“I don’t know how, but you’re cheating.” Del pointed at Rey.
“Uh-uh. You just got schooled by a six-year-old.” Rey put his hands up in the air and did a victory wiggle.
“And now he’s celebrating.” Del flicked a card at Rey.
“He’s right. You did get schooled. High-five, Rey.” Harper held up his hand.
Rey and Harper tapped hands, then Harper sat back in his chair. He gasped when Del grabbed him from behind, tickling fingers digging into his stomach. Harper scrambled away, laughing, but Del caught him and tumbled them both to the floor. Del lowered his head, then kissed him.
“Cowabunga!” two voices screamed.
Del oomphed, releasing his lips from their kiss.
“Rey and Dar, you’re heavy,” he wheezed, rolling off Harper.
They shrieked, laughing as they tickled Del and he tried to fend them off. Del looked at him.
“Help me, Harper.” Del put out his hand.
Harper accepted it, rolling to his knees, holding Del’s arms down. Absently, he noticed the leather band Del wore on his wrist. He had been meaning to ask him about it, but kept forgetting.
“I’ve got his arms, Harper. Tickle him, Dar,” Rey said
Harper focused on the boys. Dar tickled Del as he and Rey held him down. Their laughter warmed Harper.
“Okay. That’s enough,” Del gasped. “Go get your computer and do some work.”
The boys kissed his cheek, then Harper’s, and got up and left the room. Del sat up, pulling Harper toward him.
“They do some worksheets on the computer after lunch,” Del said.
“What are you planning to do with them for the summer?”
“Keep them occupied around the house,” Del replied.
Harper watched the boys as they returned to the room and set up their laptops on the table where they had been playing Uno.
“What about summer camp?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t looked into it yet. I’m enjoying having time with them.” Del stood, holding out his hand.
Harper accepted it, and Del pulled him up and led him to the couch. They sat, Del shifting them until he was reclining with Harper against his chest. He turned on the TV, flipping the channels until he came to the Discovery Channel.
“I could get used to you being here with us,” Del said.
Harper didn’t reply. There was nothing he could say. He was already getting too used to having Del around. They hadn’t even had sex yet, and he was already fighting not to care too much.
It’s already too late. You care more than you want to admit.
THE NEXT day, Harper rang the doorbell as he looked at the cylinder gate opener on his car keys. The door opened, and he looked up.
“Sorry, Harper. I was about to call you. The boys don’t feel like going to the amusement park today.” Del touched the boys’ heads.
“Why?” Harper leaned over, looking at Rey and Dar, placing his hand on their foreheads. “Aren’t you feeling well?”
They didn’t feel warm, and they looked excited.
“We’re okay. Come on, Dar, let’s get our shoes.” Rey turned, running back into the house.
Harper straightened, waiting for Del to explain.
“Guys, wear comfortable shoes.” Del faced him. “Sorry. They want to decorate their bedrooms today. Even know what store they want to go to. They’ve already picked out the pieces they want us to buy and the colors they want their rooms painted.” A proud smile curled his lips.
“Okay. That’s a good thing, right?” Harper asked.
“It is.” Del stepped back, pulling him inside. “When they first got here, I told them they could decorate their room however they wanted, but they refused. I promised they could do it when they were ready. Their counselor said they were not ready to make a home with me because they were afraid. I’ve asked them every month since, and it’s always no. But today, they had a presentation all ready to show me. I was impressed with how well thought out it was. They asked Clarita to help them with it and to figure out if the furniture they wanted was child-safe.”
“Then that is a good thing. So, where are we going?” Harper leaned in for a quick kiss.
“You don’t have to spend the day with me carting two kids around looking at furniture and paint,” Del protested.
“Nope. I don’t have to. I want to. Now get your shoes on so we can get going,” Harper said.
“Are you sure?”
“Just go.” Harper moved his hands, shooing Del.
He headed upstairs. Harper immediately made his way to the kitchen. He stopped in the door, looking at the older woman, who was lifting a cup to her lips.
“Clarita,” he called softly, careful not to startle her.
“I heard you tromping up behind me, Mr. Hillman,” she said.
“How’d you know it was me?” Harper stifled a smile and approached her.
“You have a different tread than Del, and the boys run everywhere.” She turned her head, watching him.
“They do. Del was filling me in on their presentation.” Harper leaned beside her.
“Plotters, those youngsters are. When they get older, boy, will they be a handful.” Clarita’s eyes narrowed. “Similar to Del. You treat him nice, Mr. Hillman.”
Harper inclined his head at the warning. “If you’re going to be all mama tiger on me, then call me Harper.”
“Tiger?”
“That’s what Del reminds me of. And you’re basically his mother.” Harper grimaced. “Unlike the woman who birthed him.”
“Waste of space, the both of his parents. I’m glad they are dead. Giving birth doesn’t make you a parent. What’s in your heart does.” Clarita put her cup on the countertop.
“Exactly. So, as Del’s mother, I’m coming to you about—”
“You don’t need my permission to date the boy. And he doesn’t see me as his mama. Del is his own man. A good man. You’re lucky to have him.” She smiled softly.
