Free Poison Me by Cami Checketts

focused on her child, “Okay, Trevor, we shouldn’t call names, but you aren’t in trouble this time. Just don’t do it again. Okay?”
    “’Kay.” Trevor clutched his uncle.
    “Is Jennalou a bigger wench than me?” Ellie arched her neck to look at Brinley.
    Brinley sat down and let Ellie pull her into a hug. “Just a bit,” Brinley said.
    Ellie’s eyes widened. “But you love me?” she asked in a whining voice.
    Brinley chuckled. “I always love you, and most of the time I even like you, Aunt Ellie.”
    “Good thing somebody does,” Ruby muttered.
    Marissa laughed. Ellie glowered, then squeezed Brinley tighter. “You know I only bug you because I want you to be happy,” Ellie said.
    Brinley nodded. “I know.”
    “Unca Jake.” Trevor tugged on Jake’s sleeve. “I show Gramma Rue my ball.”
    Jake’s eyebrows rose. “Your ball?”
    “What you teached me.” He struggled from his uncle’s arms and ran to Ruby. “Unca Jake teached me this show, for when we go on his boat with the ladies .” Grinning, he drew out the last word.
    A burning jealousy filled Chanel’s chest. She barely knew Jake, and already she wanted to be the only lady he took on his boat.
    “Show us what Uncle Jake taught you,” Ruby said.
    The little boy ripped his shirt over his head and dropped it in a pile on the flowered rug.
    “Trevor, put your shirt on,” Brinley said.
    “Gimme a sec. I gotta show my beach ball.” He paused to make sure he had everyone’s attention, then lifted his hands above his head, attempting to flex his muscles. “You seen my beach ball?” He lowered his hands, gritted his teeth, and struck a pose. “It about this big. It go that way.” He shifted his arms to the right, still trying to show them off. “Or that way.” To the left. “If you sees it.” He bent forward and lowered his clasped hands, flexing to his full advantage. “Bring it back right here.” He motioned to his chest and grinned. His cheeks dimpled irresistibly.
    Everyone clapped and laughed. Jake folded his arms across his chest, looking chagrined but proud. Chanel would like to see him do the beach-ball routine with his shirt off. She glanced at the long-sleeved button-down shirt he wore, realizing she’d never seen him in short-sleeves, even though it was mid-summer and he was obviously fit.
    “Did you like my muscles? Do you want to see me flex them again?” Trevor asked.
    Jake shook his head. “I think they’ve seen enough, buddy. You keep it up and your mom won’t let me babysit anymore.” He grabbed Trevor’s shirt from the floor, swooped the boy off the floor, and turned him upside down. “I’m taking this guy outside where he can run without the wench complaining.”
    Ellie rolled her eyes. “Jennalou would complain if somebody gave her a free bikini wax.”
    Chanel laughed. “I could’ve gone all year without imagining Jennalou in a bikini.”
    “Amen to that,” Jake said, lifting a squirming, giggling Trevor above his head. “I need to replace that mental picture.” He looked at Chanel.
    Ellie winked at him. “So Chanel, what color is your bikini?”
    Marissa and Brinley chortled. Chanel turned bright red.
    “Shush.” Ruby snapped her fingers at Ellie and glared at Jake. “You get out of here.”
    “Sorry, Grandma, but Chanel in a bikini could keep my imagination busy for a year.” He smiled at her and carried Trevor out the front door.
     
    ***
     
    Jake debated between Skittles and M&M’s. He needed some treats for his weekly night out with his nephew. They usually spent the evening on Glendale Reservoir or drove to Logan for the latest animated movie. Jake wondered if he dared ask Chanel to come along. Which candy would she prefer? He smiled to himself. As good as Chanel looked, she probably didn’t eat treats.
    Bam. A shopping cart slammed into his heel.
    “Ouch.” Jake reached down and rubbed at his leg. That was going to leave a bruise.
    “Oh, I apologize,” the shopping cart