Betad by kitchmill. Mistakes are my own.

Preread by Hoodie.


8


"And three. And two. And one. Okay, jog it out in place." Paul must have sensed something was wrong because he was taking it easy on me, only demanding two sets of squat kicks with no surprise extras at the end. He didn't even make me hold the last squat.

"You're taking it easy on me," I said, extremely short of breath. I'd missed our last two sessions. "Why? You should be kicking my ass for standing you up."

Paul shrugged, arms clasped behind his back. It made his pecs stand out more than they already did. "You seem distracted and I don't need you hurting yourself."

Humming, I squirted some water into my mouth.

Paul watched.

"Something you want to talk about?" he asked before I swallowed. I nearly spit the water out on him.

"With you?"

He seemed surprised by my surprise. "Yeah with me. Why not? I've got sisters. I've heard it all. And give pretty good advice."

"You don't say."

"They don't necessarily see it that way," he added, which started me laughing. "But I do."

"I never knew you had sisters. How many?"

"Four."

"Are you the oldest?"

"Somewhere in the middle."

"What was that like, growing up with all those girls in the house?"

"Crowded. Educational. Like now, for example. You're diverting." He waited for me to argue but I couldn't. "Is it because I asked you out the last time you were here?"

Instead of answering I looked around to see if anyone was listening in on the conversation I couldn't believe was happening.

"If it is, it's no big deal. I can handle rejection, even when it comes from an extremely cool, beautiful woman."

I mean, I knew I was extremely cool, but beautiful? I highly doubted it. Especially right now since I was flushed, and not because of the workout.

"You're an admirable woman, Bella. How you take care of your kid, work full-time and volunteer at the clinic, plus come here. It just adds to—" He gestured to my whole being. "And it's not just me who thinks so. Most of the guys here would be honored to take you out. Even if the talk is not so honorable." He smirked.

I had to admit this was getting to be a bit of information overload.

"But hey, that's no pressure. I'm good with continuing the way we are, trainer and trainee. I'll even keep the wolves at bay. Done a good job of that so far. And I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. It wasn't my intention. But how else are we supposed to know what could be unless we try, right?"

That made a lot of sense. "Right."

I left the gym more mentally exhausted than anything.

Lying in bed, I stared at the phone number I'd saved in my cell but had yet to use, Paul's words fresh in my mind. How else are we supposed to know what could be unless we try, right?

But what was I going to say if I did?

Hey, this is Bella. You know, the girl you were about to screw until your drunk friend busted into the tent? Thanks for bringing my license and cash back. I seem to be missing a bra and condom, though. Any chance you've seen them?

I didn't think so. And no way could I be as forthcoming as Paul had been with me. It was almost like a business transaction. I'm hot, you're hot. Let's do this and see where it goes. Or not.

I mean, what the fuck?

Plus, once I used Masen's number then he would have mine. And I didn't know if I wanted him to have my number.

I didn't know if I even wanted to see him again.

I mean, I wanted to see him again. I just didn't know if I should.

Boyfriends were off limits: a self-anointed rule. I barely had enough time to spend with my kid. I wasn't about to dip into what time I did have for him and give it to someone else. Even if Brady didn't seem to want to spend any of his time with me. I was there if he wanted to.

Shutting my phone off, I rolled over to plug it in and placed it on the bedside table. I stared at it, thinking about what sex with Paul would be like. I imagined there would be a lot of direction, muscle straining for show, possibly some pointing at himself in the mirror. But then I was thinking about Masen and how he'd looked at me like he'd never seen anything more beautiful before.

Reaching into my nightstand, I pulled out my vibrator. With Masen on my mind it didn't take long for me to come twice. Next thing I knew I was waking up with the sun, vibrator still in hand. I quickly tossed it back in the drawer then flipped onto my back.

"Mom! Are you gonna sleep all day?"

I had been thinking about it.

It was so warm and cozy under the blankets. I never wanted to get out. But I had a life to lead and a growing boy to feed. Maybe if Emmett actually showed up this weekend I could take some time just for me and lie in bed all day.

A girl could dream.

Using my knees as much-needed leverage, I stood. They cracked, aching all the way down the stairs. After popping a handful of Motrin I got started on breakfast.

"Newt invited me over for breakfast. Is it okay if I go?"

I gave him a look. "You couldn't have just yelled that instead of sleep shaming me? I could still be in bed."

He took my response as permission. "Thanks. Just send Dad over when he gets here. I mean, if he gets here."

"He will."

Ignoring my empty promise Brady flew out the back door, stopping part way. "Oh yeah, coach said to ask if you wanted to come, too. Do you?"

God, no.

"Uh, I think I'll just stay here. It'll take forever for me to get ready anyway." It was a decent enough excuse. "Tell Mike I said thanks though."

Brady nodded, attempting to run again.

"Hey, you forgetting something?"

"What?"

"Oh, I don't know. You love me and will miss me? Maybe a hug and a kiss since I won't see you again until Monday evening."

