Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I certainly would because you never know what Chad will do.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” she fussed. “I need to know tonight if everything’s okay.”
“I’ll text you as soon as I know something.”
“Okay. I hope everything’s okay.”
“Me, too.”
As soon as I hung up, I dialed Ronin’s number and let it ring numerous times, but he never answered. I called a second time, and again, no answer. I needed to know that he was okay, so I sent him a text.
Me:
Hey.
Are you okay?”
I waited and waited, but no response.
Thinking he might be in bed or driving home, I decided to give him a few minutes and went to my room to change into my pajamas. As I started down the hall, I heard Nathan talking, and there was something about his tone that brought me to an immediate halt.
I put my ear closer to the door and listened as he said, “I don’t know, Dad. I think he’s a pretty cool guy.”
There was a long pause, and then Nathan whined, “But I don’t want to live over there, Dad, and neither does Samantha.”
I couldn’t believe it.
The asshole was trying to manipulate the kids into moving in with him—even though I knew damn well he didn’t really want them there. He was too busy with his new fiancé and his fancy job to care about where the kids lived. He was just trying to hurt me, but I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction.
Nathan sounded truly distraught as he muttered, “Don’t do this, Dad.”
Unable to hold back my anger, I opened the door and found Nathan sitting on his bed, and he looked to be on the verge of tears. And that angered me even more. I extended my hand as I demanded, “Give me the phone.”
“It’s Dad.”
“I know. Now, give me the phone.”
Nathan looked horrified when I took the phone from his hand and stepped out into the hall. I kept my voice low as I hissed, “You have some nerve. I can’t believe you would try to pit the kids against me.”
“I’m just looking out for my kids. Clearly, you aren’t.”
“I’m the only one who looks out for them!” Fearing the kids would hear me, I darted down the hall to my room and closed the door. “I’m the one who feeds them, clothes them, takes them to school and all their sports. I’m the one who takes them to the doctor and looks after them when they’re sick.”
“I would do the same if they were here with me.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me! You don’t even buy them shoes when they need them!”
“My kids don’t want for anything!”
“You’re right. They don’t! And that’s because I make sure they don’t! It has nothing to do with you!” I snapped. “And just to make things clear, they aren’t your kids. They’re our kids!”
“I gave you a chance to come back to me, Mags. I told you that you were the love of my life, and I meant that. I really did. But you chose to throw those words in my face and started fucking around with that asshole biker. And if that wasn’t enough, you had the nerve to send him here to fight your battles for you.”
“I didn’t send him, Chad. He went there on his own.”
“I don’t care why he came! He should’ve kept his nose out of my fucking business, and the fact that he didn’t is a decision that will cost you both!”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
I waited for an answer, but there was none. The line had gone dead, and I was left with a dull ache in my chest.
I stared down at the screen, and for a moment, I considered calling him back, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good. He was mad and embarrassed, and he needed time to cool off. I had Nathan’s phone, so I went back to his room and tossed it on his bed. “Good night, buddy.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, sweetie. Everything is fine.”
“It didn’t sound that way.” Worry filled his eyes as he said, “Dad was pretty pissed.”
“He’ll get over it.”
“But what if he doesn’t? What if he keeps pushing, and me and Sam have to go live with him.”
“That’s not going to happen, Nathan. I won’t let it.”
“But how can you stop it?”
“I’ve gotten this far, haven’t I?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And now, we have a little help.” I leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “We’re gonna be okay.”
“Okay.” I started for the door but didn’t get far before Nathan said, “Mom...”
“Yeah?”
My precious son had the sweetest look on his face as he told me, “I love you.”
“Oh, honey. I love you, too.” I gave him a smile and said, “Now, get to bed. It’s getting late.”
He nodded and started easing back his covers. Once he was settled, I continued out of the room and closed the door. “Goodnight.”