Page 10 of Boy Toy Not Included

“I love you too, baby. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay.” He headed for the hallway. “Make good choices.”

Her laughter had him chuckling on his way to the bedroom. As he emptied his pockets on the bedside table, his phone chirped. A smile exploded across his face at the sight of Kuba’s name followed by an image of Legos spread across a table.

Kuba:All the pieces are sorted so I can get started building tomorrow.

Diesel sat on the bed, propped a few pillows behind his back, and leaned against the headboard. He crossed his legs at the ankles and settled in before texting back.

Diesel:Damn. That’s a lot of pieces. How long did that take?

Kuba:About five hours. When I got home, I took a nap and then got started. Everything in my spine just popped when I sat back.

Diesel:I’ll bet after being hunched over them pieces. Do you feel any better?

He chewed his bottom lip as he watched the dots bounce. Knowing Kuba typed to keep their conversation going was enough to keep him transfixed.

Kuba:I feel human again. Thanks for asking. What are your plans for the night?

Diesel:I was just about to jump in the shower and then go to bed. What’s your plan?

This time, it took a minute before the dots jumped again.

Kuba:I took too long of a nap and just drank some pre-workout, so now I’m wired. That means gym time for me. I’d love to get some actual practice in, but it’s Christmas.

Diesel:Why does that matter?

Kuba:Jayme is off on holidays.

Diesel:Who is Jayme?

Seriously, Diesel was confused. When it came to Kuba’s career, he was lost.

Kuba:My trainer. You know, the guy in the punch mitts when you showed up the other day.

Diesel: Oh.

For a moment, Diesel hesitated before hitting send. Yeah, he was in trouble. He went back to typing.

Diesel:Oh. I can probably hold some mitts.

Kuba:Are you joking?

Diesel:Only if you’re laughing at me.

He went back to chewing his bottom lip. Diesel shouldn’t have made that offer. He didn’t know shit about being a trainer.

Kuba:That was an excited response. If you’re seriously offering, I’d love that. I don’t like sitting still, but I know not everyone is a workaholic the way I am.

Diesel:Yeah, it was a serious offer. I’ll change and head that way.

Kuba:I’ll see you soon. The door will be unlocked.

Diesel popped from the bed and found his gym clothes. He quickly dressed while trying to quiet his mind. If he didn’t think, then he couldn’t call himself an idiot. When he opened his bedroom door, he ran straight into his mom. She had changed clothes and her hair was done. They held each other’s stare.

Diesel broke first. “We didn’t see each other.”

Nova burst out laughing. She moved on, waving over her shoulder. Diesel shook his head. One of these days, his mom would finally admit to him that Tory might be her best friend, but she was also her lover. That day wouldn’t be today, it seemed.