Betad by kitchmill. I think. Either way mistakes are my own.

Preread by Hoodie.


13


LLLLLOLLLLL

Some of y'all pissed Bella left. I love y'all but bet my ass would leave, too haha! She's been thinking of him as a one night stand all along (in thought and conversation) Of course it's also a self defense mechanism. And what fun would it be if the guy didn't do a little bit of chasing? In this case a lot of it lol


"So, let me get this straight." Alice reached for another loaded nacho. "You got dicked," she said before stuffing her mouth with it. Chewing quickly, she swallowed. "Then you ditched." Sucking on her soda, she shook her head. "Wow. I'm just ... so fucking proud of you."

"Stop."

"I'm serious."

"I know you are. Stop."

Giving me a serious look, Alice placed her hand on my shoulder and started to sing. "Did you ever know that you're my heroooo …"

"I said stop!" Trying to sound stern didn't work so well when I was laughing. "And don't say a thing to Ang. The last thing I need is her starting another prayer chain for me. I feel sinful enough already."

Alice pouted; seeing Angie's shocked face was one of her favorite pastimes. Even better when she was the one who made her make it.

"So, are you going to see him again?"

"I doubt it."

"But why not?" Alice scoffed. "There's only two reasons a guy fucks like that: either he's getting paid or he's totally into you. I mean, four times?" Alice held up four of her fingers and pointed to each of them as if she were teaching a Preschool class to count. "I haven't even given myself that many O's in one go. And I've tried."

Both her and Jasper produced TMI. They were a match made in Hell.

"Please tell me you'll go back. And take me with you. Maybe his friend taught him those moves."

"I'm pretty sure a healthy dose of porn taught him those moves. But I'll think about it. Once my vajay heals up."

Girl talk was cut short when the door flew open and in ran Brady, heading for the stairs. "Hey, kiddo. What are you doing back so early?"

"Why? You don't want me around now like Dad either?"

My mouth dropped open, not sure what to say at first.

Looking hurt, Brady sprinted up the stairs.

"Hey no, Brady …"

Emmett stomped in next, dropping Brady's bag next to the door.

"What the hell is going on? What did you do?" I asked, not giving two shits if Alice was front row for the show.

"What did I do?" Emmett pointed to his chest. "That kid of yours has it out for me." He pointed to where Brady disappeared up the steps.

"Seriously, Emmett?" I sighed, fed up with his nonsense. It was always something.

"Seriously, Bella. Not only did he throw a PlayStation remote and break it, he put a hole in the wall then told me to fuck off when I told him he'd be replacing it by doing chores around the house."

I could see Alice gumming her lips, trying not to laugh, out of the corner of my eye.

"Have you said something to him about me not giving you money for shit?"

I leveled Emmett a look. "Please. You know I'd never do that."

"Well, somebody has 'cause he threw that in my face when I mentioned working to replace the remote. Said I didn't pay for any of his things so why did he have to pay for mine."

"And what'd you say?"

"Told 'im I didn't go around breaking his shit. There's a difference."

"Nice," I said more to myself than anybody, rubbing my forehead. "Okay. Well, why did he throw the remote in the first place? I mean, he hasn't thrown anything but a football since he turned five."

"Ya got me. Pissed at the game probably. Fuck if I know."

I rolled my eyes. It was a wonder that kind of talk hadn't come out of Brady's mouth sooner. "Well, did you ask him what had him so upset?"

"Uh, no. I was kinda pissed since I rent the place. No way I'm getting my deposit back now."

God forbid.

"What were you doing while he was playing? Were you in the room with him?"

"In and out, I guess."

"Okay, so were you actually trying to spend any time with him or …"

Emmett shrugged. "He seemed content to play by himself and I had shit to do."

"Yeah, like that stupid blonde chick you had over or the redhead at the diner that one time," Brady chimed in from the top of the stairs. "He ignored me then, too. He always ignores me. He doesn't want me there, so I don't wanna go over there anymore. Besides, those girls smell weird, Mom. And they dress like the ones Newt and I saw standing on the corner that one time Coach took us to the city for the ballgame. He called them ladies of the night, whatever that means."

Alice snorted. I smacked her in the arm.

I was gonna have to have a chat with Mike later.

"And I can't stand their laughs. All ha ha ha." Brady imitated high pitched laughter, flinging his limp wrists around.

I had to gum my lips at that one. Brady had always been funny, especially without meaning to be.

"You're not that funny, Dad. I don't see why they're always laughing all the time. It's so annoying."

Even though I was partially amused, I was sure my face was flaming red with anger. Not because I was jealous. Far from it. The blonde and the redhead could have Emmett separate or at the same time. I didn't care either way. What I cared about was the fact that Emmett and I had talked about the prospect of bringing other people around our kid. We had agreed on no introductions until we had been dating exclusively for a while and we each had to meet that other person first or all together at the same time. No exceptions. What the hell had he been thinking? And why was I only just now hearing about this from Brady? Was Emmett having my kid keep things from me too now?

Standing, I headed toward Emmett who had every right to look as ashamed as he did.

"Can I talk to you for a minute? Outside." I jerked my head.

Emmett nodded once, keeping his head hanging down.

All self-righteous, I opened the front door to lay into the sneaky, lying father of my child only to find my own secret shame standing on the other side, fist up at the ready to knock.

Masen, Emmett, and I just stood there. Me staring at Masen. Masen looking at me then to Emmett. I didn't even have to look over at Emmett to know they were sizing each other up.

