Free Full Moon by Mari Carr Page A

bundled up under a bunch of blankets and in bed, but it keeps going up.”
    She juggled the phone as she attempted to button her shirt. She stuffed her bra in her purse. “Bundled up? Uncover him. You need to cool him off, not warm him up. If the temperature creeps much higher, he could have a seizure. Get a cold washcloth for his forehead. I’ll be right over.”
    Tony sounded relieved to hear help was on the way. He’d never been good in an emergency or when someone was sick. “Okay, good.”
    “Where’s Janice?” It pained Josie to speak the other woman’s name, but she really didn’t want to come face to face with the home wrecker. She’d only seen the woman on two other occasions and both of those times were from a distance.
    “She’s out with some friends.”
    Tony didn’t seem too happy about that, but Josie was relieved. She’d pick Tommy up, make sure he was okay, then either take him to the doctor or home. “I’ll be there soon.”
    Josie disconnected the call just as Jake came out of the bedroom. He’d pulled on a pair of sweatpants that hung low over his hips.
    “Problem?”
    She nodded. “Yeah. I need to leave.”
    “Anything I can help with?”
    God. She could imagine the drama she’d face if she showed up at Tony’s house with Jake. “No. It’s fine. I just need to get home.”
    Jake looked like he wanted more of an explanation, but Josie wasn’t ready to give him one. She’d let things go on too long between them. Her emotions were becoming too engaged. Better to make a clean break. Rip off the Band-Aid.
    “I have to go.” She hastily pulled on her shoes, and then reached for her jacket.
    “Yeah. I can see that.”
    He sounded upset. Josie couldn’t blame him. Three times he’d shown her the time of her life, offering little pieces of himself along the way, and every single night she’d taken everything she could, then run off like a thief in the night. Guilt assailed her.
    “I’m sorry.”
    He lifted one shoulder. “You’ve never lied about the rules of the game. But I’ll tell you what. If you come back again, we’re going to up the ante.”
    She stood at the door, her purse in her hand. “What do you mean?”
    “Next time we’re together, we’re sharing last names and phone numbers. Deal?”
    “What makes you think there will be a next time?”
    Jake stepped close to her, cupping her face in his hands to kiss her. The gentle pleading in his touch was almost her undoing. She forced herself to pull away.
    Tommy was sick. She had to go. She belonged there. Not here.
    “Come back.” Jake’s demand was laced with entreaty, but she didn’t refuse him, nor did she nod.
    Instead, she left.
     
     
    Josie carried a drowsy Tommy into the townhouse, her mind reeling over the hours spent with Jake and her tense conversation with her ex. Tony had opened the door, taken one look at her disheveled state and frowned.
    “Hot date?” he’d asked.
    She dodged all his questions as she gathered up Tommy and his things. Tony, sensing her anger, had calmed down a bit, helping her carry their son to the car. Once he’d been buckled in, Tony had opened the driver’s side door for her. Then, much to her surprise, he’d given her a kiss on the cheek, and thanked her for taking such good care of Tommy.
    He was playing with her head and she didn’t like it. She didn’t have time for a Tony mindfuck. The asshole had dumped her, left her alone to raise their son while he trotted off to live with his new girlfriend.
    She forced thoughts of Tony from her mind as she recalled Jake’s hurt face when she left him without an explanation. Jesus. She was messing with Jake as much as Tony was screwing with her.
    “Mommy.”
    She glanced down at her son. She’d just lifted him out of the car, thinking he was asleep. “Yeah, baby?”
    “Can I sleep in your bed tonight?”
    She’d already planned to put him there, wanting to have him close in case he needed her in the night. “Of course