Bee was on another roll. “I want to sing ‘Ma Belle Evangeline.’”
“From The Princess and the Frog?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Bee picked her hand up and kissed it up and down, reminding me more of Gomez Addams and Morticia.
“I don’t think that’s a good song to sing at your school. Let’s lay off the songs with kissing, okay?”
Bee rolled her eyes and shoved another bite of pancakes into her mouth before asking Damon, “Are you going to come?”
He laughed at Bee’s obvious excitement, and I gave up trying to correct her for talking with a mouth full of food.
“I’ll be there. You just tell me when. Do I need a ticket?”
Oh God, Damon was coming to her school. It wasn’t just Sophie and Stella coming and them bringing Harlow, but now it was Damon. If I allowed this, there was no more keeping Bee to myself. She’d fall in love with this family, and if something happened it would destroy her. Of course, now was when my conscience decided to appear and chime in with their opinions.
Katy, look at him. He genuinely cares about Bee. You’ve seen him with his nieces. He’s a good man. You know it in your heart. Admit that you feel something for him. He’s one of the good ones.
Yeah, I bet he’s good—in bed, good with that mouth of his. Stop being a tease, let’s see how he rides.
Really? I couldn’t understand this. I’d never been to England or Jersey, yet they were warring in my head. I rolled my shoulders and took a deep swallow, said several silent Hail Marys, and prayed that I was making the right decision. For eight years, I’d kept her away from people, and within a few weeks, it became all the kid wanted.
“No need for a ticket. They hold this event in the cafeteria, and there is plenty of room. Sophie, Ariel, and Stella are coming as well.” Then at the last minute I took a right turn and locked back up. “You can come with them.”
“They are?” Bee’s eyes were wide with excitement.
“Yep. And don’t worry about a song or costume.”
“Why?”
“Because you have a surprise coming today, a friend of Ariel’s is a singer, and he’s coming to help you practice.”
“Today? When? Where?” Bee was rattling the table as she jiggled in her seat.
“At lunch. We’re going over to Sophie’s.”
“I’ll get to see Harlow again.”
We finished our breakfast, and I started clearing the dishes but then paused and asked over my shoulder, “Hey, so what are you building?”
“I’m finishing up some things for the playhouse for the girls. They gave me strict instructions.”
I let out a laugh as I laid the pan on a drying towel, just imagining what an Amazon ordering diva would request. “I’ll let you get back to it. Bee and I are going to run to the store and get a few things. Need anything?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Of course, my little devil decided to reappear in all her Jersey glory.
You bet you’re good, and I’d like to show you a few things about how we could be good together. You hear me?
And my angel with the polished English accent wasn’t going to allow that thought to linger.
He’s your boss and has done so much for you. Your wages and your livelihood are both dependent upon this man. He is not to be objectified.
I let out a groan at the war of emotions running through me. “Well, we’re headed out, and then we’re meeting Ariel and her friend over at Sophie’s.” He took a step toward me, and I moved to my left to sidestep him.
But he reached out and stilled me. What was it with these people and their fucking lightning-quick hands?
“You okay?” He released his hold and lightly grazed his fingers up my arm.
I shimmied and took a step back. “Fine. Just need to get Bee and get some stuff done. If I don’t see you again today, maybe tomorrow.”
Chapter 17
Damon
I blew it. The cold look that crossed her face told me that I’d lost all progress that I’d gained. She’d pulled into herself, and I was cut out.
While she was upstairs getting Bee ready, I slid out the backdoor and headed back to my house to lose myself in work. Sliding on ear protection and glasses, I turned my circular saw on and slowly ran it across the first of many two-by-four wooden planks that I’d penciled my marks on.
Turning to grab another board, I stopped at the sight of Kayson sitting on the back steps watching me. Tugging my earphones off, I headed over. “Bro, what’s up?”
“Not much. Heard your saw going nonstop and figured you could use some iced tea.” He handed me a bright red YETI tumbler full of Ariel’s finest. “Don’t worry, it’s half-and-half.”