“That’s not what I’m here for.” Harper studied the woman, then admitted, “I’m lucky he wants to get to know me.”
“Is that what they’re calling it these days? I thought it was a whole lot of fucking, then maybe more.”
Harper choked out a laugh. “No wonder Gerald loves you. You’re as vocal as he is.”
“Admit it. That boy is crass, but so damn likable.” Clarita grinned.
“He is.”
“Now, what is it you wanted to ask me?” Clarita said.
“The anniversary of the boys coming to live with Del is approaching, and I want to get him a gift to commemorate the occasion. I was thinking—” He explained what he wanted, and she was pleased to help.
That set, Harper returned to the front door. He spotted Del and the boys coming down the stairs. When they were beside him, Harper brushed the boys’ hair out of their faces.
“What were you doing?” Del asked.
“Talking with Clarita. She’s a hoot.” Harper chuckled.
“Uh-huh.” Del bent and straightened Rey’s, then Dar’s shoelaces before standing again.
“It’s good for the boys to have a mother figure in the house.” Harper brushed Del’s hair out of his face. “Just like it is for you.”
“You still have time to back out. This is going to take all day,” Del warned.
“I bet you it won’t.” Harper took Rey’s hand in his and opened the door.
“I’ll take that bet.” Del put out his hand.
“I say we get everything done in three hours. Winner gets the loser to go on a ride they choose when we go to the amusement park.” Harper put his hand in Del’s, and they shook.
“Bet.” Del looked at his watch. “It’s seven-thirty, and the store opens at eight. Once we step foot in the store, the time starts. We can go to the amusement park tomorrow.”
“Okay. Off to shopping, men.” Harper led the way as they walked out.
Chapter Six
HARPER WHISTLED, studyi
ng his nails. Del covered his hand with his own. Harper lifted his head, not able to help his grin. He knew it was smug, but he still had an hour, and he would win that bet.
Del glanced at the boys. “Are you sure we got everything?”
“Give it up. You’re gonna lose,” Harper whispered.
“Not until we’re finished,” Del said in a low voice.
“Yes,” Dar said.
Rey nodded.
Del pursed his lips, then said, “You can change your mind and get the other stuff instead. We can go right back to the store.”
“The other sets were nice,” Rey said.
Del looked smug. Harper wasn’t even worried.
“But the one we picked is child-safe and still as good,” Rey said.
“Expensive doesn’t mean better, Del. We like the things we picked.” Dar nodded.
Harper snickered at Del’s crestfallen expression. Del put his arm around the back of his neck, pulling him close.
“Don’t gloat yet. We still have paint to get.”
“And we’ll be out of here in more than enough time.” Harper touched the boys on the tops of their heads.
“How did you know we’d be in and out of the furniture store in less than two hours?”
“Have you ever gone shopping with Bur or Bernie?” Harper slid his hand behind Del’s waist.
“I have.”
“Then you should know that they hate shopping, so they don’t do it. They go prepared with lists of what they want to buy. They don’t browse or deviate from what they want. You, on the other hand, like to browse. Take hours in a store to just look, touch, and change your mind often.” Harper glanced at Del. “I know all your shopping patterns, and when you mentioned the presentation with child-safety, I figured I had a seventy-thirty chance in my favor the boys might be like your brothers with the way they shopped. And it paid off.” They had not only got their furnishings for their individual bedrooms, but for the playroom they shared between the bedrooms. Harper chortled.
“We’ll see about the paint. They might take a while with that.”
“Just give up. I’m winning this bet.” Harper poked him in the stomach.
“Not conceding. I still don’t understand why I have to put everything together. It’ll take forever. And the paint will have to be done today because the boys insisted on delivery of everything tomorrow. I’m going to have to convince them to send a painter out today.” Del sighed.
“We don’t need painters, Del. You’re going to paint,” Dar stated.
Del blinked, then shook his head. “Uh-uh. I hate painting.”
“It’ll be fun. Don’t worry.” Rey patted his hand.
“Guys—”
“Don’t worry, Del. It’ll be fun. I’ll help you with the painting and the furniture that has to be put together,” Harper assured him.
“I don’t paint.” Del shook his head.
Harper looked at the boys, and they nodded. Then he focused on Del, nodding at him too.
“I’m going to be painting.” Del closed his lids.
After how Del had given in when the boys insisted he didn’t need to spend the extra money for someone to come set everything up, Harper already figured he would cave on this too. The boys were determined they and Del would be getting their rooms and playroom together. So setting up furniture was in their near future, and now painting.
“Can I help you?” A young man approached them.
“We want these colors,” Dar said.
He and Rey pulled out items from their pockets. When Harper realized they were holding color swatches, he shifted his head to gaze at Del.
“Maybe they want to be decorators when they grow up,” Del mused.
“It doesn’t mean that’s what they want to be. They’re just organized. Dar and Rey, what do you all want to be when you grow up?” Harper waited.
The boys looked at each other, then at him.
“I’m going to be a lawyer so I can protect people, so no one can hurt them,” Dar replied.
“And I’ll be a doctor, so those who don’t get help in time can be patched up to go to Dar,” Rey stated.
