of sweat and jockstrap assaulted my nose. When I saw it was empty, I held the door open for Willow. She came skipping inside. She put her bag down on one of the benches and started digging inside. Another one of her ear-splintering squeals had me jumping out of my skin.
“Look, Deacon, Miss Alex got me a sparkly pink leotard just like I asked for.”
The contents of the bag came flying out—there were pantyhose looking things, pink of course, some shoes, and a flimsy looking skirt thing.
Once the bag was empty, Willow tore her shirt off her head and then stripped out of her jean shorts. She plopped down on the bench and held out the pantyhose looking thing to me. “Help me with my tights.”
“Uh, okay,” I muttered.
I reluctantly took them in my hand, and then I knelt down in front of her.
“Hold out one leg so I can get my foot in there,” Willow commanded.
“I don’t know?—”
“Like this,” she instructed, rolling the fabric down.
I held it out, and she eased her foot inside. Then I did the other side. When both were at her ankles, I started wiggling them up her legs.Once they were in place, I eased back on my heels.
“Now help me with the leotard.”
I exhaled a long sigh. “Okay, then.”
One of Willow’s tiny hands reached out for my shoulder. Balancing herself with one arm, she stuck one of her pink legsinto the hole of the leotard. When she swayed a little, I reached out and grabbed her by the waist, steadying her.
“Oops,” she giggled, as stuck her other leg in the hole. I then took my hands off her waist and helped tug the leotard up to her chest. Then she wiggled her arms in. After I helped her adjust it, she ran over to the mirror. Once again, she let out yet another ear piercing squeal. “Deacon, look at how pretty I am!”
I couldn’t help chuckling. “No false modesty for you, huh?”
She glanced at me over her shoulder. “Huh?”
“Nothing. Yes, you do look really pretty.”
When she grinned, she reminded me of Lacey. While she looked just like me, she still had little mannerisms and quirks that were her mother’s.
