by Piper Rayne
He huffs. “No. The DA spot isn’t going to be up for a while here.”
“Like how long?”
“Why all the questions?” He leans forward to look into my eyes, as if the answer lies there.
I shrug. “Just curious.”
“Remember, I like how forthcoming you are. Just spit it out, Vic.”
“Is there a chance that you’ll be offered a higher position somewhere else and you’ll leave Chicago?”
His head falls down and his hand grips mine even tighter. Looking up from the corner of his eye, he nods.
He fucking nods.
I want to scream NO and run down my street refusing to believe that he’ll be gone.
“There’s a chance, but I might not. I mean no one’s reached out yet.”
“The case just ended yesterday.”
He nods again. “Yeah, but all I can say is that at this point, I haven’t been asked to go anywhere.”
“And if you are?”
He blows out a breath. “Honestly?”
I pull my hand from his grasp and tilt my head in a what-the-fuck-do-you-think, mannerism.
“I don’t want to think about it. I can’t stay assistant forever, there are things I want to achieve in my career but leaving Henry and you wouldn’t be easy.”
I can tell he’s thought about it which makes me think the possibility of him getting an offer is much higher than he’s implying.
“Did you sign those guardian papers for Henry?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet. I have a friend looking over them first. I told Ned I’d let him know next week.”
“And if you move?”
He turns directly to me, gripping both my hands. “I don’t want to discuss this, Vic. If the time comes, we’ll talk about it of course, but that time is not now, and I feel like this is all wasted breath. You’re getting upset when nothing’s happened and here’s me trying to figure out how to keep everything I love together. When in reality, the call might never come.”
I stare down at our joined hands in my lap. Sensible Reed has made his appearance and talked me off the ledge.
“It’s Jade’s birthday. Let’s enjoy it. Worry about this shit later.”
I smile, and he wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his chest. Calm quickly replaces the tension with just the scent of his cologne.
“One more thing.” I stare up at him, shooting him my best innocent eyes. “Pete’s coming to dinner.”
He rolls his eyes. “Great.”
He stands, takes my hands and pulls me up. “Now, let’s enjoy the day.”
“Okay. I should get in there before Chelsea decorates Jade’s cake all by herself.” I head to the door, his hand in mine.
“That’s a bad thing because?”
“Because I make her cake. I’m her mom.”
He nods, but I can tell he clearly doesn’t understand a mother’s right to complain about having to do something while insisting on doing it herself at the same time. It’s a mom thing.
Chapter Thirty-One
“Do you want me to grab Henry?” I ask Reed, staring at his ass bent over in the bathtub.
“No, I’m almost done. It wasn’t that hard.” He stands up, pulling on the bar. Then he pretends to sit down in the tub and pull himself up.
“I never would have thought you could do that.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “You thought I was too white-collar, did you?”
He steps out secure in the fact the grab bar will hold my mom’s weight if she needs it and stalks toward me.
“A lawyer. Winnetka. Rich boy.” I flip up my fingers counting the reasons off.
He reaches me, tickling my ribcage until he gets me right where he wants me, in his arms.
“Maybe I should have worn my tool belt?”
I wiggle to get free. “That and no shirt. You’d look much manlier. Maybe Ned can help you out.”
His fingers dig deeper until he’s got my hands over my head and his body has me pressed against the wall. He trails his nose along my neck and up to my ear—back and forth, a painful arousal building deep inside me.
“I think you know how manly I am,” he whispers sliding his other hand up my shirt, cupping my breast over my bra.
“Someone could come,” I whisper.
“Tell me how manly I am.”
“You’re manly.”
“You don’t sound convincing.” His fingers pinch my nipple and I push into his touch, unable to stop myself.
“Your manhood is so manly I’m sore for days.”
He hems and haws. “I need more information.”
“Well, counselor, I’m not sure what you’re looking for.”
Another tweak of my nipple and I moan.
