“If you’re not on the porch in three minutes, you’re getting left behind, and I will not write you a note!” Connor shouted up the stairs.

Monday mornings were always a pain in the ass, but it seemed like the closer they got to spring break, the longer the kids took to get out the door. Connor walked to the kitchen and grabbed his keys off the island, doing a quick scan to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything.

“Car’s leaving!” he called, heading toward the door. A series of thuds and a loud shriek came from above.

If mornings weren’t already bad enough, today they had to leave extra early so Connor could drop Beau off at the rink and still make it to work on time. Lady Gaga was sick again, and he needed to make sure it was nothing major.

Connor could have made the kids ride the bus, but they were so far out on the edge of town, it was faster for him to just drive them. Besides, the bus passed their part of town early. Even with today’s early departure, they were still leaving after the bus would have picked them up.

The van doors were already wide open when Connor stepped onto the porch. They’d had to take out all of Beau’s modifications to the inside of the van in order to get the seats up for the kids. He was glad Beau had made them easy to get in and out.

“At least, theoretically,” Beau had said as they had struggled to unhook the storage cabinets from the side. “I’ve never actually had to take them out before.”

Beau inhaled and then let it out in a bellow that the kids could hear upstairs. “Lady Gaga Express Van to Hidden Creek High School, Hidden Creek Middle School, Hidden Creek Elementary, the Theodore Abernathy Sports Complex, and points west is about to depart. “All aboard!”

“This town’s not real good at names, is it?” Beau asked Connor.

“It’s really not.”

Fiona shot past Connor, wearing a black top and leggings that he swore had been a pink shirt and jeans twenty minutes ago. The rest of the kids were already in the car. Her hair was perfectly styled, reminding Connor of the incredibly awkward conversation they’d had only a few days ago, when Fiona had asked if she could buy some makeup.

On the one hand, who was he to tell her what to do? But on the other, he was this weird mix of older brother and father now. He’d managed to buy himself some time, telling her he’d get back to her, but he thought her eyelashes looked suspiciously long and dark.

“Can we watch a movie?” Benji asked as Connor fit his booster seat in the van. By Texas law, Benji didn’t need a booster seat, but by Connor’s law, he did. Otherwise the seat belt cut across his face. Benji didn’t fight it, though. They were all extra safety conscious in cars.

“You can’t watch a movie in a van,” Connor said, struggling to hook the seat belt through the guides on the side of the booster seat. Stupid fucking things. Seat belts were a standard width. Why couldn’t they make these things wide enough to actually fit one?

“Actually, he can,” Beau said, settling into the passenger’s seat. “Well, he could if I had a child-appropriate DVD.” He waggled his eyebrows at Connor with a smirk.

“Told you,” Benji said smugly.

“Whatever, Einstein.” Connor ruffled Benji’s hair affectionately. “Just for that, I’m gonna make a rule: only educational videos in Lady Gaga.”

“Fishing shows,” Sean suggested, climbing into the back seat with Micah.

“Foreign movies with subtitles,” Fiona contributed from the middle row of chairs she was sharing with Benji.

Connor had quickly learned that putting Sean next to Micah was the only combination of kids that didn’t result in fighting. Sometimes getting them all in the truck felt like that puzzle with the chicken and the fox and rowboat and the bag of grain.

Micah and Fiona couldn’t sit together because Fiona would tease Micah about her nerdiness, and Micah would retaliate with a scathing remark about Fiona’s clothes—a surefire way to upset her. Fiona and Sean couldn’t sit next to each other either, even though Micah and Benji could sit next to each other if they had to. Benji preferred sitting with Fiona, though, because Micah tended to treat him, as he said, like a baby.

So the usual seating in the truck was Fiona in the front seat with Sean in the middle between Micah and Benji in the back seat. The only problem was that Sean hated it. He was too big to fit in the back middle seat of the extended-cab comfortably. Unfortunately, the same problem existed in the van.

“Dance Academy!” Micah called. Everyone groaned. Even Beau had learned to hate the catty, angry women of that reality show and their bratty kids, too. They watched it, though. That was the rule. As long as the show wasn’t horribly violent or graphic or sexual, they could each pick whatever they wanted to watch during their scheduled TV time.

“You sure you’re okay with me driving?” Connor asked, slipping into the front seat.

“I’m getting out before you are,” Beau said. “Only makes sense. You sure you don’t mind picking me up after lunch? I can get a ride home.”

“Nah.” Connor flipped on the radio, flinching as a woman with a nasally voice sang about teaching someone else to be popular. “Shouldn’t take long to fix her. I’ll run you home in Lady Gaga and pick up the truck. Sean, we really have to talk about getting you a car.”

“Yeah? You sure?” Sean asked sounding nervous but excited.

Things had been a little strained the morning after what he’d come to call ‘the squirrel incident,’ but he’d apologized to Sean again. He’d told the kids he wanted to talk to them about going to the therapist with them sometimes—he knew they needed to talk about him without him around—and going on his own, too. Everyone liked that idea.

