Daddy's Stepstalker (Daddy's Little Deviants)

Shucks. But with Mom out of the way, maybe I can do it this time. I have to. I don’t have any money left.

I fail.

My shoulders slump, and I stare longingly at the sloth. I’ve never seen a sloth stuffie, and I want it so badly.

“Hey, what prize are you trying to get?”

I stare up at the man who has sidled up beside me. He’s around Mom’s age, with a stocky frame. And he’s the vice principal at my school. It’s funny seeing him here out of his usual suit and tie. Today he’s dressed down in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt.

Does he recognize me? Why would he? The school has hundreds of students.

“That sloth.” I gesture at the shelf. “It’s so cool, and I can add it to my stuffie collection.”

He laughs, but the sound is more amused than mocking like Mom’s. “Aren’t you a little too old for a stuffie collection?”

Maybe.

“No.”

“Tell you what. I’ll play one game, and if I win, you can claim my prize as yours.”

“Really?” The probability of him winning is slim, I know, but it’s his offer that counts. Does anyone else know how kind our vice principal is? Everyone’s always afraid of being sent to his office.

“Yup, why not?” He pays for his five rings. “Don’t think anything of it. I do this every year the carnival comes to town. Play random games and give the prizes away. I have no use for this stuff, but the carnival brings back memories.”

“What memories?” I ask.

“My parents were carnies, so I grew up around the carnival scene.” He winks at me with a grin. “I know all the tricks.”

And he demonstrates it by getting all the rings around the necks of the bottles.

“I can’t believe you actually did it!” I clap my hands and laugh. “That was amazing. Will you teach me how to?”

“Sure, but first, your prize.”

He collects the sloth from the carny and hands it to me. I clutch the stuffie to my chest. It’s as soft as it looks. It’s just become my favorite stuffie.

“Thank—”

“Ari!”

Mom pops up before I can fully get the words out. She glances from me to Vice Principal Wheeler, and my stomach sinks at the smile on her face.

“Who’s your friend?” she asks.

I remain mute, not wanting to introduce them. If I do, I know where this is going to end, and he’s too nice for her. She’ll ruin him.

“Hello, I’m Shaw Wheeler.” A few people approach the booth, and we’re forced to move out of the way. Vice Principal Wheeler’s attention is on my mom. I can’t blame him. She’s doing that thing where she blinks up at him slowly, flirting with him.

“I’m Anne.” She holds her hand out for a handshake that lasts longer than it should have.

“He’s my vice principal,” I blurt out, so she’s aware he’s not her regular kind of guy she usually brings home.

He looks at me in surprise. “I am?”

“Yes.” Disappointment sinks in my chest. He doesn’t know me from school, then. Just as I figured.

“And you won my son a stuffed toy,” she says. “That’s quite sweet of you.”