Making Up For Lost Time

Suzie’s stretched out on her bed when her mom Alice pokes her head in and drops the bomb—two-week work trip, so Suzie’s staying with her stepdad. Suzie’s eyebrows shoot up; she hasn’t seen Kevin in forever and worries he won’t want a teenager underfoot. Alice laughs it off, says the split was about her and Kevin clashing, nothing to do with Suzie, and promises they’ll both have a blast. Kevin opens his door a couple days later and there’s that awkward pause while they both figure out the hug. He grabs her suitcase, tells her to relax—he’s got everything. As she brushes past, his eyes trail down her back like he’s already unwrapping a gift she doesn’t know about. A couple days later, Kevin strolls in with two shiny boutique bags and a sheepish grin. Laundry disaster: whole load bleached to nothing. He bought replacements. Suzie pulls out tiny skirts and crop tops and mumbles they’re not really her thing, but he plays dumb—swears the clerk swore this is what girls her age wear. Feeling guilty, she tries a couple on. Kevin whistles low, tells her she looks killer, and the compliment lands. She twirls, decides maybe the style isn’t so bad after all. Movie night rolls around. Kevin pats his thigh and says she can sit on his lap. Suzie snorts—she’s not five anymore. He drops the sad-dad act, says he missed so much time with her and just wants to catch up. She sighs, climbs on, still clueless about the hard-on she’s about to feel pressing up against her.