Page 99 of Just Watch Me
“It’s something boys talk about,” Duncan said.
“Yes, I don’t think that’s very realistic,” Scarlett said. “Because girls talk about sex too. And Dad wouldn’t say it was so extremely private if it was me doing it.”
“Too right I wouldn’t,” Zane said. “But it’snotyou doing it. It’s not a subject adults discuss with kids, full stop. Except if you have questions, of course,” he must have decided he needed to add.
“You just said we couldn’t ask you questions, though,” Duncan said.
“I meant about your, uh, sexuality,” he said.
“Yeh,” Scarlett said. “Likethat’shappening. I’m asking my dad questions about my sexuality? Puh-leeze.”
“Oh, I dunno,” Zane said. “You could do. If, for example, you wanted to know what boys think about something, or what they’re expecting when they ask a girl out.”
“Ick.” Scarlett put her hands over her ears. “Ick ick ick.No.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “The offer’s there, anyway.”
“I don’t know what sex is, though,” Georgia said. “So I won’t know what to ask you, Daddy.”
Duncan sighed and put a hand to his forehead, and this time, Zane laughed. “Never mind,” he told his younger daughter. “Heaps of time for that.” He ate the last bite of lamb and pushed the plate away. “Good tucker, Nan. And I’ve got to leave for the hotel in about ten minutes, so …” He gave Georgia another kiss and cuddle. “George is a good wee man, and I reckon his mum will tell him to look after you in class until you’re comfortable. And I’ll see you Sunday, eh, and you can tell me all about guinea pigs and their noises and so forth.”
“Yes,” she said. “I’m still sad about not being in Ms. Fairburn’s class, but I’m notassad, not if I get cuddles and can come see her after school.”
“You’re supposed to call her ‘Skylar,’ Scarlett said.
“I forgot,” Georgia said.
“We’ll work our way into it,” Skylar said. “And now I need to get home tomykids, so they can practice calling your dad ‘Zane.’”
“Yeh,” Zane said, “you do that.” He stood up, kissed both his kids—Duncan allowed it tonight, which meant Zane probably had at least a few months left before he got,‘Dad.I’meight?”—kissed his grandmother, and told Skylar, “Walk me out, will you?”
Zane walked out the door, dropped his duffel, leaned against the wall of the house under the overhang as the rain dripped beyond it, and blew out a breath. “Another brilliant performance. Lucky I’m going to be playing a test match soon. I need to do something easier.”
Skylar, of course, was laughing. Laughing, leaning into him, pulling his head down, and kissing his mouth. While laughing. “I thought you were very masterful,” she said, so clearly lying,hehad to laugh. And pull her in closer to kiss her better, of course.
“Well, no,” he said, “you didn’t. But you pulled my chestnuts out of the fire. Cheers for that. I was in dangerous waters there.Scarlett.”He shook his head, and Skylar laughed some more. “Who’d be a dad, eh,” he said, and grinned.
“You would.” She kissed him again, held his face, and smiled up at him. “And you are a wonderful, blundering, perfectly adorable dad. Who I can’t wait to see play some rugby, now that I know I get to kiss you afterwards. I’m sorry to say it, but if you lead the haka again, I might actually be down for some of that sexual novelty. Such is my unevolved nature.”
“Hotel,” he said.
“Never tell me you can bring girls to your hotel,” she said. “Oh, wait. What’s your pattern again? You meet them in a bar and go home with them. Alas, my house has three kids in it. And a cat. And the occasional granddad.”
“Yes,” he said. “Which is the reason for the hotel. Thedifferenthotel.”
“Is this what’s known as a booty call?” she asked. “I’ve never done a booty call.”
“Reckon it is,” he said. “It’s also a chance to sleep with you. And possibly even talk to you. Who knows?”
“Well,” she said, “how can a woman resist an invitation to an intellectual soiree like that?” And kissed him again.
So that was good.
37
EASY-PEASY
She’d forgotten about Jess.
