“I’ll finish up dinner while you get started on them,” he says, and I start to laugh. “What’s funny?”
“Dinner’s done—well, mostly anyway. The meatloaf has to finish cooking, and I need to mix up some ketchup and Worcestershire sauce to go on it before it comes out. But besides that, we should be able to eat in about fifteen minutes.”
He raises a brow. “How long was I outside?”
“Not long.”
“Long enough for you to make an entire meal.”
“Max mixed the meatloaf. I just put it in a pan and placed it in the oven. The corn was already clean, and the potatoes just had to be steamed in the microwave. I didn’t perform a miracle.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he says quietly, dipping his face closer to mine. “You’re giving us normal. You’re giving us exactly what you said you grew up seeing.”
“It’s just dinner, Gareth,” I say, feeling a little off balance by his words and tone.
“Baby, you could have gotten pissed about Beth being here, but you didn’t. You came in and started dinner, gave Max something to do when he sought you out, and sat on the couch with your Kindle like it was just another night. You don’t even realize that the roots you’ve planted have become something to cling to in a storm, a safe place to go to when the winds start to pick up.”
“I—”
“You can add that to the list of reasons I love you,” he says, and tears burn the back of my throat.
“Please don’t make me cry,” I croak.
“I never want that. I just want you to understand what you mean to the boys and me.”
I nod and close my eyes while resting my forehead against his chest. When his arms wrap around me, I wonder if he’s right—if maybe, just maybe, I’m stronger than I think I am.
Thirteen
Gareth
THE MOMENT I pull up in front of my mom’s house, Mitchell walks out carrying his gym bag over his shoulder, and Mom pokes her head out but doesn’t move past the doorway like she normally would. She’s pissed Beth’s in town spending time with Max, she doesn’t think I should allow her time alone with him, and even though I don’t like it much either, I know it’s something Max needs and wants. So I have to put my personal feelings aside for my boy’s happiness.
“Can we talk about me getting my driving permit?” Mitchell asks, opening the back door and tossing his bag in the back before slamming it and getting in the front. “It’s getting really annoying having to wait on other people to drive me around.”
“You can’t drive alone with a learner’s permit, bud,” I tell him as he buckles up.
“I know, but if I get my permit now, when I turn sixteen, I’ll be able to drive without anyone with me. And just think—you won’t have to worry about getting me and Max to school, ‘cause I can drive us there and home.”
“Jesus, weren’t you just turning ten?” I ask, pulling out onto Main.
“Dad, please don’t start reminiscing,” he groans, making me smile. “I want my license, not a walk down memory lane.”
“If you put in the time, I’ll take you down to take the test.”
“Yesss!” He shoots his fist into the air.
“That said—”
“Oh, man,” he cuts me off. “Can’t we just forget whatever you’re going to say?”
“Not unless you got some money saved for wheels that I don’t know about.”
“Please continue,” he murmurs, making me chuckle.
“As I was saying, if you get a job this summer and save what you earn for a car, I’ll match you dollar for dollar.”
“Seriously? Even if I make four thousand dollars?”
“Even if you make four thousand dollars,” I agree.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Anything for you, bud.” I glance at him as I turn onto our street.
“December is still going to be here for dinner, right?” he asks, and I see his eyes on his mom’s rental car parked where December normally does.
“She should be here soon,” I confirm, shutting down the engine. “I called to let her know I was on my way to pick you up when I got finished at the shop, and she said she’d be here after she stopped to get dinner.”
“What are we having?”
“No fucking clue,” I say, and he grins at me before he gets out.
After beeping the locks and rounding the hood, I expect to find him inside but notice instead he’s stopped at the top of the porch. I start to ask him what’s up then curse under my breath when I hear the sound of Max’s favorite video game being played way too fucking loudly. With a deep breath, I push into the house and shout over the firing gun on the TV. “Turn that shit down.”
Max looks at me then quickly fumbles to find the remote under the bags of junk food spread out before him, and as soon as he lays his hands on it, he shuts off the game.
Beth, who is lying on the couch, lifts her head and smiles asking. “How was work?” before she looks to where Mitchell is disappearing down the hall toward his room.
I ignore her and focus on Max. “I’m guessing, since you’re playing video games, that your homework is done.”
“Mom said—”
“Is your homework finished?” I repeat, cutting him off, and he looks to his mom and swallows before he shakes his head. “You know the rules. No video games during the school week unless your homework is done.”
“I told him it was okay,” Beth says, and I cut my eyes to her. “It’s not a big deal, Gareth.”
“You’re wrong, Beth. It’s after six, which means when he should be relaxing before going to bed tonight, he’s going to be up doing the homework he should have gotten done when he came home from school.”
“I told him it was okay, so if you’re going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me,” she argues, standing from the couch, and I fight the urge to roar or pick something up and toss it across the room.
Fuck me, she will never change. This is what she does best, makes it seem like I’m the asshole and she’s the good guy before she disappears, leaving me to deal with the aftermath.
“Go get started on your homework. December is gonna be here soon with dinner,” I tell Max.
