Heart racing, I hop off the counter and get to work washingmy face, hoping the cool water will reduce the redness in my cheeks.
“Anyway…” I change the subject before my mind gets totally lost in the gutter. “What’s next? What are you going to do about Kane?”
“I’m going to pack up his stuff at my d—Rob’s. Val said I can store it in the garage for now.”
I nod. “Are you okay with him staying with Mano?”
His chest rises and falls as he pulls in a deep breath, holds it, and lets it out again. “It’s not ideal, but I’m not his dad, or even his guardian. Not yet, at least. So I can’t tell him what to do, but I don’t love it.”
“Not yet?”
He presses his teeth into his bottom lip, focus averted. “I’m going to discuss it with my mom today, but I think it’s what I need to do.”
“You’re going to adopt him?”
“I don’t know how it all works, to be honest, but I can’t imagine Rob will put up a fight. It’s not like he made much of an effort to raise me.”
My heart pinches at the sadness in his tone. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
After triple-checking that Ezra has left, I set up my recording equipment in the walk-in closet. I opted for tea instead of coffee this morning since cream and sugar affect my vocals, and I loaded up on green apples at the store yesterday, which help minimize mucus. Once I’m settled, I read over the script, then go through my vocal warm-ups. Today, my alter ego, Jules, is going on a steamy camping trip with her lover.Lucky lady.
During our last virtual meeting, my boss told me subscribers love Jules—that she’s so believable they forget they’re listening to an app. I take pride in that feedback. I never want my work to feel scripted or overacted.
It takes me about an hour to record thirty minutes of audio, and since Ezra still isn’t back yet, I search for a mat Pilates exercise on YouTube. After spilling my insecurities to Joey, I asked her to keep me accountable to move my body for at least ten minutes a day. After the workout, I fire off a selfie to her as proof. It may be silly, but the gold star emoji or “good girl” GIFs she sends really are good motivation. I’m sitting on the sofa doom-scrolling when Ezra appears at the top of the stairs, his eyes roaming over my body.
“Hey,” I squeak, pulling my knees into my chest to hide the stomach rolls hanging out between my hot pink sports bra and my high-waisted black leggings.
“Hey.” He collapses beside me, sitting close enough that my toes touch his thigh.
“How’d it go?”
“As well as it could, I guess. I picked up boxes from U-Haul and called my mom from the parking lot before going over to Rob’s.”
“Was he home?”
“Yeah,” he sighs, closing his eyes.
“And?”
Straightening, he frowns. “I told him I want nothing to do with him and demanded he relinquish his rights as Kane’s guardian.”
I gasp. Even though that was the plan, what he did today took a lot of guts. “What did he say?”
Ezra pulls my feet into his lap, face lowered. “He said yes. Just like that. Gave him up without a moment’s hesitation. He’ssuch an asshole. He didn’t even help me pack up. I can’t believe I wasted so many years trying to impress him. And for what?”
“That’s awful.” I grasp his forearm and wait for him to look at me. “You should have called me; I would have helped.”
“No, no. I’ve dragged you too far into this mess already. I’m sorry. It was supposed to be a vacation for you.” He forces a smile, but there’s no hiding the sorrow behind it. “I’m going to make it up to you.”
I wiggle my toes and grin. “I believe you owe me a foot rub. You can start there.”
Gripping one ankle, he digs his thumb into the arch.
Immediately, an unexpected moan escapes my lips.Lock that shit down, Millie. You should have gotten out all your moans during recording.
I clear my throat and tamp down on the relief running through me at his touch. “What about Kane?”
