A Daddy for Jacoby(30)
He spun around, kicked the door shut with one boot heel and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Yeah!” Jacoby shouted with glee, and both he and Gina clapped.
Justin suddenly felt really stupid. He waved off their reaction and moved to the door, flipping the wall switch. The room went dark except for the glow from the night-light. “Okay, show’s over. It’s lights-out time.”
Gina ruffled the boy’s hair and rose from the bed. She started walking backward toward the door, keeping her eyes on Jacoby. Justin put out a hand to keep her from running into him, but she stopped just as his fingertips touched the softness of her sweater.
“Sweet dreams, Jacoby,” she said gently.
“Okay,” came the muffled reply.
Gina turned around and they nearly collided. She was so close he could feel the heat of her breath on his skin. Justin backed into the hallway. She followed.
“Gina, wait!”
The boy’s cry had her turning back and Justin joined her in the doorway. She didn’t reach for the light switch, so he didn’t either.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Wh-what if they come back?”
“That’s not going to happen. Your da—Justin did a great job of scaring all those crazy creatures off. I’m sure they are gone for good.”
Justin ignored the quick twist in his gut as she almost called him a name he’d never thought would be his.
Dad.
She’d said it earlier, too, but she also must’ve picked up on the kid’s unease and caught herself this time.
“But they might sneak back in after you leave,” Jacoby continued his protest, “and after he goes to sleep, what’s gonna stop ’em from coming back again?”
Back to square one.
Justin leaned in close to Gina and whispered in her ear. “Okay, Miss Gifted…you got another brilliant plan in that pretty little head of yours?”
He thought she was pretty.
Gina forced that reflection out of her head and concentrated on Jacoby’s question.
She’d believed they’d done it; well, Justin had done most of the work. Thank goodness he’d been as sweet and understanding as her father had been to her all those years ago when the gremlins and googlebees invaded her bedroom when she was a little girl.
All she’d done was talk to Jacoby and get him to admit what was really bothering him. Justin had been the hero.
And he could be again.
She turned and waved her hand at his chest. “Strip.”
Shock crossed his features. “Excuse me?”
“Your shirt, come on, take it off.”
His expression turned wary, but his hands went up and behind his head and grabbed the back of his T-shirt. In one smooth motion, he pulled it off, baring a firm six pack, broad shoulders and muscular arms. And a Celtic knot armband tattoo encompassing his right beefy bicep.
The sight left her breathless.
“Now what?” he asked.
She took the shirt, the heat of his body still clinging to the fabric, and went back to Jacoby’s side.
“I’ve got the perfect answer. Jacoby, honey, sit up.” Her words came out a husky whisper and she hoped Justin didn’t notice. “Here, let’s put this on right over your pajamas.”
The boy did as she asked, and she helped him tug the oversize shirt onto his small frame.
“Your…your dad and you look so much alike. If those bothersome beings even take one little peek in here, they’ll see you in this shirt and think it’s him sleeping here.”
Jacoby ran his hands over the shirt that pooled at his waist. “Really?”
Gina knew she was taking a chance in addressing Justin as Jacoby’s dad, but that’s what he’d been tonight. He’d put aside his own feelings and done what his son had needed, from calling her for help to scaring away imaginary monsters.
“Really. And everyone knows those things can’t see worth a darn in the dark. So even if they show up, which I seriously doubt, you will be well-protected. And I’m sure your dad doesn’t mind you wearing his shirt.”
Jacoby peeked around her to look at Justin. “Is it okay?”
“Yeah, sure. It looks great on you.”
“Okay.”
He flopped back down against his pillow and Gina again tucked him and his bear beneath the covers. This time his eyes were already closed and his breathing was slow and steady.