Something So Right (Something So 1)

Walking over to the twins, I scoop them both in my arms, kissing their chubby little cheeks while they giggle, trying to squirm out of my arms so they can get back to chasing each other.

“Run free!” I yell, watching them try to run as fast as they can.

“Okay, slut, enough with attention to my kids, you need to start talking.”

I walk over to her, throwing myself down into the chair on her porch, then let my head fall into my hands.

“I fucked up so bad, and I have no idea what to do now.”

She pours me some water and waits for me to get the words out. I go on and tell her everything from the bathroom hook-up in her house to the latest incident in my office.

“Okay, so why do you think you fucked up?”

“Did you not just hear what I said? I made out with my client. I don’t get involved with clients, least of all clients like that.”

“You’re both single adults. Why not see where this goes?” She is trying to be the voice of reason, not helping at all.

“I’m older than him. He’s used to young puck bunnies with tits that salute the American flag, not ones that have nursed two kids. I have stretch marks, yes, a little, but they are still there. And the most important thing is I have children, two, whom he knows nothing of.”

“Okay, let’s tackle this one step at a time. Sure, your tits have fallen with gravity, but who the fuck cares? They aren’t that bad. Mine need so much help to get up there I need an over the shoulder boulder holder. Two, everyone has stretch marks. Even models. Did you not see Chrissy Teigen’s Instagram post last week? Her whole thigh has stretch marks, so what. And as for your children, if he wants you, like really really wants you, he accepts you with everything you have.”

I know that she has a point, but I still can’t see it. I only see the negative, I can’t see the positive, and for the first time in my life I hate James for putting me in this position. Putting that doubt into me. Making me believe that I’m just not good enough.

“I don’t know. He’s here for two months, so why don’t I just play it by ear? Like the kind of friends with benefits thing. But like not even friends, just the benefits part. I mean, if anything, my vagina deserves this one. That’s another thing. I don’t even know if I’m okay down there. What if I’m like loosey-goosey and he slips out or I don’t feel anything?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Have you seen his size? I’m thinking that it’s a whole package. You’ve had two kids not nineteen. You need to calm down.”

“I don’t know,” I say, looking at my watch. “I gotta go. I have a course with four-year-olds. That is always fun. It’s fun till they throw themselves on the floor and decide they hate skating.” I get up, kissing Meghan on the forehead, then wave bye to the twins.

Putting the Jeep into drive, I wonder how the hell I’m going to survive the next two months with myself intact because I don’t know what the future holds, but one thing I do know is that Cooper Stone is not going to take no for an answer.

I finish my next instruction class with just two kids collapsing on the ice crying for their moms. I count that as a success. While I skate off, I notice a new dad in the sea of parents taking his son’s skates off. They are new in the area, so I go over and introduce myself.

“Hi there, I’m Parker. You guys must be new in the area.”

The dad gets up, and I notice he is a nice size, and his blond hair is shaggy, falling into his brown eyes. He has a surfer dude kind of style.

“Hi, I’m Sam, and this little guy is Michael. We just moved in the neighborhood and saw the poster at the grocery store, so we came by to try it out. It’s a really cool place.” He smiles at me.

I look down and ruffle Michael’s hair. “Thank you so much for coming by, this little guy loves the ice. If he keeps this up, he’ll be way ahead of the older kids. Sometimes you have it, sometimes you don’t.”

After years, I can see who will have it and who won’t. This kid wants it. “We also have another class on Tuesday and Thursday evening for those almost out of instruction ready for hockey sense. If you want, you can check with Rebecca at the desk and tell her that Parker said he can attend the class tomorrow and see if he likes it.”