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Kia turned and the Hat Guy followed her into the yard. “Jeff Smith, meet Austin Beck.”
Jeff stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Hat Guy shook his hand and squeezed harder than necessary in some ridiculous big dick display. What a prick. Jeff squeezed back harder until the guy winced.
Kia raised her eyebrow at him, and he shrugged. Maybe her boyfriend shouldn’t swing his dick if he didn’t have the goods to back it up.
“I take it you’re the boyfriend.” Jeff stared pointedly at Hat Guy.
“Yeah, I am.”
“Cool. But didn’t really think we needed an audience for today.” He looked at Kia. “Is this what Max wants?”
“No. Austin isn’t staying. He just stopped by on his way to the gym.”
“Ah, got ya.” Jeff stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels as he stared down Kia’s boyfriend. Dude was obviously feeling insecure, but if he was reading Kia right, this wasn’t the way for Austin to stake a claim.
“I’m not staying. I’m a big Hawks fan and just wanted to say hello.”
“Right.” Jeff watched the byplay between Kia and her boyfriend. Were they serious? If they were, that meant this guy was going to be around a lot, so they’d have to figure out a way to get along for Max’s sake.
Kia had mentioned a boyfriend, but the fact the guy felt the need to stop by and introduce himself suggested he didn’t think their relationship was casual. A little niggle of regret crawled down his spine. He’d be lying if he said he still wasn’t attracted to her. But it was probably for the best she was in a relationship. Hooking up would have complicated things, anyway.
The front door popped open, and Max peeked his head out the door.
Jeff glanced at Kia, then squared his shoulders and walked toward the front door. “Hey, Max.”
“Hi, Smitty.” Max ducked his head shyly. “Um, I mean…”
“It’s cool, bud. We got time to figure out what you want to call me.”
Max nodded. “Kay. You want to come in and see my room?”
“I’d love to.” He glanced over his shoulder at Kia and Austin. “Austin, nice to meet you. Kia, we’ll be inside.” He rubbed the top of Max’s head. “Lead the way, little man.”
He followed Max into the house, past a cozy living room and down the hall. Max wandered into a room with bunk beds along one wall. The floor was littered with Legos. Jeff kneeled and picked up a blue piece of Lego. “So, you like to build stuff?”
“Yeah.” Max dropped on the floor beside him and picked up a red Lego.
“You want to build something?” Jeff asked.
“Okay.” Max scooped up a big green rectangular base piece. “Why’s stupid Austin here?”
How the hell was he supposed to answer that one? “I’m not sure, buddy. I think he wanted to talk to your mom.”
Max slammed the piece of Lego onto the base. “He always wants to talk to my mom.”
He had a feeling he was walking into a minefield with this conversation. Treading carefully, he said, “You don’t like when Austin comes over?”
“No, he’s stupid.”
“Are you allowed to say that word?”
Max rolled his eyes. “No, but he is.”
“Well, I don’t know the guy, but your mom seems like she’s a pretty good judge of character, right?”
“Yeah.”
