Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
The asshole she’d cheated with didn’t want anything to do with her. I guess that could be part of her problem. Realizing she’d thrown her family, her life away for nothing. Now she wants it back, but there’s no going back. “Come here.” I pulled my girl from her seat onto my lap and wrapped my arms around her.
“No matter what, we’re going to be together. I didn’t keep you away or keep her in my house because I wanted it. The judge took pity on her and let her stay until she could find a place. There’s nothing she can do to change what is, that ship’s already sailed. I’m not sleeping with her. I barely even say two words to her anymore unless it has something to do with my kids. Okay?”
She nodded and took my face between her hands to kiss my cheek. “I know that, it’s just…I didn’t like her getting in my face. I don’t want her thinking she has any say in our lives.”
“She doesn’t. Now scram I gotta go. Step-mommy.” I grinned and lifted her off my lap before she kissed me to death. “I like the way that sounds and Jackson, I will be good to your kids I promise.” I had to kiss her again. “I know it. You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe that.”
Even though she’d never met the kids or they her, we had had many talks about them. She’d already planned shopping trips with my daughter, shown me cute little dresses in catalogs that she thought would be pretty on the little girl she’d only ever seen in a photo.
As for my son, she once told me she was going to brush up on her softball and basketball skills so he wouldn’t feel left out. If I thought she was all talk I would’ve turned a deaf ear, but I knew her well enough to know she was a woman of her word. She was my forever girl and she’d gone out of her way time and again to show me. She’d left a mansion in the big city to follow me here for fuck sake.
Chapter 8
***
Once outside I looked at my watch, the kids would be leaving soon for school, I had time. I headed for home so I could see my kids off, but there was something else I had to do there. My ex was going to pitch a fit when I tell her she had to find somewhere to spend the night, but that wasn’t my problem.
I pulled into the driveway and headed inside. The house sounded like it did every morning with the kids and their last minute shit. “Daddy.” My little princess saw me first and came running with the backpack that was almost as big as she was swinging on her back. My son was more reserved when he walked into the room, but I saw that little smile touch the corners of his lips.
I picked my girl up for her morning kiss and ruffled Junior’s hair. “You guys had a good night?” Mellie prattled on about her dream while my son kept giving my ex looks. He looked pissed about something but I held my peace for now.
“Come on let’s go wait for the bus.” I led them outside where the bus would be coming along any minute to take them to school. Once I’d put my daughter down, I turned to my son.
“Something on your mind son?” He shook his head and looked back towards the house. “You know you can tell me anything don’t you?” He studied me pretty much the way I do with people when I’m trying to take their measure and I waited. He took one last look at the house and then leaned in to whisper something in my ear. Mellie was busy trying to catch a butterfly that was buzzing around her head.
His words gave me a jolt but I didn’t change expression. I pulled him into my arms for a hug. “It’s okay son, thanks for telling me. I don’t want you worrying about any of this okay, just have a good day at school.”
“What’re you going to do dad?” I cupped his cheek and pulled his nose playfully. “Nothing for you to worry about, everything’s going to be okay.” I waited for the bus with leashed anger and gritted my teeth until it came. Once they got on and the bus rolled out I went back to the house loaded for bear.
I’d planned on telling her to make herself scarce tonight because I was bringing my woman home to meet my kids. Harsh, yes, but I really didn’t give a fuck. What my son just told me called for a change of action though.
“Get your shit and get the fuck outta my house.”