I let out a strangled laugh. “I’m sorry.”
“Will Chase come home with us for dinner?”
“Would that be okay?”
This time, the shrug was a little more deliberate, but he was smiling too. “If you want.”
“What do you want?”
“He can come, and you two can talk. I have screen time anyway.”
Was he already trying to negotiate some advantage out of this deal? “Not before six,” I said firmly.
Monty just rolled his eyes.
Chase came back with our drinks, and Monty took the orange juice from him, muttering an awkward thanks like he was trying to be super cool yet didn’t want to seem rude either.
“Can we try again?” Chase asked him. “I think I’m getting the hang of it.”
“You gotta stop moving your shoulders first, man. Need to keep them square.”
I covered my mouth with my hand so I wouldn’t laugh. Chase listened to his coach with the utmost respect, his expression impressively serious as he faced my slip of a boy going all bro on him.
“Square shoulders, got it.”
“Five more tries?” Monty said. “It’s getting too hot.”
“Awesome. Let’s do it.”
Monty stood and headed for the ramp, and Chase winked at me before following.
Monty was nestled deepin the living room sofa, with only the top of his tousled head peeking above the backrest. He was wearing headphones, so we didn’t have to deal with the screech of tires as he navigated the racecar through the streets of what looked like a picturesque Mediterranean town.
After eyeing my son warily, Chase leaned in for a soft peck. Monty was with his back to us and deeply into his game. There was no need to be this chaste. I threaded my hand through the hair on Chase’s nape and pulled him down for a proper kiss.
“You were great today, thank you.”
His eyes twinkled. “You think so?”
“Yes. He had fun. And he suggested you come with us again.”
“I’d love to. I had fun too.”
I leaned closer, my lips brushing his cheek as I neared his ear. “And you’re welcome to stay over.”
“Yeah?” he breathed.
“Uh-huh.”
He gave me a wide smile before kissing me again.
A few hours later,Monty was asleep in his room. Chase and I lay in each other’s arms in my bed after a round of quick and very quiet lovemaking. I hadn’t planned on having sex when my son was in the house. I’d soon realized, though, that sleeping next to Chase all night, empty, would have been torture.
“That escalated fast,” Chase murmured into my hair, a smile in his voice.
“Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”
“Full disclosure. I’m so relieved you let me fuck you. My balls would have fallen off.”
