Chapter 18

Jake

I coax Annie into the shower with me, and we take turns soaping each other with eager hands. I want to take her right here, under the spray of hot water, but she’s a nervous wreck now knowing that my parents are here. Unlike Annie’s parents, who always disapproved of me, my parents adored Annie, and they always hoped we’d marry. I have no doubt they’ll be happy to see her again. And as for Aiden—my mom will go nuts over him. As a former kindergarten teacher, she loves kids, and I have absolutely no doubt she’ll love Aiden.

Once we’ve washed everything we can, at least twice, we turn off the water and dry off. Annie slips back into her PJs and runs across the hall to her own room to dress. I towel myself dry and pull on a pair of jeans and my Ironman T-shirt—gotta score points with the kid.

When I’m dressed, I knock on Annie’s door.

“Come in,” she calls.

I enter her room and find her in the closet, fretting over what to wear.

“I didn’t bring many clothes with me,” she says, as she picks through her meager wardrobe. “And only one dress.” She holds it up to show me. “Do you think this is acceptable?”

“Honey, you can wear whatever you like. They’re here to see you, not your clothes. Just throw on some jeans and a top, and you’ll be fine. Hell, wear your pajamas if you want to. My folks won’t care.”

She sighs. “I can’t believe they’re here.”

I walk up behind her, slipping my arms around her waist and resting my chin on her shoulder. “Trust me. They’ll be happy to see you, and they’ll go nuts over Aiden. My brother Shane and his wife just had a baby a few days ago, so my parents are in grandparent mode. Aiden will give them someone else to spoil.”

She turns to look back at me. “Do you think they will? Accept him, I mean.”

“Of course, they will.” I kiss her throat, feeling her pulse beating wildly beneath my lips. My hands slide down her sides to her hips, and I squeeze them. “You make me so damn hard, Elliot.” I press against her back side, my erection hitting the small of her back. I push closer and groan. “You owe me a round two later. We didn’t get our full two hours.”

Now that we’re living under the same roof, I know I’m not going to be able to get enough of her. I’d really like for her to move into my room and share my bed. Aiden can have this room to himself. But I’m getting a little bit ahead of myself. Baby steps. I don’t want to push either of them too fast.

There’s a brisk knock on Annie’s door, and I leave her to get dressed while I answer it.

“Change in plans,” Charlie says, grinning at me. “Your folks are here.”

“So I heard. We had to cut playtime short. Annie’s getting dressed, and then we’ll be down. Where’s Aiden?”

“Where do you think? With your mom. I think she’s in love.”

I laugh. “Not surprised.”

Charlie pulls me out into the hallway and shuts the door to Annie’s room. “Okay, dish, big guy,” she says, facing me with her arms crossed over her chest. “What’s going on?”

“Isn’t it kind of obvious?”

“You still love her, don’t you?”

“What do you think? I’ve got another chance with her, and I’m taking it.”

She nods. “Yeah, I figured as much. You can’t keep your eyes off of her. And your eyes just about popped out of your head when she walked out of the women’s locker room in a swimsuit yesterday.”

I chuckle. “Let’s just say Annie’s filled out a lot since high school. She’s got some wicked curves. Damn.”

“So, is this thing between you two serious?”

Charlie looks skeptical, but I can’t say I blame her. In the couple years she’s been with the company, she’s never seen me date anyone. I look at her, deadpan. “As a heart attack.”

She grins. “Like put-a-ring-on-it, serious?”

“Yes. Hey, thanks for running interference with Aiden this morning. I owe you.”

She brushes off my thanks. “It’s no trouble. I like the kid. He’s cute and so damn funny.” She pauses, eyeing me. “Wow, so this means you’re about to become a step-dad?”

“Yep.”

“Your parents are going to freak. Especially your mom. She’ll love having two grandkids to spoil. First Shane’s baby, and now Aiden.”

The door to Annie’s room opens, and she walks out dressed in a pair of jeans and a peach-colored top. Her hair is up in a ponytail, freshly brushed, and she looks amazing.

“I’m ready,” she says to me. Then she smiles at Charlie. “Hi, Charlie. Where’s Aiden?”