I took a long drag on the straw, thankful for his gesture since Ariel was from Alabama and her sweet tea resembled the consistency of syrup. “That’s good stuff. Thanks.” I sat next to Kayson on the steps and stared at the pile of wood remaining to be cut, my mind returning to the events of the previous evening.
“Earth to Damon, come in Damon.” I turned and narrowed my eyes at him. He just shrugged. “Dude, you’re building a fort for the girls, not the Taj Mahal. Or is there something you need to tell me?”
I fidgeted with the straw in my YETI cup as I considered what to tell my brother.
“Good God, out with it.”
I set the tumbler down beside me and stood, my back to Kayson. “Last night I was playing Chutes and Ladders with Gianna, and I had some sort of epiphany.”
“Epiphany, that’s a big word for a twelve-year-old,” Kayson shot back, his tone clearly mocking me.
I turned to him. “Don’t be a smartass.”
“Okay, okay.” He held his hand up. “So, tell me about this e-piph-a-ny.” He enunciated each syllable just to get under my skin.
I paused until he realized I was being serious. I began when the grin left his face. “Life is a game. You’re always climbing, chuting, and falling. Does it stop?”
“Yeah. It stops when they lower you into the ground. My question is, why are you suddenly pondering life? I thought you were happy? Ariel seems to think that there might be something going on between you and your new secretary. You screwing her?”
I set my cup down and got ready to stand, I didn’t need this fucking bullshit.
Kayson threw one hand on my bicep. “I’m sorry, I was just joking. I didn’t know it was that serious. What’s going on?” Kayson folded his hands in front of him waiting for me to continue.
“I think I like her.”
“What? You want me to pass her a note in study hall?”
“No. I’m serious. I think that, you know, she might be…” How do you describe the one, that one that sets your heart and every other part of your body on fire?
“Whoa.”
“Yeah, whoaaa.” We sat in silence.
The only sound was from the sloshing of ice as we moved our straws around to drink more tea and the few birds flying overhead. It would be just my luck if one of those fuckers would decide to shit on me right now.
Our period of silence was amazing in and of itself not just because we were talkative, but we were Greek. And Greeks generally had one octave–loud.
Kayson finally broke. “I was thinking about your words, the ones you asked me about. You know what, I use those words with Ariel.” He looked at me, and it was bizarre. I was the oldest, and he was the baby, but he was giving me advice.
“Okay, care to elaborate?”
“Sure, just remember you asked for it.”
I let out a groan, preparing myself for whatever he was going to say.
“Now I can’t wait to climb into bed.” Kay-son put air quotes around the word climb. “Fall on top of her and . . . well, I don’t even need to tell you about the word shoot.”
“Dude, really?”
“Just saying.” Kayson jammed his shoulder into my side.
“Totally different spelling.”
“Doesn’t matter how it’s spe
lled just matters how you get it.”
“We’ll get into your and Ariel’s sex life another time.” I paused, needing my brother to be serious for just a second. “Tell me this, are you ready to get married? Your wedding is a month away.”
Kayson obviously caught my change in demeanor. His face took on a serious look. “Feels like I’ve been waiting for it my whole life. I can’t explain it; she’s mine. I know some people don’t care about that piece of paper, but I do. Don’t you ever want to get married, have kids?”
“Yeah, I’d like to, especially after having the girls around.” I thought about the gallons of pink and yellow paint that I had purchased for this castle.
“What about Katy?”
“What about her?”
“How do you feel about her? I thought maybe there was something between the two of you. Ariel seems to think so.”
“I don’t know.” Okay, I was deliberately withholding information.
“Hmmm.” Was all he gave me as he tapped his thumb on his knee, waiting. I cracked. I always did. That whole wait quietly while someone squirmed was a favorite cop trick he used.
