Almost Just Friends (Wildstone #4)(79)

Again, Cam looked at his dad.

Emmitt blew out a sigh. “Okay, I’ll tell you. But it’s embarrassing.”

“More embarrassing than the Bean giving me gas in this tight space?” Winnie asked.

Piper sighed and fanned the air in front of her face.

“Sorry,” Winnie said. “I’m growing a parasite. Literally.”

“Dear God, man,” Gavin said to Emmitt, gagging dramatically. “Tell us the problem so we can get out of here.”

“Okay, okay!” Emmitt tossed up his hands. “You invited all my girlfriends to this thing. What the hell were you thinking?”

Piper met everyone’s gaze. They were all as confused as she was.

“Girlfriends, as in plural?” Cam asked.

Emmitt nodded.

“But I thought you were seeing Margaret.”

“Yeah. And Sonya.” He grimaced. “And Carol. And Danita.”

The look on Cam’s face was priceless. “You’re dating your dentist, the grocery store clerk, and your barber?”

“What?” Emmitt said defensively. “My doctor told me to live a healthier life, and I am. Sex is healthy.” He turned to Piper. “Right?”

Piper opened her mouth, and then shut it.

Cam looked pained. “How in the world are you even finding that many women who want to date you? No, wait, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.”

“It’s all done online now,” Emmitt said. “I just searched for all the single women in the area who were on the same dating app as me. Jeez, son, how do I know this and you don’t? I’m the old one. And it’s not like I’m doing anything wrong. Everyone knows if you connect with someone on an app, you’re not exclusive. But that doesn’t mean they’re going to enjoy running into each other in person.”

“You’re sleeping with four women,” Gavin said slowly. “On your fifty-sixth birthday.”

“Well, not at the same time,” Emmitt said modestly.

Gavin grinned and tried to high-five him.

Emmitt closed his eyes and thunked his head back against the wall a couple of times.

Another bag of Cheetos, unopened, fell onto his head.

Winnie nabbed it for herself before Piper could.

Gavin didn’t stop grinning. “You’re my idol.”

“I’ve got no idea how to handle this,” Emmitt said.

“You think you don’t?” Cam muttered. “Try being your son.”

“I know how to handle this,” Gavin said. “Watch and learn.” He slid out of the closet.

They all crowded up to the door, ears up against it as Gavin hit his first mark, who’d just moved into the kitchen.

“I’m looking for the birthday boy,” Sonya cooed at Gavin.

“Yeah, about that . . .” Gavin said, thoughtfully staying near the door so they could all hear. “He wanted me to let you know that you’re a very special woman in his life, but he’s bummed because with so many people here, he won’t be able to spend any one-on-one time with you. He’s hoping to make it up to you by taking you out to dinner tomorrow night. Just the two of you.”

“Somewhere fancy?” Sonya asked hopefully. “Where they put the napkin in your lap and stuff?”

“Absolutely,” Gavin said.

“And I can order whatever I want?”

“Whatever you want,” Gavin said. “You in?”

“Of course. I’m hungry already!”

“Perfect,” Gavin said, steering her toward the back door. “I’ll just walk you to your car. He’ll call you later to firm up the deets.”

“Shee-it,” Emmitt muttered. “She’s going to make me take her for prime rib and lobster. You know how expensive that is?”

Piper’s face was pressed up against the slatted door, watching Gavin work his magic. It reminded her of something she’d forgotten. Her brother was not just great with people, but a master at it, in a way she could, would, never be.

He hadn’t been an asshole and a flake the past few years. He’d become an addict. And she was still shocked and upset with herself that she hadn’t seen his addiction, which was a guilt and shame she’d have to live with.

But he was slowly becoming himself again before her very eyes, and she felt so proud of him. Proud of both of her siblings. Only a month ago, she wasn’t sure she’d have thought of them as grown-ups, capable of leading their own lives. But things were changing. They were changing, and doing great while they were at it.

Not five minutes later, Gavin had disposed of two more of Emmitt’s girlfriends with smooth ease and then opened the pantry door. “Only one left in the house, Birthday Boy. Margaret. So you’re safe now. Time to let yourself out of the closet.” He grinned at the irony in that statement. “Come on in, the water’s fine.” He then handed Emmitt a schedule of the week sketched out on a birthday napkin so he could see all his dates lined up at a glance.

Piper couldn’t help herself. She grabbed Gavin and hugged him tight, until he made dramatic strangulation noises to be let free.

“What was that?” he asked.

Piper shrugged. “Maybe I’m proud of you.”

“Well, that’s new,” he said, trying and failing to not look pleased.