He hung up fuming, and not even sure who he was more angry with—that smart-ass little twink or Early. The kids didn’t need a nanny, or a cook, and early sure as shit didn’t need to be made “happy” by anyone but him. He dropped his phone on the couch and paced the living room, trying to figure out his next move.
Call Early, obviously, but not yet. He needed that idiot to go home first.
Assuming he was going home…
“Stop it,” he said out loud, just to make sure he heard himself. Early would never, ever cheat. Ever. He just wouldn’t, any more than he would have an affair behind Early’s back. Never going to happen.
But he knew what he had on his hands. Early was beautiful, kind, friendly…there was always going to be someone looking.
That didn’t fucking matter. They could look, but there wasn’t going to be any touching.
Or cooking.
Or watching.
Or—
His phone rang, Early’s face popping up. “Hey, darlin’. How’s it going? I was in the shower—I got into something in the yard, and you know how raw I get.”
“I know. Ian answered your phone,” he blurted out. Dammit. He’d wanted more time to cool off, to think about how to handle this conversation.
“What? No, that’s not… Really? That’s not cool.” He could hear Early’s frown in his voice.
“No. It’s not cool, Early. And why didn’t you tell me you’d actually hired a nanny, not a landscaper or a handyman or whatever? If you couldn’t handle the kids, we should have talked about it.” He was annoyed, and he didn’t know how not to be right now.
“A what?” Early sounded like Connor was speaking Swahili. “I don’t have a nanny. The boys go to that camp deal in the afternoons, and if I can’t watch them, Momma and Pop have them. You know that. I don’t need a fucking nanny. I can handle my boys.”
“Well, Ian also says he looks after the boys and cooks for you all.” He snorted. “Oh, and makes youhappy—let’s not forget that one.” He couldn’t help the sarcasm. Yes, he was jealous. So fucking what? That creep was in his house with his family and he was stuck in Denver. So, hell yes, he was jealous.
“What the fuck are you talking about? He watched the boys in the motherfucking swimming pool while I was putting a camera up so you could see them on your phone from anywhere!” Oh, now Early was yelling?
He blinked, Early’s thoughtfulness making him forget his jealousy for a second. “You put up a camera for me?”
“Of course I did. I thought you’d like it now, and then even here in the house, you can keep an eye on them without leaving your office.”
“You’re the best husband ever. Thank you.” He sighed. “But listen, you deal with that little shit Ian. Tell him he better back the fuck off, or I’m going to drive down there and cut off his balls. If he has any. I don’t like his little game. Nobody gets to play house with you in our house but me.”
“No. I want you. Here. With me. That’s all I need right now. He’s a kid, darlin’. I’m not in his market.”
Wow. Was Early was that clueless?
“I know, I’m not worried about you. But he wants inyourmarket, Early. You follow me? He’s staking a claim because I’m not there. He knew damn well who he was talking to. I introduced myself.”
“Well then, he’s a damn moron.” Early sighed softly. “Lord, have mercy. Kids today. You have a good one?”
He quit pacing and poured himself a glass of wine. “Until Mr. Horny answered your cell phone, yes. It was a great day. I’m coming home a week early.” The choice of the word “home” was deliberate. He was shifting his mindset. He was going to do better.
“Ooh… Yeah?” His FaceTime started ringing, Early doing the happy dance for him. “Woohoo! Home for pool parties!”
“Ha!” He laughed so hard he had to put his wine glass down. Oh, it was good to see that smiling face. “You’re a loon.” But he did a little happy dance for Early too.
“Oh, darlin’. I know I’m being a jackass, but I need you. You’re—you’re my best goddamn friend. This new life can’t start until you’re home.”
“We’ll have to go car shopping. I don’t think the Beemer is the best choice for ranch life.” He chuckled. “So I’ll get a new car. And I’m going to be consulting some. And I want to learn to ride. I really do.”
“You could get an Escalade. They’re cushy and big enough for boys and friends and dogs and lambs…” Early winked at him.
“There will be no animals in my truck. That’s what yours is for.” He had to smile though. Boys and their friends sounded fun.