Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 36506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“She wanted to get married,” I finish for her. “Yeah. That’s not happening.”
“Good,” she blurts out. “I mean, um, sorry. I bet she didn’t handle that well at all.”
“There were tears,” I admit, wincing at the memory. “But I held firm.”
Emma’s relief quickly morphs into fear. “Oh. Wait. So, like, are we moving out now?”
Without thinking, I grab onto Emma’s wrist, giving it a tight squeeze. “No. I’ll sleep on the couch. You guys can stay. I don’t want you uprooted on your last year of school.”
“So, you’re doing all this because you don’t want me to change school districts?”
“Yes. Uh, no. Fuck, Em, I don’t know. All I know is it doesn’t feel right putting you out. My home is your home.”
She gives me a soft smile that does wicked things to my heart. It’s so fucking sweet and private. A smile just for me.
Because I like to torture myself, I tug her to me. Her arms wrap around me in a tight embrace. Everything about her is small. It makes me want to shield her from everything in this world.
Like a father?
Nothing about the way I hug her feels fatherly. In fact, if I think too much about her tits pressed against me, I’m going to get myself in trouble. My cock thickens as if on cue.
I clear my throat and pull away from her. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between me and your mom, but I want you to know I’m going to do everything I can to take care of you.”
The elation in her eyes dims and she frowns. It’s as though I’ve said the wrong thing to her. Without another word, she slips away and out the front door. I have to sprint again to catch up with her. The run back home isn’t warm and comforting like before. In fact, she doesn’t speak to me at all.
“I’ll ask Brayden to take me to school again,” she says when we reach Moonlit Gables. “See you later, Reid.”
I trot to a stop and watch as she runs off toward our unit. It’s impossible not to watch her ass as she runs. This time, though, I’m smart enough not to follow her inside. If I go in there, I might be tempted to jerk off again while she showers.
“I heard my name,” Brayden says, peeking out of the unit he shares with Casey now next door. “Emma needs a ride?”
“Yeah,” I grunt out.
“Casey went to work. Want to come inside and cool off?”
My son has always been intuitive when it comes to people. If he senses they’re struggling in any way, he’s empathetic and wants to help. Probably got that savior complex from his old man.
Sorry, kid. It can be a bitch.
I follow him inside. The living room is currently undergoing a makeover. Plastic covers everything and paint cans are stacked by a window.
“Painting?” I say with a smirk as he fetches me a water bottle.
“Casey wants everything fresh for when the baby gets here.”
After chugging the entire bottle in a few long gulps, I squat beside the paint can to look at the color. “Nice. This is going to look good.”
We chat a bit about what he’s working on next, but then my son calls me out per usual.
“So,” Brayden drawls out. “How are things at home?”
“Spent the night on the couch,” I tell him honestly. “Told Amara I wanted to separate.”
“They’re still going to stay there?”
“Yup.”
He’s quiet for a moment and then nods. “Not going to tell you what to do, but you know that’s a bad idea, Dad.”
“It’s not for Amara’s sake.”
“Figured.”
“I just…I don’t want to shake up Emma’s life, you know?”
Brayden stares at me for far too long. I shift under his scrutiny, unable to meet his probing eyes. Finally, he sighs in resignation. “Be careful, okay? Things could get messy.”
Am I that transparent?
Does he know I’ve been obsessing over my girlfriend’s daughter?
“If you, uh, decide to do anything,” Brayden says, dancing around the subject, “it’s probably best if you’re not still with Amara.”
Fuck.
“Whatever you think is happening, isn’t happening,” I mutter. “But your advice is noted.”
He gives my shoulder a hard squeeze. “Good. Want to get your mind off things for a few hours?”
I’ve never been so excited to paint in all my life.
Emma
“I’m going to do everything I can to take care of you.”
Reid’s words are on repeat inside my head. For someone like Mom, it would be relieving to hear something like that. However, I’m not like my mom. I already feel like a burden to Reid. Now it’s as if he’s obligated to help me out because he’s a good guy.
I hate that.
I hate that my mother put us in this position.
I hate that I see Reid as far more than my mom’s boyfriend.
It’s been over a week since the “separation” with him and Mom. They pass like two ships in the night. Her efforts to work less died after his conversation with her and she works now more than ever. Me and Reid are back to being awkward roommates who run together each morning. Thankfully, Cole has been with us all the other times.