Page 3 of Boy Toy Not Included

Diesel drove. As always, they nonstop talked about everything. Diesel made sure she knew all the gossip. The entire day was a reminder of how they had always been. Nova had gotten married straight out of high school, got pregnant right away, and that was when her husband decided he didn’t want the responsibilities he had helped create. While his dad had always paid child support, he hadn’t once seen Diesel. Diesel had a lot of feelings about that. Mostly, he felt certain he was better off without the guy. However, all those years of it just being the two of them had made them pretty damn close. His mom had done her best to never lean on him. The thing was, he wanted that. She wasamazing and deserved better. While she swore she got the good end of the stick in the deal, Diesel knew it hadn’t been easy. He had been there for every second of it. One of the reasons he got in shape the way he did was to protect her.

Outside their favorite coffeehouse, they sat side by side. Like every Seattle winter, it was gray, gloomy, and depressing. But it wasn’t raining, and that was a miracle meant to be enjoyed.

“What do you want to do next? Did you want to hit another store or head to dinner?”

Nova sipped her coffee. “I say, let’s go get dinner. The crowds are a nightmare today.”

Diesel opened his mouth to respond. His phone buzzed. “Damn. I have to check this.” He passed his coffee to his mom and dug out his phone. It was Kuba. Diesel rushed to open the message.

Kuba: Did you make it safely to your mom’s place? Also, I think I’m looking right at you.

Diesel’s head shot up. He eyed his surroundings. A lone figure stood in a nearby parking lot, leaning against a Dodge Hellcat. A smile exploded across Diesel’s face. He lifted his arm, letting Kuba know it was him.

Diesel looked his mom’s way. “It’s my client.”

Nova eyed him in a way he couldn’t decipher.

Kuba headed in their direction. He even moved like a deadly fighter. Diesel really needed to watch his thoughts. That didn’t stop his smile from growing.

In less than a minute, Kuba hovered over them. “I thought that was you, but wanted to make sure before coming over. In town less than a day and already making it a small world.” Kuba’s gaze shifted to Nova. He held out his hand. “I’m Kuba.”

Nova accepted the handshake. “Nova. I’m this one’s mom,” she added, motioning Diesel’s way.

Kuba clutched his chest dramatically. “Wow. There’s no way. You’re way too young to be a mom.”

Nova laughed. It wasn’t uncommon for people to say that to her. This was the first time her laugh didn’t sound uncomfortable and forced. “I assure you I am.”

His charming smile never budged. “It’s doubly nice to meet you, then. Diesel raved about you when we met this morning.”

Diesel had no idea why he couldn’t stop smiling like an idiot. “Kuba was super close with his mom as well.”

Kuba nodded. “I have several memories of sitting exactly where you are, drinking coffee with Mom.”

“Was?” His mom had a certain look in her eye that Diesel couldn’t read.

A sad smile touched Kuba’s lips. “She passed away not long before I turned eighteen. Brain aneurysm.”

Nova covered her mouth for a second. Her voice shook a little when she responded. “I’m so sorry to hear that. That’s a tough loss. I lost my parents in a car accident two weeks after I turned eighteen.” She glanced Diesel’s way for half a second before meeting Kuba’s gaze again. “We were about to head to dinner. Do you want to join us?”

Kuba looked his way, as if unsure how to proceed.

Diesel couldn’t let him think he was intruding. “Yeah. You should definitely join us.” He kept his voice as bright as possible. Diesel knew what it felt like to question if someone was just being polite or if they were genuine.

After a moment, Kuba caved. “I’d love that. Just let me know where to meet you.”

“You can ride with us.”

Diesel wasn’t sure why his mom was so gung-ho, but that was one of the many things he loved about her. She was genuinely a good person.

Kuba kept smiling, even as he declined her invitation. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t leave my car.” His eyes flickered toward Diesel. “I need your son’s services for a reason.”

Nova nodded. She stood. “That makes sense. I think we decided on seafood. Do you have any allergies?”

Diesel fought all the laughter at the question. She was in mom mode.

Kuba kept smiling like he found her charming. “No. Seafood sounds great.”

Diesel stood. “Salty Pete’s?”