Page 2 of Rubber Duckie Shifter Next Door

I’m way out of my element here. I don’t know how to parent one kid, let alone three. And I have zero clue how to get them to do what I say.

What was Janey thinking, leaving them in my care?

I instinctively touch my right ring finger, where the gold wave-shaped ring she always wore now sits.

I should have read some parenting books before offering to watch the kids so Ada could go on her trip. I should have stuck around and helped raise them.

Noah scratches his armpit. “We’re on a shower strike forever.”

“Noah!” Anna hisses.

Lisa glares at me. “We want Nana.”

Anna’s eyes fill with tears. “Please…”

“Oh, honey, she’ll be back before you know it.” I try to pull her into my arms, even though she smells more zombie than human. She backs away, tears streaming down her dirty cheeks.

Lisa scowls at me. “Now look at what you’ve done!”

Her words are like a slap to the face, and I suddenly feel like bawling right along with Anna.

What was I thinking, coming here? Of course, the kids don’t want me around. I abandoned them when they needed me most!

I should have stuck around five years ago, after the car accident. I should have kissed their booboos, helped with homework, and tucked them in at night. But Noah was just a baby, and the twins were two, and I freaked out. So the moment Ada offered to take them in, I ran.

I was young and foolish, and I convinced myself the three of them would be better off without me. But the travel, the parties, the random hookups… none of it meant anything. The kids do. And I plan to make up for not being here. Which means either I figure this out or I throw in the towel and call their nana.

Ada would drop everything for her grandkids, no questions asked. One phone call and she’d be on the first flight home. But what if she tells me to go back to doing what I’m good at: traveling the world and having fun?

But then why did I bother studying and getting IT certified so I could find a boring, steady job? Why did I promise myself I’d be a responsible adult? Why did I spend the past year trying to convince Ada to take this trip?

I’m hyperventilating when Ada’s hot-as-hell muscles-for-years neighbor peeks over the fence. “Is everything okay over there?”

“No!” all three kids shout at the same time.

I barely pay them any attention, I’m so focused on the man next door. His voice envelops me like a warm, cozy blanket and makes my spiraling thoughts short-circuit.

He’s got that just-rolled-out-of-bed look that makes me wish I’d been rolling in it with him. His dirty blond hair is in desperate need of a comb and a cut, but I’m willing to tackle anyone who comes at it with a brush or scissors. Or go to beauty school for the chance to run my fingers through it myself.

He’s only visible from the chest-up, but the fence is tall, which means so is he. Is it bad that a part of me is hoping he’s naked from the waist down? Yes. That is bad. And weird and wrong, and I’m definitely not imagining long, tanned legs and a hard…

Stop it, Rachel! Not in front of the kids!

Don’t picture him taking off his blue polo shirt to reveal huge, delicious pecs that are just begging to be licked. No, don’t! Stop. Stop. Stop!

My eyes snap up to his face—look at me being all PG—and oh boy, that face is as gorgeous as the rest of him. His angular jaw, covered in stubble, and those twinkling blue eyes do something funny to my insides. And when his lips curve up into a slow smile, I’m gone.

My belly does somersaults. My heart rate accelerates. My womb shouts ‘breed me’ when it should be running for the hills.

After the week I’ve just had, having more kids is not the answer. Not even with him.

Chapter 2

Rachel

Ada’s glorious neighbor gives me a once-over, and heat floods my cheeks.

I give myself a mental slap on the wrist. Bad, bad, Rachel.