“Shh… you’re going to get us caught. Now, where were we?” His fingers pull down the cup of my bra. “Tell me.”
“You’re so manly that I bet you can fix my bed.”
“What’s wrong with your bed?” he asks while he rolls my nipple between his thumb and forefinger, like he’s playing a game.
“It doesn’t squeak.” I pretend to pout.
“I do believe I can fix that for you, ma’am.” His lips land on mine.
“Ew, keep your kinky shit to yourself.”
At the sound of Chelsea’s voice, Reed doesn’t let go of my hands, but he does pull his other one out of my shirt.
“Way to kill the mood,” he says over his shoulder to her.
Chelsea laughs. “I like you. Now get out of the bathroom. I gotta go.”
Reed lets go of my hands. “We’re going to get the kids anyway.” He walks out of the room and down the hall.
“Well, aren’t you guys just like June and Ward Cleaver?” she yells down the hall at us.
“I don’t think June bites Ward,” Reed says without even turning around.
“HA! She said she was a biter.”
“And I have the scars to prove it,” Reed and Chelsea continue their banter until we reach the kitchen.
“We’ll be right back. Getting the kids.” I wave to my mom and Hannah who are admiring the job Chelsea and I did on the cake. I let her help a little, but she’s going to need to have her own kids if she wants to do it again.
Reed and I head down the sidewalk, holding hands, the crap from earlier pushed to the back of my mind, as I choose to focus on Jade’s birthday.
“So, Pete’s coming tonight?” Reed asks, which I knew was coming.
“He’s her dad.”
“I know and if this is going to work, we’d have to face him together. The bubble was nice for a while though.”
I nod. “The bubble was indeed very nice.”
We round the trees and the courtyard is packed full of parents. Darcie and Georgia along with all the other moms stare over at us with judgment in their eyes.
“Why does it seem like everyone’s staring more than usual?” Reed asks.
“Because Pete told them last Friday that we have an open relationship and pretty much eluded to the fact that we all sleep together.”
“All?”
“The three of us. You, me, and him.”
“Pete’s totally not my type,” he jokes and I’m thankful he doesn’t take it seriously.
“Mean Moms were being nosy, and he thought it was funny. But he would since he gets to go back to L.A. and we’ll be here.”
He looks around. “I’m surprised people believe it. Then again, most people will believe anything.”
We wait patiently while Darcie gives us the stink eye and a few moms look Reed and I up and down like we’re in the market to open our bedroom and taking resume’s.
What feels like a lifetime later, the bell rings, the doors open, and Jade and Henry run out.
Jade’s got a birthday crown on her head.
“YAY!” She runs right into me and I pick her up. “Happy birthday!”
I saw her this morning, made her pancakes with sprinkles, but now she really gets to celebrate.
“Happy birthday, Jade.” Reed holds up his hand in a high five.
“Thanks.”
The four of us walk down the street and it strikes me how much we must resemble a family. One girl, one boy both of whom are fighting for dominance over which one gets to tell us about their day first, Reed and I sharing a look every so often.
The warm sensation in my chest crystallizes to ice the moment I catch sight of the car outside my mom’s house—Pete’s sports car that he couldn’t bear to part with when we moved to L.A. He’s been storing it at his parent’s place since. It’s expensive and tends to stand out like a quarter in a sea of pennies in this neighborhood.
“Look at that car!” Henry says and points to it.
“That’s my dad’s car,” Jade says proudly.
“Is that my birthday girl?” Pete stands from where he was sitting on my mom’s porch and holds out his arms.
My sweet Jade abandons us and runs into Pete’s awaiting embrace.
Henry follows, and I initiate the hand hold with Reed, needing the support.
Pete spins her around in a circle and she squeals. Same old, same old.
“Hey, Henry,” he says in a louder than normal voice. “You enjoying that sand?”
“I showed my grandpa.”
