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eddiemunsons80sbaby · 3 months

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Never Say Never

Chapter 9

Pairing: SingleDad!StevexReader

Summary: You are a 32 year old single mother, raising your seven year old son on your own. After being widowed at 30 and going out on awful dates with disgusting men for the past month, you have decided that you're giving up. You already had your great love. One person can't possibly get lucky enough to have two in their lifetime. But then your son starts playing baseball and the coach might just change your mind about that.

No posting schedule.

18+ only for eventual smut

Word Count: 8.4K

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“Would you stop stressing? You look like a million bucks,” Dustin told Steve. He leaned back against the bathroom wall, watching Steve in the mirror as he ran his fingers through his hair for the twelfth time. “She already knows what you look like, dude. This isn’t your first time meeting.”

“I know, I know,” he sighed, lips pressing together as he surveyed his reflection. “Do you think the button-down is too much? It’s too much, isn’t it? I should change into something more casual.”

“No, man,” Lucas groaned. “That’s the seventh shirt you’ve put on. It’s not too much. It’s perfect for a first date. It’s a button-down but it’s loose and short sleeved.” He stepped up, grabbing onto Steve’s shoulders and turning him around. He unbuttoned the top two buttons, revealing a bit of the undershirt. “There. Now it’s nice but also casual. It says this is important to you but also that it’s going to be an easygoing and fun time. Best of both worlds.”

“Plus, she gets a little peek of the chest hair.” Dustin rolled his eyes, snorting. “I still don’t get it but apparently, the ladies dig the jungle you’ve got going on. Maybe it takes them back to their primal instincts. You know, caveman days? The hairier, the more manly, the better they’ll be able to conk things over the head and provide?”

Steve sighed, his eyes rolling toward the ceiling, “Seriously, Henderson? This seems like a good time to compare me to a caveman?”

“Yeah, you can’t be doing that,” Lucas teased, ruffling Steve’s hair.

“Dude! Seriously!?” Steve protested, shoving him off before turning back to the mirror, fingers working to fix it once again.

“Calm down,” laughed Lucas. “Our Stevie’s all nervous and you’re only making it worse, Dustin. He’s got a mad crush on hot single mom. I mean, our man has got it bad and he’s Steve which means he has a high probability of being a doofus and potentially destroying his only shot at his soulmate. Then our poor Steve would be doomed to spend eternity all alone and pathetic with nothing but Miles to keep him warm at night.”

“Jesus, you guys suck, you know that? I really don’t know why I keep you around.”

“Because you love us and your life would be a barren wasteland of boredom and monotony without the pleasure of our company,” stated Dustin.

“Come on, Steve,” Lucas snorted, throwing his shoulder into him. “You know we’re just messing with you. You’re going to be fine. From what we saw, this girl likes you just as much as you like her. She wouldn’t have agreed to go out with you otherwise.”

“Yeah. You two have already spent tons of time together. You really think she’d agree to hang out with you as much as she has if she didn’t like you? Do you really think she would have agreed to a date if she wasn’t crushing too? Trust me. This date is going to go great.”

Steve turned back to the mirror, assessing his image one more time. His hair was definitely working for him tonight, swooping to the side perfectly. Herbal Essences Flexible Airspray wasn’t quite like the Farrah Fawcett spray used to be for him but it did an okay job. He wore a yellow linen button down, short sleeved to keep cool with the weather that was quickly moving more toward summer temps. Nothing said unsexy like nasty pit stains and body odor. He’d paired it with a white tank underneath and gray dress slacks.

His body hummed with anticipation but also with nerves. He couldn’t wait to pick you up but he also couldn’t help dreading it a bit. All of this time he’d spent hoping, wondering if it would ever actually happen, and now was the big moment. He would either soar or fall flat on his face. This was going to be the moment of truth. He wanted to make a good impression. He wanted this to be successful. He wanted you to want to go for date number two.

The other night had been perfect. You'd ordered pizza and watched Air Bud with the boys. Steve had set up sleeping bags on the living room floor to make it a true sleepover. But he hadn’t gotten much sleep, continually waking to ensure that you were still breathing. Robin might be neurotic but her words had gotten to him as he watched your chest closely to ensure it was still rising and falling. Miles, who’d chosen to sleep on your feet on the couch, kept giving him a look that said calm down, man. I’m right here. I got her.

Steve had made everyone french toast for breakfast and put coffee in a thermos for you before you headed back home to get ready for work. The scene in front of him had done a number on his head. Steve plopping hot bacon on their plates while the boys chattered about a new superhero scenario they were going to play at recess, you grinning at them, was picture perfect. The hugs as you headed out the door, Jeremiah even running forward to hug your legs and tell you he was so happy you were okay, sent him reeling. Not because it was weird but because it wasn’t. When you hugged him, kissed his cheek, thanking him for the coffee and taking care of you, he realized he could get used to this. Mornings with you. Evenings with you. Your little families together and while it was a bit scary that he was thinking this so quickly, he couldn’t deny how badly he wanted it.

