Page 21 of Pieces of Us

“Mmhmm. Can Rudy come with us?”

“Of course. I’m going to call your aunt Drue, and we can make it a day.”

“Period!”

“Oh goodness.” I laughed as we entered the kitchen.

“Me come too, Mommy?” Mariah asked.

“It wouldn’t be a day without you, Honey Bee!”

“Yayyy!”

“Good morning my beautiful ladies,” Justin announced as he entered in from the back door.

Weak ass. Can’t even face me like a man.

“Morning, Dad. Are you still treating us to the nail spa?” Megan asked.

My stomach sank at her calling him Dad now. It reminded me of the secret we had been sweeping under the rug for almost fourteen years.God help me. Show me what I should do.

“Of course, baby. I promised you, and I always keep my promises, don’t I?”

“You do.”

“Alright then.”

I began removing the breakfast food from the fridge as Justin wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Can we talk?” he whispered in my ear.

“Megan, can you start mixing the pancakes and the eggs?”

“Sure, Mom. Can I cook the whole breakfast? I promise I know how.”

I chuckled. “Since when?”

“Auntie Drue taught me and Rudy. I got this.”

“Okay…You can start, but I’ll be right back to help.”

“Fine.”

I walked out of the kitchen and down the hall to one of the bedrooms on the first level. Justin came in behind me and closed the door, pulling me into his arms, but I pulled away.

“Baby…”

“No, Justin. I’m still hurt about what happened last night.”

“I know, Mo, and I promise I’m so fucking sorry. I’ve never spoken to you like that before, and I feel fucked up about it. My right hand to God, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for you helping me get here. You mean so much to me that I couldn’t fathom the thought of losing you.”

“Then who was that you were talking to on the phone last night?”

“It was Jonathan. I promised him I’d take him to Atlantic City for his birthday, but with my workload being so hectic, I hadn’t found the time to set it up.”

“Jonathan? Really?”

“Yes, babe. You can call him yourself, and he’ll tell you. I would never hurt you, Morgan. I’m so in love with you that I can’t see myself ever doing you wrong.”

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