Flynn's In (Lexi Frost Series) (19 page)

A few weeks later
, Flynn took her home after what he called a hard night of not smiling.

“You know
, it’s hard not to kid you sometimes. I hope you appreciate my restraint.”

“Like when?
” Teri looked up to him, feigning innocence.

“Now for starters
, don’t give me that innocent look. You know very well I wanted to comment on your college dating stories and I couldn’t because you had a camera on me.”

“You could have commented.
”

“Not without laughing
,” Flynn chuckled. “It’s like some exotic torture.”

“Then give me a tortured expression
,” Teri pulled out her camera.

“Another time. I think I deserve a real night out with the freedom to laugh and smile and respond to your little stories and jokes as temptation strikes.
”

“A reward for good behavior. Very well
, I suppose you’ve earned it.”

“Good
, I’m glad we agree. Tomorrow night: you, me, a nice restaurant, and the camera stays home,” Flynn said firmly.

Teri laughed. “All right
, it’s a date.”

Flynn smiled at her
, that intense look in his eye again. “It’s about time you realized that,” he said softly.

He pushed open the front door and guided her through the doorway with a hand in the small of her back. Teri turned and looked back at him in wide eyed shock. That look
— she’d seen it repeatedly, and now —
a date
?

“Good night.
” Flynn smiled and closed the door as he left, leaving Teri inside staring after him in surprise.

• • •

“Dev, I’d like a word,” Flynn pulled Dev aside as the boys headed into the house. Bryan hesitated, but Flynn waved him on and he reluctantly followed Jess inside. Dev sat on the country swing hanging on the front porch and turned to Flynn, no sign on his face that he knew what was coming. It didn’t surprise Flynn. He sat on the low brick wall that edged the porch and faced the young man in front of him.

He was thinner than usual
, taking on a gangly, stretched-out look from growing too fast. Even with the added height, he had a youthful, little boy look about him. His face had an innocence he’d probably never fully shake. Too much of it was genuine, a surprising amount considering how much time he spent with Jess.

“Dev
, you know I’ve spent a lot of time with Teri when I’m not with you guys.”

“Yeah. Jess said it
’s why she’s not crying anymore.”

Flynn chuckled softly and shook his head. “I suppose. What else did Jess say?
”

“Not a lot. Kenny hit him with a Frisbee
,” Dev shrugged.

“I hate to destroy your innocence
, but did you question
why
Kenny hit Jess with a Frisbee?”

“I used to
, but then he hits me with a Frisbee,” Dev shrugged again.

Flynn nodded in acknowledgment. “All right
, I can see you’re learning from experience. Although I’m surprised you let Kenny get away with it.” Dev got the expected glimmer of impending trouble in his eye and looked at Flynn critically.

“Are you suggesting I stop listening to Kenny?
”

“Are you trying to pretend you ever really did?
”

Dev grinned.

“You’re missing things when Kenny tells you to drop it. I know I’m opening a can of worms by telling you this, but you’re a smart kid and you’re going to start figuring things out for yourself eventually. I’d just like to be around for damage control.”

“Damage control. So
you
know why Kenny smacked Jess.”

“I
’m hoping we don’t need intervention for that, but yeah. Dev, I’m taking Teri out tonight.”

“You take her out almost every night.
”

“Yeah.
” Flynn shook his head in disbelief. Still, it was better than Dev figuring it out for himself or listening to Jess. “I’m changing the nature of our relationship. The camera stays at home tonight. It’s just me and Teri, on a regular date.”

“Seriously?
”

Flynn laughed in relief as much as amusement at Dev
’s disbelief. “Yeah. Whether it goes anywhere is largely up to her, but I wanted to give you the heads-up and the opportunity to discuss any misgivings you might have beforehand.”

Dev just stared at him for a moment. Flynn waited patiently for him to work it out. Everyone else in the house knew this was coming
, with the exception of Teri it seemed. Flynn suspected he could swing Teri’s favor even without Dev’s approval, probably even with his blatant disapproval. If Paul did it, he should be able to.

Teri’s son
was a wildcard though, and it’d be so much easier if he didn’t have to worry about cell phones being tapped, his coffee being drugged, or some other mischief he couldn’t even imagine.

“Have you kissed her?
” Dev finally asked.

“No.
”

“So you haven
’t slept with her?”

Flynn laughed. “No.
”

“Okay
, well don’t.”

The laugh faded as he considered Dev
’s determined face. He was protective of his mother, but there were lines sons didn’t cross.

“Dev
, you won’t be party to that decision when it comes up, but it’s not on the immediate agenda.”

“No
, really, you can’t. It’ll kill her.”

“Can you clarify your reasoning on that
, please?”

“I . . .
” Dev faltered and his ears turned a deep scarlet. Flynn motioned for him to continue. “I caught her and Paul together once. Before he moved in.” The color in Dev’s cheeks deepened. Flynn felt for him.

“I imagine that was embarrassing
,” Flynn tried to empathize. Dev fidgeted in the seat across from him and looked away. “Maybe a bit of a shock.”

“Yeah
, everyone knew but me it turned out,” Dev said bitterly.

Flynn said a silent thank you to God for the insight to approach Dev before he picked up Teri tonight. Granted he was still the last to know it was coming
, but he didn’t know that and at least he wasn’t finding out on accident.

