Page 80 of Nothing to This
“You’ll think this is funny ‘til I stop paying your rent.I pay more for you than I do in child support,” he said, opening the top drawer of his desk to grab his wallet.He slid a credit card from inside and held it toward her.Though she “ooh’d” in excitement and grabbed for it, he didn’t immediately let go.“Give this to Rylee.”Brenna nodded.“I mean it, Brenna.Give it to her, she swipes the card, you just stand and watch.I don’t mind her paying for your shit, but I’m not paying for your lady’s candlelight, you know.”
He let go and she snatched the card to her body, growling at him as she did.“You’re just jealous I’m getting pussy tonight and you’re not.”
“Get it out your system,” he said.“You better show up early tomorrow and remember it’s a five year old’s birthday party.”
“You mean no hot pants and boob tubes?”she asked, walking backwards toward the door.
“I don’t give a damn if you come naked, just watch your language.”
Opening the door, she snorted.“Mom will be there, only someone with a death wish would swear around her precious babies, and I don’t mean us.”
Pride warmed him.“My children rule the world.”
“Your children?Rylee’s kids.We don’t give a damn about you.”
His laughing sister left, though he wasn’t sure she was wrong.That was the way it should be.Adults didn’t matter, the kids mattered, just like Rylee tried to tell him last night.But his sister had come into his office and thrown what he thought he knew into the wringer.
The trouble was, now he had to decide, was he going to do something about it… or not?
TWENTY-EIGHT
Five years old.Her babies were five years old.How did that happen?It felt like just yesterday she’d learned of their pending arrival.Now, running around the funfair located in the park just for them, they were fully fledged human beings.It was real.She didn’t want it to be.Okay, so she loved to see them so happy, but did they have to keep getting bigger?Crop tops and jalopies got closer every day.
In absolute awe, she couldn’t fault any detail of the event.Everything was catered for, every whim satisfied.Every five-year-old’s whim anyway.The delight of her babies was enough to skyrocket her own.This was what they wanted and they got it.
A Ferris wheel, a teacup ride, a carousel, on and on, the attractions were in full swing.Various stalls with games like hook-the-duck and a coconut shy kept the adults trying for prizes.The petting zoo, of course, Sky wouldn’t surrender the chance to be close to animals.Food trucks were set up for grilling and hotdogs and all kinds of candy.Her children were spoiled.And why shouldn’t they be spoiled on their birthday?
All paid for by the sire himself.There hadn’t been time to thank him, the day had been manic.The kids got their presents in the morning, followed by a special brunch for close family only.A kind of brunch anyway, one with cake and a chance to blow out their candles.
Afterwards, the fair awaited, along with their daycare friends and extended family.Going from one adult to another, from one group of friends to the next, the twins loved every minute of the attention.Mommy wasn’t as exciting, obviously, she’d hardly seen them.They’d get family time at home later, so for now, she’d take a backseat.
JD had said there would be another surprise at the apartment, for just the four of them; she was in the dark along with the twins.Speculating, she wandered to the perimeter of festivities, admiring the vision of happiness created for her children.
That happiness vanished in a heartbeat.A figure broke from the crowd with her in its sights.Was this real?He couldn’t be here.Why would he be here?Snapping to, she hurried to meet him.
“Baxter,” she gasped.“What the hell…?What are you doing here?”
“I came to get you back,” he said, determined, his wide eyes wild.“I can’t walk away or live without you.”
“You can… you have to,” she said, grabbing his wrist to march him away from the party.At the end of the hot dog cart, he yanked his arm from her grip.“Baxter—”
“I love you, Rylee,” Baxter declared.“I love you.”
Panic surged through her and she grabbed him again.“What has gotten into you?What the hell, Baxter!”
Sinking down onto the grass, he dug in his pocket.“I bought you a ring, Ry.I want to do it.To marry you.”
“No, you don’t,” she said and tossed her head back to growl at the sky before glaring at him.“I will not let you ruin my children’s birthday, not for them and not for me.I don’t know what is going on here, but we were never in love.You never said you loved me until Jamison came into my life and now you’re determined to beat him?Is that what this is?”He gave up rifling in his pocket.“Get up off the ground.”
“Rylee—”
“You never met my kids, never wanted to, until their dad moved into town.We didn’t talk about being exclusive let alone living together or merging lives.And marriage?”Too astounding for words.“You used to joke with me, tell me you were competitive, but this… I don’t know what you expect to happen here.I did nothing to make you believe I wanted us to be forever.We dated, we had fun, and I’m sorry if you’re hurt that it’s over, but my kids are my priority.They will always be my priority and I’m sorry, I don’t believe that you would be a positive influence in their lives.”
Staggering back a step, he opened his mouth.“You think I’m not father material?That he’s better than me?”
“Baxter, I—”
“You can walk away from four months together?You can give up on us?Just like that?”Hurting him wasn’t her goal.She could understand his anger, but there was no way to make it better for him without being dishonest and she couldn’t do that.“Are you in love with him?”
