Page 32 of Speed

“Did you need me to take over the stove?” He was probably uncomfortable being in my kitchen.

“Nope wanted to do this.” Before I knew what he was going to do, he leaned in and kissed my forehead, “Morning.” He turned back to the stove, plated another pancake and let Ally add more batter while I stood there blinking and wondered if I was still in my bed dreaming.

“Momma, you going to eat too? I’m helpin’ cook.”

“Hmm...sure.” Speed winked at me, and I turned, grabbed a cup of coffee, then got plates and silverware to set the table. Maybe it was an alternate universe.

It wasn’t long, and the three of us were seated at the table having breakfast like a family. My daughter talking and giggling as though a strange man sat at our table every day. Speed interacting with her as though they’d done it a thousand times as I sat there and watched. Then I got annoyed as I thought about how he steamrolled over me, using sex whenever I tried to discuss anything he didn’t want to talk about.

“You working today?” I glanced at him when he spoke.

“Yes, in a few hours actually. Don’t you have to be somewhere?” Yeah, it sounded a little snotty. And when he smirked my annoyance increased.

“Sure do, and I will get to it after I finish eating. Woke hungry for some reason this morning.” He had the gall to wink at me and go back to shoveling food into his mouth.

Deciding to ignore him, “You got dressed and everything this morning already, Ally?”

“Uh huh, I gots up, and Speed came out of your room. He said you was still sleeping and that if I went and gots dressed, I could help him fix breakfast for you.”

“Well thank you, baby. It’s a great breakfast.” I looked at Speed, and he shrugged.

“I ran into Ally after I’d put your laundry in your room that was left by the front door last night.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh,” he chuckled.

“He fixed my hair too.” I looked at her and back to Speed.

“What? Did you want her in front of the stove with her hair flying everywhere?”

“No. Feel free to go when you are done, I’ll clean up the kitchen since you cooked.”

“You coming back today, Speed?”

“Ally, Speed probably has stuff to do.” I pointedly looked at him, and he sat back then crossed his arms over his chest.

“We’ll see. Your mother and I have things to talk about.” Yes, we did, like how he was acting like he had every right to walk in and take over my life because we slept together over five years ago, one time, and shared a kid. Then he enters my home, and when we should have been hashing things out, he kisses me, and before I can think, we are having sex up against the door. It also didn’t escape me that thank God Ally slept like the dead, considering she was in her bed while her mother was slutting it up. It was mutual sex, but how was I supposed to think when he was touching me and kissing me for fuck’s sake?

“Not today, Ally. I don’t get off till late.”

“‘K. Maybe tomorrows you can come over?” Then she turned to me. “Cans I watch TV until you get ready?”

“Yes, you can.” We watched her jump down and take off for the living room, and he didn’t wait long after the sound of the TV hit our ears.

“Before you start, I was going to get out of here before she woke,” he got up and put his plate in the sink, “but I walked into her in the hall. Figured the best thing was to act as normal as possible.”

“Thank you, I do appreciate that and breakfast but...”

“I wanted to tell her, but I also didn’t want to freak her out. I want to get to know my daughter, Sami. You won’t keep me from her.” He looked at his watch. “I gotta be going, meeting the guys. I’ll tell her bye on my way out.”

“I think it best if we take it slow with her, then if you stick, we can tell her, and if not, well, she won’t get hurt.” He smiled when I looked up at him. “What the hell are you smiling at.”

“She won’t get hurt, Sami, and neither will you. I’m not going anywhere. Now come and kiss me goodbye.”

“I concede on telling her about you, Speed, but that doesn’t have anything to do with me. We had sex, it was good. I don’t need to be part of the equation, and I don’t want you to feel that you have to be. I won’t be used just so you can spend time with our daughter. The convenient pussy when you need to be laid.” I stood. “I’ll walk you out. I have to get ready myself.”

“Fair enough.” He followed me down the hall to the front door. I opened it up for him. “Later, Ally.”

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