Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Morning.” He kisses my lips.
I proceed to make my coffee, almost ready to take a sip of it when the doorbell rings. I look at Cooper while he looks at me. “Who the hell could that be at eight-thirty in the morning?”
I turn to walk to the door when I’m stopped in my tracks. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going like that?”
I look back and then down at myself. “I’m in a robe.” I plant my fists on my hips.
“Naked under that robe. No way in fuck you are answering the door like that.”
I roll my eyes at him and tighten the sash more, making sure nothing is peeking out. I make sure I check who it is when I see it’s Matthew. “It’s just Matthew. You can put your caveman away.” I laugh at him while he scowls.
“Hey—” And my mouth clamps shut because right behind Matthew is Allison and right behind Allison is James. I don’t have a second to think before the kids run in, dumping all their bags around. Allison runs to give Cooper a hug and talk about all the Christmas presents she wants Santa to bring.
James steps in just as I grab the collar of my robe with my left hand, not even thinking about the ring that is still on my hand. James’s eyes go wide, and I know I have to have this conversation with him.
“Hey, kids, can you bring the bags upstairs, please? And then maybe you guys can help Cooper clean up all this mess he made.”
Allison is happy to go to her room. Matthew groans, knowing that it’s not his mess, but he’ll be stuck helping out.
I look over at Cooper, hoping he gets the hint that I need to have this conversation with James.
He comes over, leans down, and kisses my cheek. “I’m going to make sure Allison puts her things away properly,” he says, going upstairs.
“James—” I don’t even get a chance to finish because James interrupts.
“You’re going to fucking marry him?” he hisses out, making me step back. My spine now goes up straight.
“Actually, I am going to fucking marry him. I would’ve married him yesterday if I could,” I tell him, knowing I would have never done it without the kids.
“You really think this thing with him is going to last? You don’t even know him.” His hands are now on his hips. Is this asshole for real?
“Well, considering I knew you practically all my life and you still fucked me over and cheated on me when I trusted you, what is the worst that can happen?” I cock my head sideways. “Right.”
“It was a mistake,” James whispers. “I want it back. I want my family back.”
I put my hand up, palm to his face. “James, I’m going to be honest with you. Even if Cooper weren’t here, it would never happen. You and me are never ever going to be an us again,” I say, trying not to raise my voice. “Ever.”
“What do you want me to do to convince you that I’m sorry?”
Is he insane?
“I want you to get in your car and go back to your fiancée. While I go upstairs and tell the kids that I will be marrying Cooper. That’s what I want from you. I want you to wish me well, I want you to continue to co-parent with me, but most of all I want you to get the idea of me and you never getting back together.” I go to the door and open it so he gets the hint that I want him out of my fucking house. Our fucking house.
Just then, I see Meghan and Tom, who is holding both of their children while walking up the steps. Jesus Christ, is anyone sleeping in today?
“Parker,” Meghan says. “Douchebag.” She turns to James, walking past him. Tom doesn’t say anything, just nods while he walks in, putting both kids down to run.
They make it around the corner before she has time to ask any questions.
“I think you’d better go,” I tell James. “If you want, you can call the kids later.”
“I want you to be happy,” he says. “After everything you went through, I just want you happy.”
“Then let me be happy because he makes me happy.”
No other words are necessary because he walks out of the house. I don’t even wait to see him get in his car before I hear the kids run down from upstairs. Allison is screaming as she rounds the corner and sees the tree.
Cooper makes his way to me.
“Everything okay?” His thumb finds my chin, tipping it up.
“Yup, just fine. He’s happy for us. Kind of, a little, it’ll come,” I say while I laugh because this shit has to be fucking funny.
“Mom,” Allison sings. “Uncle Tom is holding your bra and underwear away from Auntie Meghan.”