“You sound like Dan, getting in my business and telling me what to do. Bunch of cocky assholes.”
I cover Shaw's ears in mock outrage. “Language in front of the baby.”
Olaf's grumbling provokes my laughter, which annoys him more. “If that kid’s first word is profanity, you only have yourself to blame.”
Shaw finds this funny and giggles, flailing his arms and reaching out to touch Olaf.
With a grunt, the man gives in and sticks out his finger for Shaw to wrap his chubby fist around. Not even he is immune to the charms of my son.
A fraction of a smile cracks through his typical scowl. “Damn kids.”
“They’re tiny but powerful, right?” I let Shaw hold my finger in his other hand.
“Pure innocence. If only they could stay that way.” He pulls his finger away and straightens his back.
I forget he has two grown sons who live off the island. From what I hear, they don’t have the best relationships. I can’t imagine how much that sucks. The Donnelys are a close-knit family, too close at times, but I wouldn’t change it.
We say goodbye to Olaf and check out without a single pinch or grope from Sandy the cashier.
After picking up the pizza at Sal’s, I swing by Fellowship of the Bean to grab a coffee on the way home.
“Do you need a babysitter on Saturday afternoon?” Standing inside of the drive-up coffee hut, Jonah nervously strokes his dark beard.
“You volunteering to take my kid?” I eye him with suspicion. Despite being business partners with Erik Kelso and being Ashley’s brother, he’s a good man. A little weird, keeps to himself and is the last of the bachelors in our original group, but reasonable all the same. “The only people who want to hang out with a baby besides us and other people with babies are his grandparents and aunts. Since you don’t fall into any of those categories, what’s the deal? You need a reminder to keep your dick wrapped?”
His hand pauses near his mouth and a low chuckle gets muffled behind it.
“Busted. Offering to babysit sounded better than asking if I can borrow Shaw for a couple of hours.” He busies himself with making my coffee, dumping out the old espresso grounds before grinding fresh beans.
“He isn’t a chainsaw or a truck. What do you need a baby for?” I lean my arm on the open window of our SUV and watch him work.
Jonah focuses on the process of making an Americano like it’s the first time he’s ever done it and not the millionth.
“Did you ask John to babysit Mac? Being his second, he’s more chill about the kid.”
His lip curls up slightly. “Thought I’d start with you.”
“Why me?” Pieces of the puzzle click into place. “This have anything to do with a woman?”
“Maybe. I figured if anyone would understand, it would be you. Because, well, you know…” The sound of sputtering steam cuts off the rest of his words.
I wait for him to finish before speaking. “Man, even I didn’t use my sisters’ kids to pick up women.”
“A new low?” he asks with a sheepish smile.
“It’s fucking brilliant, devious as hell. I’m jealous I never used this trick when I was single. Who’s the woman? Anyone I know?” Hailey isn’t going to approve of this plan at all, but I’m curious enough to hear him out.
“I don’t think you know her. She’s new to the island. No family here.” He won’t meet my eyes.
“How is Shaw going to help?”
“I’m not sure he will, but he might give me the air of responsibility I’m apparently lacking in a certain woman’s eyes.”
“Sure you don’t want to start with taking Nameless on a walk instead? He’s adorable, too. There still might be shit involved, but easier to deal with.”
He puts a lid on my coffee. “You’re probably right.”
“When’s Ashley due? Can’t this wait until your niece or nephew is born? Doting uncle is a good look for you.” I accept my cup of coffee and try to hand him a five.
He waves off my cash. “Newborns are scary. The way you can see their pulse through the gap in their skull freaks me the hell out.”
I nod in agreement. “Totally get that. Let me ask Hailey if she has plans. I can’t promise she’ll agree, but I’ll give it a shot. No taking him to bars or to a club in Seattle. Olaf’s forbidden all babies from the Dog House under threat of a lifetime ban on their parents. Not sure if he means his life or ours, but let’s not push it”
“You know Dan and I are in talks with Olaf about taking over after a buyout? About time he retired, but he’s too stubborn to admit it.” Jonah finally smiles, leaning on the small counter next to the window. His sleeves of tattoos are on full display beneath the short sleeves of his T-shirt. He’s a borderline hipster but still good people.
“Makes sense. Sal’s practically runs itself, and Erik seems surprisingly capable of running the coffee business. Better two locals than someone from the city. Let me know if you want another business partner. I could be interested.” John too, but I don’t mention it to Jonah. For all the money we’ve spent on beers, we should already be Olaf’s silent partners. Shifting back into drive, I tell him I’ll let him know about Saturday.
On the short drive home, Shaw falls asleep in his car seat. It’s early for his afternoon nap, but I’m not going to complain.
I carry him inside the house and up to his room, settling him into his crib. Briefly, his eyes flutter open before he finds his blanket and snuggles himself back to sleep.
After making sure the baby monitor is on, I close the door behind me. Only then do I realize there’s no music or television noise coming from downstairs.
“Hailey?” I call softly as I walk down the hall to our room.
She’s tucked under a blanket on top of our bed, completely crashed out. Our dog lifts his head and blinks at me with sleepy eyes. I click my tongue, and he jumps off the bed. Not wanting to wake her, I pull shut the door and head downstairs.
Nameless follows and then takes off outside, bounding off the front porch to chase a squirrel into the woods surrounding the house. He’ll come back when he’s ready, so I don’t bother calling for him.
Back in the kitchen, I put the ice cream in the freezer and turn on the oven to keep the pizza warm. I open a beer and flip on the television in the living room. Mariners are playing and I find the game. Two innings later, they’re up seven to zero when Hailey pads downstairs. Her dark hair is a mess and she has an imprint of pillow wrinkles on her cheek.
“How long have you been home?” she asks, crawling onto my lap and resting her head on my chest.
“Long enough for the Mariners to start winning.” I run my hands down her back before slipping my fingers beneath the waistband of her sweats, touching warm, soft skin as I cup the round curves of her ass. We don’t have a ton of time, but maybe we have enough to fool around. “You aren’t wearing underwear.”
“You make it sound sexy when it’s only laziness. If I weren’t nursing, I wouldn’t be wearing a bra either. And I’m pretty sure I’ve worn these sweats for the past three days, even with the muddy paw prints on the thigh from where Nameless jumped up on me. I’ve never been less hot in my life. Except that time when we both had the stomach flu.” She squirms and sits upright, pressing herself against my growing hard-on. “How can you be turned on by this hot mess?”
“It’s not your hair or makeup or what clothes you wear that makes you hot. It’s you, every gorgeous inch of you.”
“Take off your pants.” Her voice is commanding as she grinds against me. “Now.”
“When was the last time you showered?” I tease her, reaching for my fly.
“Thomas Clifford.” Admonishing me with my full name, she rises onto her knees and pulls at the knot holding her pants closed. “You can be funny or you can get laid.”
“Are you saying I can’t do both?” I take her words as a dare. “I accept your challenge.”
On the baby monitor, Shaw grunts and stirs.
She grimaces and sticks out her tongue at me. “We don’t have time for your antics. The baby could wake up any minute and cockblock us.”