Murders & Romance: A Psychic Detective Romantic Mystery (Isaac Taylor Mysteries Book 5) by Lashell Collins (ready player one ebook .TXT) 📗

“So? Why do you care?”

Mateo just sounded annoyed.

“I just think it’s kinda cool is all.”

“Like you know what cool is.”

“Pete’s a great shot, so he doesn’t worry about it. He shoots almost as good with his weak hand as he does with his dominant hand. The S.W.A.T. Team captain even asked him to think about joining the team, but Pete wasn’t interested.”

“I know he’s a good shot, okay. He is my uncle!”

Mateo’s tone was defensive, and Pete glanced up into the rearview mirror, scoping out the scene in the backseat.

“I know he’s your uncle. You don’t have to keep telling me. That’s like the third time you’ve said that.”

“Well how ’bout you just shut up about him. You act like he’s your dad. Like you’re in love with him or something.”

“Hey. We don’t tell each other to shut up.” Pete raised his voice and realized he’d been doing that a lot tonight.

“I do not!”

“You do too.”

The argument continued, like Pete hadn’t said a word.

“Do not!”

“Quit acting like such a baby!”

“I don’t act like a baby!”

“Yeah, ya do.”

“Do not!”

“Do not, do not, ” Mateo mocked. “That’s exactly what babies say.”

“No, it isn’t. And I’m not a baby!”

“Well, you sure cry like one.”

Pete gripped the steering wheel. He was ready to scream.

They had done nothing but argue the entire night, and he wasn’t sure what he was more tired of — hearing their constant bickering about the stupidest things, or having to get after them for it.

Since his conversation with Ike about the boys needing to spend more time getting used to each other, Pete had decided to try and ease them into that. So he’d suggested taking both the boys out for a movie and pizza.

Jada had loved the idea. She’d even praised Pete for being thoughtful and caring. He’d felt like a hero.

But the bickering had begun almost from the moment he and Mateo had picked Jada and Charlie up for their date. They argued over who was in who’s space in the back seat on the way to the theater. They argued over which snacks to buy and which seats to choose at the theater. After the movie, they argued over which of the ninjas was the greatest. They argued over pizza toppings, and soft drinks, and radio stations, and, and, and…

His head was pounding. He’d spent the night playing referee, verbally pushing each of them back to their respective corners. And Jada didn’t even seem to notice. Occasionally, she would interject with a calm word that seemed to stop both boys in their tracks. Sanity and quiet would prevail for several minutes, and then the bickering would begin again.

It was a vicious cycle that Pete was ill equipped to handle.

What had he been thinking?

Was he nuts for even attempting to make them a foursome?

The boys obviously hated each other, so maybe it was just as well that they didn’t try this again.

He pulled to the curb out front of Jada’s house and parked the car with a heavy sigh. Then he turned around and stared at them.

“Boys!”

The bickering stopped and both boys looked at him.

“Time for the arguing to stop. Jada and Charlie are home.”

Jada turned in the passenger seat and smiled at Mateo.

“Goodnight Mateo. I’m so happy you came out with us tonight. This was a lot of fun! Maybe you’d like to do it again sometime?”

Mateo shrugged his shoulders and stared at her, his expression saying things Pete couldn’t make out.

“Sure.”

“Great! You have a good night, okay?”

“Okay.”

She shot a hopeful look Pete’s way, and Pete wondered how she managed to do that. He got out of the car and opened the door for her. That was important to him — to show both of the boys by example the way to treat a lady.

He helped her out of the car, and Charlie shot out of the back seat.

“Here, Charlie.” Jada handed the boy the house key. “What do you say to Pete?”

“Thanks for the movie and pizza, Pete. It was fun!”

The kid ran ahead to the house, giving Pete a moment alone with Jada.

“It was fun?”

Jada laughed. “Yes, it was. Charlie enjoyed it. I think they both did.”

“How can you say that? The boys did nothing but argue.”

“Oh, they acted like kids. They’re fine.”

He blew a huff of air through his lips.

“Well, I’m exhausted from playing referee all night.”

Jada placed her hands on his chest and looked into his eyes.

“Pete, you’ve got to relax and stop trying to force this. Dinner the other night went really well. Your mom and I found common ground, and I think we even bonded a little bit. And the boys are just boys. They’ll figure it out.”

Pete wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

“I just want the boys to be as crazy about each other as I am about you. That’s all. Something tells me that being around you and Charlie might be a good thing for Mateo. I just want it to work out.”

“And it will. But you’ve got to let it happen naturally.”

Pete sighed and leaned in to kiss her lips.

She placed her hands on either side of his face.

His hand slid down her backside as their kiss deepened, and her back hit the closed front door. Pete pinned her there, his lips moving across her skin to her ear.

Her soft sigh at his ear shot straight down to his dick.

And then the car horn sounded, making them both jump.

“I’m going to kill that kid.”

Jada giggled. “I have to go inside anyway.”

Pete groaned. They still hadn’t resumed the sexual side of their relationship yet — mostly because Charlie was always around — but Pete knew the day was zooming closer.

He kissed her once more and then stepped back. Jada opened the door and stepped inside. She waved to him and blew him a kiss before she closed the door.

He walked back to the car in a haze of love, confusion, and frustration.

He slid behind the wheel and started up the car, glancing to the passenger