“I bet he thought it was pretty cool,” Pete continues to gloat, glancing our way to see my hand in Reed’s.
“He said it probably came from Lake Michigan.”
I laugh because I envision Ned telling Henry it’s no different than the sand right down the street.
“That’s pure California sand.” Pete looks to Jade whose head is already nodding in agreement.
Henry looks to Reed and shrugs.
The conversation stalls once Reed and Pete’s eyes meet.
“Bug, go inside,” I say. “Chelsea and Hannah are in there and I think they have gifts.”
She squeals and wiggles until Pete lets her down and then she grabs Henry’s hand, pulling him into the house.
“Reed,” Pete puts his hand up in the air. “How the hell are you?”
Reed’s hand stays firmly in mine as he reaches out and shakes Pete’s. “I’m great. You?”
A huff leaks out of Pete, but no one acknowledges it. “I saw your performance in court the other day. Hell of a case.”
“Thanks.” They drop hands and we stand. Reed and I a united front with Pete on the other side.
“I was telling Vic, Chicago won’t be able to afford you.”
Reed squeezes my hand. “So, I heard.”
“Just want her to be prepared for when you leave.”
Pete’s smile says he’s toeing the line and hoping Reed’s the first one to cross.
“I’m not leaving.”
“Okay, well, let’s go have pizza and cake,” I say, wanting out of this awkward encounter.
“Sounds good. Remember eight years ago, when you were screaming like a hyena.” Pete chuckles and follows us into the house.
“I was squeezing a walnut out of a pinhole,” I say between clenched teeth.
I hadn’t thought about the fact that not everyone else knew Pete until we walked in and Chelsea and Hannah’s eyes zeroed in on him.
“Oh, shit, he’s back,” my mom grumbles.
“Jade,” I mouth, and she glances around.
“Jade’s showing Henry her room. Would you like a drink, Reed?” she asks, purposely not asking Pete.
“I’d love one, thanks, Ms. Clarke.” Reed follows my mom.
“Please, call me Diane.”
“Thank you, Diane.” Reed winks at me and then heads into the kitchen.
“That woman might hire a hitman one day,” Pete says and then steps forward into the room, his arm extended. “I’m Pete Keebler.”
Hannah shakes his hand. “Hannah Crowley.”
“Crowley?”
She smiles. “The one and only.”
I’m surprised he doesn’t perch a seat right next to her. Everyone knows the Crowley name in the Chicago area, but Pete steps to the side to shake Chelsea’s hand.
“The cookie elf?” She shakes his hand briefly and then wipes her hand on her slacks.
“Funny,” Pete deadpans.
“I’m glad to be done with those jokes.” I laugh, heading into the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Just a water,” Pete says, and I disappear to find Reed and my mom talking at the kitchen table.
“So, you’re not coming back in?” I ask.
He leans back, holding out his hand which I easily accept, and he pulls me to his side.
“Your mom and I have declared this the Pete-free zone.”
I shake my head. “You have to get along with him. He’s Jade’s father.”
“I’ll always be cordial, but it doesn’t mean I have to be in the same room as him.” His hand grips my hip and he pulls me into his lap.
We laugh, and my mom is staring over at us with happiness gleaming from her own eyes.
“I’m not sure I’m cool with the PDA while Jade is in the next room,” Pete’s voice sounds from behind me.
I stay planted on Reed’s lap and lock my arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek.
“Oh, yes, because you hiding in a hotel room with your mistress was great for your little girl. It destroyed her parents’ marriage.” My mom stands and leaves the room without another word.
“You’d think I cheated on her.” Pete shakes his head, pointing to the fridge. “Water?”
“Oh yeah, sorry, I got distracted.”
I can’t deny it feels good to see Pete walk on eggshells around my house after I walked on them for years.
“I see.” He heads to the fridge. “Your friend Chelsea should try stand-up.”