"Brady, why don't you come with me to the kitchen," Alice suggested. "I brought some cookies."

"Triple chocolate chip?"

"Are there any other kind?"

Brady stomped down the steps and into the kitchen with Alice. The tightness in my shoulders loosened only minutely.

"Who are you?" Emmett asked. Before Masen could answer, Emmett cut him off. "Bella, who the hell is this?"

"Sorry. Um … Masen, this is Emmett, Brady's dad. Emmett, this is Masen ..." I had no idea how to introduce the guy. As the one who gave me four orgasms last night? Somehow I didn't think Emmett would appreciate that.

"And just what the hell is Masen doing here? Y'all have a date? Am I sensing a bit of hypocrisy here?"

"No, we don't have a date. And, hypocrisy? Really? Even if we did have a date you weren't supposed to have Brady home until tomorrow evening."

Emmett fumed. "So you admit it. You're dating. Is he the reason you didn't answer any of my texts last night?" He turned his attitude on Masen. "Are you the reason? Are you fucking my woman?"

"I'm not ... I'm not his woman," I assured Masen, which was embarrassing to have to do. How dare Emmett try and make me feel like I'd done something wrong when, in reality, I'd done nothing wrong at all.

"That's not what you were saying the other day."

I gave Emmett a very angry, very confused look.

"Ya know, in the kitchen. When we were talking about having another kid."

"Oh, you mean when you groped me against my will then brought up the subject of more children? Honestly, Emmett."

Masen gave Emmett a glare, or perhaps it was a what the fuck stare. It was hard to tell.

"I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to hear any of this," I said to Masen, completely mortified.

"You're right, he shouldn't be here."

"That's not what I said." I pretty much whispered to myself but the look in Masen's eyes told me he'd heard it.

I gave him a tight smile with an accompanying look to say see what my life consists of? See what I have to deal with? What you'd have to deal with if you got mixed up with me? Even if I'd entertained the notion of seeing him again, there was no way it was happening now. Not after witnessing the level of crazy he'd have to put up with.

"I think it's time you left," Emmett said.

I opened my mouth to suggest Emmett take his own advice and leave when Alice walked up behind us.

"I've got an idea," she said instead. "How about the both of you leave and Bella here will contact you if and when she wishes." Alice may have been petite but she stood just as tall as the next guy when getting down to business. "How 'bout that?"

"That sounds more than fair." Masen finally got a word in. "I shouldn't have dropped by like this. I'm sorry."

"You should be."

Ignoring Emmett's mouth Masen gave a curt nod. "You ladies have a good night. And, Bella, just call me if you need anything."

"She already has someone to call. You got me? So thanks for the offer, but no thanks."

Masen had already turned to leave. Emmett waited on the porch until he disappeared around the block on his bike before taking off himself.

Alice and I joined Brady in the kitchen to chow down on some triple chocolate cookies. To my surprise he asked nothing of Masen, his dad, or what had happened. Instead he begged to go over to the Newtons'.

For the first time ever I agreed with no hesitation, sending Alice on her way so I could walk over with Brady and have a much needed chat with Mike. I'd address Brady's attitude sometime later. I only had so much energy.

Grabbing my sweater off the back of the kitchen chair, I gestured for Brady to lead the way out so I could lock up.

We were about halfway to the Newtons' when Brady's curiosity got the better of him.

"Who was that guy Dad was yelling at at the door today?"

Oh boy. What to say, what to say?

"His name's Masen. I met him while working the raffle booth at the rodeo. He bought a lot of tickets to help buy you guys your equipment this year. He's friendly so he invited Alice and me back later that night to meet some of his friends."

"The night you and Alice went out? That's who you were with?"

"Yes. That was who I was with the night Alice and I went out."

"So is he your boyfriend? Is he going to be hanging around?" Brady asked, head down, hands in his pockets as he kicked at a rock.

"No. No, it's nothing like that. We're just friends." With really great benefits.

At least, we were.

Just that one time, though. Any future romps were probably out of the question after the show he witnessed today. "You're still the most important guy in my life." I ruffled his hair. "Promise."

With a smirk, he ducked out of my reach, leaving me a few steps behind as we crossed the street.

As usual, Brady walked right into Mike's and I followed, finding Mike in the kitchen mixing up some instant mac and cheese.

"Bella, hey. I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting you. If you want I can make another box."

Holding my hand up, I passed. "That won't be necessary, Mike. But I will take a drink. Something stiff, straight up. Best you pour yourself one, too, because I'm not here for dinner. I'm here to discuss the ladies of the night with you."

Mike's face visibly paled. He stopped stirring and cleared his throat. "Whiskey okay?"

"Whiskey would be perfect."

Newt and Brady had fallen asleep long before Mike and I finished off the last of the bottle. I left my kid where he was, sprawled out on the Newtons' couch, and headed home alone.

Always the gentleman, Mike stood on his porch making sure I made it safe. After unlocking the door, I grabbed the mail, giving him a wave goodnight before stepping inside.

Flipping the light on, I shielded my face with what I'd grabbed out of the mailbox. Once my eyes adjusted I could make out the familiar scroll that was scribbled on a torn piece of paper at the top of the pile.

Regardless of what happened today, I still want to see you again.

Your call,

Mase


Alright. Listen, guys. 2019 has whooped my ass. Can we just be done already?

Anyway ...

Hood and I are working on an entry for the 911First Responders Contest!

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