“I’m glad you called,” Rhett says.
“What’s going on?”
“He keeps asking for his mom and you.”
“Put him on,” I say.
Rhett speaks to Aaron and then he’s on the phone.
“Joel,” he says, like my name is one verse of a song.
“Hey, buddy. How are you?”
“I want Mommy.”
“I know. Aren’t you having a good time with your daddy?”
Even if there’s a possibility he’s someone else’s, he resembles us so much I’m betting everything he’s my nephew.
“Yes. Can you come?” he asks.
It’s late, well after nine. He should be asleep.
“I’ll come over in the morning. Is that okay?”
“Okay.”
A second later, Rhett’s back on the phone.
“One second.” I hear him moving. When he speaks, he whispers, “I don’t know what to do. The kid won’t sleep.”
“Have you read him any stories?”
“I don’t have a stash of kids’ books at my house, Joel. As it is, I had to take him to the store to buy clothes because what Calli’s mom packed isn’t fit for a sewer rat.”
“And you didn’t buy books?” I ask.
“I got him toys. I’m sorry, I didn’t think about books,” he says sarcastically. “Wasn’t a priority. But for your information, I have made up a few stories and that’s not working.”
Olivia holds out a hand. I give her the phone. She hits the speaker button.
“Hey, Rhett, this is Olivia.”
“Olivia—look, I’m sorry about the other day.”
“Don’t worry about it. Have you tried putting on Aaron’s favorite show or movie? It’s not great for him to watch a ton of TV, but in this case, it could help.”
“I asked. He mentioned Thomas and Diego and Google wasn’t helpful.”
“Oh. He’s probably talking about Thomas and Friends and Go, Diego, Go! You should find online or check YouTube for clips. Let him watch a few and he’ll likely fall asleep while watching.”
“Great. Thanks. If this works, I owe you dinner or something.”
“It’s okay. I have nieces and nephews around his age. I learned a few things,” she says.
“Rhett,” I say. “Calli just called. You should send a car to get her.”
“And have her steal everything that’s not nailed down?”
I sigh. “Is there really anything in your place you care that much about?” When he remains quiet, I add, “Plus, it will help Aaron having her there.”
He’s quiet a second before saying, “Fine.”
“I’ll text you where she is and I’ll come by in the morning.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“It’s going to be fine,” I say.
“And you’re sure he’s not yours?”
“Not unless I’m God and caused immaculate conception. I hadn’t touched her since before she went overseas. Finding the two of you together ended anything else that could have happened between us.”
“Yeah. Okay. But, Joel?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks.”
Though he doesn’t say all the words, I know he’s thanking me for taking care of Aaron for him.
I end the call feeling lighter. I’ve hated the riff between Rhett and me. Maybe, just maybe, I have my brother back.
I’ve also talked to my mom. She wants Dad and me to patch things up. I’m not sure that’s going to happen. But with her about to do battle with cancer, I’ll do my best to grant her wish.
“Joel.”
I focus on Olivia. “Yeah, sorry. Do you want to take a walk?”
She looks down at my shirt she’s wearing to her bare legs. “We should get dressed first,” she suggests with a teasing grin.
“If you put that dress back on, we won’t make it out of the apartment,” I warn.
She flushes and it’s the sexiest damn thing.
“I’ll go put something on at my place,” she offers.
Now that I have her, I don’t want her to go.
“You can keep wearing my shirt.” I wink.
There’s just something hot about her naked except for the shirt I’d been wearing.
“I’ll be right back.”
She goes to my room and comes back with her dress and purse.
“The dress, you can leave it here and put it on later.” I wink again.
She giggles. “It’s not mine and my sister wants it back.”
“Tell her I’ll pay her for it.”
Her amusement shows that dimple near her mouth and I lean down and kiss my way from there to her mouth. I let my hands slide down to cup her ass before pulling back.
“Now off with you before I lose the little control I have.”
She laughs again when I send her off with a playful pat on her ass.
I put on a shirt and meet her at her door a couple of minutes later.
She still wears my shirt, though she’s tied a knot in it so it cinches at her waist. Stretchy material clings to her legs and I suddenly don’t want to walk anymore.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she says.
“I can’t help it. I’m flashing back to those Sin-A-Bun pants you wore that first time.”
She covers her face. “You remember?”
“How can I forget? First, I had an urge for a milkshake and then I was hungry for more.”