Dirty Talker (Filthy Dirty Summer)

We all get into the truck, and Ty goes through all the checkpoints. “Do you care if I move your seat?”

I nod. “It’s your seat now. You move anything you need to. Make it right for you.”

He seems taken aback, and it makes me wonder what kind of driving adventures he’s had with his dad. “Okay.”

I watch patiently as he moves the seat, adjusts the mirrors, and checks to make sure he knows where everything is. When he’s ready, he starts it up and puts his hand on the gear shift. Before moving it, he looks at me hesitantly. “Are you sure about this, Kade?”

I laugh easily. “I’m more than sure about this.”

That seems to give him a boost of confidence because he puts it into gear and then must realize he doesn’t know where he’s going, so he puts it back into park. “Where to?”

Megan chimes in from the back seat, “We need to go and check out of the hotel.”

I turn in my seat. “Are you in a rush to get back?”

She shakes her head. “No, what are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking we stay another night. I hear you all had an adventure on the golf carts last night, and I’d love to check it out.”

Ty looks excited. “Yes! Can we, Mom? I’d love to show Kade the fishing spot we passed last night.” He looks at me. “I mean, if you want to see it.”

I nod my head. “I’d love to see it.” I turn in my seat to look at Megan. “What do you think? And before you say anything, I’ll pay for the room another night since it’s my idea... and dinner’s on me.”

Megan’s shaking her head before I get it all out. “Kade, we can’t...”

I smile at her. “Let me do this. I want to spend more time with both of you.”

She clutches her hand to her chest and takes a deep breath. “Okay, sounds fun. I’m in.”

Ty cheers from the driver’s seat and misses the heated gaze his mom gives me. I’m going to make sure that when Ty goes to sleep tonight, I take the opportunity to talk to Megan about our future. She may think I’m a player, but I’m going to show her I’m playing for keeps.

Epilogue

Megan

Five Months Later

“Kade is here!” Ty bellows from the front door.

I laugh, standing behind him. “I’m right here, son. What is even going on with you? We go and pick out Christmas trees every year. You never get this excited.”

He rolls his eyes as he starts to put his jacket on. “Mom, we go to the tree lot, point at a tree, and some guy loads it on the car. This year, we’re going to a real tree farm, and Kade brought his saw so that I could cut it down. I mean, how cool is that?”

I can’t help but jump in on his excitement. It really is cool. But I shouldn’t have been surprised when Kade suggested this. The last five months have been filled with adventure. We took a beach trip right before school started. We’ve gone hiking and to major league baseball games where Ty got to meet some of his favorite ball players. We’ve all had a great time.

However, even though all those are great, probably my favorite times are when we’re just hanging out together. A day at the house watching TV or working on a house project. Dinners around the table together and starting traditions together. Kade has become a huge part of our lives, and it’s gone very smooth for the most part.

I’m brought from my thoughts when Kade comes up the front porch, stomping the snow off his boots. “You guys ready?”

He leans toward me, bringing me in for a kiss and hug. I slide my arms in his open jacket and cling to his warm body. “We’re ready. Someone has been up since six a.m. ready to go.”

He looks at Ty. “I have my saw in the truck.”

Ty fist bumps him with a “Yeah!” and then runs outside. Kade and I both laugh. I look up at him. “What about you? What time did you get up?”

He chuckles. “Well, a certain lady kept me up most of the night, so I thought I’d sleep in, but no, I was up bright and early too.”

I look at him worriedly. “I’m sorry. I mean, I’m not sorry for last night, but I am sorry I kept you here so long. You should just move...” But before I get the word out, a loud horn blares from the driveway.

I shake my head. “I swear I raised him better. Come on, we better go. You want me to drive?”

He holds the door open for me. “Nope, I’m good.” He leans down as I go to pass him, and he kisses me on the nose. “I love you,” he says.