Jeremiah came walking into the bathroom, Mike right on his heels. The guys had all agreed to watch him tonight so Steve could go out. They were planning on some DnD, a campaign they’d started with him a couple weeks ago and his son had been overjoyed when he’d found out that not only was his dad going out with Eli’s mom but that he was getting to hang with his uncles.

Steve turned to his son, spreading his arms out, “What do you think, Jere? Do I look good?”

His son pressed his thumb and forefingers together, giving him the okay sign along with a wink, “You look great daddy. Eli’s mommy is going to think you’re super handsome.”

“Thanks, kid.” He lifted Jeremiah up into his arms, mourning for a moment how big his son was getting, how time was slipping away like sands through a sieve that he couldn’t catch no matter how hard he tried. It wouldn’t be too much longer before he didn’t want to be picked up anymore, didn’t want to climb in his lap, didn’t want to snuggle down in his bed with a book at bedtime. Steve found himself grasping at his son’s childhood, willing it to just slow down a bit.

“Remember to be a gentleman, daddy,” Jeremiah reminded him. “Open the door for her and pull out her chair. And make sure you listen when she’s talking and ask questions about her. Ladies like when guys listen.”

Steve’s head darted back, looking in surprise at his kid. “And how exactly do you know that?”

“I heard Aunt Max and Aunt El saying they hate when Uncle Lucas and Uncle Mike don’t listen to them,” he answered with a shrug. “Aunt Max said she talks to a wall. I don’t really know why. That seems kind of silly because a wall can’t talk but she was definitely annoyed that Uncle Lucas doesn’t listen.”

Lucas and Mike shared a look, eyes wide, clearly realizing that they were being called out by a seven year old. Steve laughed, setting his son back on the ground. Jeremiah was a little too observant for his own good sometimes. He was always listening to everything around him and knew far more than he should for only being seven.

“Hmm, sounds like maybe Uncle Lucas and Uncle Mike need to be less worried about my date and more worried about their own love lives. How are you going to give me advice when your own wives are complaining about you?”

“I listen!” Lucas argued, his hand coming to his chest in offense. “But sometimes she wants to talk to me when a basketball game is on and come on. You know what that’s like. Would you be listening if you were watching a game?”

“If the woman I loved had something to say, absolutely,” Steve stated. “Your wife should come above everything, my friend. And you are damn lucky to have Max. If you’re not listening to her, the next thing you know you’re going to be losing her.”

“I’m not losing her,” scoffed Lucas. “If anyone should be worried about losing their wife, it’s Mike. He’s got El working herself to the bone because he’s too much of a pussy to send his book out.”

“Whoa!” Steve yelled, covering his son’s ears with his hands. “Language, dude. Come on.”

“I am not a pussy!” Mike snapped, causing Steve to yell again as he pressed harder. Jeremiah swatted at his hands but he held them firm. “I am polishing it, okay? It’s not as simple as just sending it out. Do you know how many people try to get a book published every year? It has to stand out. It has to be great. It has to be perfect. I’m just…”

“Just what? You’ve been polishing that thing for over a year. Come on, Mike. We all know you’re scared of rejection.”

“I…what…no!”

Dustin sighed, “Guys, seriously? Come on. No one’s wife is leaving them. And Mike, you’re scared and you know it but rejection is part of the process. John Grisham had his first novel rejected thirty times before someone decided to give it a shot and look at him now. You have to shit or get off the pot at this point because El can’t keep supporting you both forever. At this rate you’re going to be fifty and still working on the same damn book. And Lucas, just mute the damn game and listen to your wife. It’s not that hard. And Steve, you’re going to be fine so stop turning this around on these guys because you don’t want to talk about you. Get your nerves under control, man, or you’re going to be a spaz on your date. Jesus Christ, bunch of children.”

“Who are you to talk? You don’t even have a girl so how are you giving us advice?” challenged Mike. “Suzie dumped you.”

“It was mutual!” Dustin seethed. “She couldn’t walk away from her family and her faith so it was impossible for us to be together. I wasn’t willing to move there and she wasn’t willing to move here and after all that time, long distance was too damn hard. We both decided it was for the best but when I had her, I listened and I was a damn good boyfriend so I have plenty of room to talk.”

“Daddy!” Jeremiah yelled, pulling at his hands.

“Oh, sorry bud.” He removed his hands, placing them on his shoulders. “Alright, everybody needs to just take a breath and calm down or I’m not leaving you with my kid. I can give Robin a call if all of you need to go home and take a time out from each other.”

“No…we’re fine,” Dustin told him. “Right?”

“Yeah, I guess,” shrugged Lucas.

Mike sighed, “We’re good.”

Steve released a long breath, shaking his head. He loved these guys but they still had a lot of growing up to do. They might be twenty-six but they were still figuring out life. Hell, he was still figuring out life and he was thirty-two. Dustin wasn’t entirely wrong. He had to get out of his own head or he’d be a mess tonight.