“Yeah, I’m sure. You’re a good driver, and we really need a second driver.” Connor would make sure it was the safest car he could find.

Sean grinned ear to ear.

“Beau, can I bump?” Fiona asked.

“I don’t know. Is it legal? Is that like a drug thing?” he asked with a wink to Connor.

Fiona snorted. “No, Beau!”

“She wants to hook her phone into your radio if you have Bluetooth. It’s her turn this time. Besides, who listens to show tunes, anyway?” Sean asked.

Beau placed a hand on his chest in mock-hurt. “I’ll have you know Wicked won three Tonys and a Grammy.” He leaned over to Connor, pretending to whisper. “Driver gets veto power, right?”

“Damn right.” Connor laughed, starting down the dirt driveway.

Fiona settled on a Straylight Run song Connor was actually starting to like, even if it was a little downbeat for mornings. Benji hummed along, kicking his heels against the seat in rhythm to the song. A quick check in the mirror showed everyone else engrossed in their phones as usual.

Connor tapped Beau on the leg to get his attention. “Do you have to go to lunch with the team? I was thinking we could grab something,” he said in a low voice.

“That sounds great. We get done around noon.”

“Meet you then.”

* * *

“How are the kids doing, dear?” Mrs. Lamb asked as he finished writing up the bill for her Mazda Miata. He thought the car was a piece of crap, but she loved it. Mostly because the kids couldn’t fit into it, she’d confessed. He had to admit, she babied that thing. If she kept on treating it like she did, it was going to drive forever.

“Doing great, ma’am. Sean’s playing baseball again and Fee’s got softball.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. How are they handling school now that they’re back?”

Connor shrugged. “They’re all catching up. Their teachers have been great about giving them extra time. Micah still doesn’t talk much, but I haven’t heard anything bad from the school. And Benji’s teachers said not to worry about anything. I mean, he’s in first grade, right? And he’s sharp as a tack.” How much could he be behind?

He went over the list, looking for places he could cut her a deal. She was a regular and one of the few people who had been firmly on his side since the beginning. Since high school, he realized suddenly. She’d worked in the high school cafeteria and always had a kind word and a smile for him.

“They’re all gonna be fine, Connor.” Mrs. Lamb put her hand over his. “You’re a good man doing a hard job.”

“Thank you.” He looked down at the paper to hide the emotion on his face. “How are your kids?”

She laughed. “Pains in the ass, as usual. Sarah’s fourteen. You know what it’s like having a fourteen-year-old girl, don’t you?”

Connor sighed. “Yes, ma’am, I sure do. Oh!” He looked up. “Speaking of that, can I ask you something?

“Yeah, of course.” She leaned both elbows on the counter. “Is it about sex?”

“Oh, fuck no,” he blurted.

Mrs. Lamb laughed out loud.

“Jesus, I don’t even wanna think about that.” His eyes went wide, and by the way Mrs. Lamb was fighting to hold back another laugh, he must look like a deer in the headlights. “Oh, shit. I gotta think about that, don’t I? Sorry. Sorry for cursing.”

“It’s okay, Connor. I’ll let you in on a little secret now that you’re part of the parent club. Parents curse all the time in private. Sometimes even at the kids. Mentally, of course. Bless their hearts. So if it’s not sex, what’s up?”

“Makeup,” Connor said.

“You need some makeup, Con?” Peggy said coming into the office. “Howdy, Barb,” she said to Mrs. Lamb. “How’s the car?”

“Right as rain. You always take such good care of it.” She smiled flirtatiously at Peggy.

Peggy smiled back. “Anything for you.”

Connor turned to face her, one eyebrow raised. Peggy rolled her eyes at him. “Anyway,” he said. “I don’t need makeup. Fiona’s asking if she can wear it, and I didn’t know what to say. Is there some kind of rule or something? She says ‘everybody else’ is wearing it. Is that true?”

Barb patted his hand, she did that a lot. “That’s never true, honey. About anything.”

By the time he had to leave to get Beau, he had a list of acceptable makeup, orders to look up something called an ‘instant pot,’ and a potential sleepover for Fiona.

* * *

Beau was waiting for Connor outside the front door of the Icon Bank center.

“Sorry I’m late,” Connor said.

“No problem. Everything okay? She give you any trouble?” Beau jumped in the passenger’s seat, slinging his bag to the floor.

“Nah, failing power window is pretty common on that model. I have a motor ordered. Just don’t roll down the window until it comes in. I got caught up talking to one of the regulars who had some advice on how to deal with Fiona. She wants to wear makeup.”

“Is that a thing to worry about?”

“Apparently. But mascara and a little lipstick—not call girl red—is okay.”

“Who knew?”

“Mrs. Lamb and every other mother who came in. Shop was full of them today.”

