Ugh, I feel like a dick for having to say this shit.
Mei’s eyebrows furl together as she enters the room. She walks over to Penny’s toddler bed and arranges the stuffed animals in a way that must make sense to her. I wait with my hands on my hips, unsure what to do. Mei walks over to Cason’s bed, where Jin’s been sleeping, and sits.
“What’s really going on with you two?” Mei asks, lifting her chin and boring her dark brown eyes into mine.
“What do you mean?” Play dumb. It’s easier than lying.
She scowls. “I’m not an idiot, Owen. Mom isn’t sleeping in here to comfort Penny. That’s not really her thing. She’s sleeping in here because the two of you aren’t sharing a bed for whatever reason. Make it make sense.”
Being confronted with a demand for cold, hard truth is too much. I nervously rub at the back of my neck, wondering how much I should tell her. Mei’s obviously a lot more mature than my daughter despite only being a year or so older. If I had to guess, with Jin’s natural cold nature, Mei takes on the maternal roles in her home where it concerns her baby sister.
With a sigh, I approach her and then sit down next to her. Her jean-clad thigh barely brushes against my dark slacks. I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees and absently spin my new wedding ring.
“How good are you at keeping secrets?” I ask, voice low.
I suppose the only way to get her to warm up is to give her something. Anything.
“It’s not like I have tons of friends or family who care what goes on in my life,” Mei says, voice sharp like a blade.
Leaning back, I shoot her a sidelong glance. “My kids don’t know all the…mechanics. I’d prefer to keep it that way.”
Her eyes narrow. “Mechanics. Never heard of a marriage being described like that. Careful, the passion between the two of you is so hot it might burn the house down.”
The snark in her tone is better than bitterness. I’m used to sparring with my children who are snarky all the damn time.
“Your mom needed help,” I say simply. “And so did I.”
Irritation bleeds from her and the crease between her eyebrows softens. “With what? Money?”
“Money would be a lot less complicated,” I admit with a chuckle. “Let’s just say our marriage is mutually beneficial. My ex-wife lives to terrorize me. Your mom helps prevent that.”
“Sounds fishy,” she grumbles.
“Totally is.”
An adorable grin tugs at her lips, giving me the first glimpse of what she looks like when amused. “So, everyone’s just playing house around here while the adults sort their shit out?”
“Pretty much.” Before I can stop myself, I reach over and cover her knee with my hand, squeezing it in hopes to comfort her. “I promise I’ll be the best stepfather I can be to you and Penny. Whatever you need, ask. Don’t ever hesitate.”
I pull my palm away, wondering why it feels as if it’s on fire. Once I fist it and set it on my lap, I let out a ragged sigh. This entire ordeal is messy. But, at least I feel a little better knowing the loan to purchase the Jenkins home is on its way. Jin was beyond relieved to get that rolling. As she assumed, my credit, lack of debt to income, and overall business stability was enough to help secure the loan.
“How did you and Mom meet?” Mei asks as she absently picks at her nail. “She doesn’t do dating apps or anything. How long has this been going on?”
I rub at my neck again as heat creeps over my skin. “It’s not glamorous,” I say with a soft laugh. “She’s my doctor.”
Mei cants her head to the side, studying me with new intensity. “You have a sleep disorder?”
“Yeah.” I grunt and shrug. “It’s being managed. Your mother prescribed me meds that actually mostly help.”
“Mostly?”
“I still wake up in random places if under high amounts of stress.”
Her eyebrows pinch together. “Wake up places?”
It’s only happened once this week, but I woke up outside again. Rhett got to me first and brought me inside.
“Sometimes I go outside.”