Nervous energy still radiated through his body. He was doing this. He was going to go for it. He was going to try opening up, allowing himself to be vulnerable in a way he hadn’t been since Nance. He wanted this to work and if it was going to work then he had to allow you in, to see all of it, the good and the bad. You might not think he had any flaws but he had plenty and you were bound to notice them if the two of you crossed this line. He only hoped you were willing to try in spite of them.

“Alright. I have to get going if I am going to be on time picking her up. Are you guys going to behave while I’m gone or do I need to ask Robin to come check up on you?”

“No, man. We’re fine,” snorted Mike. “Besides, she’s with El and Max. They were going out to dinner and then to a movie. If you call her then they’ll show up too and they’ll be annoyed as hell.”

“Yeah and then we’ll never hear the end of it,” Lucas told him. “Max already thinks I’m a giant child. I don’t need her having any more ammunition.”

“Good. Then you kids have fun playing your game and I will see you later, okay?”

“We’re hoping not,” Dustin grinned, wiggling his eyebrows as a purring sound rolled through his throat, causing the others to grimace. “We can always stay the night if the date goes really well.”

“Come on,” Steve groaned, wrinkling his nose. “One, don’t make that noise. How many times do we have to tell you that it's not cute like you think it is? Two, I am a gentleman and I respect her and I am not going to be doing that on the first date. And three, don’t even insinuate about my sex life, man. That’s gross.”

“What’s sex?”

Steve’s hand covered his face at the sound of his son’s voice. Shit.

“And you ear muffed him because of us?” Lucas teased with a smile.

“Shut it,” warned Steve, jabbing his finger into his chest. “It’s nothing for you to worry about Jere. It’s grown-up stuff.”

“Grown-up stuff? Is it like when you kiss with your tongue?”

“How do you know about that!?”

Jeremiah shrugged, “I saw it on tv. Aunt Robin was watching a movie and they were kissing and then their tongues were in each other’s mouth and it looked gross. Why would you want someone else’s spit in your mouth?” The little boy shuddered.

“Oh kiddo,” mused Lucas, an arm coming around his shoulders. “You have so much yet to learn.”

Steve’s eyes went wide, “Nothing he better learn any time soon and Aunt Robin and I need to have a conversation about what she has on the television when she’s watching you.” He glanced over at the clock. “Jesus. I need to go. Seriously…” He pointed at each guy in turn. “If I get home and Jere informs me of anything else he’s learned, your ass is grass, do you understand me?”

Dustin held his hands up, “He won’t learn anything from me.”

Mike shook his head, “Me either.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t teach him anything…until he’s a bit older,” Lucas said, lifting his eyebrows. “What’s an uncle for if not to guide him in the ways of women?”

“I think Max would argue that your guidance is unnecessary,” Steve snorted. “Seriously, just…behave!”

“Yes sir!” they all mocked, two fingers coming to their foreheads in a salute.

__________________________________________________________

“Absolutely not,” Janice declared, shaking her head as you held up a blue dress.

“Why? It’s a dress.”

“It’s a dress that screams I am a good, pious girl who goes to church every Sunday and does not believe in premarital sex.”

Your eyes rolled towards the heavens, “I don’t even go to church, Janice, and I was having sex long before Justin and I got married. I’m pretty sure that ship has sailed.”

“Exactly,” your friend stated, pulling a burgundy dress from your closet, presenting it in front of you. “So, let’s not give off the wrong vibe. This dress has a plunging neckline and a short hem. It screams kiss me, touch me, ravish me, and that is exactly the kind of vibe we want to give Mr. Perfect tonight.”

Hands on your hips, your head tilted, “So you want me to give the impression that I’m cheap and easy?”

“Cheap? Absolutely not. Easy? Abso-fucking-lutely.”

“It’s a first date!”

“Is it, though? I mean, you guys have already hung out quite a few times. Like four already or something. You are well beyond the third date rule at this point.”

“Those weren’t dates,” you argued. “We were just hanging out.”

“Together. You have already gotten to know each other a bit and you know you like him.”

“Yeah because his son and all his friends told me.”

“And thank god for them!” Janice exclaimed. “Who knows how long it would have taken you two to finally admit the burning sexual desire that’s been pulsing between your legs for weeks. I would say those are some damn good friends because now you two can finally stop dancing around each other and do the horizontal mambo already.”

“Jesus. Janice, I am not having sex with him on the first date.”

“Honey, that vagina hasn’t seen any action in over two years. I can practically hear her begging for some relief.” She bent forward, hand next to her ear. “Yup. Can you hear that? She’s telling you she needs this. If not for you, do it for her.”

“You’re insane,” you mumbled, shoving her head away.

“No, I’m not. Can you honestly stand there and tell me you haven’t thought about jumping in the sheets with that man?”

Your face reddened, your eyes dropping to your bare feet. No, you couldn’t say that, not honestly. Of course you'd thought about what he’d be like in bed. What woman wouldn’t? Of course you'd envisioned your hands gripping those strong arms, your fingers tangled in that luscious hair, those lips…those fucking perfect lips and what they could make you feel.

