didn’t I? You’re not a Tigger. Loki it is then.” He gazed at the chaotic scene around him. “Great. I need a new shower curtain.” Then he spied the bathmat—or what was left of it—and sighed again. “Looks like I’ve got some shopping to do.”
Lady walked off, her tail high, as if to say, Ain’t nothing to do with me. Dean followed her, walking into the kitchen. He deposited Loki in the cat bed, then put out some kitten food for him. While Loki focused his attention on his food bowl, Dean fed Lady. He glared at the kitten again. “If I go and clean up the bathroom, can I trust you not to steal Lady’s food and piss her off?”
Because in that battle, Loki would definitely come off worse.
Robin helped himself to more mac and cheese. “This is great, Mom.” Coming home to his favorite meal made the day pretty much perfect.
She laughed. “You love your comfort food, like your dad.”
“Are you okay, Robin?” Dad asked.
Robin jerked his head up. “Why do you ask?”
“You seemed kind of jittery today.”
The blame for all that lay solidly with Ryan. “I’m fine.” Well, he was as long as Ryan didn’t decide to send another gif, or, God help him, another link to gay porn.
Mom cleared her throat. “Is there anything you want to talk to us about?”
“Like what?”
She shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe there’s someone you’re interested in…”
Robin did not want to be having this conversation. “Mom…”
Dad coughed. “Be fair, Pet. You’re asking an eighteen-year-old to divulge his secrets. You really expect him to answer? Did you ever ask Ryan who he was interested in?”
Mom chuckled. “I used to, but I gave up. Let’s face it, he went through girlfriends like Robin goes through hand lotion.” She gave Robin a sideways glance. “You must have the softest hands in Lake Placid.”
Dad’s brows knitted. “Hand lotion?” He gave Robin a puzzled glance. “Why would you need all that—oh.” His mouth snapped shut, but there was a sympathetic look in his eyes.
Robin raised his eyes heavenward. Kill me now? Please, anybody? He put his fork down and pushed his plate away. “You know what? I think I’ve had enough. In fact, I think I’ve eaten too much. I’m gonna go for a bike ride to work it all off.”
Mom’s eyes widened. “Now? It’s seven-thirty. It’s dark out there.”
Before Ryan could respond, his dad intervened. “He’s got lights on his bike. He’s got his reflective jacket. He’ll be fine.”
Robin saw the gesture for what it was—helping a fellow male out of a tricky situation—and gave his dad a grateful glance. “I won’t be gone long. Maybe an hour.”
Mom nodded. “Be careful.” As he got up from the table, she added, “By the way, I’ve put a new box of Kleenex tissues in your room. You’ve almost finished the present one.” Her lips twitched.
Oh my God. Are all moms like this? “Thanks,” he muttered as he left the table.
He went to his room to grab a jacket. As an afterthought, he grabbed a wool hat as well. It was cold out there.
As he cycled away from the house, the front bike light spilling over the street, it occurred to him that he had a destination in mind. He rode down Mill Pond Drive, heading north towards Acorn Street. The streets were quiet, fresh snow falling over the cars and sidewalks. It took him about ten minutes to reach his destination. He peered at the mailboxes, searching for number thirty-four. When he found it, he stared at the white-fronted house with the arch over the door, lit by lights placed here and there illuminating the flowerbeds in front of it.
This is a bad idea. This is a really bad idea.
It didn’t stop him, however, from getting off his bike and walking it toward the door. The lights were on inside, so Mr. Quentin was obviously home. In fact, Robin could hear music. He stood for a moment in the warm light that fell from the window.
So Mr. Quentin likes rock? Robin could feel the bass pounding from where he stood.
There’s still time to walk away. This is Ryan’s dumb idea anyway. Leave. Leave now. Then his heart stuttered as Mr. Quentin appeared in the window, gazing at him in obvious surprise.
Aw crap.
The music ended, and seconds later the front door opened. Mr. Quentin stood there, dressed in jeans and a thick white sweater that look great against his tanned face. “Robin? Why on earth are you