Page 13 of Stone
Naomi stood up because Beck was cringing in her seat at the yelling.
Finn stepped around the corner, grinning at Stone. Naomi couldn’t believe that after all the things she’d heard about Finn, that he still hadn’t learned his lesson. Finn walked over and handed Phoebe the money.
“Finn, just so you understand this very clearly, I do not appreciate you using my daughter to pull a prank on Stone. We are a family, and pranks are all good and well in appropriate places. This wasn’t one of them and wipe that smirk off your face, Prospect. I’ll be chatting with my husband, and when I’m through, you’ll be lucky if your prospect time isn’t extended another year. Buy some gloves because I can guarantee that cleaning toilets at the gym and every business in town will be added to your prospect duties after I chat with the other wives,” Winnie said, walking over and pulling Phoebe into her arms.
Naomi walked over to check on Beck. She leaned close. “Are you okay?” she whispered.
Beck nodded. “I’m good. Phoebe had warned us that she was going to yell, but it still made me jump.”
“Finn, I don’t appreciate what you did. Head outside and start washing my bike. I’ll make sure Locks, Bear, and anyone else who wants theirs washed bring their bikes by if they aren’t already outside,” Stone commanded in a cold voice that had Naomi imagining the harsh man he’d had to be in prison.
“But…” Finn started to say but Stone pointed at the door. Finn nodded and walked out.
“Wow, who knew we were getting a show today with the class,” Deborah joked, getting the kids all laughing.
“Phoebe,” Winnie prompted.
“Stone, I’m sorry that when you were nice enough to defend the unicorns, help me illustrate my book I’m writing, and teach a class on drawing and painting, I chose poorly and disrupted the class. Here’s the fifty dollars that Finn gave me,” Phoebe said, holding it out to Stone.
“I appreciate the apology, but I won’t take your money. Maybe you could buy the class a dessert when we’re done since the outburst took learning time away from them. We’re good, Phoebe. Everybody makes mistakes. Finn should never have included you in his prank. Maybe next time, ask your mom or dad if someone asks you to do something that doesn’t sound quite right,” Stone suggested.
“Thanks, Stone,” Phoebe beamed, throwing her arms around Stone. He hugged her back, telling her everything was okay.
Stone started teaching, and Naomi sat down to watch. He was so patient with the kids, talking through how they could learn to draw by starting with shapes or even tracing things they liked.
He started them off with three circles, which he told them would become a cat.
“I like cats. Blaze and Maisie are fun to play with at Papa Rascal’s. Maisie’s zoomies are funny, though she usually knocks something over,” Benji said.
“I think it’s funny when Meg tries to work on the computer and Blaze crawls up on her chest and shoulder, making her try to type around him,” Blake added, giggling.
Naomi drifted as Stone taught, soaking in her daughters’ expressions as a male figure gave them the attention that they’dnever received from her father or husband. If nothing else changed for them besides this, the move was worth it.
“So, now that the divorce is final and you’re starting to get your footing here, have you thought about what you’d like to do?” Winnie questioned softly, leaning closer.
Naomi paused, then heard Sarah’s voice in her head that she didn’t need to censor her words with these women, her family.
“No one has ever asked me that. I went to college and have an accounting degree because that’s what my father required. I double majored and received my degree in library sciences because, well, I adore books. But the closest I’ve come to libraries has been taking the girls to programs. I know I want to do something. I didn’t like staying home while Jared went to work. Housework is not my favorite, and living in Uncle Locks’ and Aunt Hope’s house, even if I wanted to clean, they pay someone to do that. It’s strange to have choices, especially being almost forty,” Naomi said softly, not wanting to disturb Stone’s teaching. He was walking around, making suggestions on how the kids could improve their drawings.
“Hmm, let me think a little. Until we find something permanent, you could always volunteer in one of the businesses to relieve the boredom. Everyone always needs help,” Winnie said.
Naomi wasn’t designed to be a lady of leisure, but she wasn’t sure where to start. Some people thrived on it, but she wasn’t one. Maybe she’d ask her Aunt Hope for a suggestion.
Chapter Eight
“Okay, council in session. We’ve got a lot to cover, but it seems our problem Prospect needs to be discussed again,” War announced.
“Oh, does he? Winnie was friggin’ livid that he coaxed Phoebe into his prank, and I’m not happy either,” Bear grunted.
“I’m not saying it wasn’t a bad move, but I have to ask, what do we think is causing this?” Cannon asked.
Snickers around the room had Cannon glaring.
“Oh, go screw yourselves. Yes, Hank’s and my therapist has been helping,” Cannon grumbled.
“Anybody miss the asshole that Cannon was sometimes instead of the gentler, kinder Cannon we have now?” Scoop asked, staring around the room. “Yep, me neither, because I don’t have to give up my wife for girl talk about how much of an ass Cannon is being.”
“You do not get to complain about anything. Your words to your wife have made the rounds, and I get to hear all about howhot and sexy Scoop is. Seriously?!? I get my wife pregnant and she’s mad at me. You tell yours that you want to put another baby in her, and the wives are all saying, oh, he’s such a hot book boyfriend. I have to put up with the book boyfriends. I don’t need you, asshole, trying to claim the title in real life,” Roam muttered, flipping off Scoop.