But that didn’t mean you were going to jump into bed with him after date one. What kind of signal did that send? You were hoping this would become something, something meaningful, something lasting. You didn’t want to be some one-night stand or some friend with benefits. You weren't even sure how the two of you would handle being on a date, completely alone, without the kids as a buffer.

“You have! You so have!”

“Obviously I have. I’m attracted to him so obviously I’ve thought about him like that but it doesn’t mean I have to act on it right now. It’s…look, it’s been a while. I’ve only been with Justin for the last decade of my life. I’m a bit out of practice and he is definitely not out of practice. It sounds like he’s dated quite a few of the women in this town.”

“Oh girl, there is no such thing as out of practice. From what you told me, you and Justin had an excellent sex life. Besides, men are really not that hard to please. You need to be more worried about your pleasure. If he’s been around the block, maybe he’s not that good.”

“Jesus Christ!” you smacked her in the arm.

Janice shrugged with a smirk, “I’m just saying. Maybe you’re not the one you should be worried about. But no worries. You can always train him.”

“He’s not a puppy.”

“You sure? The way you describe him kind of makes him sound like he is. Ugh. I cannot wait to finally set eyes on this man. I have been dying to see if he is as damn hot as you claim.”

“He is. I assure you. He is.”

“I will be the judge of that. Now come on, get that dress on so we can get your hair and make-up done. Your man’s going to be here in an hour.”

One hour. One hour before you headed out on your first date with Steve, your first, first date in over a decade. One hour before Steve decided whether he actually wanted you or just liked the idea of you. One hour to see if the course of your life was heading in an entirely new direction.

____________________________________________________________

“Mommy, you look beautiful,” Eli said, Matt whistling, as you descended down the steps after Janice finally deemed you ready for your date.

You flashed your teeth, sweeping your arms out as you did a little bow, “Why, thank you. You can actually thank your Aunt Janice for that. She basically dressed me and styled me like I was her doll.”

Janice huffed from behind you, “I had to. You should have seen what she was trying to wear out with this man. You would have thought she was heading off to teach Sunday School instead of locking down this deal.”

“What deal?” asked Eli.

Matt laughed, “Your aunt just means that she wanted to make sure your mom looked really pretty for Steve.”

“But Steve already thinks my Mommy is pretty even when she wears jeans. I don’t think he cares if she has all kinds of colors on her face.”

You smiled at your son, placing your hand on top of his head, “Thank you little man. That’s what I was trying to get your aunt to understand. The man saw me first thing in the morning. If that didn’t scare him away, I don’t think a more conservative dress would have.”

“I’m not saying you’d scare him away but you want to send the message that you’re open for business.”

“What kind of business? I thought you helped kids. Are you starting a business, mommy?”

Matt let out an uproarious laugh as Janice cringed, shrugging, you shooting daggers at both of them. It was amazing your son didn’t know all about the birds and the bees with the best friend you had. Janice would learn soon enough with her and Matt trying for a baby. Once she had a little one around maybe she’d be a bit more discreet but you doubted it. Her kid would be the one explaining human anatomy to all the other kids on the playground.

“Mommy is not starting a business,” you stated, hoping he’d let it drop there as you leaned over, your hands on his shoulders. “Now, you be good for Aunt Janice and Uncle Matt, okay? I probably won’t be home before your bedtime.”

“We can always stay over if things go really well,” sang Janice.

“Are you having a sleepover with Steve?” Eli asked with a wide grin. “Sleepovers are the most fun!”

“Sleepovers are the most fun!” shrieked Janice.

“No,” you stated, glaring at your best friend. “No. I am not. I will be here in the morning when you wake up.”

“Dream crusher,” muttered Janice.

“You know, you could just let her take this at her own pace,” her husband told her.

“If I let her take this at her own pace, it will never happen. His friends had to basically tell them to go on this date or these two would still be dancing around each other like middle schoolers with crushes. Punching each other in the arm and running away instead of announcing their feelings and getting on with it.”

“Mommy and Steve have never punched each other. That wouldn’t be very nice. Friends don’t hurt each other.”

“Oh kid, you have so much still to learn,” guffawed Matt, ruffling his hair. “Lucky for you, you’ve got me.” He winked, leaving your son looking even more confused just as three firm raps sounded at the door.

You straightened, spinning around. Janice beamed, bouncing up and down on her heels. Eli let out a clap and a squeal. Matt just laughed again, shaking his head at all of them.

“Is someone actually going to answer the door or are we going to leave the poor man standing on the porch?” he asked.

You swallowed hard, trying to get the lump of nerves that was currently lodged in your throat down. You wanted to tell all of them to go away but that was never going to happen. Janice had been dying to lay eyes on him from the moment you had told her about him. Your best friend was not going to be convinced to leave.

This was it. Moment of truth. You stepped forward, hand on the doorknob, inhaling deeply through your nose. You were doing this. Either it would go well and your life would become infinitely different but you had to believe also better or it wouldn’t and everything would stay the same. Same wasn’t so bad. Different would be amazing…better would be even more amazing, but the worst case scenario wasn’t so bad. If Steve didn’t want to pursue anything after tonight you would survive. Of course you would. You'd survived so much worse already. You could handle one small date, dinner, possibly drinks, maybe some dessert.

