It’s too much.
Too fast.
“I think you should leave,” I say, standing up.
He stares at me for a long moment before rising to his full height.He turns for the door but stops midway.“You can keep pushing me away, but I’m not giving up on you.I’m a fighter, Amelia, and its high time someone fought for you.That dream isn’t dead.You just have to let it take flight.We can be so good together.I can see it too.You and I on the ranch, building something spectacular.You want more babies?I’ll give you all the babies you want.”
God.
This man.
He’s killing me.
The door to Dylan’s bedroom creaks open and a moment later he appears in the hallway.“Maddox?”
Fuck.
Maddox’s hand goes still on the doorknob, and he turns to face my son, offering him a smile.
He turns to face my son, offering him a smile.“Hey, buddy.”
Dylan stares at him for a beat, his expression unreadable.“What are you doing here?”
Maddox and I exchange a quick glance before he looks back at my son.“I was just heading out.Came to check on your mom and make sure her car was all fixed.”
“Oh,” Dylan says, his gaze bouncing between us.“Well, it’s early.You should stay.Mom gets bored on the nights she doesn’t work at the bar, and I’m playing a tournament.”
“Dylan, I’m not bored.”
“You look bored to me.”He holds out his phone.“Can you tell him to stop texting me?I’m on the phone with my friends and it’s distracting.”
My brows pinch together and I take the phone from him.“Who?”
“Dad.He keeps apologizing and asking to hang out.”He rolls his eyes.“I don’t want to see him.I don’t even want to talk to him.Can you block his number from my phone?”
I swallow thickly, heat creeping up neck.As embarrassing as it is for Maddox to witness this, I think it’s also good for my case.He’s getting a front-row seat to watch Russell in action and see what it does to Dylan.Maybe he’ll back off.
“I will text him.”Handing him back his phone, I pluck mine from the coffee table and quickly pull up Russell’s contact information.
“Hey, Maddox, Mom worked the farmer’s market today, and we got some really good bread.You should try it before you leave.”
I glance up from my phone, watching as Maddox’s expression softens.An amused smile tugs at his lips.
“I do love me some good bread.”
“I’ll get you some.”He rolls back on his heels.“Hey, did you ask my mom about the lessons?”
My fingers freeze mid-text.“What lessons?”
“Maddox offered to teach me to ride a horse.”
I stare at Maddox, my mouth slightly agape.
“At the bar Dylan mentioned that he’s been wanting to learn how to ride,” Maddox says carefully, his eyes never leaving mine.“I offered to give him some lessons.But I told him we’d have to get your permission first.”
“Please, Mom?”
My blood runs cold, and an exasperated sigh leaves my lips.This is exactly what I’m talking about.
