“Does everyone know about that but me?” I asked.
“You’ve kind of been off doing your own thing. Taking space and all, babe.”
I shrugged. “I needed it.”
“I get it.” He tugged me into his embrace and placed his lips on mine. “I want you, all of you. You, your kids, my kids, and maybe a pet,” he mumbled into my mouth.
Rather than answering, I kissed him back.
We stayed like that for a while ... kissing, taking our time exploring, our feelings growing, just like he said.
Finally breaking away from the kiss, I said, “Um, but we’re still going to discuss the phone.”
“Bex, I have a lot of money—”
“It’s about parenting together, Aston.”
“But you weren’t talking to me.”
I sighed. He had a point.
“Still, you should have waited until we could discuss it.”
“Again, I’m sorry. But I have the money to do it, and they’re my kids to spoil, and I will. I’m going to spoil you too. Seriously, you need to get over this. I know you work, and I’m proud of you, but I can do what I want.”
“Oh God, stop, and let me go make this salad.” I couldn’t get into this debate with him at this moment. He’d go right for my work, its safety, et cetera.
“Go right ahead, but know this. I’m smoking a cigar after we eat, and then I’m spending the night.” His hand brushed my wrist, and he pulled it up to kiss it. “Got that?”
“Maybe,” I said.
He shook his head and winked, signaling he didn’t fall for my hard candy-coated exterior.
Aston
We ate dinner as a foursome that evening, but Little Aston and Mara’s absence weighed heavily on me. They should have been there, enjoying this with us, instead of worrying about their mom. I might have tons of money and all the things that come with it, but they hadn’t been dealt a good hand when it came to unconditional love. Cass was a bitch, and they knew it.
“Hey, Tyler, want to go four-wheeling with Little A and me this weekend?” I asked over dessert.
“Me? Really? You want me?”
I knew Aston Junior needed it, and Tyler deserved some extra attention. That prick, Seth, had done a number on his own kid, and I wasn’t going to stand for it.
I also knew better than to argue with Bexley about it. It was time for me to take matters into my own hands. She would pussyfoot around how we had to be nice to Seth. Everyone might think he was a good guy, but he wasn’t. Plus, this made me feel a bit better about my other kids missing this dinner.
“Yeah, you,” I told Tyler. “We like to get in a ride or four and then grab pizza. Sound good?”
“Yes!” The kid practically shot out of his seat and through the roof. “Mom, can I? Please?”
Bexley looked straight at me, and all I did was smile. I had her.
“Of course, baby,” she said to Tyler, who scowled at that.
“I’m not a baby.”
“I know.” Bexley smiled at him, her eyes crinkling a tiny bit.
I loved the way she adored her children.Our children.