You swung open the door, the air from the outside rushing in just as the air in your body rushed out. Steve seemed to have that effect on you. It was hard not to when he always looked so damn handsome but god, he looked even better tonight. Yellow was his color, bringing out the green and gold in those heavenly eyes. He flashed you a smile and your knees wobbled as he produced a bouquet of bright pink peonies from behind his back.

“Wow,” he breathed, his eyes running from the top of your head to the tip of your toes and back again. “You look…incredible.”

“You too,” you managed, taking the flowers as he held them out to you. “Thank you. These are beautiful. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Of course I did. First date, right? It’s kind of a requirement and, you know, I have to make a good impression.”

Eli pointed at him and winked with a big smile and Steve returned the gesture.

“Oh, you’ve got that locked down,” came Janice’s voice from behind you as she stepped forward, looking over Steve appreciatively. “Damn. She told me you were gorgeous enough to be on television. I thought she was exaggerating but she definitely wasn’t. Look at that hair. Jesus, what products do you use to get it to do that?”

Your stomach rolled with embarrassment, a flash of heat creeping up your neck and across your cheeks. Janice was extremely candid and blunt without ever feeling an ounce of shame. But the words that came out of her mouth often caused you to feel just that.

“Uh…thanks. It’s Herbal Essences. I use the Flexible Airspray to get it exactly where I want it,” he stammered.

“Well, it works. Have you seen how thick it is? Jesus, you just want to run your fingers through it, don’t you?” Janice murmured, rising on her tiptoes, her eyes glued to his hair. “And those eyes and wow, look at that chest hair. Damn girl. You done good.”

“Excuse my wife,” Matt sighed, stepping in, placing his arm around her waist as he gently eased her back and away from Steve. You shot him a look of gratitude and he winked. “She just says whatever she’s thinking.”

“Oh, I have a friend who does the same thing,” chuckled Steve with a wave of his hand. “No big deal. I’m used to it. You must be Janice and Matt. She's told me a lot about you.”

“She’s told me a lot about you too,” Janice smirked. “And you sound like a pretty great guy. You better be exactly how you sound. You take care of my girl because if you hurt her…”

“Steve won’t hurt my mommy. He took good care of her when she fell down,” Eli interrupted angrily.

“Oh my god,” you groaned. “And on that note, how about we get going before they humiliate me more or Janice has a chance to threaten you any further?”

“Sounds good,” agreed Steve with a nod. “Have fun tonight, little man.”

“Have fun!” Eli yelled, waving.

You closed the door behind you with a relieved sigh, offering Steve a smile as he offered you his hand, leading you toward his car. You loved your friend but Steve would never want to see you again if he was threatened with the pain of death if anything went wrong.

“I am so sorry about all of that,” you muttered as he opened your door for you and you slid inside.

“No worries,” he assured with a laugh, sliding into the driver's seat. “Are you forgetting how embarrassing my friends are? She’s just looking out for you like they were for me. I get it. Although she was oddly obsessed with my hair.”

“Who isn’t obsessed with your hair?” you teased as he pulled away from the house. This was it. It was happening. You were about to have your first date in over a decade that wasn't Justin. Glancing out the window, you willed your body to relax. This was going to be fine. You could do this.

___________________________________________________________

Steve opened the door to Sage and Salt, his hand finding its way to your lower back as he guided you into the restaurant. The place was a tiny oasis of elegance and charm in the otherwise small-town feel of Hawkins, providing a little taste of what luxury felt like, which was precisely what the owner had been going for. The decor was a mixture of old-world charm and modern sophistication. Lighting made softer as it shone through stained glass fixtures created a romantic atmosphere.

Prior to its opening, the only restaurant that would be considered nice was Enzo’s, a popular Italian place just down the block. After seven first dates there, Steve couldn’t have choked down another breadstick if he’d wanted to. The whole town had rejoiced when a new dining option had opened.

“Steve!”

His head turned, giving the caller of his name a wide, warm smile as she swooped in, wrapping him in a hug, the only motherly hug he’d ever truly experienced in his life. The tiny woman held on tightly before turning to you, her smile getting even wider.

“And who is this vision of loveliness?”

“Joyce, this is Y/N,” he introduced, his arm coming around his date, hand lightly wrapping around your bicep. “And this is Joyce. She’s basically Hawkins mama.”

“Really? The whole town’s mama?” you asked with a breezy chuckle, the sound filling Steve’s head like a song he just wanted to listen to over and over again. “That’s quite a responsibility.”

Joyce rolled her eyes, “Well, you know, when your son brings home half the town, what are you going to do? It started with the boys. Mike, Dustin, and Lucas and all their DnD stuff. Then came the girls, Max and El. Lucas’s little sister Erica was deemed cool enough to join at one point. And then this one started dating Mike’s sister and became Dustin’s honorary big brother so he and Robin joined the crew. I swear my house was constantly filled to the brim. They barely fit inside that little place. And of course now, with my son married to Nancy and step-dad to Steve’s little boy…” She shrugged. “We’re all just family now.”