Harper, shocked by their responses, looked at Del helplessly.
“And you both will be good at it.” Del knelt before the boys and hugged them before standing.
Rey and Dar lifted their arms, and Harper knelt too and hugged them fiercely. He fought not to cry because of what they had been through. Harper glanced up at Del. All of them had been through so much.
“I didn’t me—”
“Shhh…. It’s okay. It comes up from time to time, and they’ll be fine.” Del cupped the back of Harper’s head.
Rey and Dar squirmed. Harper released them and rose. The boys held out their swatches to the confused-looking salesman.
“And this is for our playroom.” Dar pointed to the second piece he held.
“We can get that mixed up for you,” the man said.
Rey moved beside Harper, taking his hand in his smaller one. Dar moved to Del, and they set off to get their paint. The boys’ excited voices droned around them as they walked, but Harper didn’t listen, feeling bad about bringing up painful memories.
“They’re fine,” Del whispered.
“How do you deal with them when they bring up… what happened?”
“There’s nothing I can say to them about the abuse. I just hug them tight and let them cry it out. That’s all you can do,” Del replied.
Harper nodded, watching them. The boys were asking the salesman questions as if nothing had happened.
“Lately, they move on quickly when something comes up. Then there are other days when we have bad moments. It goes day by day.” Del shrugged.
The salesman started to mix the paint.
“You’re going to win.” Del glared at the whirling cans.
Harper glanced at his watch. “With time to spare. I’ll go get the paint rollers and things we’ll need. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Okay,” Del said absently. “That color would look good in my home office. Come on, boys.” Del strode away, holding their hands.
“If we’re late leaving because you can’t decide on a color, I still win!” Harper called after him.
Del lifted his hand and kept going. Harper went the opposite direction, looking for the rollers. He grabbed a cart, pushing it. He paused to pull out his cell and dialed.
“Hello.”
“Ramirez, I need your help.” Harper explained what he needed. Soon after, he hung up.
He found the correct aisle, gathered the painting accessories he needed and went to the front of the store to pay for them. Harper arranged for them to be delivered, then returned to where the paint was being mixed, pushing the cart he had. As he approached, he noted the cans sitting on the floor by Del’s legs. Harper stopped beside him and the boys. There was another paint being prepared.
“You found a color for your office.” Harper lifted a can and put it in the cart.
Del placed another. “I figured if I’m going to be painting, I can do my office too.” Del’s brow furrowed. “Wait. Today is poker day. You should go. You don’t have to miss it to help us.” Del glanced at the cans of paint still on the ground. “Painting will take a while.”
“You’re not getting rid of me today. I’m helping.” Harper accepted the paint from the salesman.
He and Del continued to pile cans in the cart. They pushed it to the front, and with no line, they checked out quickly. In moments, they were outside and putting the cans in the back of the SUV.
“That’s everything.” Del closed the hatch.
“And we’re still under the three hours.” Harper tapped the face of his watch. “Say it.”
“Okay. You won.” Del glanced at the store. “Where are the paintbrushes and stuff you went to get? We can’t paint without it. If you have to go get them, then you’ll be over. That means I won.” He rubbed his hands together.
“I already bought them. They’re
being delivered to the house.”
Del stopped rubbing his hands together. “Why are they being delivered?”
Harper opened his mouth.
“Del, can we go to the toy store?” Rey asked.
“Sure. Are you looking to get something in particular?”
“No. We just want to look around,” Dar replied.
Del lifted his head. “Are you feeling lucky?”
“I already won.” Harper play-boxed the air, bobbing and weaving. “But I’m willing to give you another chance.”
“Double or nothing for the amusement park bet. And winner also gets to choose an outing for the adults,” Del said.
“Amusement parks are for adults too.” Harper put out his hand. “And you’re on. One hour, and we’ll be out of the toy store and pulling into the driveway of your house.”
“Humph. You sound sure of that. Even throwing in we’ll be at my house. I’ll take that bet.” Del shook his hand.
“Del keeps betting, and he loses,” Rey said.
“I know. He should just give up,” Dar added.
“When something gives you joy, never give up on it, boys. That’s a good life lesson.” Del held Harper’s hand, drawing him into his body.
Harper’s heart raced at the soft, possessive look in Del’s gaze. They kissed, then got in the SUV.
“It was rigged,” Del said less than a half an hour later.
“You were there. I didn’t try anything to influence Rey or Dar at the toy store.” He turned his head to the boys in the back seat. “Unlike your brother here, who kept trying to take you to see this or that toy, wheedling you to buy something more.”
Harper looked over at the man in question, and he didn’t look sorry at all.
“It’s not done yet. It’s Saturday morning. We’ll run into traffic,” Del said.
Twenty minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of Del’s house. He turned off the vehicle and glared at all of them.
“Not one word.” He stepped out of the vehicle.
Harper got out and opened the door for Rey and Dar. “Not one bit of traffic. What? Is everyone conspiring against me?” Harper mimicked Del.
“They are,” Del replied, opening the hatch.
“You lose, Del,” Rey and Dar teased.
Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles) Page 56