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The soft, “Mommy?”from the foot of the stairs…
But Mel hears it.In less time than it takes me to turn my head, she’s pulled her hand out of my pants, scooted her chair away from mine, and stood to lean over the table, asking Chase, “What’s up, bud?Having trouble sleeping?”
“I had a night meerkat,” he says.“A mean one.”
A sound of sympathy vibrating her chest, Mel hurries around the table, waving him into the kitchen.“I’m sorry about that, baby.Come get a magic rock to put under your pillow.”She disappears into the kitchen, and I hear the sound of water running.
Chase starts toward her, but hesitates in the open doorway, shooting a suspicious glance my way.
I smile at him, hating the flicker of distrust in his big brown eyes.“Hey, bud.Sorry you had a bad dream.Those are the worst.”
He continues to study me for a beat, his suspect glance reminding me way too much of his father’s.
“Is something wrong?”I ask.
“You were pulling Mommy’s hair,” he says, confirming my fear that he saw more of our make out session than I’m sure any of us would prefer.
“No, he wasn’t,” Melissa says, laughing as she appears behind him.“He was giving me a neck rub.My neck is really sore from carrying all those heavy glass crates today.”
Chase looks up at her, frowning.
Mel widens her eyes and props her hands on her hips.“Hey, you know me.Would I let someone pull my hair and get away with it?No chance, man.I’d tell him to get out of my house and kick his bootie on the way out.”Chase laughs and she shoots a smile my way.“But Aaron is welcome to stay.He’s a great guy who gives very good neck rubs.”
“And is good at Legos,” Chase adds.
“And giving orgasms,” I mouth, while Chase’s back is turned.
Mel narrows her eyes, but her smile remains in place.“That’s right.He’s very good at Legos.But maybe not as good as me.I think we should have a Lego competition after school tomorrow.The person who makes the highest skyscraper gets extra dirty green beans with dinner.”
“Oh, I wuv dirty green beans,” Chase says, hopping up and down.“I’m going to win.”
“I hope so,” she says, bending down to press a purple stone into his tiny palm.“But if you’re going to build a giant skyscraper, you need your rest.Go put your magic rock under your pillow to keep the night meerkats away and get back in bed.I’ll be up to tuck you in again in just a second.”
“Okay, Mommy, wuv you,” he says, kissing her cheek.
It’s a sloppy, toddler kiss that leaves a hint of drool on her skin and warms my heart.What a sweet little guy this kid is, a fact he proves when he waves to me and says, “Night night, Awin.Be good to Mommy’s neck.”
“Oh, I will, buddy.I promise.Sleep well.”I watch him climb the stairs before I turn to Melissa and whisper, “Cute kid, but I’m going to win those dirty green beans.I want all the dirty green beans I can get.”
She shakes her head and laughs.“Stop it, you psycho.That could have been bad.Really bad.I don’t want to confuse Chase or God forbid, risk him saying anything to Ben about you ‘pulling my hair.’Jesus, that would be a real nightmare.”
“Yeah, I don’t like lying to kids, but it’s too soon to talk to him about how some sexy, grown-up ladies like getting their hair pulled.The neck rub was a good cover.”
“Thanks,” she says, sighing as she glances toward the stairs before turning back to me.“Would you mind sticking my glass in the dishwasher and turning out the lights when you’re ready to go upstairs?I’m going to head to bed once I get him tucked in again.”
“Sure thing,” I say.
She starts to go, but turns back to me after just a few steps, adding in an almost shy voice, “And if you could hide the book, like you said…I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.I’ve got you.”
“Thanks,” she says, but it’s clear she doesn’t really believe I’ve got her.
But I do, and I’m going to prove it.
Chapter 11
Melissa
