I Never Knew Love 'til You (I Never 4)

I was thinking annoying, bitchy, or beautiful. I tense at the thought of speaking the last one aloud. If Finn senses something off with me, he doesn’t mention it.

I explain the events of this morning, and Finn listens intently, throwing in a few laughs. Of course, I leave out the whole jerking off to thoughts of her like a goddamn teenage boy.

“I can’t believe I didn’t realize who she was. She and your wife are identical twins, for fuck’s sake!”

“Yeah, I don’t know either,” he laughs. “But you’re under a lot of stress and exhaustion.” It didn’t help that she was dressed like a homeless person, not resembling the sexy vixen currently a couple of hundred feet away. I think I almost preferred her that way. At least then she was all covered up and things were only left to my imagination.

Now her long legs are on display, covered by only a sorry excuse for shorts. The material of her black fitted tank clings to her chest. Her breasts may be on the smaller size, but I can tell they would fill my hands perfectly. The dips of her collarbone beg to be explored. Would she shiver under my touch as I dance my fingers along her throat? Maybe I can somehow convince her to wear a parka from now on.

I shift in my seat. The last thing I fucking need is a hard-on right now.

“I guess. Can I ask you a question?”

He nods. “Always. What’s up?”

“Since they’re twins, were you attracted to them both?”

“Nope,” he chuckles. I wonder if this is something he’s asked often. “It was more than just looks. They have totally different personalities. Lo and I just clicked. Kate and I are more like siblings. That banter hasn’t changed even after all these years.”

“Hmm,” I hum. I guess that makes sense. I was attracted to Kate the moment I met her, but not Lauren—weird. That could make for some taboo love story—falling for your best friend’s wife.

“I’m sure you don’t think so, but under that rough exterior, Kate’s a sweetheart. But shh, don’t tell her I said that.”

“Trust me, after our interactions today, I’m not sure there will be much conversation between us.”

Finn’s eyebrows shoot up curiously as he pulls the bottle to his mouth.

I slap his arm with the back of my hand, and he fumbles. “Not like that, asshole.”

“What? Just saying.” He holds up his hands innocently. “Double dates could be fun. We go out now with Lauren’s brother and his wife. Now we could add the other two important people in our lives.”

“You know I don’t date.” My voice is grim and matter-of-fact. My son is my priority.

“That was the old you. We’re all about change this year. I’m always happy to hang out with my godson if you ever want to, you know… get your dick wet.”

“Jesus, fuck! What is wrong with you?” Damn, I’ve missed my best friend, even with the stupid shit he says.

“Just looking out for my best friend and little Jax.”

I don’t need anyone looking out for me, not to mention, “little” isn’t a word that should ever be associated with my dick. It has feelings and already isn’t a fan that it sees more action from my hand than actual pussy. I’ve had sex with two women since Court—once, I was drunk out of my mind and instantly regretted it. The second, we met up a few times, but she wanted more, and I didn’t. So, it was easy to cut things off, although I think my dick is holding a grudge.

“Enough with the dick talk. My dick is off-limits—to you or to anyone.” Especially to brunettes with lips I’d love to have wrapped around my cock. That’s one way to shut her up.

I rise from the couch. I should go out there and check on Andy. I don’t want anyone to think I’m here to take advantage of someone else watching my son. “I’m going to tell your wife she made a mistake and to run far away.”

He follows suit. “Good luck with that. She loves me.”

“Who loves you?” Speak of the devil or, well, the angel of the Lawson twins appears in the doorway from the kitchen.

“You do, babe.” He walks over and swoops her into his arms.

“Most days,” she laughs and winks. “I was just letting you know food’s ready. Oh, and Jax, Andy is cleaning everyone out with money for his swear jar. I think he’s racked up over five dollars in that brief span of time. I’m not sure who’s paid more—Zach or Kate. I’m pretty sure Zach hates the idea of the jar, and Haylee is ready to make one for Emme.”

“We’ll be right there, babe.” Finn kisses her temple and releases her. She turns and walks out of the room.

“So, are you still gonna have my mom watch Andy even though you’re on the other side of town now?” Finn’s mom, Denise, offered to help me with childcare—one, it’s expensive as hell, and two, I’m not sure how I feel about dropping him off somewhere I don’t know. She watches her grandson, Liam, so he will have a friend, even if he’s just a toddler. But that was when I had planned on moving into a place just down the road from her place. But my options are limited, so I can make do.

“Yeah, Andy knows her, and even though it’s further away, the office is in the middle.”

Finn and I walk side by side out to the backyard. “Well, you know we can make arrangements for whatever you need, right? That’s the cool thing about this—we’re the bosses.” That’s still so weird to think about. I’ll be helping him run his company.

When we walk outside, Andy comes running up like a kid on a mission. “Daddy! Daddy! Look, I’m rich.”

I glance into the red Solo cup he’s holding up and see it’s full of change, as if he was taking donations for charity. I laugh. I think we’ll fit in with these folks just fine. Now others besides just me can contribute to his college fund.