“I just mean that maybe the feelings are one-sided.” I knew it was a lie the second I said it. She relaxed against me when I held her. She kissed me back. I knew it, but I wanted to cut this conversation short. “Enough feely shit,” I said. “Do you know what these girls have planned today? Katy said a friend of Ariel’s was coming over.”
Kayson let out a chuckle. “Bro, take it from me, don’t ask questions. Carter and I have resolved ourselves to the motto: there is safety in numbers. I don’t care what they’re doing, where they’re going, and I don’t ask as long as they stay together.”
“Fair enough. Since you’re here, you might as well help.” I gestured to the stacks of wood, and with Kayson’s help the panels for the porch were cut in no time.
“Can you watch these two for a few minutes while I run up to the store?” Kayson and I both stopped to see Sophie walk into the garage with Harlow and Gianna in tow. “Carter had to run into the station real fast. It’s no problem taking Avril but taking all three of them is exhausting.”
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll put them to work.”
“They’re playing Harry Potter this morning.” I guess that was Sophie’s way of explaining the brooms the girls were dragging.
“I’ll see you after lunch. I’m going to go get cleaned up.” Kayson stood and walked over to give each of the girls a kiss.
“Thanks for talking.”
“Anytime, bro.” Kayson gave me a half-handed salute and strode off.
“Hey, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, if you’re going to run around with brooms, why not play over here and clean up some of this saw dust?”
“Uncle Damon, I’m Hermione, and Gia is Luna Lovegood.”
I had a slight clue as to what in the hell Harlow was talking about. Ever since Sophie had started reading the Harry Potter books to them, I got a seven-year-old girl’s version of a recap almost daily.
“Fine, then you two little witches get over here and help me clean. I’m making this castle for you after all. The quicker you clean, the faster this thing can get built.” Yep, that got their butts moving.
I had no idea why I allowed them to talk me into building them a playhouse—oh wait, yes I did, they were stinkin’ adorable, and when they stuck out their lower lip, I’d give them just about anything. At least that was the case a few months ago when I’d agreed to build this monstrosity. I was getting used to their ploys, and the cuteness was wearing off.
“Uncle Damon, are you going to build your daughters a house?” I stopped hammering and had to stifle my laugh. Gianna was covered from head to toe in sawdust and had one hand propped on her hip.
“What daughters? I don’t have any kids.”
“Then get some. I need someone to play with ‘sides Harlow.”
“I don’t have a wife.”
“I’ll be your wife.”
I laid down my tools and swept her up. “Oh, you will?” I placed a fat raspberry right on her fat little belly, and her giggles filled my garage. “Let’s get you cleaned up before your mommy sees you and doesn’t ever let you come back.”
“Too late.” Sophie walked in, and Gianna wiggled out of my arms.
I had to give it to her, most women I knew would have held Gianna at arm’s length since the kid was covered in mounds of sawdust, but not Soph, she swept her up and planted a kiss on her face.
“I think that I’m missing a kid.” Giving Sophie a wink, and with a quick glance off to her side, I let her know that Harlow was hiding behind the cabinet.
“Too bad Harlow isn’t here, my patronus turned into ice cream. I took it as a sign that I needed to go get ice cream.”
“My patronus is sprinkles,” Harlow shouted as she came out from behind the cabinet.
“Nuh uh, mine is,” Gianna whined.
I didn’t totally understand this patronus shit, all I knew was that it was from Harry Potter and it was important to you and could change. “Well, my patronus looks like a Yuengling.”
The girls didn’t get it, but Sophie let out a laugh. “Yeah, I figured you were at your threshold for the day. By the way, the house looks great. I can’t imagine there is much more to do.”
“I just finished the porch. So, I should be done in about a week. Then you and the girls can decide on the inside.”
“Pink!” Gianna and Harlow shouted together.
“I got that. I meant furniture and stuff.”
“So, are you going to build a house like this for your daughters?” Sophie gave me a wink.
“How long were you eavesdropping?”
“A while. It was cute.”
