Page 38 of One More Song

“I won’t hurt you, Ember.” And I mean it. I’ve only known the woman a week, and I’m already making promises. Promises I don’t know if I can keep, as much as I want to.

“This won’t end well, Ash.”

“Why do we have to talk about endings when this thing between us has just begun?” I ask, my hand on her cheek. Wishing we had more time to be alone.

“Lines like that will get you another hit song,” she says, looking over the living room where the band’s instruments are spread out.

“Speaking of which, I need the guys to believe me when I say I’m serious about righting my wrongs.”

Ember nods, leaning in and kissing my cheek. “Go make some music,” she says. “And later ...”

I give her a grin, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “We can make some noise?”

She laughs, batting my chest. “No! Remember, this is supposed to be on the down-low.”

“I think the guys know what I’m up to.”

“Does that bother you?” she asks.

I swallow, knowing this thing with her couldn’t have come at a worse time. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”

Ember nods, looking out the back window, Cadence is running around with my bandmates, playing a game of tag. “She seems happy,” Ember says softly. “Maybe Mitch is right, maybe—”

“Don’t. One step at a time, Ember.” I may know next to nothing about kids, but I know a lot about single moms. And she is beating herself up for nothing.

My words seem to be the ones she needs to hear. “Then my next step will be getting my daughter in the kitchen so she can help me make a big Sunday supper.”

“Is that a thing you usually do?” I ask.

“No. But I don’t usually have four grown men in my house.” Ember laughs, swatting my ass before walking away. “And I think this afternoon proves you have quite an appetite.”

She heads outside, and I watch her go. Her curvy backside sashaying as she walks and my cock growls. Hungry for more.

For everything.

Chapter Fifteen

Ember

I wakeup with a smile stuck on my face. For the past two weeks, Ash and I have been spending hours in my bed each night. When dawn hits, I always kick him out, not wanting my daughter to see. He understands, kissing my breasts, his hand on my still wet pussy. He leaves me to sleep the last few hours alone in bed, and when the alarm forces me up, I feel rested even though I’m not getting near as much sleep as I’m used to.

As I move around the kitchen in my terrycloth robe, making a pot of coffee and pulling out milk and cereal, I realize I haven’t felt such a lightness in my chest for years.Years.

The reality hits me like a ton of bricks as Cadence jumps onto a stool at the kitchen island. She’s growing up so fast. I want her childhood to be happy, not witnessing her parents fighting at every turn, not wondering where her loyalty should lie. She’s just a little girl. I glance at my phone, knowing I need to talk to Mitch sooner than later. I’ve been putting off responding to his text for three days.

I want Cadence at my house on Saturday to spend time with Deb.

I’m not threatened by her... but I don’t think I’m ready to let another woman into my daughter’s life.

“Mom, are you listening?” Cadence asks.

I pour her a bowl of cereal, determined to be more present. “What, honey?”

“I was wondering, since it’s Friday, if we could have pizza and play a game tonight?”

I smile. “That sounds awesome. Want to invite anyone from school over?”

Cadence takes a bite of cereal before answering. “I was thinking maybe the band would want to play?”

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