Reed and I share a look to say she’s probably nailed him with a few zingers already. With Chelsea, it’s any ex, not necessarily her own. She hates them all.
“She is funny,” I say.
He grabs a water out of the fridge. “Cute cake. Remember when we baked the turtle one that year.”
Reed’s muscles stiffen underneath me.
I’m sure Pete’s remembering the lovemaking on the kitchen floor covered in flour, but I remember him not coming home until ten that night. Me yelling, him screaming and then fighting until we make out. Pete always forgets the bad.
“The pizza should be here soon.” I stand up so when Jade comes out she won’t see me on Reed’s lap.
Pete sits down across from Reed and there’s enough tension in the room you’d think they were mob leaders having a sit-down.
“I gotta know, I mean I know you’re rich, but why choose the DA’s office? You could be a defense lawyer,” Pete asks. “Still trying to act like you’re holier-than-thou?”
“I enjoy putting the bad people away.” Reed spins his own water bottle on the table.
I busy myself getting the paper plates and napkins out. If they’re both going to be a part of our lives, then they have to get along.
“Lucky you’re rich, because the job pays shit.”
Reed stares blankly at him. “Money doesn’t buy everything.”
Pete huffs and leans back in his chair. “It’s funny that you have the whole golden boy act down pat, but you think it’s okay to steal my wife and daughter.”
My hand slaps the counter. “I’m not your wife.”
“Fine, my ex-wife,” Pete counters, but he’s still posing the question to Reed.
“I guess I’m not all that good then.”
I smile at Reed for keeping his composure.
“What if I was here to get her back?” Pete asks.
I freeze and every muscle in my body tightens.
Reed sits up straighter. “Are you?”
“Maybe.” He shrugs.
“Then I’d say you missed your chance. She’s with me now.”
“Hello, the choice is mine.” They each turn their attention to me. “Pete, cut the shit. We’re over and if you’re jealous o
ver Reed it’ll disappear as soon as you’re back in L.A. Reed, you know what we have.”
He smiles.
“Last warning.” I hate that I sound like a mother delivering an ultimatum, but it’s the only way to do this. “Get along because it’s Jade’s birthday and if either one of you ruin her day, you’ll be asked to leave.”
They each glance at one another and then lean back in their chairs.
How many hours before Pete’s on a plane back to L.A.?
Chapter Thirty-Two
“You have got to be kidding me!” Darcie’s steps pound on the pavement, her bullhorn clutched tightly in her hands.
The tow truck lowers the car in the roped off area while Reed’s positions the various sledgehammers, hammers, gloves, baseball bats and other tools we picked up to do some serious damage to this car.
I might even have to buy a handful of tickets myself. Pete hops on a plane tomorrow and let’s just say my patience has worn thin. There’s a reason we’re divorced.
“Oh, hey, Darcie. Georgia,” I say, acknowledging Mean Mom number one and her constant shadow.
“This is your idea of fun?” Darcie asks in a screechy voice.
“Yep.”
“The kids can’t do it, they could get hurt. Do you want that on your conscious? Maybe your boyfriends can afford the lawsuits, but I know you can’t.”
She thinks she’s going to bully me to breaking down. Not happening. I laugh a little that she still believes Pete, Reed, and I are in some kind of relationship. What an idiot.
“It’s a parents-only event.”
“You’ll get no one. I’ll make sure of it.” She stomps away, but she can’t do anything about it because Principal Weddle already okay’d it.
Reed walks over to me. “How angry is she?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Pretty pissed off.”
“Good.”
I step into him, wrapping my arms around his neck and lifting up on my tiptoes to kiss him. We have a little time before the carnival starts. Pete is bringing Jade after she slept over at his parents’ last night.
“Let’s go grab some coffee?”
He checks out his watch behind my back. “We have an hour.”
“Perfect.”
We choose to walk the two blocks to the nearest Starbucks since the weather is nice today. His hand swings in mine on the way back and I think of how I could really get used to this.