Carissa reached across and gently pulled Travis’s hand from Joker’s shirt. Waving it at Keith, she ordered, “Say hello to Mr. Robinson, Googly.”

“Gah doo,” Travis said, yanked his hand from his ma’s and shoved his fist in his mouth.

Mr. Robinson smiled.

“That’s why we’re here, sweetie, kind of,” she said and Joker looked down at her to see her looking up at him. “Mrs. Heely wanted to meet Travis so I took him around. We got to chatting. Then we spoke to Kam. We’re having everyone over for dinner tonight. Is that okay?”

She had an ulterior motive, he knew. She’d been on about getting Mrs. Heely in the house across the street since she’d noticed it was for rent.

It was Tuesday. They hadn’t even had Travis back for twenty-four hours. And now she was using Mrs. Heely asking to meet her boy as her excuse to wrangle what she wanted.

Having Mrs. Heely across the street would absolutely not suck, so he told her, “It’s good with me.”

“Great!” she cried, bouncing a little at his side with her excitement, something that was cute and hot. Then she pulled away. “Oh my gosh! So rude. Mr. Robinson, this is Mrs. Heely. She used to be Carson’s neighbor but she’s really Carson’s family,” she announced.

Mrs. Heely visibly swelled with pride as she offered her hand.

“Mr. Robinson was our history teacher in high school,” Joker told her.

Mrs. Heely’s eyes lit. “Lovely to meet you, and so nice to see a teacher taking a continuing interest in his students.”

They were holding hands in greeting as Keith replied, “There’s always been lots to be interested in with Carson, as is evidenced right there.”

They broke off with Mrs. Heely smiling. “I wholeheartedly agree.”

“Me too,” Carissa mumbled under her breath.

Fuck, this crew didn’t shut the fuck up about how awesome he was, he’d actually have to acknowledge it. It felt great, but it was still awkward as shit.

Like she knew what he was feeling, Carissa bulldozed right in there.

“Now, I hate to say it, but it’s already late and we have to get to the grocery store.” She looked to Keith. “We’re suddenly feeding nine people. I need to get food in.” She tipped her head to the side. “Would you like to join us?”

“Some other time, Carissa. My wife and I have plans tonight,” Keith answered.

“Bummer, but I understand. Short notice. We’ll set it up for another night.” She turned to Mrs. Heely. “You ready to hit the store?”

“Whenever you are,” Mrs. Heely answered.

She came back to Joker, lifting her hands to her son. “Come on, baby boy, Mommy and Mrs. Heely need to get to the grocery store pronto.”

Travis lurched in Joker’s arms, tried to find purchase on his jaw, and shouted, “Bah, moo mah!”