Rebound (Seattle Steelheads #1)(36)

“How so?”

I tapped my fingers on the wheel. “I don’t regret hooking up with him. Yeah, he’s young and we’re both on the rebound, but it was just a hookup, you know?”

“Mmhmm.”

“But then we were texting the other night. And my kids figured out that I was talking to someone I was interested in.”

“Oh.” She grimaced. “How’d they take that?”

“About as well as you’d expect.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah. So Asher and I backed off. And he was great about it. Last night, we just hung out and shot pool.” I couldn’t help smiling. “It was a lot of fun.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

I considered it for a long moment, staring at the steady stream of cars trudging down Westlake Avenue in front of us. “I guess the problem is I don’t want to just hang out and play pool with him. It’s fun, and I want more of that, but I also want more of him, you know?”

“Then go get him.”

I turned to her. She met my gaze with a well? why not? expression. Sighing, I shook my head. “I can’t do that to my kids right now. They’re still having a hell of a time with—”

“Hold on. Hold on.” She put up a hand. “Back up for a second.”

I raised my eyebrows, but didn’t say anything.

“I know you’re trying to tread lightly with your kids. I get that. It’s been rough for all of you.” She lowered her hand and looked right in my eyes. “With that being said, don’t be stupid here. I mean, on one hand, I kind of want to tell you to be careful with someone that young and that freshly out of a bad relationship. On the other, I think if he’s occupying that much space in your mind…” She half-shrugged. “I mean, why not? Maybe there’s really something there, even if it’s just enough chemistry for a few hookups.”

“Yeah, maybe.” I drummed my nails under the window. “But I can’t lie to my kids about it, and from the conversation we had the other night, they are definitely not ready for me to be dating.”

“So?”

“So?” I eyed her. “What do you mean, so?”

Laura huffed impatiently, the way she did when I was being dense. “It’s your life too, Geoff. If every single parent out there waited for their kids’ approval before dating—or before getting serious with someone they were dating—none of them would ever have a relationship again.”

She had a point. And my kids had been resistant in the beginning with Marcus, just like they had when their mom had started dating their stepdad.

“Okay, I get that.” I sighed. “I think I’m just feeling guilty for putting them through everything with Marcus. And for not knowing how to tell them the truth without making things worse.”

“I understand. But you need to live your life too. They’re old enough to understand that, and I’d bet money they’ll come around. And I mean, I’m not necessarily saying to make a point of hiding a new relationship from them, but maybe ease them into the idea. Spend some time with Asher. See how things go. Then introduce the kids to him as a friend.”

“Uh-huh. And I’m going to explain to my hockey-loving kids how I’m friends with Asher Crowe.”

“Oh God, I forgot about that part.”

“Yeah. Minor detail.”

She seemed to consider it for a moment, then waved a hand. “Still, I think you should see how things go with him. When you guys are ready—if it even gets to that point—and you think your kids are ready, talk to them. But Marcus has done enough damage. Don’t let him be the reason something good passes you by, you know?”

I wanted to scoff at that last part. Not about Marcus doing damage, but the something good part. I mean, this thing with Asher was fun, but we were just two guys blowing off steam after some bad relationships ended. We weren’t soulmates. This wasn’t the love of my life slipping through my fingers if I didn’t step up and do something.

On the other hand, my ex-wife and I had been fuck buddies who wound up with a pretty damned good thing, not to mention two great kids, so maybe it was too early to say one way or the other about me and Asher. Either way, the sex we’d had definitely counted as “something good,” and after the months-long post-Marcus dry spell? Yeah, she was right. I really shouldn’t let something good pass me by.

“You want me to drive?” Laura asked. “Since you’re kind of spacy today?”

“Probably not a bad idea.”

“Lunch is on you.” She got out of the car.

Chuckling, I got out too, and we went around the back to switch sides. “Lunch is on me, but that doesn’t mean you get to order a second sandwich to take home for dinner!”

“Aw, come on!” She pouted. “What am I supposed to eat when I get home?”

“Whatever you want.” I pulled open the passenger side door. “Just not on my dime.”

“Cheapskate.” She dropped into the driver’s seat as I pulled on my seat belt, and we exchanged playful glares.

While Laura drove, I texted Asher: I don’t suppose there’s a chance I could un-back off?

He didn’t respond. I reminded myself he had practice all week, so he was probably out on the ice. The silence didn’t necessarily mean he’d blocked me, or was ignoring me, or was busy venting to a friend about me blowing hot and cold. Didn’t mean any of that wasn’t happening either.