You looked over at Steve, wide-eyed. He had not warned you or prepared you for this. Sure, from the outside looking in, he could see how strange it would be that he was so close to his ex-wife’s new husband’s mom but he’d been close to Joyce for years. That wasn’t going to change. He’d had two choices when everything went to shit and then Nancy and Jonathan had grown closer. He could accept it and make the best of it or he could be bitter and make things difficult for everyone. The choice seemed pretty obvious to him.

“Wow, that’s…incredible. And do you own this place?” you inquired.

“Me? No. I just help out around here doing whatever needs doing. My son, Will, is the one who owns it. He opened it a few years ago. Have you met him?”

“No. I haven’t. Not yet.”

“He’s here tonight. He’s in the back right now working on the schedule but ’ll send him out to say hi. His husband, Nolan, is our chef,” Joyce beamed. “That’s how they met. It’s a cute story but I’ll let him tell it. Now, why don’t you two take that table over there in the back?” She winked at you. “We save that table just for our special guests and I’ll have Will head on out to take your order in a bit.” She elbowed Steve gently, mouthing, “She’s gorgeous!”

She didn’t have to tell him that. He was surprised to find he was still standing, feeling as if the rug had been pulled out from under him, when the front door opened. That red dress hugged you in all the right places and the color was spectacular on you. You were always beautiful but you were absolutely stunning tonight.

The table Joyce had directed you to was a small rounded booth set in the back of the restaurant, a little space where the two of you couldn’t be seen by the other diners thanks to a small wooden wall that raised up behind it. Joyce knew how chatty the residents of Hawkins could be and he sent her a silent thank you for allowing you privacy. The minute anyone caught sight of you both, they would be the talk of the town. And that, he didn’t mind. But he didn’t want people feeling the need to approach your table, interrupting your dinner to gush over how cute you two were. And having been raised here, that is exactly what some of these residents would do.

“So,” you began as he slid in next to you, “you failed to mention that your ex-wife married your friend.”

“Well, it hadn’t really come up,” Steve shrugged. “I don’t know if anyone would have qualified Jonathan and I as friends. I mean, definitely not in high school. He was the weird, loner kid. He did photography for the school paper. That was how he and Nance knew each other. But I guess we became friends the more I hung out with the little twerps. We all just kind of got thrown together and then, yeah, we all hung out. I needed people my own age sometimes. Anyway, when Nance and I split, he was just around for her, you know? Just as a friend at first but then they started feeling more and they were really honest with me about it.”

“And you weren’t upset?”

Steve’s fingers drummed over the table, “Actually, no. You’d think I would be. I suppose I had a right to be. Of all the people she could find, she chose someone who was already so intricately woven into our lives. But I wasn’t. If anything, I guess I thought it was better that way. Jere already knew him. Jonathan’s been a part of everything. I think it made it easier for him to just slide right in. And he’s never expected Jere to call him dad. He’s just Jonathan to him and that’s alright with everyone. But he loves my kid and he’s damn good to him. I mean, what more could I possibly ask for?”

“You have got to be the most mature man to ever exist,” you commented, tucking a strand of hair, the exact same strand he’d been longing to push back, behind your ear.

“I don’t know about that but it works for us, you know? We’re a family. Nance and I are connected forever because we have a kid. We might have failed at the marriage part but we created one perfect boy. I love that kid more than anything so why wouldn’t I want the best for him? And what’s best for him is everyone he loves working together in his best interests. Trust me, it’s so nice to have a third person to help.”

“I’ll have to trust you on that one. I don’t even have a second person…”

Your voice trailed off softly and before he could consider what he was doing, Steve’s hand was on your cheek, his thumb brushing over your cheekbone. Your skin was so soft. It was like running his fingers across silk. He couldn’t imagine what it was like, raising a kid alone. He knew you had your friend but to not have a true partner, someone who was just as invested in this kid you’d created as you were…it had to be so damn hard.

Everything that happened with him was on you. Every emotion you had to bear on your own. Every triumph Eli experienced you celebrated alone. Every injury or illness, you worried alone. Every heartbreak he would experience you would have to heal on your own. But maybe not. Maybe not if this thing went the way he hoped.

“You do now,” he assured you, swallowing down his desire to press his lips against yours, the way he’d been wanting to since that first moment he’d turned around and your mouth had formed that perfect little o, that small gasp that fell from those lips creating a need in him to swallow it down.

“That’s really sweet of you but we don’t even know how this is…”

Steve cut you off, “I told you. It doesn’t matter how this goes. I mean, it does. I want it to go well but even if it doesn’t, I am not going anywhere. Jere loves Eli so regardless of what happens with us, the two of us are going to stay a part of your lives.”

“Steve,” you began but you were interrupted when a young guy approached your table.

“Hey. Mom said you were here and told me I needed to come over and say hello,” he said with a shy smile, offering his hand out to you. “I’m Will.”