“How sweet. Your girlfriend is bringing you dinner,” Beth says, and I see Max’s shoulders slump before he heads down the hall.
“Just go, Beth.” I sigh. I don’t have the energy to deal with her shit right now.
“I’m thinking about moving back to town for good.”
“Great,” I reply, not believing for one second that will happen, especially since she’s been saying the same shit for years.
“I’m serious.”
“Good.” I look at her. “Max will like having you around more often.”
“I’ll want fifty/fifty custody after I get settled.”
“No.” My jaw clenches.
“Did you just say no?” she asks, placing her hands on her hips.
“I’m sorry. I meant hell fucking no,” I grit out.
“If I go to a lawyer—”
I laugh without humor, interrupting her, and her expression gets tight. “Spend your money, Beth. Go to a lawyer, and while you’re there, explain the last few years and exactly how much time you’ve had with our sons, how much money you’ve sent for their care,” I tell her quietly, not wanting the boys just down the hall to hear. “Then tell your lawyer that you want a judge to grant you fifty percent custody because you’re pissed and jealous that I’ve found someone solid and the boys like her.”
“You won’t be so smug if I go to a lawyer, Gareth.”
“You might be right, Beth, but in a month, this conversation won’t mean shit, because you’ll be gone again. Now, please get out of my house.”
“Whatever. Tell Max I’ll be at the school tomorrow to pick him up. And tell Mitchell I want to spend time with him.”
“Mom will be picking up Max tomorrow. You can come over and hang with them if you want. As for Mitchell, he’s old enough to choose if he wa
nts to spend time with you. And since every time you’ve been around he’s disappeared into his room, I’m thinkin’ he doesn’t want that.”
“I don’t need to be supervised with my own son, and you’ve turned Mitchell against me,” she hisses then turns to the door when there’s a knock and stomps to it, swinging it open. “Give us a minute.” She slams it closed, and I see fucking red but check the urge to bodily remove her from my house.
I move past her to the door, and the moment I open it, December gives me a wide-eyed, adorable look. “Sorry, babe.” I take two bags from her, recognizing the scent of barbeque coming from them.
“We’re not done talking,” Beth informs me as December hangs up her purse and coat.
“We are.” I keep the door open for her to leave. “The boys need to eat, finish their homework, and then get ready for bed.”
“You’re such a fucking asshole.” She glares at me from her position in the middle of the living room then she shoots her eyes to December as she walks to my side.
“I don’t want her—” She points at December. “—around our sons.”
December’s nose scrunches at the statement, but besides that, she doesn’t react.
“Go to your hotel, Beth.”
“I’m serious, Gareth. I don’t want her around my boys.”
“Guess what, Beth. In life, you don’t always get what you want. Now, please leave before I call the cops and have you removed.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.” I hold her stare.
Reading my look, her face twists into a sneer and she points at me then December. “Fuck you and you.” She stomps to her bag, grabs it, and continues to stomp past us. As soon as she clears the threshold, I shut the door and shake my head.
“Well, that was intense,” December says quietly, and I focus on her as she places a hand against my stomach.
“I told you she was being nice yesterday.”
“You did. I didn’t believe you.” She bites her lip. “Are you alright?”
“You’re here. The boys are here. I’m good.” I tip my head down and brush my mouth across hers. “Let’s get the boys fed.”
“Sure,” she agrees. I go to the kitchen with the bags, and a moment later, she comes in with her arms full of the shit off the coffee table. Without a word, she puts the stuff away while I unload dinner from the two full bags she brought with her. “I got a little of everything,” she says as I place a large container of coleslaw next to one just as big that’s filled with mac and cheese.
“I see that.”
“I figured if there were extra you could take it to work for lunch.”
I grin. “Babe, when has there ever been leftovers when you’ve been around and the boys are present?”
“True.” She returns my grin, and I lean over, kissing the top of her hair, and then notice Max standing on the opposite side of the island, looking nervous.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
“Come here, kid,” I order, and he shifts his feet before coming around to me. Once he’s close, I pull him into a hug. “I love you.”
“I know,” he mutters.
I tip my head down to look at him. “Are you filled up on junk food?”
“Mom just put a bunch of stuff on the coffee table for me. I didn’t eat much of it.”
“All right.” I let him go. “Get plates out then go tell your brother it’s time to eat.”
“I’m standing right here,” Mitchell says, and then he looks at December. “Thanks for bringing dinner.”
“Sure, honey.” She smiles softly at him then looks at me, and I know she can feel the undercurrent of tension that seems to be filling the kitchen by the second.
“Dad,” Max prompts, and I look to where he’s standing and getting out plates. “I… I don’t want to live with Mom, even if it’s just part time.”
“Max—”
“I heard her say she’s going to get a lawyer. I just want…. Well, I just want to say I don’t want to live with her, even if she moves here.”
“Dude, Mom isn’t moving back to town,” Mitchell tells him, sounding annoyed. “She’s never moving back here. She’s just saying that, because she’s mad that Dad and December are together, so she’s trying to mess that up.”
“But—”
“She doesn’t care about us, Max.” Mitchell turns on his brother. “When are you going to get that?”
