Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
I nod. “Sure. Sounds good. Let’s nail something down this weekend.”
I give her a one-armed hug and shut the door before pulling my cell from the pocket of my sweatpants. But there’s no text or voicemail from Melissa. I’m starting to get worried enough to call and check up on her when the drone of the garage door opening sounds from the other side of the house.
Grinning, I start down the hall to greet her and Chase, but when the door opens, Melissa is alone.
Alone, with tears on her cheeks and smudged mascara under her eyes.
Chapter 13
Melissa
Everything is shit.
Total shit.
But even though it’s at least partly due to the man standing in front of me, I can’t bring myself to be angry with him.
It’s not Aaron’s fault. It’s the crazy world’s fault and Ben’s fault and my fault for not standing up for myself the way I should have.
But when Ben and Radcliffe ambushed me at work, I was so shocked, so caught off guard, that before I knew it, I was agreeing to let them keep Chase for the next few days. I told myself it was just a few days and that this crazed fan they’re worried about materializing would prove to be a nothing burger and everything would be fine.
Then, I got into the car to head home alone and cried my eyes out.
“What’s wrong, Mel?” Aaron asks, cupping my cheek in his hand. “What happened? Is Chase okay? Are you okay?”
I try to hold it together, but my face crumples and my voice cracks as I say, “Ben took him. He doesn’t think it’s safe for Chase to be here while half of Wisconsin wants to beat the snot out of you.”
Aaron looks like I’ve punched him. His expression is so stricken, I hurry to assure him, “I told him it was fine. That no one even knew you were here and that Wisconsin fans are all talk, anyway, but he was scared. When he’s scared, I can’t get through to him.” I sniff, tearing up again. “And stupid old Radcliffe was there, acting like we were in the middle of a code red zombie containment crisis or something and making everything worse. I swear, that man isn’t as nice as he pretends to be. He acts like all he wants to do is help, but his help feels bossy and smothering and bad.” I swipe at my cheeks. “I’m not just saying that because I’m jealous that he landed a dessert deal with the biggest frozen food distributor in the Midwest. I mean, I am jealous, but that’s a totally separate thing. That’s professional. This is p-personal.”
“Fuck that guy,” Aaron says, scowling as he brushes my hair from my forehead. “You’re right. We’re perfectly safe. I haven’t told anyone I’m here except my family and this is just sports shit-talking that will blow over in a week or two. Kreicheque will be out for a few games, his pay will go to the emergency assistance fund, and we’ll all move on with our lives.” He sighs and smooths the dampness from my cheek with his thumb. “But we can fix this right now. Call Ben and tell him that I’m moving back to Gram’s. I’ll call a cab and be gone by the time you get back from picking Chase up at his dad’s house.”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t want you to go. That isn’t fair. I offered you a place to stay and things have been working out really well. Besides, Chase is still dying to watch Finding Nemo with you. And build more block towers.”
His brows pinch closer together. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I don’t want to upset him by changing plans and going to get him now, anyway. Radcliffe promised him savory crepes for dinner to make up for missing dirty green beans and he was so excited.” My lips curve even as fresh tears press at the backs of my eyes. “I swear, that kid’s going to be a chef or a food critic or something when he grows up. I’ve never met a toddler who gets so excited about exotic foods.”
“He’s a special kid,” Aaron says, his gaze softening. “And you’re a special mom. You’re doing a great job with all this. Sharing custody and being a single parent and all the rest of it.”
I feel my lips tremble, but I can’t seem to make them stop. That was just so…exactly what I needed to hear. “Thanks,” I finally croak out, starting to cry again in earnest when Aaron pulls me against him with his good arm.
“No, I’ll hurt your neck,” I murmur, but when he keeps me pinned to his chest, I don’t fight back. It feels too good to lean on someone else for a little while, even if it’s only for a few minutes.