Beau smirked. “They probably came for the eye candy. Like to see you all hot and sweaty, bent over a car engine. I wouldn’t mind seeing you hot and sweaty and bent over, myself.”

“Yeah?” Connor pulled out of the parking lot. “Just happens I have the rest of the day off. How do you feel about grabbing food from the drive through and taking it to the house? The completely empty for at least three more hours house.”

Beau slid his hand over Connor’s thighs, his fingers nudging their way between his legs. “How do you feel about eating in the van on the way home?”

“I feel pretty damn good about that.” They pulled up to a stop sign, and Connor glanced right and left, making sure they were alone on the road. They were, so he pulled Beau toward him with a hand around the back of his neck, giving him a short, but scorching kiss.

“Yeah,” Beau said, his hand completely between Connor’s legs now.

A horn beeped behind them, and they jumped apart.

“Don’t worry,” Beau said. “The back windows are tinted. They can’t see in. But better hurry or we won’t make it home, and we took the bed out. It’s not as easy to fool around on a captain’s chair. It can be done, mind you. Just not as easily.”

Connor gave him another quick kiss, lingering just long enough to feel his cock start to take interest. They never had that much time alone together—pretty much never had time alone together, if he were being honest—so this would be a special treat. They could do whatever they wanted, be as loud as they wanted.

Excitement coursed through his veins. Did Beau like to top or bottom? Connor could go either way, though he enjoyed bottoming the most. Gleefully anticipating that discovery, he headed toward the nearest McDonald’s on their way home.

He’d just placed their order when the phone rang. Fishing it out of his pocket, he glanced at the number. Shit. It was the elementary school.

“Hello?”

“Hello, is this Mr. Barrett?”

“Yes, this is he.” Close enough. He’d given up trying to correct the school.

“We’ve got Benji here at the nurse’s office. Poor thing is feeling a mite under the weather. He threw up two times during lunch and recess. Can you come pick him up?”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. “Of course,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He sighed, then took the bags the kid at the window held out for him and passed them to Beau.

“So…I’m guessing we don’t have that time alone anymore,” Beau said, shoving a handful of fries into his mouth.

“You’re going to choke. And no, damn it. Benji is throwing up. I have to go get him.”

“Poor little guy.”

“Tell that to my dick.”

Beau bent as low as he could over Connor’s lap, lovingly patting his crotch. “Sorry, little guy. Maybe next time.”

Connor flicked his ear. “Don’t call my dick ‘little guy.’ You’ll never get to see it again.”

“Barely get to see it now. Not complaining, just you’re so fucking hot that it’s torture not being able to get my hands on you. Not to mention my mouth.”

Connor gave a pained groan. “Look who’s talking. You know how many times I have to stop myself from grabbing your ass, especially when you wear those shorts?” He shook his head. “I really want to feel those thighs of yours wrapped tight around me.”

“Yeah?” Beau slid his hand between Connor’s legs, rubbing up and down the fly. “What else do you want to do?”

“Bastard,” Connor said, but he didn’t make him stop. They had about seven minutes to the school. Ten if they hit the lights wrong, which he would make sure they did. He was going to enjoy every minute of it. “I want to find out if you’re a top or a bottom.”

“And you would have, too.” Beau’s fingers worked Connor’s rapidly-hardening cock through his jeans. They were alone at the stop light. Beau leaned over and bit Connor’s earlobe as his fingers continued to torture him. “I’m up for anything, but my preference is to top.”

Connor shivered at Beau’s warm breath in his ear and the image his words conjured.

Beau chuckled softly and nipped at his earlobe again, pulling away just as a jacked-up truck pulled up next to them, custom mufflers rumbling loudly. “I’m thinking that works for you?”

Connor placed his hand over Beau’s and thrust gently against him. “Yeah, it fuckin’ works,” he growled. “Fuck that feels good.” Reluctantly he pulled Beau’s hand away. “Can’t go into the school with a hard-on.”

“We gotta do something,” Beau said. “Or we’re both gonna die of blue balls.”

“I don’t think you can actually die from that.”

“Do you really want to take that chance?” Beau asked seriously.

Connor groaned. “Peggy volunteered to babysit one night. I’ll take her up on it soon. Promise.”

“I’m gonna hold you to it.”

“Yeah, we go to Rocket, get some dinner. Maybe a movie?” Connor said with a smile.

“Or we can go to that motel the next town over and fuck like bunnies.”

“I like the way you think. Not too shabby for an Okie.” He turned into the school parking lot and found a place close to the front doors. “You want to wait here while I go get him? It’ll only be a minute.”

“No problem. I’ll drive home so you can sit with him.”

“Okay.” Connor barely resisted kissing Beau as he got out of the car. In some ways, it felt like they’d known each other forever and in others, they were still total strangers.

Adjusting his pants so nothing was poking out that didn’t need to be poking out, he headed up to the double doors and into the school.