“Go. Before someone drops a house on you.” I pushed her shoulders.
“Yeah, Harry Potter witches aren’t the same kind of witch as in the Wizard of Oz, you really do need kids so you can catch up on the lingo. You’re showing your age.” Sophia brought her leg up and kicked my butt before heading out, laughing as she went.
“And you think we need more women around? Don’t think so,” I hollered after her.
I wondered if Bee would like a playhouse or if she was too old? Maybe a jungle gym? I had no clue what I was thinking about, Katy hadn’t even admitted to feeling a spark yet.
I cleaned up and headed over to Sophie’s house just before noon, and when I got there, the house was hopping with people.
“Here, taste.” Mana held a spoon in front of Katy’s face.
I smiled, watching Katy open her mouth like an obedient child. “Mmm, that’s good. What is it?”
“Mousaka.”
Seeing the obvious confusion etched on her face, I stepped in. “Eggplant,” I clarified.
“Now try this.” Mana held up a piece of baklava.
“Mana, give the poor girl a second.”
“I heard you say Mana the other day, but I thought I’d just heard wrong and you were calling her mama.”
“It’s Greek, it’s what we call our mama,” I explained.
Katy leaned forward and took a bite of what Mana held out. She slid her tongue out and licked her lips and somehow in this house that was packed with people, there was no one but this woman and her perfect lips that I wanted to see wrapped—
A thump on my arm ripped that erotic dream out of my head. “I asked what was that dessert?”
Mana beat me to the punch and answered instead as she returned to the kitchen. “That’s baklava. We’ll make a Greek out of you yet.”
The doorbell rang. “I’ll get that.” I was happy for the distraction since I needed a few seconds to get my heads—both of them—on something other than my assistant.
I swung the door open and came face to face with a flamboyantly dressed man with blonde hair. He shoved a plastic tote into my arms and strode inside, snapping his fingers. “Boys, there are boxes in my trunk, can you flex those gorgeous muscles of yours and bring them in for me?” I set the one box down th
en followed Kayson and Ian out to grab the rest of the boxes and returned just as the girls had finished with introductions and cheek kissing.
“And who might you be?” The man’s dark eyes focused on Bee.
“I’m Bee. And you’re a drag queen. May I call you Jiggly? Tongue pop.” Bee made a popping sound with her tongue.
What the fuck? I mouthed, asking anyone who happened to be looking at me, but they were too busy laughing when the man fell to his knees and bowed at Bee’s feet, worshiping.
“Good God, girl, get a grip.” Bee did that thing that girls do where they flipped their hair out and then she put a hand on one hip.
“I’m so sorry. Yes, I know, I shouldn’t let her watch RuPaul’s Drag Race, but we love it. She can quote just about every line from the show.” Katy looked around, her cheeks were pink, I loved it when she blushed. “Bee, that’s rude. Apologize to Mr. Ringo.” Katy buried her head in her hands. She was cute as she tried to hide her embarrassment.
Ringo stood back up. “I’m going to love her and squeeze her and call her Liza Minelli.” Ringo wrapped his arms around Bee and pulled her into a tight hug. “This is going to be perfect. I can see it now. I’ve totally changed my mind on what we’re doing.” He relaxed his hold on her. “Now that I see the attitude that I have to work with, I have an entirely new idea.”
“Umm, please remember that this is for an elementary school talent show,” Katy said, I hoped that she was trying to rein things in a bit and be the voice of reason because I had a feeling that this could get out of control and fucking fast.
“Be gone. Let me and my protégé get to work. Where can we have some privacy?” Ringo tossed his hands into the air as if motioning for us all to leave. What the hell? Who did he think he was?
I scanned the room. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one shocked. The rest of my family stood with their mouths open. I looked to Carter, hello, this was his home, after all. But the dude just turned up the television and ignored us.
“You boys can watch television or whatever. We girls are going outside,” Stella announced.
Impact (Iron Orchids Book 3) Page 11