keiki

➸ Ginger ☆

My Harley idles between my legs while I stare down the dirt road leading to Oz’s small, yellow house. I see him outside with two small figures I assume are his kids. Though I consider driving away and letting this thing with Oz die, he notices me. Even from a distance, his gaze hooks my soul and draws me closer. Unable to tell him no, I drive the rest of the way to the house.

Climbing off the bike, I find Oz’s kids hang from his biceps while he lifts them up and down like they’re child-sized weights. He smiles at me, and I think I smile back. My heart is beating so hard that I want to puke. I hear the kids laughing at his antics, and I see the pride in his smoky eyes. They are the picture of a happy family, and that picture isn’t a lie.

“Don’t run,” Oz says when I stop walking forward.

“Won’t you get uneven muscles that way?”

“Naw, I switch them after a few reps.”

I smile at his expression, but I’m still thinking about bailing. Oz lets down his kids and walks to me.

“Why are you here?” he asks, cupping my face. “Is it time to tease me again?”

“Yes.”

“I tried to run into you at the work site today, but you climbed out of a window and ran away.”

“Yes, I know. I was there.”

“Yet here you are.”

Forcing a smile, I nod. “Yes, I am.”

“And you still want to run.”

“Yes, very much so.”

“But you’re still here,” he says and slides his thumb over my bottom lip.

“Should you be seducing me in front of your kids?”

“Human sexuality is normal, Ginger.”

I roll my eyes and step back. “Well, I better...”

“Makoa, Alani, this is my friend, Ginger.”

The kids stop chasing cats long enough to join us. The girl is taller by a few inches, and her wavy, brown hair is darker than her brother’s. They have their father’s gorgeous chocolate brown eyes. I don’t know what the baby mamas look like, but Makoa and Alani clearly take after Oz.

“Is she your girlfriend?” Alani asks while holding onto Oz’s arm and swaying.

“Yes, she is.”

I smile at the little girl and try to feel as comfortable as I do with Duffy.

“Would you like a Starburst?” I ask, fishing two out from my jacket.

The kids nod immediately and put out their hands. Once I give them each one, they tell me “thank you” in unison. Yes, this isn’t so bad.

“Dad said you drive a girl Harley,” Makoa announces.

Frowning at Oz who only grins, I say, “He’s right. The girl Harley is faster and better for heavy traffic.”

“I don’t know about that,” Oz says, wanting to protect the honor of his Harley.

“Well I do, so there it is.”

“Tutu said girls shouldn’t ride motorcycles,” Makoa says, now walking to my Harley. “It messes up their vaginas.”

“What’s a tutu and, really, Oz?” I ask as he laughs. “Messes up the vaginas?”

“Tutu is their grandmother, and she was only teasing.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t be mad,” he says, wrapping his free arm around me.

“Are you worried I brought my sniper?”

Oz loses his smile and shakes his head. “Don’t even kid.”

“What did she say?” Alani asks, but Oz only shakes his head again.

“I came by to say hi.”

“Come inside and meet my mother.”

“No.”

“Why not?” Alani asks.

“I don’t like getting ganged up on.”

“I’ll protect you,” Makoa says, suddenly next to me. “Like a Power Ranger.”

The little boy tugs me to the front door where Oz waits for us. Alani is already inside, announcing my arrival to their tutu. I’m not in the mood to meet Oz’s mother, who I’ve heard wonderful things about but know will hate me. Though there’s no rational reason to believe she’ll disapprove since I’m very good at making a positive first impression.

Except I know she’ll hate me.

Tutu Tana Savo walks from the kitchen with a rag in her hand and a disapproving expression on her beautiful, weathered face.

“She’s blonde.”

“And you’re not,” I reply because I’m too nervous to keep my big, fat mouth shut.

“She’s rude too.”

“Strong women don’t have to be enemies,” Oz states as if this will have any effect on Tana and my instant dislike for each other.

“Want to show me around, Oz?”

“If we knew you were coming,” Tana says, wiping her already dry hands on the towel, “we would have cleaned up, but you didn’t call ahead.”

“I like clutter.”

“Our house isn’t cluttered.”

“Umm, I beg to differ.”

“Are you going to punch her, Tutu?” Alani asks her grandmother.

“Violence is not the answer.”

“Umm, I again beg to differ.”

“Trashy types punch people.”

I frown at Oz. “She does know what you’re the president of, right?”

“Did you miss the part where I was playing peacemaker?” he asks as if he can’t take sides.

“No, I noticed that.”

“Then what makes you think I can answer your question honestly?”

“Don’t lie on my account.” When Oz exhales loudly, I can’t help laughing. “Poor, put-upon Oz. How will you survive such a burden as having two women fight over you?”

“Three!” Alani announces, yanking on her father’s arm.

Tana gently slaps Oz’s butt with the towel. “He’s always been too sensitive.”

“I’m a gentle spirit,” he says, laughing before he finishes. “A tender soul.”

“Stop tooting your horn,” Tana says. “And show the blonde around. I’ll see if I can find something to serve her.”

Oz mischievously ruffles my hair like I’m one of his kids. I’d prefer he didn’t play the daddy thing with me. I won’t complain, though, and I refuse to run. Mostly because I’m as stubborn as a mule, and the equally obstinate Tana just challenged me. With neither of us willing to step aside when it comes to Oz, Tana and I are on a collision course that’ll end in either friendship or all-out war.