He looked up at me and smiled, gesturing to indicate fresh coffee.
“Morning, pops,” I said, shuffling the mugs in the cabinet to locate the Britney Spears one Leo had given me as a joke on my twelfth birthday.
“You know you can take that with you.”
“Nah. I like knowing it’s here.”
I poured coffee into the chipped ceramic, lamenting that the cartoon bubble extending from Britney’s face that read, “Hit Me Baby, One More Time…With Caffeine,” appeared to be fading. Leaning a hip against the counter, I studied the familiar decorations in the living room. My parents had switched to an artificial tree years ago, but it was still covered in the handmade ornaments Leo and I had made with our mother every year as kids.
“What’s an eleven-letter word for ‘Denzel’s drama?’” Dad piped up.
“St. Elsewhere.”
“Darn. I should have gotten that.”
“You always say that, and yet, you always ask.”
“Alright, smartass, just help me finish this.”
We worked side-by-side for a few moments. This family love of puzzles and games had been one of the few highlights of my adolescence. Even if he couldn’t fix all the problems I had in school, he was always willing to sit with me and do a crossword, play Battleship, or my personal favorite, Mastermind.
It sucked that what had happened with The Game Place somewhat tainted the memory of our shared hobby. That sudden grim thought must have showed on my face because Dad asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. All the shit that went down with Oliver just popped into my head for some reason.”
“Hmm. I guess that makes sense, with you being back in town. Dredges things up. At least your reunion went well.”
“I almost still can’t believe it.” I thought about Marley asleep downstairs. “Last night was something I’ll never forget.”
Dad smirked and glanced at the entrance to the basement. “That good, huh?”
“Dad, jeez,” I choked out.
He released a good-natured cackle. “I’m just happy for you, son. Don’t mind my nonsense. Can I ask you something, though?”
“Okay.”
“You told Marley about high school, obviously. Have you told her about Oliver?”
“No. Just that I had a business once. I haven’t told her much about Cindy, either. This whole being more open about stuff is a recent phenomenon. I’m still getting there.”
“Seems like she really brings out the best in you.”
“She really does.”
“Then maybe you should tell her. I mean, since it’s still bothering you.”
“I’ll think about it.”
The appearance of Marley cut short our conversation. She smiled at me and blushed when my dad said good morning. Dressed in a long red sweater and leggings, she took my breath away. I couldn’t believe I’d been inside her last night. And when she’d called me sexy and beautiful, I’d believed her.
She clearly understood I had reservations about my body. The bullied teenager known as Jubbs would always live inside me somewhere. But in the split second before she’d switched the lamp off, I’d seen the naked desire on her face. Seen the way her hungry gaze had taken in my naked chest, my belly, and my hard cock. Nothing forced or fake about it.
It had filled me with a confidence I’d never felt in the bedroom. Jubbs stayed quiet. The man who’d made love to Marley last night, the one who had touched her and answered her plea to go hard and fast—that had been James. I’d been with other women, of course, but the man who had been with Marley last night had felt brand new.
A half hour later, after pouring our second coffees into to-go mugs, I told Marley we should hurry and get packed up. We’d made a plan to have lunch with her sister Maureen before getting on the road to Coleman Creek, but after talking to Dad that morning, there was somewhere I wanted to show her first.
On our way, we drove by the large complex that housed Seattle Elite. Marley made a face when I pointed it out to her.