“The girls are perceptive about some things because they
’re girls, Dev. You can’t compare what they know to what you know, it’s a losing battle. Otherwise, you’re the youngest in the house, all the other guys have more life experience than you. Brian’s not much older, but he has Brenda to tip him off. I hate to say it mate, but you’ve been sheltered too. Girls freak you out a bit, so you don’t understand relationships and the guys don’t want to upset you. You’re going to need to start getting a handle on this stuff.”

“But Mom broke her own rules for Paul. She never married him
, Flynn. She shouldn’t have been sleeping with him. Jess is the only one to break the rule and look at where it’s gotten him.”

“What rule
, Dev?”

“Abstinence.
”

Flynn choked and it was Dev
’s turn to smile.

“Forgot to mention that
, did she?”

“It
’s fine. Like I said, it’s not on the agenda. We haven’t had the kind of relationship where we talked about things like that.”

“Yeah
, well, Paul had the wife he couldn’t get rid of thing, you don’t.”

“Dev
, are you telling me this to help me or warn me?”

“I just don
’t want to see Mom hurt again.”

Flynn nodded. “Neither do I. No objections to me taking her out though?
”

Dev shook his head. “Suppose not.
”

• • •

Nicholas watched Teri get ready with amusement. Flynn called him that morning and put him on notice that he was taking Teri out on a genuine date. Other than leaving her camera at home, it shouldn’t be any different from the outings they’d had for the last two months. Nicholas knew Teri was unlikely to see it that way so he arranged to be there under the guise of discussing the magazine while she was getting ready. A significant portion of her wardrobe was already discarded on her bed when he arrived, confirming relabeling the outing was having a tremendous impact on her. He sent a quick text message to Flynn while Teri slipped into the bathroom to try on a short black dress he hadn’t seen in years.

“Teri
, give up on slinky and go casual,” Nicholas called after he received Flynn’s reply. Apparently he wanted her to be comfortable and at ease. Looking at her flushed appearance when she emerged, he doubted that was possible.

“He just said dinner. A nice restaurant. That doesn
’t necessarily mean casual or formal. I should have clarified.” The words tumbled out in an avalanche and he would have had a hard time keeping up if he wasn’t paying attention.

“Yeah
, but I just texted him. Casual. He’s taking you to the seafood place on the waterfront that we all went to for your birthday. It’s nice, but this is Seattle. You can show up in a trench coat and fishnet stockings and not stand out terribly. Come to think of it, Flynn might like that.”

“Don
’t be silly.”

“Me? My clothes are all hanging in my closet where they belong
,” Nicholas gestured at her bed. “Besides, that black dress is a little short and he’s been alone for at least six months now. Give the man a break, save it for the second date.”

“Six months? Oh
, since Paul . . .” Teri broke off and sat down on the foot of the bed in shock. Nicholas cursed under his breath, she didn’t need a reminder and Flynn was going to kill him for his timing.

“Time flies.
” He stood and started ruffling through the clothes as if nothing was wrong. “Cassie, Tiffany and Bryan graduate in a week and a half, and Dev will be out of school a few days later. Then you have a house full of teens for the summer.
Put
these on.” He chose the first shirt and slacks that matched and handed them to her. Teri took them and headed back to the bathroom.

“I understand Flynn set up studio time for the boys for the end of the month. That
’s going to be fun,” Nicholas called loudly as he texted madly on his phone as soon as the door closed, warning Flynn of what he’d done.

“Yes. Kenny
’s excited.” Teri’s voice filtered through the door.

Nicholas optimistically decided she was keeping it together and he mentioned it to Flynn. “I kind of am too
, it seems like the end of a long journey.”

“Flynn keeps hinting that it
’s really just the beginning. I think he’s trying not to scare me.” Teri opened the bathroom door and peeked out, only her face showing through the small opening. “He’s been trying to prepare me for the boys being professional musicians for a while, easing me into the idea. Do you think he’s been easing me into the idea of dating?”

“Of course
, don’t be naïve.”

“Oh.
” Teri withdrew back into the bathroom to finish changing. Nicholas updated Flynn with Teri’s revelation. Teri emerged a minute later. “Are you sure about this?”

He looked up to confirm she was referring to the blouse and slacks he selected. If he
’d taken more time it wouldn’t have been his first choice, but it’d do. “It’ll do. The pink blouse would be better I suppose.”

“It
’s practically sheer, I’d have to wear a jacket and there isn’t one that goes with these slacks.”

“I meant without the jacket.
”

“You were the one who said to give Flynn a break
,” Teri gave an exasperated sigh as she sorted through the pile on the bed for the pink blouse he referred to.

“But you
’ll wear it anyway?” Nicholas raised his eyebrows.

“You suggested it!
” Teri stood up and stamped her foot in frustration. Then she gave Nicholas a critical look and crossed her arms. “How long has he been working up to this and how long have you been in on it?”

“Well
, you’re busy,” Nicholas stood up and headed for the door. “I’ll just pop downstairs and make sure the boys aren’t up to anything.”

“Now you just wait . . .
”

Nicholas heard Teri protest
, but it only prompted him to close the door behind him and move faster. He made it to the living room and was starting for the stairs to the basement when the doorbell rang. Changing direction, Nicholas opened the door for Flynn.

“My recommendation would be to run.
”

Flynn smiled. “
Would be
, not
is
? What’s the variable I somehow managed to swing in my favor?”

“You wouldn
’t listen anyway.”