Brady rolled his eyes and stomped over to throw his arms around my waist. "Love you. Miss you. Is that good enough? Can I go now?"

I held in my sigh and kissed the top of his head before letting him go.

"Yeah, you can go now."

He shot out the door before I even finished my sentence, letting the screen door slam behind him. My eyes automatically snapped shut from the offensive sound. It was entirely too early for that type of noise.

Remembering to be a good mother, I ran to the front window and made sure Brady made it safely inside Mike's before making myself some instant coffee with extra creamer because I needed it today.

Once the caffeine hit and I was feeling somewhat human, I started cleaning up the house. It had been neglected for three days. If I did it today I could relax while Brady was away with his dad. Or not. Who knew if Emmett would even show. It was a toss-up at this point.

Instead of tidying Brady's room I just shut the door then hopped in the shower to get cleaned up myself.

For the second time in two weeks someone was knocking on the front door at the exact moment I stepped out of the shower.

I cursed them, wrapping the towel tightly around me, then rushed down the stairs just in case it was Emmett. He didn't need any more excuses to not see his kid.

Yanking open the door, I was relieved to see it was in fact the father of my child. If anyone was going to see me in a towel it might as well have been him. Better than the delivery man.

"Jesus, B. You tryna kill me?" Emmett muttered under his breath as he rubbed at his chin. I ignored his theatrics.

"Brady's over at Mike's. You can pick him up there. His bag's already packed and by the door." I pointed to it but Emmett's eyes stayed focused on my towel.

"You're not gonna make this easy on me, are you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." I left the door open for him and went back upstairs to get dressed in some leggings and a comfy, oversized shirt that I could tie up at the waist.

When I came back down he was waiting on the couch.

Great.

"You heard me say Brady's at Mike's, right?" I asked just to make sure, even though I knew he had.

"Yeah, but if I go over there I'm gonna punch that douche in the face. Is that what you want? Our kid to see his old man punch someone?"

Oh my God. Always the drama with this guy.

"Why would you punch Mike?" I tried a civilized approach to keep him from escalating and never leaving.

"Because he's an asshole and he's trying to get into your pants. Your very tight pants that aren't much better than the towel, by the way." Emmett's eyes were glued to my legs.

"So what if he is? It's not like I'm trying to get into his. If I was, I would have already. Besides, we're not together." I gestured between the two of us. "You don't own me. You have no say in who I spend my time or sleep with just like I had no say when you were getting into every other pair of pants out there. Now please, get out of my house and go get your son. He misses you. I don't."

"So, you're sleeping with people now? Is that what you're saying?"

Talking to Emmett was worse than talking to a brick wall. At least the brick wall didn't talk back.

"What I'm saying is it's none of your business if I am or not, Emmett. Now for the second time, get out and go get your son without punching anyone. If I have to tell you a third time I'm calling the cops."

Emmett crossed his arms over his wide chest, wiggling his ass further into the couch cushion. "On what grounds?"

What was he, a lawyer now?

"Harassment."

Emmett put on his grump face that was nearly identical to his son's. Only Brady's was cuter. I didn't give in to either. Anymore.

"Fine." Emmett stood and grabbed up Brady's things, thank God. "I'm going but I have to bring him back Sunday night. I have a job Monday and can't take him to school."

I refrained from rolling my eyes. "That's fine. What time?"

"Five-ish?"

"Okay. See you then." I opened the door for him, turning my face when he came in for the lips so he'd get the cheek instead. He smacked my ass a little too roughly, palming the cheek.

"Don't forget what I told you, B. I can be good for you. I can be good for the both of you. I didn't know what I wanted before but I know now."

Where had I heard that before? Oh yeah, his own lying ass.

"I want you." His fingers slid down my butt, creeping closer to the space between my legs. "I want to make this work. We can do it. All you have to do is forgive, forget, and give me another chance."

He pulled his hand away and stepped over the threshold of the door. I clipped his heel on his way out.

If there was one thing I couldn't stand it was manipulative bullshit. Emmett was a master at it.

Standing in the center of the living room I let out a low roar. It wasn't as loud or as satisfying as a scream but it would have to do. The last thing I needed was one of the neighbors calling the cops like the last time Emmett and I'd had a "domestic dispute." I was still trying to live down the fact that we were that couple. The ones who were always disturbing the neighbors with our antics. He made us that couple.

Anger somewhat managed, I went to the window to make sure Emmett kept his word and retrieved his kid leaving no blood or broken bones behind. I stood there until his car disappeared around the block then let out a relieved breath.

Why did he have to make everything so difficult?

Why couldn't anything just be easy for once?

After repeatedly making sure the door was locked, I skulked upstairs to rummage around in my dresser drawer where I kept all my unmentionables. Lying on top of the mess was the last note Masen left with a date and time to meet him.

The date was today.

The time was a few hours from now.

Looked like I had a decision to make.