“Y/N,” you grinned, taking his hand. “It’s so good to meet you.”

“You too. I’ve already heard all about you from everyone else.”

“Oh, great. That’s just great. Including my embarrassing fall complete with passing out, I assume?”

He laughed, “Yeah. But if it makes it any better, they did tell me they were mostly at fault for that. Sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong is kind of their speciality.”

“So I’ve noticed.” And there was that laugh again. “This is your restaurant? I’m sorry to say that I’ve never been here before. I guess I didn’t really have a reason to…” That sadness passed over your face again and without thinking, Steve’s hand covered yours, wishing he could take it from you, absorb it into his own skin so you never had to look like that again. You shook your head, smile firmly back in place. “Anyway, it’s amazing in here. I love the feel of the place.”

“Thanks. If you love the feel, just wait until you taste the food. Nolan is an artist when it comes to cooking.”

“And speaking of artists, our Will here is an artist. All the artwork on the walls is his,” Steve told you, gesturing around them to the eclectic variety of paintings that adorned the space.

Your jaw dropped, eyes widening, taking in the various canvases around the space. Steve warmed at the way Will’s cheeks pinkened, his mouth curving up slightly. He might struggle with taking compliments but it didn’t mean he didn’t deserve all of them. Will was an amazing artist. It wasn’t something that was bringing in big income but Steve loved that he never gave it up. The kid needed the outlet. He always had.

“You painted these? Are you kidding me? These are amazing.”

Will shrugged, “Thanks. It’s just…I don’t know, a hobby I guess.”

“Oh, don’t be modest. You’ve sold quite a few paintings over the years,” Steve reminded him.

“I guess. June bought a few for the coffee shop. I have one hanging in Enzo’s. And I actually was featured in an art show in Indianapolis last year and sold six of them. But it’s just a side thing. The restaurant is my real job.”

“Sounds to me like you have two jobs,” you replied. “Both you get to be your own boss and having this still allows you to do what you love. You’re living the dream!”

“I guess,” he grinned. “I never looked at it like that, but yeah. I am pretty much living my dream.” Will cleared his throat, winking at Steve. “Anyway, I don’t want to interrupt your meal any further. I will make sure Nolan whips up something amazing for you both, on the house. You two enjoy your dinner.”

“Thanks. And you two better make it over soon. I haven’t seen your faces in far too long, kid.”

“We will. We will,” he sighed with a roll of his eyes. “It was really nice meeting you. Enjoy guys.”

“Thanks Will,” you smiled. “It was so nice to meet you.” Resting your chin on top of your fist, you turned those beautiful eyes on Steve. “Are you just friends with all the nicest people?”

“In Hawkins? Possibly.”

“It explains so much.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Steve inquired with a chuckle, pausing to thank the waiter when he deposited a bottle of wine, compliments of the owner. The man poured you both a small glass, waiting for your approval before moving along.

“Well, you can tell a lot about a person based on the people he has around him. You have to be one of the kindest, most generous, and patient people I have ever met. The more I see of your world around you, the more it makes sense.”

“You’ve met Robin, right?” he scoffed, lifting his glass to his lips. “I have to have the patience of a saint to be best friends with her.”

“But you don’t. You don’t have to be friends with her. You didn’t have to step in as honorary big brother to Dustin. You certainly didn’t need to then become honorary big brother to a bunch of other kids. You didn’t have to be kind to Nancy and stay friends when you split. You didn’t have to maintain friendships with all of these people who are intricately tied to what was possibly the biggest heartbreak of your life. But you did and you do because they’re worth it. You saw in them what you wanted for yourself. Steve Harrington, you have created a family around you, something it sounds like you were missing growing up. You’ve surrounded your son with a warm family and so much support and love, the kind you didn’t have growing up.” You tilted your head, analyzing him in a way that made him nervous. “You’re kind of amazing.”

“Amazing enough for a second date?”

“Well, we’ll have to see how the rest of dinner goes but I have to say, I really like your chances so far,” you teased, eyes twinkling under the low light.

____________________________________________________________

Your entire body hummed pleasantly as Steve drove toward your house. For all of your concern, your date could not have gone more perfectly. The conversation flowed easily, the food had been excellent, and Steve had continually found little moments to touch you in some fashion. His hand on yours, his fingers brushing over your arm, his palm coming to rest on your knee. Even now, his fingers were locked with yours, your hands resting on your thigh. It felt so easy, so natural and it shouldn’t, should it?

The gentle spring breeze blew through your hair, Jewel’s voice radiating from the speakers, and your stomach clenched. Because it really shouldn’t be this easy. It shouldn’t feel this simple with a man you'd only known for a couple of weeks. It shouldn’t feel this natural to just move on after losing the love of your life. You feared it was too easy. You feared it would inevitably all come crashing down around you because something had to go wrong, surely. The universe couldn’t possibly make it this effortless, couldn’t allow you to experience this kind of happiness twice when some people never got it once.

“So,” Steve mused, breaking through your thoughts of doom and gloom, “what do you think?”

“About what?”