“He’s downstairs with Bridget and Calum. I think Jake’s mom is in love.” Charlie snags Annie’s hand. “Come downstairs and meet the fam.”

Annie sighs. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

I take her hand and lead her toward the stairs. “Yes, you are.”

* * *

We find my parents in the great room, seated on a sofa with Aiden between them. He’s introducing them to Stevie.

I walk into the room, pulling Annie along with me. “Hey, guys. I’m glad you’re here. You remember Annie Elliot.”

My mom shoots to her feet and opens her arms wide. “Annie! It’s so good to see you again.”

They meet each other halfway, and my mother pulls Annie into an embrace. “Hello, darling,” Mom says. “How are you?”

“I’m doing well.”

“I’m so sorry about the trouble you’ve been having. Shane called us. He thought you might like to see some friendly faces. You remember Shane, don’t you?”

“I do. I heard he and his wife just had a baby.”

“Yes. Oh, my God, yes. He’s so adorable. Luke. He was born six weeks early, but he’s doing well.”

Mom gives me one of her looks. “Why don’t you get your father a cold drink at the bar? Take Aiden with you. I’ll bet he’d like some chocolate milk, wouldn’t you, honey?”

Aiden pops up. “Can I, Jake? Please?” he says, looking at me for permission.

The fact that he looked to me and not to his mother hits me like a punch to the gut. Jumping on another opportunity to score some points, I hold my hand out to him. I’m not above spoiling the kid. “Sure, pal, come on. I think we can rustle up some chocolate milk for you.”

Aiden takes my hand without hesitation, his little fingers wrapping around mine. Dear God, this kid.

Annie gives me a knowing grin as we three guys head across the room to the bar. Apparently, we guys aren’t wanted right now. Mom wants to talk to Annie in private.

While the two ladies sit together on the sofa, talking, I lift Aiden up and sit him on a barstool. My dad takes the seat next to him, and I walk behind the bar to play bartender. Even though I don’t drink alcohol anymore, I often play bartender. I guess it’s my way of challenging my resolve to stay away from the stuff.

It’s early in the day, so Dad opts for a cola. I pour a glass of chocolate milk for Aiden, and one for myself while I’m at it. I might as well go for as many points as I can. Aiden’s eyes grow wide when he sees I’m drinking what he’s drinking.

“Cheers,” the kid says, lifting his glass toward mine.

I raise my glass and tap it lightly against his, and he giggles as we take our first sips.

With one eye on Dad and Aiden, I keep tabs on Annie and Mom. They’re having a pretty intense conversation, and at one point, I see Annie wipe her cheeks. Is she crying? Mom pulls her in for another hug, rubbing her back, and I relax a bit. Annie’s in good hands. Mom will take care of her.

Elly comes into the great room, along with her husband. Dad goes to join George, probably so they can talk sports, and Elly joins Annie and Mom on the sofa.

Nobody’s paying me and Aiden any mind, so I take advantage of the opportunity to start cashing in on some of my points. I know Annie’s worried about what Aiden will think about us being together. I figure we might as well get it out in the open and move on.

“Do you know what boyfriends and girlfriends are?” I ask Aiden, trying hard to keep a straight face.

He nods. “Sure. It’s when a boy and a girl like each other. They hold hands and stuff.”

Close enough. “Right. So, I want to be your mom’s boyfriend. Is that okay with you?”

His little brow furrows as he processes my question. “You like my mom?”

“Yeah.”

“And you want to hold her hand and stuff?”

“Yeah. I’d really like that. Is it okay with you?”

Aiden shrugs. “I guess so. You won’t hurt her, will you?”

His question hits me hard. “No, Aiden. I won’t ever hurt her. Or you. You can count on that.”

“Okay, then. Go ahead. Does she want to be your girlfriend?”

“She does. Go ahead, you can ask her.”

“Hey, Mommy!” Aiden yells across the room, turning heads. “Do you want to be Jake’s girlfriend?”

Annie blushes. “Yes, honey. I do.”

“Okay," he says after turning back to me. "If it’s okay with her, I guess it’s okay with me.”

“Thanks, pal.” I lift my hand for a high-five, and he smacks his little palm against mine.

"You’re welcome,” he says, with the utmost sincerity as he takes another drink of his milk.