“Freedom,” I warned.
The muscles in his shoulders and back tensed. “Or don’t. The offer remains whether you take it or not. I’ll reach out when I’m back in town, and I’ll let my son decide who should be therewhen we meet. Let me know when you make it home. It’s still dark outside.”
“Okay,” I replied, and hurried out of the door before I succumbed to the sweet addiction of Freedom’s touch.
Dawn’s early light gleamed brightly as I pulled into my driveway, grateful to see the familiar ranch-style, red-bricked home—my safe place. Once the garage closed, I picked up my cell, nine missed calls from Kody and six texts. I clicked the last one that he sent around 10 pm last night.
I tried to call you, but since you’re mad at me, I’ll text. I need to stay in Atlanta another day. I’ll make it up to you, I swear. Need to work out more details on the contract.
I picked up my cell, ready to argue with Kody, when a text popped up on my screen.
Did you make it home?
Yes. Did you do something to make sure that Kody doesn’t come home until tomorrow?
No. I don’t manipulate situations. Just a hunch. Thought I told you to let me know when you made it home?
His arrogance reeked through the phone, though I couldn’t help the warm feelings that spread at his protective side. Before I could reply with something snappy, he sent another text.
We will finish what we started.
The e-ticket soon followed.
I stared at Freedom’s cowboy hat that still rested in the passenger seat, and then my wedding ring and all that I wanted it to represent. Stability. Love. Partnership. Respect. Trust. Kody did take me for granted. He’s supposed to be so pissed that he’s doing whatever he can to get his ass back home. I danced with my superstar ex-boyfriend in front of our classmates. He knows our children are out of town with my parents, and I’m not answering my phone. Yet after his initial jealousy, he seemed okay that I’d spent any time with Freedom. Seething, I recognized that he didn’t care that I danced with Freedom. My adoring husband was more concerned that I was caught on camera for the world to see.
I texted him back.
Glad you’re staying in Atlanta another day. I’ll have more fun without you at the reunion anyway.
A sane man who loves his wife would question why his wife was okay with a change in plans on her big weekend when she’d already expressed anger at his absence. Maybe he would respond the way I wanted him to, and I could attribute it to his concern for the business, explaining why staying was more important than coming home. We’d had a lean couple of years when we didn’t think our business would survive.
I got out of the car, walked through the side door, and into my home, and collapsed on the sofa. I must have drifted off to sleep because my ringing cell startled me. Expecting Kody, I answered, “You have to stop taking me for granted.”
“Um…this is Lori.” She cleared her throat. “And Kody must not be home.”
My eyes burned from the lack of sleep as I shifted on my side. “No, he isn’t.”
“When is he coming home?”
“Probably tomorrow. Texted me he still has business to conduct.” I squinted at my cell and jumped up. “Shit, Lori. I need to be at the park in ten minutes.”
“That’s why I called. I’m already here, wondering where you are. Guess I have my answer.” She commented, “When can you get here? It’s muddy from the rain, we need to move some things around.”
“Thirty minutes. Late night and didn’t get much sleep.”
“I thought we weren’t going to worry about Kody like that ever again?”
“I’m not.” Hurrying to my closet, I pulled out a halter top sundress. “Don’t make a big deal out of it, but I spent the night with Freedom. We didn’t have sex,” I hastened to add before I silently jumped up and down in frustration at the lie.Now, I’m Bill Clinton. Going down on me isn’t sex?
Lori whooped and happily yelled on the other end. “Finally.”
“No, not finally.” I walked out of the closet, pressed the speaker button, and dropped the cell and my sundress on my bed. “We both ended up at the clearing, and we had words about Jamie. Yes, he knows that’s his son. Supposedly, he found out on his own recently. Swears if he’d known he’d been there for me, and wants to meet him.”
“Did I not beg you to tell him to find him and tell him about Jamie?”
“I know. I know. Except Kody told me that Freedom has always known.” I pulled off my panties, tugged the tight dress over my head, and tossed it on the floor before marching into the bathroom to wash up. “That he came back to see me, and my father told him that I had a baby, and Freedom left and hasn’t looked back until now.”
“Why now, if he already knew?”