“Mitchell,” I growl, as December whispers, “Mitchell, honey—”
“It’s true.” He glances at December then faces me. “She doesn’t care about us. She only cares about herself, and he needs to get that.”
“I know that!” Max suddenly screams, and December, standing close, wraps her arms around him. “I know she doesn’t, but she’s still our mom.”
“Shit, Max.” Mitchell shakes his head. “I’m sorry, dude.” The torment I see in his expression makes my gut twist. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I—” He drops his eyes to the floor.
“I want both you boys to look at me,” I order then wait for them to focus on me. “It’s okay to be angry or disappointed with your mom, but it’s not okay to take that out on each other. We’re a family, and as a family, we stick together. We talk shit out and then we move on. Max, you’re not going anywhere, even if your mom moves back here. You won’t be living with her unless there comes a time when you’re a little older and you make that decision for yourself,” I assure him, and his chin wobbles. “Mitchell, I get why you’re angry, and you deserve to feel that way, but your brother has a right to his feelings too, and you need to respect them.”
“You’re right, Dad,” he says, and I lift my chin.
“I love you both, and I hate that you’re hurting.” I pull in a breath. “It fucking kills me that you’re fighting about your mom.” My jaw clenches and unclenches with frustration. I feel like my hands are tied when it comes to Beth and the role she has in the boys’ lives. I never want them to resent me for not allowing them to have a relationship with their mother, but the relationship she has with them is not healthy in the slightest. “We need to figure out a way for both of you to get what you need to be happy.”
“I just feel bad for Mom,” Max says quietly then he looks at his brother. “She’s all alone.”
“She wants to be alone, Max,” Mitchell says just as softly. “She didn’t have to leave. She never had to leave us. She made that decision for herself.”
“I guess you’re right. I still feel bad for her,” he mumbles.
I reach out, tagging them both behind the neck then pulling them close. “No more fighting. Got it?”
“Yeah, Dad,” Mitchell says, and Max nods.
I give the two of them a hug then let them go and look at December when she calls them over. I’m momentarily taken aback by the love and concern in her expression as she hands the boys each a plate that she’s already piled high with food. Christ, it’s fucked up my boys have to deal with their mom when she decides to show up, but if things work out like I know they will, for the rest of their lives, they will have a woman in their corner who is solid and dependable.
I might have chosen completely wrong when I picked Beth, but at least I got it right this time around.
____________
“Please don’t stop,” December whimpers against my mouth while I use the hold I have on her hips to bring her down hard each time I thrust up.
“I’m not gonna stop.” Fuck, I couldn’t even if I wanted to, not with the heat of her pussy suffocating my cock. Christ, I have never felt anything better than her.
“Gareth.” Her walls clench, making my breath catch, and I urge her to go faster. I lift my head and slide my mouth down her neck and capture one tight nipple between my lips. “Yesss,” she moans, tossing her head back, and I let go with one hand to cup her neglected breast then tug the nipple between two fingers, making her hips buck in response.
“Faster, Ember. Fuck me faster,” I growl, and she starts to rid
e me harder as I slide my thumb closer to her center, listening to her breath turn choppy. When I circle her clit, she cries out and her pussy starts to spasm, pulling me deeper. I give into the urge that’s been riding me hard since she climbed on top of me and roll her to her back to fuck her hard. Hooking my arms behind her knees, I keep her just like I want her, spread open for me. When my balls draw up, I drop my head and take her mouth, thrusting my tongue between her lips and kissing her deep as I come inside her.
Lightheaded and spent, I drop the hold I have on her legs and gather her against me so I can roll to the side and keep the connection. It takes a minute for my breathing to even out, and when it does, I notice she’s snoring softly and shake my head. I’ve never known a woman who can fall asleep as quickly as she can. I swear, on more than one occasion, she’s passed out when were in the middle of us having a conversation.
I kiss the top of her head then look at the clock and fight back a groan when I see it’s time for her to get up and get ready for work and time for me to get the boys up for school. “Ember.”
“Hmm.” She snuggles closer and my cock, still half hard inside her, twitches.
“We gotta get up, baby.”
“Can’t I do homeschool?” she groans, making me laugh, and then I feel her lips press against my pec. “I can’t wait until Saturday, when we get to sleep in.”
“I know, baby. Just a couple more days.” I hold my lips to the top of her hair then say, “Go shower while I get the boys up. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
“All right.” She tips her head back, and when her sleepy eyes meet mine, I press a kiss to her lips then her nose. I slide out of her, push out of bed, and go to the bathroom to get rid of the condom and wash my hands and face. When I walk back into the bedroom, I see she’s fallen back asleep, so I wake her again then pull her up to stand in front of me, ignoring her grumbling.
“I’ll bring you coffee.”
“Mm-hm,” she mumbles, stumbling into the bathroom.
I tag my sweats from the floor, put them on, and then leave the room, heading across the house to open Max’s door first before turning on the lights.
“Seriously, already?” he asks, lifting his head while Melbourne stands and does a stretch.
Until December: Until Her/ Until Him Page 17