He smirked, pulling into your driveway, turning off the car. His torso turned toward you, one hand resting on the steering wheel, the other still tightly wrapped around yours. God, he was so damn beautiful. He was the kind of beautiful that left a deep ache inside of you.

“Did the night go well enough for a second date?”

“Oh!” Your lips pressed together, looking down at your hands, the way his completely consumed yours, your fingers all but disappearing in his grasp. “Yeah. This night went…I mean, it was perfect.”

“Perfect? I don’t know about that.”

“No. It was.”

“Nah, it can’t be perfect yet. There’s a very pivotal detail that’s missing.”

“What’s what?” you chuckled.

“A goodnight kiss,” he answered, those hazel eyes blazing, gold and green burning you straight to your core. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you from the moment I saw you on the baseball field.”

There went all your oxygen again but this time it wasn’t from an anxiety attack. It was from a deep wanting, a desire that had been rumbling within you, frothing beneath the surface from the moment he’d turned and laid that smile on you.

“Can I kiss you, honey?”

There he went with that honey again. It oozed through you, just like the sticky sweet concoction, pooling in all the right places. Your heart slammed against your ribcage as you nodded, wondering if this moment could possibly live up to the expectation you'd created in your mind of what his lips against yours would feel like.

Steve’s fingers slid through your hair, tenderly gripping the back of your neck. Your breath caught as he leaned forward, pausing for just a beat, his breath brushing across your cheek. His nose nuzzled yours, his lips finding yours, soft and sweet, barely grazing before applying more pressure, molding to your own.

It was a free fall into a sweet abyss of nothingness. It was every scar, wound, ache slowly knitting itself together. It was healing your heart and your soul. It was magic dancing across your skin, igniting you from within. It was both embarking on the greatest adventure and coming home to the comfort of what was safe. It was so much better than your brain could have conjured. It was terrifying and exciting and soothing all at the same time because you already knew you wanted to do it again and again. There was no way you would ever get enough of this.

“Damn…” Steve gasped as you pulled apart, his smile stretching his face, looking as blown away as you felt. “That was…”

“Amazing,” you finished, unsure what to do with this information that was blowing your mind. How could your first kiss be so damn good? Shouldn’t it have at least been awkward?

“I…want…I want to do that again,” he stammered.

Then his hands were cupping your face and his lips were devouring yours. With just a kiss, you felt like you were coming undone, heat gathering in your center until you thought you would spontaneously combust right there, in the passenger seat of his car.

You leaned into him, fighting back the urge to climb over the console and into his lap. His tongue slid over the seam of your lips and you opened for him, welcoming the spicy tang of red wine and cardamom that invaded your senses. He was everywhere at once, completely consuming you and still, you couldn’t get enough.

Snapping back to reality, you placed a hand on his chest, pushing yourself back a bit. No. You were not going to cross that line on the first date. Damn, you wanted to. You really wanted to as you took in the sight of his swollen lips, eyelids heavy with the same desire you felt. It took everything in you not to tell him to drive you somewhere private.

“I should…Jesus…I should really get inside…” you muttered.

“Yeah. Yeah. Let me, uh…I’ll walk you to…”

“No. That’s okay,” you protested, needing to put distance between the two of you before you did something you could never take back. It was one thing to go on a date, even share a few kisses, and decide things weren’t working out. It was something entirely different to cross that line, to share your body and soul, to be as intimate as you could be, and manage to be logical about it. “I…I’ll see you Thursday, right?”

“Thursday?” he questioned, flustered.

“Baking?”

“Oh yeah. Baking. Yeah. I’ll be there.” As you moved to get out of the car, his hand grasped your arm and you swallowed hard, fighting back the surging desire that roared within you once again at his touch. “Hey. We okay?”

“We’re good,” you assured him, offering a smile. And you were but you would not be if you did not get the hell out of this car. “Really. This night has been…well, it’s been perfect now.”

“Yeah,” he nodded, teeth scraping over his kiss bitten lip. Why did he have to be so damn sexy? “It was perfect. I can’t wait for Thursday to have more alone time with you.”

Your stomach rolled. He was coming to your house while the kids were at school. Your house where there was a couch, a bed, a table…a variety of spaces where…no, you were not going to let that happen. Not yet. It was a horrible idea. Way too soon, right?

“Me neither.”

You darted from the car, turning back to wave as you reached the porch. You dug in your purse for your keys but before you could find them the door swung open, Janice waiting on the other side looking like the cat that caught the canary.

“God damn,” she squealed, wiggling her fingers in Steve’s direction as he backed out of the driveway. “I mean, seriously…goddamn. That was…”

Your mouth dropped open, “Were you spying?”

“Of course I was spying! That was hot as hell! You have been well and truly kissed my friend.”

“Jesus Janice! Creeper much?”

“Oh come on! I had to watch. And that was…god, was it as good as it looked?”

“It was better,” you smiled, jumping when your friend shrieked.

“Now we just need to get you well and truly fucked which shouldn’t be hard based on what I just saw.”

Chapter 10

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